Mega Rad Gun Thread

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Does anyone own or have any experience with the Ruger AR-556? I was originally looking to build a PSA shitstick but the Ruger isn't much more expensive and frankly I trust them more than PSA.
 
Why aren't semi-auto shotguns more common? I don't consider "you don't need them to be semi-auto" a legitimate answer.

Does it have anything to do with the Federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994 or something like that?
 
Damn that's a shame, PSA has them listed for $520 right now. I may try to watch the police trade-in sights and grab one of those instead.
Ruger AR is not a rip off. But it is still a $500 AR so don't get your hopes up. Better then a PSA. Truly, save for another month and get a $1,000 AR with a chrome lined barrel and good QC. No reason to skimp if you want to get serious about shooting.
 
Ruger AR is not a rip off. But it is still a $500 AR so don't get your hopes up. Better then a PSA. Truly, save for another month and get a $1,000 AR with a chrome lined barrel and good QC. No reason to skimp if you want to get serious about shooting.
Honestly I could afford the $1k AR, I just worry I won't shoot it enough to justify the cost. I'm currently more of an AK guy and there was a clear QC difference between a nicer one versus a beat-up WASR import. But I didn't know if the quality would be that much different on an AR since you can kinda just piece them together.
 
Why aren't semi-auto shotguns more common?

If I had to guess, its because a semiauto shotgun that is reliable is significantly more expensive than a reliable pump-action shotgun. They are also more picky about their ammo due to the nature of how they work.

I think there isn't any push to develop economical and reliable semiauto shotguns because they're a relatively niche class of weapons. Everyone wants pistols and AR-15 clones.
 
If you want a semi-auto shotgun go to any gunshop in an area with a lot of pheasant hunting. Autos galore.
 
Honestly I could afford the $1k AR.
ARs don't tend to just break like AKs do. Either the part is fucked out of the box or it wears and needs replacement. Often assembly or manufacturimg issues don't manifest until several hundred rounds in, so you need to either learn enough and get the tools to spot problems early and address them, or just buy with confidence.
 
Why aren't semi-auto shotguns more common?
In comparison to what? At any gun store in the country you will find auto shoguns from multiple manufacturers for both defence and sporting use. I think the better question is why did pump actions not go way. Here are the reasons I can think of.
  • They are less expensive
  • Trapshooting only requires one shot
  • Pumps are the fastest of all the manual actions and can be almost as fast as an auto with experience
  • Greater load compatability
  • Cool sound
 
In comparison to what? At any gun store in the country you will find auto shoguns from multiple manufacturers for both defence and sporting use. I think the better question is why did pump actions not go way. Here are the reasons I can think of.
  • They are less expensive
  • Trapshooting only requires one shot
  • Pumps are the fastest of all the manual actions and can be almost as fast as an auto with experience
  • Greater load compatability
  • Cool sound
And just two blasts in the air will make the baddies go away.
 
Why aren't semi-auto shotguns more common? I don't consider "you don't need them to be semi-auto" a legitimate answer.

Does it have anything to do with the Federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994 or something like that?
They're very common, shitty ones that is. Good semi auto shotguns are less common. They are just inherently less reliable because its difficult to make the gas system work with the wide variety of loads a shotgun is expected to handle. A shot semi auto shotgun that cycles low powered birdshot is gonna beat itself to death shooting 3-1/2 slugs. OTH, a shotgun built for shooting defensive loads won't cycle pheasant ammo. There are shotguns with adjustable or self regulating gas blocks but that's extra cost and complexity that people can't be fucked to deal with

Removable magazines also don't play well with squishy plastic shotgun husks (ofc this doesn't matter if the shotgun has an internal tube magazine)
 
They're very common, shitty ones that is. Good semi auto shotguns are less common. They are just inherently less reliable because its difficult to make the gas system work with the wide variety of loads a shotgun is expected to handle. A shot semi auto shotgun that cycles low powered birdshot is gonna beat itself to death shooting 3-1/2 slugs. OTH, a shotgun built for shooting defensive loads won't cycle pheasant ammo. There are shotguns with adjustable or self regulating gas blocks but that's extra cost and complexity that people can't be fucked to deal with

Removable magazines also don't play well with squishy plastic shotgun husks (ofc this doesn't matter if the shotgun has an internal tube magazine)
OK, that makes sense. Can you name any semi-auto shotguns you consider reliable?

By the way, I'm not American, so I just assume pump-action shotguns are much more popular because that's all I see in entertainment media. I do realize that there's lots and lots of firearm models I've never even heard of.
 
Can you name any semi-auto shotguns you consider reliable?

...I just assume pump-action shotguns are much more popular because that's all I see in entertainment media.

Pump actions are more popular for the most part. Semis are only restricted in a handful of states though. I think its hunting laws that make them less popular. While they're not banned from ownership in most places, they can still be illegal for hunting certain animals which is annoying when most people buy shotguns for that purpose. The Benelli M4 and Beretta's are what most people consider military reliable. The Browning A5 is old but there's a reason its stuck around. The mossberg 900 series are acceptably reliable and don't cost 3k like the M4.

I have a Mossberg 930 pro and a couple of Saiga 12's. The 930 chokes on birdshot occasionally and while the Saiga's run well they're known for having parts breakage issues. I haven't had the opportunity to shoot any of the others extensively
 
Honestly I could afford the $1k AR, I just worry I won't shoot it enough to justify the cost. I'm currently more of an AK guy and there was a clear QC difference between a nicer one versus a beat-up WASR import. But I didn't know if the quality would be that much different on an AR since you can kinda just piece them together.
Even with the diffrences in platforms there are some similar patterns that still apply. Does the manufacturer sell to mill/le customers or are they just selling to the civilian market? Mil and LE customers are less likely to tolerate failures than the civilian market. Figure the difference between FB Radom and Century. The same applies to KAC and Literally Who? Mfg. ARs get more confusing because of the parts aftermarket and the variety of different configurations. If you stick to reputable companies and don't go crazy with wierd aftermarket parts or strange setups you will be fine.

Skeet requires 2 though, sporting as well.
I'm aware, trap is still the most popular clay sport though. Also both are still doable with a pump (skeet less so) unless you are trying to be competitive. In fact even though I have an auto and an O/U I exclusively shoot sporting clays with a pump because I find it more fun.
 
The Browning auto 5 is where semi-auto shotgun design peaked, and I will fight anyone who says otherwise.

I own 2 (one pre-WW1, one of 1980s-ish Jap manufacture) and they're a pleasure to shoot. I've had a lot of use on clays and pigeons with the antique, and the jap gun is for ducks as it's steel safe(ish).

Anyone who has never shot one should, the ka-chunk ka-chunk ka-chunk of the reciprocating barrel is pretty unique.
 
but they have proved that bimetallic cases can be viabl
Sig Saar's next gen ammo solution is from what I understand is the shittiest out of all 5 "Next Gen" (TV, Federal, FN, Shell Shock, Sig Saar) ammunition solutions I'm aware of

TV
-lightweight
-Claimed extremely consistent standard deviations (not always borne out in testing)
-Can be used in existing firearms

Federal
-Allows increased muzzle velocity, and at least in 5.56 allows "Peak Alloy" Cartridges to be fired in non specialized firearms while producing 3500fps

FN
-Very little is actually known about FN's monolithic stainless steel cartridges except that they weigh 20% less than brass equivalents
-Might allow higher velocities at similar pressures due to thinner case walls

Shell shock
-Lighter cases, higher velocities, similar or slightly elevated pressures

Sig Saar
-Cases are lighter (about 3 grams per cartridge over M80A1)
-Absolutely requires specialized firearms
-Wears out said specialized firearms much quicker
-Made by Sig Saar

Sig Saar has at the very least a concept for a steel case 6.8 round but I don't have the photo saved.

This whole "ICE dropped the P320, um akshaually no they didn't" saga is very strange, Because when Sig released their response they said (paraphrasing) "ICE is still using the P320" but in that same response messages said something along the lines of "we are calling on/cooperating with ICE to determine how this memo leaked"(note how they didn't call it fake).
If this all turns out to be real it'll be a real domino falling for siggers
A redditor who claims to be new ICE Agent is claiming that an ICE Firearms Instructor told him that ICE is transitioning from Sig to Glock

Security for the UNGA with USSS SR-16 with RAS-5 rail
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MP5 with what may or may not be an unreleased KAC 9mm suppressor
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In addition to a 9mm model, this is only word of mouth (if there are photos I haven't seen them) but I've heard talk of it in too many places for it not to be real, KAC Has made an AK Suppressor for 7.62 14x1 thread examples, has an indexing notch for the front sight detent pin.

They also have a 5.56 direct thread but that's kind of boring
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There's also talk of an advanced MP5-SD Offering

KAC MGS-1 dedicated 5.56 belt fed (specifically the LAMG) suppressor
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Staying on the topic of KAC, can anyone tell me how early QDC Suppressors secured themselves in place when they don't have visible ratchet rings? (The black and tan examples with extended flash hiding tines)
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A-545
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Two different VSK-94's, in two different places wielded by the different Russian Speakers
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GIlboa Snake
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Springfield with Maxim Model 1910 Suppressor and special bayonet
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Moore Silencer (competitor to Maxim) with bayonet
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The 12 year old boy in me desires an integrally suppressed .22 with a spike bayonet to wield against the neon green undead hordes.

I never posted this because I didn't recognize it's significance at the time
In-Lower trip for MCX/MPX compatibility with Super Safeties By S3 (Upper trips don't work)
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KS-23
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Aesthetic modification of a binary trigger
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Interesting insight into advanced compensator design


I can't find my original post on it but the slip on breaching shotgun from Dark Mountain Arms is getting some attention

 
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