Mega Rad Gun Thread

[The Dude]

Lots of useful info. Thanks for the suggestions guys. The Dan Wesson Wraith looks a bit pricey for me, but the EAA Witness could be right up my alley.

As with anything in life, you get what you pay for. Especially with firearms. That's not to say there aren't affordable guns that are good quality, like CZ. My advice would be to do as much research as possible so you make an informed decision. I always research anything that I'm considering buying.

If you can find the guns at your local gun shops (or something as close as possible if they don't have the 10mms in stock) so you can see which ones fit you best, all the better. You want to make sure it fits your hands comfortably and the sights line up naturally when you go to aim. One thing about 10mm is that pistols can be quite big in the grips with a double stack magazine. It isn't so much that they're wide as the cartridge is pretty long. The 1911s and SIG P220s both have single stack magazines, so they'll be slimmer, but also have a reduced magazine capacity. The GLOCK and EAA have double stack mags, which means higher capacity, but can be like holding a brick for some people.

 

[Prompt Critical]

I've always felt that 10mm Auto was a solution looking for a problem. I'd also recommend at least trying a single stack gun as your carry piece if you normally use something with a double stack - the reduced width was a vast improvement in my ability to actually get the thing out in my experience, and I tend to think that's more important than the extra capacity. YMMV.

On the subject of Christmas presents:

I've wanted one of these for quite a while. Haven't gotten a chance to shoot it yet, maybe this weekend.

 

[BillyGoat2]

Ive been sperging out a bit with the news that Ruger released an MSRP 800$ competitor to the FN 5.7 pistol.

The Ruger 57

 

[Maxliam]

I've always felt that 10mm Auto was a solution looking for a problem. I'd also recommend at least trying a single stack gun as your carry piece if you normally use something with a double stack - the reduced width was a vast improvement in my ability to actually get the thing out in my experience, and I tend to think that's more important than the extra capacity. YMMV.

On the subject of Christmas presents:
View attachment 1089891
I've wanted one of these for quite a while. Haven't gotten a chance to shoot it yet, maybe this weekend.

Dude the shop down the road from me closed down because they were a family and they were tired of the horseshit from tard customers and the ATF. They had a Mas-36 that while rearsenaled and reparked, was beautiful. It had a grenade launcher and sights, bayonet and was just a gorgeous piece all around. I regret not buying it or the SP1 they were going to make a deal with me on as a thank you for my years of patronage and not being retarded.

Ive been sperging out a bit with the news that Ruger released an MSRP 800$ competitor to the FN 5.7 pistol.

The Ruger 57
https://youtube.com/watch?v=uAUOyGEwEpI

Only thing that I hesitate on something like that is the ammo is pretty fucking expensive and kinda hard to find. I love how Ruger basically gave a giant fuck you to FN for making a gun that did basically what it did but cheaper.

 

[The Dude]

I've always felt that 10mm Auto was a solution looking for a problem. I'd also recommend at least trying a single stack gun as your carry piece if you normally use something with a double stack - the reduced width was a vast improvement in my ability to actually get the thing out in my experience, and I tend to think that's more important than the extra capacity. YMMV.

On the subject of Christmas presents:
View attachment 1089891
I've wanted one of these for quite a while. Haven't gotten a chance to shoot it yet, maybe this weekend.

I've always loved 10mm as a self defense round, especially for winter. There are times where 9mm and .45 ACP hollow points have been stopped by heavy winter clothing, which is why it's common for layers of denim to be placed in front of ballistic gelatin during ballistics testing. 10mm not only offers more energy, but also higher velocity (especially when loaded to it's full potential) than even +P and +P+ 9mm and .45, so is less likely to be stopped by heavy clothing. Clothing can also plug up the cavity in hollow points, thus reducing their ability to expand rapidly and work the way they're supposed to (dumping energy rapidly, making wider permanent wound channels, etc.), which is another reason for placing denim and other heavy duty cloth in front of ballistic gel in testing. Modern hollow point designs are less likely to have these problems, but it can still happen.

But that's the nice thing about firearms and ammunition: not everyone likes the same thing. Not everyone will shoot equally well with the same gun/caliber. The wide variety of designs and calibers means everyone can find the best combo that works for them. Personally I don't care for GLOCKs or .40 S&W, but a lot of other people do. And that's OK, because I've got models and calibers that I do like and that work better for me.

 

[Prompt Critical]

For what it's worth, my carry gun when I used to carry every day was a PW wz.33 in 7.62x25 Tokarev, so I was never really part of the whole 9mm Para vs. 10mm Auto vs. 45ACP debate. (I've since moved to an area where I no longer feel compelled to carry every day.)

Dude the shop down the road from me closed down because they were a family and they were tired of the horseshit from tard customers and the ATF. They had a Mas-36 that while rearsenaled and reparked, was beautiful. It had a grenade launcher and sights, bayonet and was just a gorgeous piece all around. I regret not buying it or the SP1 they were going to make a deal with me on as a thank you for my years of patronage and not being exceptional.

I know MAS-36/LG48s exist on the US surplus market but I've never seen one in person, just pictures. They're very cool. The -49 I've got is a Syrian contract gun so it has the same socket bayonet, grenade launcher attachment and screw grenade sight as the LG48.

Anyone who has been buying surplus for any length of time has at least one regret for a gun they let get away. Mine was a very nice all-matching NE Westinghouse Mosin 1891 with Finn [SA] stamps that I passed up around half a decade ago because at $300 I thought it was way too expensive. I still occasionally kick myself for not buying it.

 

[Maxliam]

For what it's worth, my carry gun when I used to carry every day was a PW wz.33 in 7.62x25 Tokarev, so I was never really part of the whole 9mm Para vs. 10mm Auto vs. 45ACP debate. (I've since moved to an area where I no longer feel compelled to carry every day.)



I know MAS-36/LG48s exist on the US surplus market but I've never seen one in person, just pictures. They're very cool. The -49 I've got is a Syrian contract gun so it has the same socket bayonet, grenade launcher attachment and screw grenade sight as the LG48.

Anyone who has been buying surplus for any length of time has at least one regret for a gun they let get away. Mine was a very nice all-matching NE Westinghouse Mosin 1891 with Finn [SA] stamps that I passed up around half a decade ago because at $300 I thought it was way too expensive. I still occasionally kick myself for not buying it.

I had an Israeli Mauser in 7.62mm that I sold to a friend who then went on to sell it to a shop a few years later instead of selling back to me like we had agreed on. Got it for 100 bucks at a pawn shop in my hometown and the idiots had no idea what they had. A little surface rust scared them to sell it to me for 100 and they even put the wrong caliber on the tag even though the receiver had 7.62mm in big numbers etched into it.

 

[ShortBusDriver]

Ive been sperging out a bit with the news that Ruger released an MSRP 800$ competitor to the FN 5.7 pistol.

The Ruger 57
https://youtube.com/watch?v=uAUOyGEwEpI

Street price on these is $660, at least in my area

Sadly they're always sold within hours of a store getting one

 

[Kamov Ka-52]

So I'm looking to dip my toes into milsurp with my tax refund, more specifically I'm weighing getting a Mosin (hexagonal) or a Type 56. Thoughts?

 

[Prompt Critical]

So I'm looking to dip my toes into milsurp with my tax refund, more specifically I'm weighing getting a Mosin (hexagonal)

As a disclaimer, I actually quite like the Mosin-Nagant. I own a pair of M91/30s, a 1931 Izhevsk hex receiver and a 1940 Tula round receiver. They're perfectly serviceable guns for weekend plinking, although the action getting stiff as it heats up seems to be a universal issue for re-arsenaled guns (the bolt on both of mine becomes very difficult to operate after putting around 20-25 rounds through) and non-corrosive 7.62x54r ammo does not exist so you have to be pretty conscientious about cleaning them after firing.

That said...

I bought mine a fair while ago. The price of Mosin-Nagants has increased so much in the past few years that I no longer recommend them to people as an entry point for milsurp collecting unless you're dead-set on specifically collecting WWI/WWII Russian equipment. Basic round receiver M91/30s are pushing into the $250-300 range, with prices approaching ludicrous $400-500+ levels for less common models like M1891s, hex receiver M91/30s, Finn capture or rebuild guns, M38 and M44 carbines, etc. And they simply aren't good enough or rare enough guns to justify that kind of cost.

If you've got ~$400 to drop on a hex receiver M91/30, I'd recommend spending it on something cooler instead. If you have a particular era/nation/type of gun you're interested in I can probably make a few suggestions on what to look for in that price range, there's a lot of cool and obscure but still relatively available military surplus guns floating around the US market.

(Of course, if you've got a line on a reasonably priced M91/30, then ignore all of this and go for it. I personally wouldn't pay more than ~$200 for one.)

or a Type 56. Thoughts?

I know basically nothing about AK-style rifles so can't really help you there, sorry.

 

[Kamov Ka-52]

As a disclaimer, I actually quite like the Mosin-Nagant. I own a pair of M91/30s, a 1931 Izhevsk hex receiver and a 1940 Tula round receiver. They're perfectly serviceable guns for weekend plinking, although the action getting stiff as it heats up seems to be a universal issue for re-arsenaled guns (the bolt on both of mine becomes very difficult to operate after putting around 20-25 rounds through) and non-corrosive 7.62x54r ammo does not exist so you have to be pretty conscientious about cleaning them after firing.

That said...

I bought mine a fair while ago. The price of Mosin-Nagants has increased so much in the past few years that I no longer recommend them to people as an entry point for milsurp collecting unless you're dead-set on specifically collecting WWI/WWII Russian equipment. Basic round receiver M91/30s are pushing into the $250-300 range, with prices approaching ludicrous $400-500+ levels for less common models like M1891s, hex receiver M91/30s, Finn capture or rebuild guns, M38 and M44 carbines, etc. And they simply aren't good enough or rare enough guns to justify that kind of cost.

If you've got ~$400 to drop on a hex receiver M91/30, I'd recommend spending it on something cooler instead. If you have a particular era/nation/type of gun you're interested in I can probably make a few suggestions on what to look for in that price range, there's a lot of cool and obscure but still relatively available military surplus guns floating around the US market.

(Of course, if you've got a line on a reasonably priced M91/30, then ignore all of this and go for it. I personally wouldn't pay more than ~$200 for one.)



I know basically nothing about AK-style rifles so can't really help you there, sorry.

Mosin is over that price unfortunately I was looking $350ish, which I agree is steep. I also should've been more clear, I meant the non-civilian market chi com SKS variant, not the AK-pattern rifle.

 

[Prompt Critical]

I also should've been more clear, I meant the non-civilian market chi com SKS variant, not the AK-pattern rifle.

Ah, gotcha. My understanding is that the very early production (usually referred to as "Sino-Soviet" guns because they were assembled in China from mostly Russian parts) Type 56 carbines are about on par with a contemporary Soviet Tula SKS. Later ones are wildly variable in build quality - production switched back and forth several times from milled/forged to stamped metal for key components, barrels went from pinned to screwed back to pinned, etc. If you have the ability to physically inspect the gun before buying and you know what you're looking for you can get one that will work as well as a Russian gun, but if you're not careful you might also end up with crap.

For a low-end SKS, I think the best bet currently is the Yugoslavian Zastava M59/66 PAP, which are around the same price as the Type 56 but much more consistent in build quality.

 

[Kamov Ka-52]

Ah, gotcha. My understanding is that the very early production (usually referred to as "Sino-Soviet" guns because they were assembled in China from mostly Russian parts) Type 56 carbines are about on par with a contemporary Soviet Tula SKS. Later ones are wildly variable in build quality - production switched back and forth several times from milled/forged to stamped metal for key components, barrels went from pinned to screwed back to pinned, etc. If you have the ability to physically inspect the gun before buying and you know what you're looking for you can get one that will work as well as a Russian gun, but if you're not careful you might also end up with crap.

For a low-end SKS, I think the best bet currently is the Yugoslavian Zastava M59/66 PAP, which are around the same price as the Type 56 but much more consistent in build quality.

Seems like the Type 56s are the only ones that are readily available, at least from retailers. I always heard that the Yugo SKSs were generally more susceptible to corrosion and the gas shutoff valve on it could cause problems. Unfortunately, in any case, I doubt I'll be able to inspect anything physically.

 

[Prompt Critical]

Seems like the Type 56s are the only ones that are readily available, at least from retailers.

If you're not in a rush to buy something right away, my recommendation is to just creep Armslist filtered to your state and see what people put up, visit local gun stores and (especially) pawn shops, and keep an eye out for gun shows. Options for direct market as far as military surplus are extremely limited, and tend to come in waves as a big importer like CAI finds a warehouse full of something overseas and gets permission to bring it into the US, floods the market with that thing, and then the supply dries up and it doubles or triples in price on the secondary market.

The most recent things to come into the US in large quantity (just based on what I've seen in stores and at shows) appear to be Romanian TTC and Yugoslavian Zastava M57 military surplus pistols, Israeli IMI Jericho 941F police surplus pistols, and Swiss G91/11, G11/K11 and K31 bolt action rifles.

You can also try looking at selective/specialty online retailers like Empire Arms, as well as auction sites like Rock Island Auctions.

I always heard that the Yugo SKSs were generally more susceptible to corrosion and the gas shutoff valve on it could cause problems. Unfortunately, in any case, I doubt I'll be able to inspect anything physically.

The Yugo SKS, like early Russian production guns and some Chinese types, lack a chrome-lined bore. Rarely an issue if you're buying a direct-import surplus gun as most of them were hardly used, but if you're buying aftermarket used it becomes a crap shoot if it wasn't cleaned properly by the previous owner(s) after firing, especially with corrosive surplus ammo.

As far as I know, the issues with the gas shutoff valve are just that if you leave it in the wrong position the gun won't cycle. Which, uh, don't do that. The switch for the valve also acts as a catch for the grenade launcher's ladder sight, so if you have the ladder sight locked in the down position the valve should be correctly positioned. I own a Yugo SKS and have never had any issues with the gas system on mine.

 

[The Dude]

I eventually want to get some MilSurp weapons, but my tastes run a bit more obscure. I desperately want an FN SAFN/FN-49 either in .30-06 Sprg or 8mm Mauser, and an Egyptian Hakim. I love early self-loading rifles, and getting one in either .30-06 or 8mm Mauser means it'll be easy to find ammunition. But I've got other guns that are higher on my list. After I get done getting all my modern stuff bought I plan on putting together a "cowboy gun" collection, including a full gunslinger outfit. I desperately want a pair of Smith & Wesson No.3s (likely a Taylor's & Co Russian or New Frontier replicas), a Winchester 1886, some other lever action in the same caliber as the pistols (either Winchester 1873, 1892, or Burgess 1883), and a Shiloh Sharps.

 

[Pocket Dragoon]

If you're not in a rush to buy something right away, my recommendation is to just creep Armslist filtered to your state and see what people put up, visit local gun stores and (especially) pawn shops, and keep an eye out for gun shows. Options for direct market as far as military surplus are extremely limited, and tend to come in waves as a big importer like CAI finds a warehouse full of something overseas and gets permission to bring it into the US, floods the market with that thing, and then the supply dries up and it doubles or triples in price on the secondary market.

The most recent things to come into the US in large quantity (just based on what I've seen in stores and at shows) appear to be Romanian TTC and Yugoslavian Zastava M57 military surplus pistols, Israeli IMI Jericho 941F police surplus pistols, and Swiss G91/11, G11/K11 and K31 bolt action rifles.

You can also try looking at selective/specialty online retailers like Empire Arms, as well as auction sites like Rock Island Auctions.



The Yugo SKS, like early Russian production guns and some Chinese types, lack a chrome-lined bore. Rarely an issue if you're buying a direct-import surplus gun as most of them were hardly used, but if you're buying aftermarket used it becomes a crap shoot if it wasn't cleaned properly by the previous owner(s) after firing, especially with corrosive surplus ammo.

As far as I know, the issues with the gas shutoff valve are just that if you leave it in the wrong position the gun won't cycle. Which, uh, don't do that. The switch for the valve also acts as a catch for the grenade launcher's ladder sight, so if you have the ladder sight locked in the down position the valve should be correctly positioned. I own a Yugo SKS and have never had any issues with the gas system on mine.

If you're ever interested in a different flavor of SKS, try looking for some Navy Arms imports. They're typically much nicer early Norinco, often sans bayonet & lug if post 94. There was a scoped one called the Farmer's Friend that came in it's own crate, which are sort of unicorns now.

 

[BillyGoat2]

Thinking about getting into black powder this year, should be fun. I do love the smell of burning sulfur.

As far as I know, the issues with the gas shutoff valve are just that if you leave it in the wrong position the gun won't cycle. Which, uh, don't do that.

This is actually safe as they cant have the gun cycle to fire grenades from it.

You can get training/rubber grenades that fit the Yugo, just careful you dont launch it where you cant find it, and never shoulder a rifle with grenade mounted. It hurts. A lot.

Also dont use live ammo, use blanks. only "recently" were grenades designed to take live ammo but there arent any training grenades for that on the market and if there were, they'd be one use.

 

[Prompt Critical]

I eventually want to get some MilSurp weapons, but my tastes run a bit more obscure. I desperately want an FN SAFN/FN-49 either in .30-06 Sprg or 8mm Mauser, and an Egyptian Hakim. I love early self-loading rifles, and getting one in either .30-06 or 8mm Mauser means it'll be easy to find ammunition.

If you were unaware, RIAC is doing their twice-yearly Sporting & Collector Firearms Auction (also known as "the one for poor plebs who aren't going to be dropping 100k on a gun that Teddy Roosevelt farted on"). There are several lots with both Hakims (as well as the much rarer Rasheed carbine version in 7.62x39) and FN-49s (Belgium, Colombia and Luxembourg contract 30-06, Egypt 8mm and Venezuela 7mm models) in various condition, as well as a bunch of other self-loaders from around that era like MAS-49s and -49/56s, vz.52s (and at least one vz.52/57 in 7.62x39 that I'd really like to have), etc. And that's just what I've seen browsing on my phone at work, there's over 7000 lots listed in the auction including civilian market and modern guns as well as surplus and antiques so I probably missed some interesting stuff.

I've never participated before but I'm planning to give it a shot this time around, at least to throw lowball bids at a bunch of milsurp lots that look more obscure/less desirable, and see what happens.

 

[Bassomatic]

Hakims are not fun to shoot honestly, I own one. It has harsh recoil, a loud report and tends to love to vomit gas into your face, if you shoot mil surp ammo, that gas is extra foul trust me.

I really want to get a MAS49 since I'm in love with my bolty french gun, (MAS36) they just have an interesting feel and I collect on what I like and more so, than anything I dig Q factor or "quirk"

Thank you so much for info of auctions, I have some spending money and last year only bought two fire arms (plus a stamp) so I should treat myself.

 

[The Dude]

I've been checking out the early new product reports for SHOT Show 2020. I read a range report on the new SI Ultimax Mk8, and in it the reviewer stated that SI was looking to bring it to the US to sell. It wasn't stated if it would just be Mil/LEO/Gov sales, or if they'd be making a semi-auto only version for civilian sales, but if they did offer a civie version I'd be interested if the price is reasonable. The Ultimax 100 family of weapons has a track record of reliability, and with its unique recoil system they are incredibly controllable (not that 5.56mm weapons have harsh recoil). And the new Mk8 version only weighs about 11 lbs., so the weight is reasonable. If someone made a binary/echo trigger for it, I'd really consider getting one.