Why the AR-15 Is the Greatest Rifle Ever, and the 6 Men Who are Working to Make It Better

Best AK clone I ever owned was a Valmet m76 FS in .223/.556... Tack driver

 

What I enjoy most with reloading is dialing in or tailoring a round for a rifle. Tweaking OAL, powder, primer etc.

I missed a Valmet M76 Hunter in .243 by a day. What stopped me from buying it was the caliber. Back then 7,62x39, 5,45, 5,56 etc were so inexpensive as compared to .243. I thought about it over the weekend and Monday after work, it was gone.
VALMET MODEL 76 HUNTER CAL .243 WIN : Semi Auto Rifles at GunBroker.com
Yes, I am still regretting it; thanks for the reminder..

 

Ouch Tikka.

Back in the mid 80's I found a HK-91. Purchased it and enjoyed it for awhile, but it was subsequently destroyed in a house fire.

 

I hate it when that happens.

 

And that's why a good monkey always takes his guns fishing! Lesson learned hard is a lesson learned well!

 

I did find a Tikka M595 Master Sporter. The shop wanted what they were worth. They changed their tune when I said it has been sitting for so long; it's covered with dust except for the hand prints you just made.

All:
You did report the lost firearms to the police?
A simpler solution buy old guns as the lack a pedigree or F2F from a private party. Give them a copy of your driver's license or CCW.

 

I have used M16/AR15's since 1979.....have yet to have one part break....used them from Central America to Afghanistan and never an issue....have built several from 80% lowers and they run like a champ, from 7.5 inch barrel to 20 inch....S&W IMO makes about the best AR you can buy, I have a custom 18 inch Blackheart with every bell and whistle, but I also have a S&W M&P 16 inch carbine that shoots sub MOA...not seen an AK that is even in the ballpark compared to an AR.....the AK never jams is just a myth....go to Afghanistan and you will see AK's jam....the silt and dust will foul any weapon....

 

This is still a great thread.

 

Just built up a AR 300 BLACKOUT, great pistol!

 

Not to derail any thing but what do you all think of the mini 14 ranch rifle ?

 

I like them but eventually decided to go the AR route. The Mini-14 is lightweight, durable, and looks more like an ordinary rifle. They are less accurate then an AR, but more accurate than an AK, so they have acceptable accuracy for close ranges. You can take them down for cleaning using a cartridge as a tool and the piston system is easy to clean and keeps the heat and crud away from the bolt.. Ergos are great, especially the safety, but not as good overall as an AR.

Downsides are Mags are expensive, they are LOUD, and not user serviceable. Older ranch rifles have a relatively flimsy front sight and I would avoid those. You can't just drop in a new bolt they way you can an AR. I'd suggest sending it back to Ruger with no bolt telling them you "lost" it to get a spare, but it will ONLY work in THAT specific Mini when it comes back. The other big downside is cost - you can get TWO AR's right now for slightly more than the cost ONE mini.

 

I've noticed that some of the larger Commiefornia sheriff dept have switched back to Mini 14s?

 

Well, your basic 77gr OTP is much more friendly when it's shot from a Mini...

 

I was issued a number of M16's, and maintained and shot them well for most of my military career. I had to give them all back. I didn't rush out and buy an AR15 when I retired because I really don't care for them. There, I said it.

Over time I acquired some AR pieces in trades and deals that were too good to pass up. Eventually I had a complete AR15 in the popular M-4'ish configuration. Nope, I didn't like it either. No nostalgic feeling at all. I wanted to put something together, but didn't seem to like anything that I'd seen.

I have seen thousands of different AR's at the range over the years. A few were okay, they just didn't appeal to me.

But all is not lost! I have finally found an innovative AR configuration that I can love. I call it the AR50ML, and as the designation implies, it's a .50 caliber inline muzzle loader. As an inline muzzle loader platform I find the AR to be ideal.