We all have favorites, right? I have shot all the AR-15/M-16 series of rifles, H&K and the CETME, FN/FAL, Hakim, FN-49, MAS 49/56, SVT-40, many different versions of the AK (to include the RPK), FPK (civilian version of the Romanian 7.62x54 sniper rifle), MI rifle, M1 and M2 carbine, M-14 and I forget what else.

Never shot a Johnson (wish I had one), a GEW-43 or some of the more traditional semi-autos. Again, wish I had.

I guess that I've enjoyed the M-1 and M-2 Carbine the most. Small, light weight and just a hoot to shoot. Yea, the cartridge is the pits. I'm talking about fun here!

So, what you guys think?

Regards,

Eric

I think the Deawoo DR200 is an underated rifle. More nicely made then the AK, and and better handling the an AR.

I have not shot the Galil, Sako M90, or CZ 2000 but they are the best looking assault rifles. All AK derivatives. I would be proude to have any of them.

I love FALs and HK91/G3s. I dont have anything against M14s, but it never did anything for me, guess it was too normal looking, same for the Garands and Carbines.

AKs and SKSs are ok, but are common. Some people tell you they have an AK/SKS like it was a H&H Double Rifle. The SVD and copies are heavy AKs with small mags, that shoot a little better, and cost way too much. For the prices I have seen on SVDs I could get a Springfield M1A, in Standard up to Super Match trim.

I dont know what my favorite is. The fun and accuracy of AR deriviatives for the price is hard to beat.

Kristofer

Galil (AR, not muzzle-heavy ARM) works fine, not all that accurate, as MANY South Americans have found. They find the M16 more accurate. Perhaps the best of the AK-47's, if you want a .223.

I don't trust the AR15 or M16, but I really like shooting the original so-called SP1, which has the original twist, triangular handguard, no forward assist and no weight. Still no recoil, easy to shoot and carry. Just don't trust it. Will probably own an SP1 some day, if I don't have to pay too much for it.

I once heard someone use that new-fangled word "ergonomic." I looked it up in the dictionary, and there was a picture of the FN LAR Comp! Actually, the long Para model feels just as good. Reasonably reliable and accurate, feels great, very little recoil, decent cartridge.

I have shot an Ar-15, AK-47 (don't remember model) and SKS and an M1 carbine.
I REALLY want an M1 to plink around with just haven't put the money together to get one yet

Really fun little rifle.

AK and AR both didn't impress me but then again I didn't have the full auto version to play with either.

My 2 cents

[ 10-11-2002, 19:28: Message edited by: amosgreg ]

Used M1's, M2 carbines, M14's and M16's in the service. Owned an M1 carbine and an M1. Liked the M14 best. Would like to have an M1A.

Mine is a nm garand chambered in .308.Mild recoil,wickedly accurate,no extended mag. in the way.I've been known to take a dcm garand,the .308 garand and a H-bar to hp. rifle matches,Then choose after I find out if they're supplying 06 ammo,and who's shooting to my right.

I really enjoy shooting my G43. It is very accurate & has an adjustable trigger, unique for a military rifle.

Eric - I've gotta agree with you, the most FUN of them all is the little M-1 carbine. And as I've stated before, if you handload the thing with a good cast bullet, it becomes a very deadly rifle out to 100 yds or so. I've shot a lot of military rifles and handled a lot of others that were just suck clunkers I never even had a desire to fire them. But the M-1 Carbine is a delight...like hunting with a switch. You can carry it forever. My favorite thing with it was shooting down flying crows. What a surprise to their feathered butts!

If I was in the market for a M1 carbine, which make should I get? I want a M1 carbine from the beat maker!

Thanks,
Casey

Pecos45,

Pecos45,

I've had several so far. The first was a Plainfield, which was mostly made of surplus parts, but a nice carbine. It got stolen in a breakin, along with too many others.

Now I have a restored Inland that I'm partial too. Does great with hard cast 115's. I'm hankering though for one chambered in 5.7 Johnson. Now that would be cool!

Casey,

Any of the later produced M-1's, by any manufacturer will be fine for a shooter. Except for a Universal. Totally different innards, M-1 carbine in appearance only. Carbines are rapidly becoming collectors, thanks to the "Assault Weapons Ban." Many consider the Winchester to be the best, but I've seen plenty of choice pieces from any manufacturer.

Regards,

Eric

Eric, thanks for the tip! My brother-in-law had told me that the Winchesters are the best and the Inlands are the worse. Being the stereotypical brother-in-law, I naturally am looking for a second, third, fourth, etc, opinion.

You mentioned that you have a restored Inland. Who did the restoration? If I could find a M1 carbine with a good action, cheap, would it be a good plan to purchase this rifle and have it restored?

Thanks,
Casey

Casey,

Fulton Armory does some fabulous work, though you do pay dearly for it.

http://www.fultonarmory.com/

I had them "tweak" my Garand, it looks so good now I'm afraid to shoot it.
The carbine I have now I picked up at a gun show in Portland. The guy was a dealer from "The Republik of Kalifornia" and a rack full of them. I traded him a shotgun I didn't use anymore.

If you feel the Clint Fulton's prices are a little much, then I'd go to a show with a screw driver in my pocket and check them all out. You can disassemble the carbine by loosening the front band and pulling the action up and out of the stock. If it looks good, and you can live with the price, buy it. You may end up with some minor pitting on the outside, but what the heck, most carbines have done their time in hell and been rebuilt two or three times already.

The Winchesters are more expensive because it says "Winchester" on the action. The majority of these carbines were made under wartime conditions by company's that were making them as fast, but as well as they could. Everyone has good days, and bad days. so you find some really good ones, and some crummy ones from the same manufacturer.

The rarest in a National Postal Meter, they didn't make a huge number. Can't remember exactly how much, but I've only seen one and it was expensive. Shop carefully and stay away from the dealers with the eye-patch and a parrot on their shoulder.

Bear Claw,

A couple of years back, there was a guy with a GEW-43 at a show in Portland. Had an original scope, good clear optics, tight piece, $1200.00. I didn't have the cash and have been kicking myself since for not going in hock on my credit card.

Eric, that 115gr cast bullet is the meanest thing you can run thru a carbine. I used Lyman # 311316.

If you ever have any feeding problems with a carbine, email me and I'll tell you how to solve it for about .05$.

Happy trails!

I got a chance to shoot a FN M49 this weekend. I would like to have one of these. Great high-power plinker, 8mm ammo is cheep.

Kristofer

KB,Buy or "find" 10 or 12 cinder blocks and set them up between 75 or 100 yds or so.The m49 is lots of fun to shoot.

Kristofer,

I've played with the FN-49 several times, always thought it was a swell piece. Now if only one of us gun nuts were to figure out a way to adapt a detachable magazine to it.

Unfortunately, not very 8mm semi-autos with detachable box magazines were ever made. The only one that jumps to mind is the GEW-43 (and the FG-42, riiiggghhhttt!). And, why go to the trouble when you could get a '43?

Regards,

Eric

AK-47, M1, AR-15, SKS, I have to cast my vote for the SKS. Just plain fun and cheap to shoot.

Th Eric the German semi autos aren't getting any cheaper either. 1200 There's a lot of guns I hadn't showed you yet. I will show it to you next time you come over. Just promise not to drool all over it.

Eric,

The M49 is an superb rifle. We have taken to calling it a 'rich mans' SKS. Since M49 bears quite a resemblince to the SKS, tho with much better finish and wood.

Funny thing is the ammo for it is cheeper then 7.62x39mm ammo. It is corrosive, but that only means anything if you dont clean your rifles. J&G has got 8mm Mauser, $35 for 700 rounds. That is almost 22LR price. For a lot more bang!

Kristofer

[ 10-19-2002, 07:27: Message edited by: KBGuns ]

Casey posted:

quote:

---

My brother-in-law had told me that the Winchesters are the best and the Inlands are the worse.

---

Casey what your brother-in-law told you is nonsense! I have an Inland and it functions just fine. Fit and finish is very good too,thank you. What Eric said is absolutely true. These weapons were made under wartime conditions running three shifts 24/7. You'll find stinkers here and there no matter who the manufacturer. What makes the Inland less desirable to the collector is the fact that Inland manufactured the most of all the wartime plants (2.6 million!). The next closet manufacturer was Winchester at 818,000. the rarest is the Saginaw S'G' at 223,620.
My point is any wartime M1 carbine would make a great addition to your collection. They're fun to shoot, and will certainly appreciate in value. Buy one and have some fun.

To answer the original question posed on this thread: I have an AR-15 SP-1, an INLAND M-1, and a Springfield M-14. I have to say that I enjoy shooting them in that order. I'd like to try out an FN-49 and I've never fire the Garand either. Would like to give both a test ride. The SVT-40 looks intesting too. So many rifles, so little time and $$$.....

McArthur refused shipment of Winchester M1 carbines for a time in the Pacific because of functioning problems. So said the History channels on its series "Great Guns" The Inlands were the most trouble free.

[ 10-19-2002, 16:05: Message edited by: Bear Claw ]

Johnk007, thanks! I have always thought my brother-in-law as an idiotic know nothing! That is why I love this website. I can always get the REAL story here. Oh, next to my brother-in-law my father-in-law is the biggest know nothing know it all on this planet!!!!!!

Eric,

You are right about Fulton Armory!!!!! Are they really worth the price?

Casey

My wife bought me my M1 Garand on our first ann. It has been my favorite deer rifle since
then. The extra weight of it makes it a wonderful deerstand rifle. I shot a doe running away
from me at an honest 110+ yds. The target area was about a foot at best( small doe). This
was with standard open sights. After that my confidence in this rifle was tops. Last year
I dropped a very nice 8 point with it. I have several other scoped rifles, but where I hunt
the garand is perfect. What a rifle! Now I have finally realized what my father was talking
about. He served in WWII. He always told me what a great rifle it was. Boy was he ever right!!!

Guys,

Forgot to mention the SKS, it is a "sweet" rifle, hard to complain about it. Accurate, soft shooting and reliable.

I really like my M-1 Garand, it was a present from a "brother," but I find it hard to shoot it after Fulton reworked it for me. Too darn pretty.

Yes, they are expensive, but their work is absolutely the best, no shit. If you were to buy one of their guns, it would be 1st rate.

I wish I had a GEW-43, but I am a man of modest means and not right now.

The FN-49, ditto.

Bottom line is, these are all fine pieces of machinery and we are lucky to be able to "play" with them.

As always,Respect,

Eric

I have a soft spot for metric FALs, especially StG 58s (Austrian). I also like mouse molesters (AR15s). Wish I had a FN 49 and a M1A...just have to save up my couch change I guess .

BH1,

I like my FAL (a CAI assembeled clone on a IMBEL receiver with new furniture and internals), shoots well, managable recoil. The only thing I've ever had a problem with was the pistol grip angle. Man! Those Europeans sure like the acute angle grips! I've got the same problem with a P08 Luger, too sharp for me.

http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Forest/9504/InventoryPics/2583-800.jpg

It would be really nice if someone made some in the original configuration, smaller in size, chambered for the 7.92mm Kurz. The design is one of the best, I think. Adjustable gas system, easily maintained, accurate, durable.

Regards,

Eric

[ 10-27-2002, 19:52: Message edited by: Eric ]

AK-47 and variants. Cheap to own, cheap to fix, cheap to shoot. When I toss it behind the seat of the truck I know I have a serious defensive weapon, and I'm not to concerned that it's gonna get "bruised." TapCo was selling the 150 rd. drums for $90 the other day.

Local shop sells 1000 rd Wolf JHP for $90.

I prefer the 122 gr. bullet of the AK over even a 70 gr. bullet from the AR -- regardless of the "superior" velocity of the latter. For the ranges intended (sub-300 metre) the AK rd. bucks wind, cuts through foliage, and otherwise gets to the target. The AR bullet deflects, deflects, deflects.

I like my 1942 Springfield Garand, but it's not cheap shooting like the AK.

Romanian SKS was nice, but the AK offers a larger magazine capacity.

AR is OK . . . fussy about being clean.

I need to get my hands on some of the Imbel, FAL 1, Cetme, etc. Just not really in the market to own one.

Genghis,

Man, I think we all know already how you feel about the Kalashnikov! I like it too, but in the AKSU version the best.

If I were deployed, I'd grab one of those and hide it in my Hummer in a heart beat.

I also agree that it is accurate enough at most combat ranges, almost indestructable, user friendly, and inexpensive enough that we wouldn't cry (too much) if something happened to it. I have two (stamped and machined receivers) and an RPK. They are swell.

You know, I've never (and I'm not BS'ing you here), had a malfunction with my "Mattel" that was not magazine related. And I've gotten them filthy, especially with blanks. I really like the new M-4, they are sweet. Got 39 out of 40 the first time I shot one. The reduced ranges suck, but it's still hard to hit those itty bitty targets, ya know?

Regards,

Eric

I like my HK G3 for "social purposes".

For plain old fun, I like the Egyptian Hakim in 8 mm.,or the parent weapon, the Swedish Ljungamen in 6.5X55. These are fascinating pieces of machinery, and make a case of "Garand thumb" look like a hang nail if not loaded properly.

I have a Bushmaster AR, floated H-bar, flat top. Lots of old surplus magazines, the "green follower" stuff.

Never had a mis-fire or a mis-feed. But I'm pretty much just shooting off a bench or hunting-- which is mostly sitting and very little shooting.

M1 Garand is pretty neat . . . If I can't take care of business with 8 rds of 30-06, I need to call for air evac. or artillery support.

At this time my favourite is my SIG SG 551 SWAT. I've been thinking about getting an M4forgery with an SPR-A upper. And perhaps an MK11 but I can't afford them at this time....

LOL Cardinal!

I can't afford a SIG!

A word of caution.

It is possible for an FN-49 to fire before the bolt locks and the results ain't pretty. I never did find out the exact cause, but it happened to two shooters in my area.

Ten years ago I had a German G41(M) semi auto rifle. It was Germany's first attempt at a battle semi. Also had a K43, it was in mint condition including the bore. Not this rusted pitted junk we see now. Oh, so many guns but so little time and money.
Larry

m1, m14 and m1a, m60(with t&e), m2(on a jeep), m16, ar15, sks, ak, carbine, svt40, mp38/40 (schmisser), various civilian, draganov, hakeem in 8 mauser, i think that's it...

no johnson, either, dang it.. no gew, no isreali

still love to shoot them... just dont have time

jeffe

[ 12-12-2002, 18:50: Message edited by: jeffeosso ]

I have had or still own most of the rifles in this thread. The ones that I regret selling are a AR 70 and the very first M1A I owned it shot better than my Hart barrel installed on the Super Match. The most accurate by far are the AAI in 338 Lapua and the SR 25. The most accurate rifle that I own is a Baer AR that will consistantly shoot .25 --for those of you that are not real sure if you believe I can email the PDF file of the test target fired by Les.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Eric:
[QB]Kristofer,

I've played with the FN-49 several times, always thought it was a swell piece. Now if only one of us gun nuts were to figure out a way to adapt a detachable magazine to it.

Eric,
The Argentines did it when they had their Navy 7.65 FN49s rebarreled to 308. It was cheaper than buying the FAL. Most were inported with a cut down 10 round mag although the original 20 rounders are out there.
I've also seen ads converting 20 round BAR mags for the FN49, but I don't think they are QD.
Dez