Mega Rad Gun Thread

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Does the "AK is less accurate" meme still hold up when you control for maintenance and user training?
yes and no. the AK has a significantly shorter sight radius than the M16, and this tends to reduce a rifleman's ability to accurate engage point targets at medium range or further. additionally the nature of notch and blade sights is often less intuitive to use than a ghost ring aperture sight (which is why nearly all competition pistols and rifle use aperture sights). lastly while the ammunition differs significantly between the AK (7.62x39mm, typically 57-N-231 and later the 57-N-231(89)) and M16 (5.56x45mm NATO, typically M193 or later the M855) the action itself produces significant recoil differences that tend to make follow-up shots more difficult to control with the AK's higher recoiling mass. in slow fire, this is often a negligible difference and both rifles are designed to be within 4 MOA (for the AK it's slightly larger at 4.5 MOA, but that's due partially to metric conversions involved and a different way of measuring accuracy). the AK-74 is significantly more accurate than the AK/AKM (about 3 MOA), owing to improved smallbore ammunition and the standardized muzzle device and more finely tuned gas system. the M16 and M16A1 was often a 2 MOA rifle with M193, but the adoption of the M855 and the 1/7 twist reduced the M16A2's accuracy slightly due to inconsistencies of the position of the mild steel core in the SS109 bullet, which some veterans familiar with it will comment on (and i've experienced it myself, preferring the older M193 and 1/12 twist as a general rule).

in the hands of a professional marksman the rifles are effectively indistinguishable and it boils down to a difference in familiarity and logistics. as an aside, the manual of arms for the AK is not as inferior as some suggest when they contrast the AK's controls with the M16's controls. it's simply a difference in training and methods of carrying while on patrol.
 
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Does the "AK is less accurate" meme still hold up when you control for maintenance and user training?
I remember that many years ago Nutnfancy put a dust cover with ghost ring sights on the back on an AK and claimed 1 MOA with Wolf ammo (had to rewatch, I'm not autistic enough to remember that detail). Texas Sharpshooter fallacy possibilities aside, the AK is less conductive to being "accurized" but the inaccuracy myth probably comes from the West not being familiar with the factory AK sights.
And let's face it, these rifles are meant to shoot whatever factories could pump out in a state of war. I remember the Army had to accept batches of M855 that did not meet accuracy spec during the Iraq surge simply because there wasn't production output for them to reject it. If we control for the variables the AR has the edge in the mechanical accuracy due to the higher number of bolt lugs making the lockup more consistent and the gas tube having less effects on the barrel harmonics than a piston but we're entering match territory.
 
In my experience, "accurized" AKs have been built from the ground up to be. I was always under the impression that the basic design of the platform is why it's not a sub MOA rifle.
 
From what I've seen the main hurdle in accurizing an AK or an SKS is the lack of a free-floated barrel. That and to a lesser degree the caliber itself. I did hear people talking of custom sub-MOA bolt guns in 7.62x39mm but it was all anecdotal.

On an unrelated topic, what are some good reasons to NOT get a Tavor X95 in 5.56mm?
 
1. Jews
2. MAC Likes it
3. It looks like shit
4. There exists several, probably better alternatives.
5. Bullpup
I don't mind the looks, and I'm looking for specifically a bullpup. As for the alternatives, what good options are there other than the AUG? Not a fan of the Springfield Hellion, M17S, Desert Tech, or anything made by Kel-Tec.
 
I bumped into my boss at the range and he let me shoot an AK74. Coming from shooting ARs it just felt like a complete piece of shit. Fun to shoot, but did not inspire confidence whatsoever whereas an AR feels like a fine tuned piece of machinery. They could have equal accuracy and I would still not want to own one aside from just how sweet they look.

Also I'm amused that nobody noticed the AR I posted the other day was a BB gun. Fun little thing with full auto.
 
Not really seeing as how you named literally every other commercially available Bullpup/Manufacturer besides the F2000.
Oh yeah, the F2000. I tried to forget that thing ever existed.

Overall still undecided about the X95 so far. Seems fairly reliable, trigger and controls felt fine, but getting conflicting reports on accuracy. Is the X95 actually capable of 1.5-2MOA with good ammo, anyone knows?
 
On topic question:
I have no feasible way to purchase black powder over the counter, is it worth potentially getting put on a list for having it shipped if I want a musket? Muskets are bad ass and I want one to actually use.
If pyrodex is easier to ship I can also consider a caplock, those are cool too.
Are you a prohibited person? While an FFL is not needed to buy pyrodex, just about every FFL I've ever met can certainly order it. It's OTC and technically not even an explosive. You should be able to cash-purchase plenty for muzzleloading before you get close to reporting requirements. If that is unfeasible there are some options, how are your lab/O-chem skills (if none, culinary skills?)?
 
Are you a prohibited person?
No, it's a matter of it not being in stock, see my follow-up post. TLDR - fudd stores scared of dynamite, tacticool operator store thinks it doesn't exist.
It's not that big of a deal, I can suck it up and order it. Just wondered if there were any unforeseen difficulties.
 
No, it's a matter of it not being in stock, see my follow-up post. TLDR - fudd stores scared of dynamite, tacticool operator store thinks it doesn't exist.
It's not that big of a deal, I can suck it up and order it. Just wondered if there were any unforeseen difficulties.
IIRC it's ORM-D which is like the babby version of hazmat. You won't be able to air mail it but it should be no more difficult than ordering ammo. Probably unnecessary for you but maybe useful for others: The US technical manual on improvised weapons has a pretty good "From Monke" synthesis of black powder too. Looking into pyrotechnic/energetics chemists will also net you a lot of synthesis information. Just remember PPE if you want your penis to continue functioning and stick to sub-gram quantities until you've had successful pilot iterations.
 
Are AR-15 drum mags just a meme, or do they have any practical use?
when establishing fire superiority at first contact, or if you need to break contact - then switch to normal mags and normal course of fire at needed. otherwise you typically would need a purpose built rifle to make them useful along the lines of a light support weapon like an RPD or RPK.
 
Are AR-15 drum mags just a meme, or do they have any practical use?
When I considered getting one it took me 3 seconds to realize 2-4 standard mags will cost less, hold more rounds, and, crucially, take up way less (and a way less akwardly-shaped) space. Try sticking a drum in your carrier or back pocket. Hell, you can get 40rnd "standard(ish) profile" magazines. Slap on a mag extension and youre up to 45rnds. Or use a mag coupler and youve got a ridiculous quick-flip 80rnd. (ETA: oh yeah, I forgot there are actually 50-round and 60-round box magazines)

If I had a full-auto, then maybe. But even then I'm not looking to burn $75 of ammo in 5 seconds for a giggle.
 
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I got a P365 for $380 from someone that didn't like it at all. I like the grip so far and I'll probably get it out to the flat range Saturday to see if it's alright
 
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