Monday, September 17, 2018

battle rifle book 8


BATTLE RIFLE BOOK 8
WHICH CARBINE
There are really only two questions you have to ask yourself when deciding which semi-auto battle weapon you wish to own.  First, you must fit your choice into your budget, with the One Is None rule in mind.  Second, you need to decide which is more important to you, accuracy or reliability.  Each decision has a info dump of research worth of argument, but boiled down that is essentially what all the fuss is about.  Back when war surplus was begging to be bought, you had two choices.  The Lee-Enfield for field reliability or the Mauser for accuracy.  The third choice wasn’t really a choice, as it was one of the worst weapons ever, but if you were super duper poor, there was the Russian Mosin-Nagant.
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I made a large amount of noise over the years against the Russian bolt, and I know I’m right, but I never denied it had its place.  Which is, everyone deserves to be armed.  Almost all federal laws pertaining to guns are an outgrowth of the original local laws on guns, which, to not put too fine of a point on it, didn’t want Negro’s to own any.  Bring that one up to your darling Liberal friends and family.  Of course, we are now a gentler kinder nation and now it is an equal opportunity discrimination and ALL poor people regardless of color are to be denied a firearm if at all possible.  That is class warfare, literally. 
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I’m opposed to the gun check fees for just this reason.  While you used to be able to get a $50 pot metal Saturday Night Special, now that is almost double the price because of that fee ( and I‘m sure the sales tax is on the total cost-sorry, it‘s been a few years since I‘ve bought any guns.  I‘ve had an upcoming apocalypse I‘ve been buying food for ).  It was bad enough putting the serial number on paper for a record the Feds could get, now it is easily computerized ( I’ll make my case for unregistered guns later on ).  When you make guns unaffordable to X amount of the population, to me that is just wrong on all levels.  I don’t care how crappy a gun is, it’s better than standing there clutching your dingus when a gunfight starts.
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So, even if a Mosin-Nagant was going to blow up in face eventually, it still kept you alive until then.  But we can’t have cheap imported guns!  Obammy The Muslim Whore made sure those hunks of crap were no longer an option for the poor survivalist.  Easy for him, since even without lifetime Secret Service protection all he had to do was get someone to ghost write another book for him ( writing books is tough when English is your second language ) and get a few more million in speaking fees ( your kids college debt at work ), and he can afford the best guns available.  
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But getting back to the second criteria, do you want accuracy or do you want ruggedness?  It used to be this was an easily solved problem, if you were not extra super sized poor, and the HK-91 ( G-3, CTME, same difference ) was touted as the best of both worlds by, well, Every Single Cheese Dingus out there, ever.  Unfortunately, that turned out to be a lie, but, teaser alert, I’ll cover that in its own section.  Forget all the other carbines out there, because while a LOT of them are far better, and not ALWAYS for a kings ransom, the only real choices at this point are the AK or the AR.
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And, hold up there Rugar fan boys.  The choices have to be affordable AND have a metric crap ton of affordable accessories out there.  And, if I might be so bold, shouldn’t have a reputation for needing it sent back to the factory for repairs.  So, no, sorry, the Mini-14 is to me not even an option.  Which is sad, because it has a good lineage.  So do a lot of banjo players up in the hollers.
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Now, you all know that the AK is apocalypse rugged and that the AR is nice and accurate if a little too dainty for real world long term battlefield use.  It has improved, greatly, I reluctantly admit.  And at least currently it can be half the price of an AK.  I don’t give the AK a free pass because of that price issue.  You can survive a tank running over you but if you are too dear for my budget I have to pass on ownership.  And, let us keep in mind, while your AK will last a really long time, your AR can be replaced nearly every week of the year since there are just so darn many of them out there.  Plus, spare parts are wicked stupid cheap.  So it is far from a cut and dried choice.
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Me, I am a terrible shooter, even with an AR.  I know I could improve, given practice, but I choose to avoid that 80/20 problem ( 80% of the cost to improve at most 20% ) by just not pretending to be a sniper.  I chose reliability over accuracy for this reason, but I expect most folks don’t think this way.  The AK is really accurate enough out a bit past 200 yards ( don’t ask for it to perform at 300.  Pro’s don’t do great at that range with this round ).  Hell, I can barely see that far with enough detail.  But if you want the option of 400-500 yard shots, you need to just stay with the AR.
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Not only is the AR more accurate, you can buy good performance ammo much cheaper ( 223 brass at thirty cents, where the 762 steel case ammo is terrible stuff past short distances and only a dime cheaper.  So you could even reload the 223 to a certain extent ).  I don’t buy into the ammo salvage or the ammo purchase argument.  To me, ammo is too dear and will run out very fast.  So I don’t care to pretend I can salvage, buy or share “common caliber” ammo.  Which is why having 303 British never bothered me.  And why having an imported round shouldn’t bother you.  What you enter the apocalypse with is all you will ever get.  Period.  You should choose your caliber based on its performance.  It is my contention the 762 is a superior short range round.  223/556 is just more versatile and cheaper.  Just like a assault rifle, the 223 does more things, just not as well at any one role.
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The AR isn’t as much of a pig molester as it used to be as far as jamming and carbon build up causing issues in the field.  I hated the weapon for just such reasons, but my experiences were with the A1.  Your experiences will be more positive with the A2 and M4 varieties.  However, the weapon is still far more flimsy and will NOT hold up to too much abuse in the field.  It isn’t as cut and dried as it used to be, however.  Now they are so cheap they have taken over the role of disposable weapon from the SKS or War Surplus or even in many cases the AK’s. 
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All this is covered in more detail in their own sections, but by and large an AK will get you an extra layer of ruggedness and the AR will improve your accuracy.  Recent improvements and price movements have slightly altered the dynamic but the fundamentals have remained the same.  If you want a weapon that will go through heavy abuse for a long time, you stick with an AK, despite its disadvantages.  If you want better accuracy cheaper, with better ammo, and that will fill more roles, you pick the AR despite its fragility.
( .Y. )
( today's related link https://amzn.to/2oZQxLZ )
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note: Amazon is starting to ban books.  I first heard about it with some Pick-Up Artist type dating guides.  Now here is an article about religious books being banned click here .  Damn.  More work for me.  I have to see about transfering everything over to Lulu.  Are you sure you all don't want to sign up for my e-mail newsletter?  If you become a Mail Minion you at least get notified when all my stuff disappears.  If not, Write Down My Web Site With Pen And Paper!!!!!  It isn't hard. www.bisonprepper.com  That will be this blogs back-up ( books are a lot easier to substitute delivery systems for.  I'm 99% sure I'm returning to books on CD's through the mail.  I'll let you know ).
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note: free book.  I like this PA author and am reading another one of his right now.  He is fun.  https://amzn.to/2Ngwtn6 .  
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note: Sportsman's Guide has free shipping over $79.  click here 
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35 comments:

  1. Last paragraph was a good overall summary for shopper preppers. Minions should by now have their lists filled out. Yuppie desired items, best overall items, better than nuthin items. The coming election cycle (biggest causes of supply and pricing changes) may have an impact in 4th quarter period. If dems win controls of house and or senate and any false flags endanger second term of presidency expect a really bad "run on the bank" as Merikans will strip shelves clean like a quick stop market in an urban protest. Use egg and butter money now or use a bit of that credit you've been hoarding all this time.

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    1. Plus, any day could be your last shopping day anyway. Always plan accordingly. Be prepared yesterday.

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  2. I would wait until Amazon actually bans your books before you move them. Think of the advertising you could do with that." Banned On Amazon, Get It Here Before It Disappears Forever!!!"

    I could see me getting an AK if the perfect situation occurred where a private owner needed cash quick and willing to sell cheap...and I had the cash to take advantage of it. It doesn't happen often, but that is how I got my Enfield. Honestly, I probably would grab an AR under the same circumstances, but wouldn't be nearly as happy about the deal

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    1. Make your own 7.62x39 loads for the Enfield. I plan on using RedDot and 32 ACP bullets. You can also buy factory bullets for just ten cents and H4895 powder at 30g gives you 230 loads per pound for another dime. With primer, that is only four cents more than a factory steel case AK round. Should be more accurate too. Well, if you have the no.4 Enfield.

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  3. Think I just had about 25 mini heart attacks while reading that.
    Probably the most honest commentary, and strictly on topic, that I have ever seen you write about the AR. There might be some hope for your ass yet! LOL

    I ain't done yet.
    Regarding your 80/20 idea, I think that is wrong.
    If you learned 2 or 3 key elements to shooting, and practiced them, I believe you would find the cost much lower to become a good shooter. If you have no instruction or poor instruction then yes the cost in ammo and time spent will be expensive and probably fruitless - basically a waste all the way around. Unfortunately I can't recommend any sources for acquiring the proper info as there is so much bad info out there and it's difficult to tell. The best thing I can say I guess is to find a local shooter that knows his shit and become friends. I know, I know. He's a person, and I hate em too. But the NOL is a person too and I'm sure you know others, that can be beneficial to be around. You don't hafta marry em and you can walk away any time you want. Get what you can while you can and move on, Kinda like what the future is gonna look like.

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    1. I used to dismiss the AR out of hand and felt I was missing nothing. After a year+ of research and contemplation, if I dismiss the AR now, it is detrimental. Sure, only because there just isn't anything better, but you enter the apocalypse with what is available.

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    2. Oh, and I apologize for endangering your health :)

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    3. Well, you know, this is true:

      "...the AR is nice and accurate if a little too dainty..."

      It ain't a stout chunk of walnut with a comfortable pipe handle, on that I agree. While the AR upper and barrel will hold up to some severe thrashing the lower and all that would be dismissed physically with one or 2 swings.

      Other than that I'm fairly happy with mine, but then I have all the other types too (bolt, lever, pump) so I'm basically set. That does not mean I'm not looking to expand the armory, I'm always on the alert for a good deal and my wish list is rather long, but my wallet is not.

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  4. Yeah Jim. I carried an m16 in Marines and was really good with it, within it's limitations. I do like many other "nationally adopted" rifles for their own attributes as well or better than the Stoner's offspring. I have to resign myself to the fact that my Wolverines sport in continental usa is played in an arena awash with ar-15s and some flir scopes. It is a best overall option to run with one for the numerous reasoning points. Timing for the shopping and equippage is best now and the window won't be open long.

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    1. The Afghans didn't use the AK because it was better than their Enfields, but because that is what their apocalypse offered. Same with us and the AR.

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    2. Older Afghans with decent eyesight understand how good a tuned Enfield is. The CIA kept them supplied with boxer-brass sanitized ammo in the 1970's & 80's to keep the torment of Soviets going for cheap, then Charlie Wilson's War...
      pdxr13

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    3. How do you sanitize ammo when it is boxer primed, if we are the only ones using boxer rather than berdan?

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    4. I believe he means that the case had no headstamp to prevent anyone from identifying its source.

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    5. My point was, just being boxer almost ID's the source.

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  5. Rifle reality check is you get to pick only two: moderate cost, accuracy, reliability.

    Food reality check is pick two: cost, taste, health value.

    There is always a compromise.

    I like that you see cost as a reality check, rather than just saying, “your life is worth it. Spend what you don’t have.”

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    1. Here at the Bison Ranch you will find that cost takes on an abnormally outsized role in everything. You want advice from Poor, stay here. You want Yuppie Scum rich? Anywhere else. My demographic is growing, bitches! You'all can ride your wave down to business insolvency. Please tell all your friends about the real frugal prepping site.

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    2. Too poor and an introverted hermit to have any friends. A peon with BTN guns and gear is still o.k. even if he uses a piece of rope as a belt to hold pants up on his skinny frame post apoc. Getting lucky and being scavenger resourceful is all that is really needed. Wasteland pick ups will resupply you along the way.

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    3. I'm a thinkin that "rich" is a relative term and everybody has their own idea of what it means. I'm also thinkin' about "value" and how it has no relation to "rich".

      Just because I might be able to afford a thing doesn't mean it's a good deal. And if I can't afford a thing it doesn't mean I can't find a comparable alternative.

      FLIR for example. I've looked at em and from my unique perspective I just can't justify the cost. If a decent quality version came out for say, $300 I might take another hard look. But, because I already have a very affordable set of night vision goggles I don't place much value in the whole FLIR idea.

      My belief is that a sole operator will get minimal benefit from a FLIR because it drastically limits what you can see and that can get you killed. If you have other people in very close proximity that are NOT using FLIR equipment you might be OK. As a corollary hold your hand over one eye and walk around all day and you'll find out how much of a pain in the ass it is. While FLIR will show things you can't normally see it will also prevent you from seeing things you normally see. Nothing like tripping over a stick and slamming your $3k FLIR into the dirt face first.

      Value isn't always just about money, other considerations are always involved.

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    4. I hope few here think money equates value. That would be embarrassing.

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    5. 1:28-don't you have Internet "friends"? Come on, help a brother out! :)

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    6. Concur with GS, I would get a 640x480 FLIR imager or 'scope if it was in the $300 range (.1x or .03x current cost)and I could get a battery that lasts 100 hours for $3. Gen3+ NV, same deal. Until then, I am aware of how eye dependence takes away from acuity in hearing and smell, or even skin temp sensing. Some people are seemingly psychic or precognitive, but they are merely paying full attention and anticipating likely enemy behavior/outcome.

      There is also the strange hybrid: Kel-Tec SU-16. AK-piston, AR magazines, mucho plastic, folding, and light weight. Carbine model for 9mm and .40s&w uses sigg-glock-beretta magazines, depending on options, and is even more compact and lightweight than SU-16. All are fun to backpack with.
      pdxr13

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    7. The SU-16 might be a fun gun, but no cheaper than an AR. Although, pretty cheap for a piston. Still, not being a standard...

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    8. You can pretty easily build an AR now for between $300 and $350 with basic sights. It will get the job done. It won’t be the fancy ‘operator’ gun you see in the movies with quad rails, etc, etc, but it will be a decent serviceable rifle. RSL/WI

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    9. And it looks like the SU goes for $400. For the survivalist who has everything, sure. Otherwise...

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    10. I traded 5 rolls of silver dimes for an SU-16 when that was about $375, and I didn't have an AR-15-magazine using device. Kel-Tec items frequently are offered new for big discounts (and crazy premiums) to mfg retail price. Barely-used guns are often good deals.

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  6. 577/450, good for anything that walks this planet. Little known fact. Dinosaurs only became extinct when the British Army arrived. I read that in a book so you know it's fair dinkum

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    1. That fact can only be confirmed when you read it on the Internet.

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  7. If the question is for which high power bolt carbine, the only answer for me is the Spanish FR-8. Chambered in 7.62 NATO (.308 Wichester will fill in in a pinch), it has all the requirements for a rugged apocolypse rifle. The FR-8 action is Mauser 98 (the FR-7 is Mauser 95 - watch for that one, not built for high power rounds). You can even use the original stripper (8mm Mauser) for 7.62 / .308 ammunition - how cool is that ?

    For lesser power, the CZ 527 Carbine is my choice. Available in 7.62x39 (AK round) and .223 Remington (AR 15 round), pick your poison. Four round clip - a couple of spares would be a good idea just in case they are no longer available.

    Excellent question Mr. Dakin.

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    1. Not a bad choice at all, especially if you bought mil surp rounds back when embarrassingly cheap and now you have that brass to reload cheapest.

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    2. All valid choices IMHO.

      I picked up a Spanish Mauser in .308 for an awesome price, not the FR-8 though, that was twice the price.

      When you've expended all your apocalypse ammo the rifle will make a great club.

      Re: CZ 527 Carbine. There's a book on amazon on what to do to make it into a EOTWAWKI gun. I can't vouch for it though

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    3. Link for the book, please and thank you.

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  8. https://www.amazon.com/Survivalist-Papers-2015-1-Surviving-CZ-ebook/dp/B00U5PX642/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1537404109&sr=1-8&keywords=CZ

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    1. Thanks, nothing came up when I first searched for it. I didn't buy it yet, my credit is a little low, but I put it on my Wish List. If I like the sample, I'll get the thing. Not sure why, I shan't be buying more guns-but it does look cool.

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  9. That appears to be an interesting e-book. Not only a fan of their centerfires, their rimfire bolt guns are fantastic as well. Those Czechs know their stuff - I wish American manufacturers looked at them and used their practices as well. The current manufacturers seem to be rushed to get a product out for sale as quickly (and cheaply) as possible. I'm from a time when the factories had craftsman who took pride making a product to be used for a lifetime, not something to be discarded for the 'next new thing'.

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    1. Like when a set of cooking pots were a lifetime item. A pair of pants outlasted a growth spurt. Stuff was way more expensive but that was partially a tax on economic security and growth. Now the shoddy crap is a tax on being lead by the elite so they can survive in the style they are accustomed to.

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