Gun Appreciation Thread

Just posting a couple of pics to bump the thread:

Bulgarian AKS74 (SGL31-44 with rare 1P29 Russian scope - a dirrect rip-off of the Brit SUIT Trilux):



Chinese NDM86 Dragunov:



That's a Bulgarian AKS74U on the bench with the muzzle device removed.

The AKS74U looks like a perfect urban tool, like for rodents and such.

Originally Posted by Godot

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The AKS74U looks like a perfect urban tool, like for rodents and such.

It is pretty accurate out to 300 yards. The 8" barrel sacrifices some muzzle velocity but not much accuracy.

I got my SBR paperwork in to the BATF a few weeks ago. My trigger group is getting some Bill Springfield love and I am getting a virgin DDR barrel reprofiled to Krink spec while I wait.

Originally Posted by JustinW

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It is pretty accurate out to 300 yards. The 8" barrel sacrifices some muzzle velocity but not much accuracy.

I got my SBR paperwork in to the BATF a few weeks ago. My trigger group is getting some Bill Springfield love and I am getting a virgin DDR barrel reprofiled to Krink spec while I wait.

Sounds like you're going all out for this one

Originally Posted by tiecollector

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Well, the time has come where I have decided to purchase my first firearm. I'm looking at a 9mm Beretta pistol.

What kinds of guns do you all have and which would you recommend for a first timer?

I don't have any and asking about we all? has firearms become suits or T-shirts that people purchase just like that? Common man.

Well I recommend the one James Bonds uses in his movies. Very efficient and always gets the job done well.



OK good luck with your purchase, but don't tell anybody I said that.

Originally Posted by Rosenberg

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Sounds like you're going all out for this one

Yup. I sold 4 rifles to finance this build - my first SBR. Setting-up the NFA Trust was an expense I hadn't anticipated when I bought the kit.

Next dilemma: I have a Stormwerks mini-rail and a spare topcover to mount it on (I won't drill the matching no. original cover). I'd like to mount a genuine Aimpoint T1/H1, but may settle for a Vortex Sparc.

Does anyone do any gunsmithing as a hobby? It seems like it would be fun, and I've got a fair set of tools due to my occupation (well, at least the measurement tools and basic hand tools, I don't have a mill or lathe).

I was thinking of buying a cheap SKS or the like to start on, so I don't cry when I ruin something.

Thoughts for a beginner?

Originally Posted by Milpool

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Does anyone do any gunsmithing as a hobby? It seems like it would be fun, and I've got a fair set of tools due to my occupation (well, at least the measurement tools and basic hand tools, I don't have a mill or lathe).

I was thinking of buying a cheap SKS or the like to start on, so I don't cry when I ruin something.

Thoughts for a beginner?

What sort of gunsmithing interests you? Do you want to 'sporterize' that sks?

Because of current import restrictions on whole surplus rifles, there is now a HUGE cottage industry of home gunsmiths assembling foreign military rifles - FALS, G3s/CETME and especially AKs being very popular. Restoring/converting a Saiga rifle to it's proper AK configuration is fun and involves basic hand tools and no specialized skills (if you don't weld you can get someone else to do it or use little rubber hole plugs). From there you can move onto building an AK from a kit. Head-spacing is a challenge for first-timers. I'd suggest starting with a cheap Romanian kit and a cheap riveting tool (some people build them with screws, though that is pretty ghetto AK).

Not a gun owner yet but when I do buy one it will be this:

http://www.springfield-armory.com/xd.php?model=4

Someday it will be mine!!!

My Nighthawk Talon II in 9mm is waiting at MI Gunslingers for me to pay the last $1000, which should happen in the next week.

I don't expect to be shooting any other pistols for the first year, unless I get a big enough bonus to buy an Ed Brown Special Forces outright...

Originally Posted by JustinW

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What sort of gunsmithing interests you? Do you want to 'sporterize' that sks?

Because of current import restrictions on whole surplus rifles, there is now a HUGE cottage industry of home gunsmiths assembling foreign military rifles - FALS, G3s/CETME and especially AKs being very popular. Restoring/converting a Saiga rifle to it's proper AK configuration is fun and involves basic hand tools and no specialized skills (if you don't weld you can get someone else to do it or use little rubber hole plugs). From there you can move onto building an AK from a kit. Head-spacing is a challenge for first-timers. I'd suggest starting with a cheap Romanian kit and a cheap riveting tool (some people build them with screws, though that is pretty ghetto AK).

Thanks for the info.

The end goal in my mind was to eventually fabricate my own rifles and shotguns, complete with inlay and stocks that I've carved myself, but that is WAY down the road once I have experience, a lathe to make a barrel, and a mill to produce a lot of the other parts. I know my way around a machine shop, I just don't have one at home.

For now, I was thinking the SKS because I've never actually gone beyond a routine field strip of a firearm. Completely tearing something like that apart and refinishing it would probably yield a lot of learning. I don't see myself dumping money on aftermarket parts for it or something.

If assembling military rifles could help pay for the rest of the stuff I need for this hobby, then I'd be all over it at this point. Good way to learn a lot and make some money.

Where do I find these kits?

Kits are everywhere, though the days of the sub-$100 Romanian AK are gone, I fear.

The best single resource for the home firearms builder is here: http://www.weaponeer.net/

Originally Posted by milosz

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My Nighthawk Talon II in 9mm is waiting at MI Gunslingers for me to pay the last $1000, which should happen in the next week.

I don't expect to be shooting any other pistols for the first year, unless I get a big enough bonus to buy an Ed Brown Special Forces outright...

Your last $1000!?!?!?!? How much is your 9mm????

I just googled and while I could not find prices it appears the gun is custom made for each owner. I see why it costs more. That said...that is one pricey hand gun!!!

Originally Posted by Willie5566

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Your last $1000!?!?!?!? How much is your 9mm????

I just googled and while I could not find prices it appears the gun is custom made for each owner. I see why it costs more. That said...that is one pricey hand gun!!!

Nighthawk has prices right on its site. Talons run roughly $2600 and up MSRP.

Originally Posted by retronotmetro

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Nighthawk has prices right on its site. Talons run roughly $2600 and up MSRP.