Posted on 01/28/2010 11:39:40 AM PST by GauchoUSA
Next week, I am going on a short expedition into the Russian Northwest forest. My wife's cousins along with a couple more friends will go hunting, drinking and shooting...you know man stuff. I have been informed that we will be using the obvious AK 47 and they will even have a couple of Dragunovs. I am sure to come out with a great story out of it.
My question is, since I am sure to come back a weapons afficionado and I will have virtually no experience with an AR 15, for US purposes what should I set my eye on purchasing? I'm sure there are a lot of Freepers who are experts on both and I have a cousin who has an incredible collection of AR 15's and AK 47's along with wicked shotguns and even a marine stainless steel shotgun. I am not too keen on handguns so I was hoping to get my hands on a good rifle. What would give me more bang for my buck? If God forbid a revolution is to come how can I prepare Rifle-wise.
I heard that! and even if you miss, the fireball and massive recoil from that 7.62x54R are sure to scare the crap out of anything or anyone you are shooting at... just keep the sling handy for resetting your shoulder when it is knocked out of its socket!
Everyone always asks why there are so many Mosin Nagants on the markets, its because after the Russian soldiers fired this beast once, they traded it in for ANYTHING else they could get hold of...
Are you buying before the trip, during in Russia or after the trip?
1. Before: Don’t buy anything. You haven’t had the experience yet.
2. During: You’ll have to check with Customs before you leave.
Trust me. You won’t be bringing any AK’s or Dragonovs back with you.
3. After: Go to a couple of gunranges and check what others are using. You might check out a Three Gum Match if you can find one.
I’d forget the forest (taiga?) trip and just stay in St. Petersburg. Terrific museums and other sites.
>>“I’m sure you’ll be getting a lot of advice about other, bigger caliber rounds shortly.”
>
>No pun intended, OWS, but you’re are right on target, advising smaller caliber rounds.
Well, they’re what I have experience in rifle. In handgun I like my 357 mag and my .45, though I also have a 9mm.
>On a cross-country hump, I’d rather carry 500 rounds of 5.56, than 7.62.
On a hump, yes. But it depends on the objective/use what sort of rounds are best for the job. For instance, a 40mm grenade for the M203 might be a lot nicer for oh say dropping a HE/incendiary into a weapons or fuel depot than trying to demolish it via small arms fire. {Diesel isn’t explosive like gasoline [fumes] are, giving it another advantage for use in military vehicles.}
DITTO!
Yup. Mini-14 is a sweet little gun.
And buying .223’s won’t put ya in the poor house...
I will buy after the trip. I do not want to cause or be in any trouble going out or into Russia with a Rifle.
This is my 6th time going to Russia. I’ve done the museums, skiing, fishing and ice fishing, now I’m going hunting.
Takes some time to get one from the CMP so that won't work for you, but I'll bet you can find one. Shoots .30-06, which the Russians ought to appreciate. Doesn't mind snow/ice/mud. You can use it for a handle on your bumper jack and then go shoot it again. :)
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Do you intend to buy the rifle here and take it there?
If so, you need to spend some time and money finding out how to do it legaly. Taking a firearm into Russia is very difficult to do legaly.
If you only wish to buy a rifle here and familiarize yourself with it before you go, buy an AK clone of some type and a Mosin Nagant, of which there are many in Russia.
Saiga .308
(((snigger!!)))
can’t go wrong with that
This is for after my trip. In Russia the weapons for hunting are taken care of. Once I return I will need to make a decision on what to purchase. Thank you for your input, I will actually do that, I have a cousin who has both and would gladly show me around.
It’s a nice lightweight rifle. Not sure if it is California legal though.
If not, I would seriously look at getting a M1 Garand chambered in .308. And learn how to reload.
A couple of people mentioned an M-1 Garand and that would be your last choice. There are a multitude of problems that go wrong with them and the service book is an inch thick. You would be better off with a good bolt action than a collector’s piece.
Your first choice probably should be a good .22LR.
A good Remington 700 BDL and a mid range scope is the most accurate, dependable rifle available and it comes in most every center fire round available.
This platform is preferred by the Marine Sniper Corps, the Army and Special Forces. I still have mine, an M-24A2 (Long bolt Army version) It shoots 6” groups at 500 meters.
A good Remington 700 BDL and a mid range scope is the most accurate, dependable rifle available and it comes in most every center fire round available.
This platform is preferred by the Marine Sniper Corps, the Army and Special Forces. I still have mine, an M-24A2 (Long bolt Army version) It shoots 6” groups at 500 meters.
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