Mega Rad Gun Thread

[AGPinochet]

update on HK USA

-Guns will feature German parts but America production of parts will continually ramp up
-G36 and MP7 are coming, If all goes well HK expects them to hit the market sometime after 2025.
-No HK433

Saiga-12 with non rock and lock style magazine


Wooden Pic rail from Syria

Members of Jihadist group Anjad Al Kavkaz with two PKMs with backpack ammo feed


Kryptek Ukrainain DShK Infantry conversion with either a big Thermal or NV. Can't wait until one of the four studios who know make COD games become aware of these and implement these ridiculously large abominations as run and gun really big assault rifles.


1919 in Libya


416 being used as a Pseudo-Cornershot


Bren in Ukraine from way before the SMO (I'm also like 98% sure this guy is wearing a Sfera Helmet, which is a collection of three titanium or steel plates held together by a nylon head diaper)


Custom PPSh captured from ISIS


I think this is a first (for me at least). A Ukrainian bullpup conversion that isn't a Black Storm or a Malyuk

Another Ukrainian Bullpup conversion, this time an SKS that also takes AK mags. This might be an early Black Storm product based on the styling

Keeping on the trend, from the DPR


To think that Eugene Stoner designing a battle rifle in the 1950's would inadvertently lead to a chain of events that would eventually cause these parts to be fitted to a low cost (The VSK-94 and 9A-91 were made as cheaper alternatives to the Val and VSS) Russian special purpose rifle

Bullpup PKM with a style of Rail I've never seen before (Bonus A545)


A little hard to make out, but I believe this is one of the first examples of an AK-12 Obr. 2023 in the field in the SMO Zone. Note the revised safety, handguard and muzzle device

 

[SHIGGSHOGG]

Is it worth it buying into a reloading press? Or is it a money sink?

I’m not worried about picking up a cheap box of 100 Blazer 115 grain FMJ but home defense ammo is fucking pricy. I picked up 100 rounds of Federal 147 grain JHP at Academy and it cost me over $200.

Should I look into getting a press?

I did the math last year, and it'd take me like 3k 9mm to pay off $600 of gear, and that's with me casting the bullets with some gear that I already own, with brass I've already saved. If I were to pay myself $20 and hour I'd probably be paying MORE to reload 9, 556, and 12 gauge bird shot.
This has basically been said by all the honest reloaders, but it's only good for expensive ammo. You won't be making blasting ammo unless you bought your gear and consumables 20 years ago.

For your defensive handgun ammo, fighting rifle ammo, and hunting cartridges you'll pay off your shit and save money even if you pay yourself just because of the retarded markups.
There's whatever heavy 5.56 loads that go for $2 a round, but can be done for probably ¢50 even with Gucci components. Same for your $3+ rifle bullets or $1 handgun bullets, the actual component cost is so much lower than the store price that a few hundred rounds will pay for all the equipment.
Buck and slugs are like $1 per round these days, but with a $35-$70 mold, a ladle, and a camp stove you'll make the stuff for less than a loaded birdshot shell. Reloading shotguns is a lot cheaper than brass cases since there's less gear you need to have. There's also way less to do since there's no cleaning/sizing you need to do really.

From people I've talked to, powder has tripled or quadrupled since 2020 and primers moreso, and it also sounds like hazmat fees are higher and not covered as often. If that shit wasn't so fucking expensive blasting ammo would still be somewhat worthwhile to reload, but to start from new in this current year isn't at all worthwhile.
If you're wondering about your break even point, just calculate the cost of you to load a shell, subtract that from a standard cost, and divide the cost of whatever gear by that price difference.

 

[misplaced nut]

Is it worth it buying into a reloading press? Or is it a money sink?

I’m not worried about picking up a cheap box of 100 Blazer 115 grain FMJ but home defense ammo is fucking pricy. I picked up 100 rounds of Federal 147 grain JHP at Academy and it cost me over $200.

Should I look into getting a press?

It can be a money sink if you want all the bells and whistles in your setup.
Probably the best thing you can do is seeing if you can get the components for a self defense load you like, if you trust yourself enough to "bet your life" on your work, and what your break even points is for rounds if you go down this path compared to just buying the ammo, and if you shoot enough to make it worthwhile.
Reloading probably makes the most sense if you're looking at match grade rifle rounds or something old or specific that's hard to find and are able to recreate them for less than half the cheapest off the shelf cost. It doesn't have to be quite that aggressive if you enjoy it but loading ammo does take time and some trial and error to get something you're happy with.

If you're annoyed by the price of self defense ammo you would probably be better served just buying your defensive ammo online. $2 a round for self defense ammo is pretty high, you can probably find the same round for half that or cheaper, especially if you buy enough to get free shipping or from a place that offers that.

 

[The Dude]

Is it it hard to rack the slide on that Bruno? It doesn't look like there's much surface area to grab onto.

Not at all. The recoil spring is pretty standard weight (not sure the exact weight, but no more than the spring on a typical .45 AVP). It's just positioned further below the bore axis than most handguns, and has a large (tungsten?) weight that wraps around the spring and guide rod, which is what allows you to have nearly .44 Magnum performance with .45 ACP felt recoil. There are front serrations on the slide, and there are two nubs at the rear of the slide flanking the channel for the hammer that provide plenty of grip for a "pinching/slingshot" style of racking the slide. It's about like racking the slide on a CZ-75 or similar pistol.

 

[Ass to Ass]

Is it worth it buying into a reloading press? Or is it a money sink?

I’m not worried about picking up a cheap box of 100 Blazer 115 grain FMJ but home defense ammo is fucking pricy. I picked up 100 rounds of Federal 147 grain JHP at Academy and it cost me over $200.

Should I look into getting a press?

Check out Ammoseek. It's a really good search engine to help you find ammo at good prices with good shipping fees (often free shipping) in the quantities you want.

On that note, New Republic is apparently selling 1000rd cases of 147gr HSTs (arguably the best 9mm JHP out there) at $490 a pop, free shipping.

 

[Dean Pentel]

Is it worth it buying into a reloading press? Or is it a money sink?

I’m not worried about picking up a cheap box of 100 Blazer 115 grain FMJ but home defense ammo is fucking pricy. I picked up 100 rounds of Federal 147 grain JHP at Academy and it cost me over $200.

Should I look into getting a press?

I've said this before ITT but I'll repeat it briefly to add on to what @SHIGGSHOGG already wrote:

In my experience, reloading works well for people that want the most accurate ammo they can possibly possess, people who shoot a lot of uncommon or wildcat cartridges, and people who shoot/hunt for a living.

People in that last group usually are sponsored and since shooting is all or a large part of what they do professionally, their expenditures can't reasonably be compared to people like us.

As it is, I only reload for .375 H&H, .300 PRC, 6.5 PRC, .308, and .44 magnum. Those last two I do because I have a lot of brass, bullets, and primers for them and I got a great used set of dies for the .44 for a very low price. If that wasn't the case I'd never reload for them because it'd be far cheaper, especially in terms of time, to just buy factory ammo.

All that said, you can find excellent prices on used gear. A lot of people get into reloading and either do it very little or very rarely. As such, a lot of what you find on the used market is still in almost-new shape. Don't forget that reloading good ammo relies much more on one's skill so you do not need the high end stuff to make great ammo. The real expensive stuff is for people that want that last 0.76% of consistency they can wring out of their rounds, they shoot some crazy specialized stuff (.375 Cheytac, for example), or they want to save time (Giraud case trimmer versus an RCBS powered trimmer or a Forster manual).

I love reloading and so I encourage you to do some research and see if it's something you'd want to try. I want to make one last point because it's impossible for this to be emphasized enough: by far the biggest cost associated with reloading regularly is time. Just be aware, yeah?

 

[BikeLock]

I'm mildly retarded, so if/when I decide to get a decent pistol in .40, I'll probably get a press and dies to load .357 Sig, because that seems like it could be pretty fun.

 

[DocAwe]

I'm mildly retarded, so if/when I decide to get a decent pistol in .40, I'll probably get a press and dies to load .357 Sig, because that seems like it could be pretty fun.

The only reason to buy a .40 should be the bargain is too good. (Read: CHEAP)
Even then the best thing to do is a barrel swap to 9mm.

 

[WelperHelper99]

The only reason to buy a .40 should be the bargain is too good. (Read: CHEAP)
Even then the best thing to do is a barrel swap to 9mm.

Speaking of .40 cal and cheap, S&W refreshed the SDVE. Meet the SD40 2.0

Looks slick as fuck, especially with the new flat trigger. 299 at Sportsmans warehouse for the 40 cal, which is LESS than the old version. Basically all old parts and accessories are compatible, so no need to get new mags if you have one. Very tempted to buy one rn, wanted a 40 for a long long time now.

 

[WhoBusTank69]

Very tempted to buy one rn

If you had a dollar for each time you've posted something like this you could afford one of those gats

 

[WelperHelper99]

If you had a dollar for each time you've posted something like this you could afford one of those gats

Except today I just got paid lol. That and the price dropped. I think im feeling it bro, I think it's time to get that 40 S&W. Its time to get that house/ car gat. Also I REALLY like the refresh look. Like a lot.

Edit: also thoughts on .40 S&W guys? Always liked the recoil impulse over 9mm personally, that and its always stocked on shelves. Not to mention it does have a slight energy advantage over 9mm, though how much that matters is debatable.

 

[Pretend To Imagine]

Except today I just got paid lol. That and the price dropped. I think im feeling it bro, I think it's time to get that 40 S&W. Its time to get that house/ car gat. Also I REALLY like the refresh look. Like a lot.

Edit: also thoughts on .40 S&W guys? Always liked the recoil impulse over 9mm personally, that and its always stocked on shelves. Not to mention it does have a slight energy advantage over 9mm, though how much that matters is debatable.

Having a “car gun” is a good way to have a gun stolen.

 

[WelperHelper99]

Having a “car gun” is a good way to have a gun stolen.

Done it with my revolver at points, no real issues. It all depends on where you stow it. I'd rather have firepower near me if i need it than the low chance someone finds the pistol.

As for the SD40 2.0, just ordered a case and a 25 round stick mag (for the giggles). Going to pick up some .40 ammo later today. I'm serious about this. It's happening

 

[Gorby-Chan]

Just picked up a Kimber micro 380, local store had one for too good a price to pass up, figure I'll use it as pocket carry or flip it if I don't like it.

 

[Pretend To Imagine]

Done it with my revolver at points, no real issues. It all depends on where you stow it. I'd rather have firepower near me if i need it than the low chance someone finds the pistol.

As for the SD40 2.0, just ordered a case and a 25 round stick mag (for the giggles). Going to pick up some .40 ammo later today. I'm serious about this. It's happening

It’s a very common way to have a gun stolen. If you want it near you, you should have it on your person.

 

[WelperHelper99]

It’s a very common way to have a gun stolen. If you want it near you, you should have it on your person.

I mean they could also steal my car at that point, then I'm really fucked. I also said house pistol, which probably is what its going to be doing most of the time. I don't live in a sketchy area, I keep my car garaged, I keep the doors on my place locked, this is very much for peace of mind above all else.

 

[BikeLock]

Speaking of .40 cal and cheap, S&W refreshed the SDVE. Meet the SD40 2.0
View attachment 6460510
Looks slick as fuck, especially with the new flat trigger. 299 at Sportsmans warehouse for the 40 cal, which is LESS than the old version. Basically all old parts and accessories are compatible, so no need to get new mags if you have one. Very tempted to buy one rn, wanted a 40 for a long long time now.

All you have to do to regret any Sigma purchase is to handle an M&P, which pretty much uses a similar design, but somehow came out way better.

For real, get a police surplus M&P instead.

I'm leaning towards a USP in .40, because they're tanks.

Edit: AIM surplus has LEO trade in M&P .40's for $279.

https://www.aimsurplus.com/products/le-trade-in-smith-wesson-m-p40-40-s-w-handgun-2-0

It really is a much better pistol for a similar price (you'll have to get at least one more magazine, but those are pretty easy to find)

 

[DocAwe]

There is nothing inherently "wrong" with .40.
It's good in concept but in practice it's strongest plus is you can usually find it on shelves when 9mm & .45 Get scarce.
If you do get one get it in a popular gun like an M&P or G23.
Then you can get 9mm & .357 SIG conversion barrels for it easy.

 

[BikeLock]

There is nothing inherently "wrong" with .40.
It's good in concept but in practice it's strongest plus is you can usually find it on shelves when 9mm & .45 Get scarce.
If you do get one get it in a popular gun like an M&P or G23.
Then you can get 9mm & .357 SIG conversion barrels for it easy.

I'm old enough to remember ".40 cal Glock go BOOM", so its going to be a Sig 229 or a USP. I have several other 9mm guns, so the only conversion barrels I would even entertain would be .357 Sig.

But then again, if I'm going to be honest, I already have a gun in .40 that I never shoot (mostly because its one of the worse ones), a Beretta 96G.

 

[WelperHelper99]

All you have to do to regret any Sigma purchase is to handle an M&P, which pretty much uses a similar design, but somehow came out way better.

For real, get a police surplus M&P instead.

I'm leaning towards a USP in .40, because they're tanks.

Edit: AIM surplus has LEO trade in M&P .40's for $279.

https://www.aimsurplus.com/products/le-trade-in-smith-wesson-m-p40-40-s-w-handgun-2-0

It really is a much better pistol for a similar price (you'll have to get at least one more magazine, but those are pretty easy to find)

I mean I already bought the mag for the SD40 2.0. It's kinda happening at this point lol. That said I do want a M&P for a future pistol.

There is nothing inherently "wrong" with .40.
It's good in concept but in practice it's strongest plus is you can usually find it on shelves when 9mm & .45 Get scarce.
If you do get one get it in a popular gun like an M&P or G23.
Then you can get 9mm & .357 SIG conversion barrels for it easy.

Really the fact its always on shelves is why I want it. I remember 2020. It was there when 9mm vanished.