AK as a primary rifle?
- Thread starter AgentPickle
- Start date
bamaranger
New member
primary what?
Yeah, ....primary for what? The thread immediately went the SD/HD tactical end of the world direction and I suppose that was the OP's intent anyhow. But.....
If we are talking one rifle to do many things, a general purpose rifle that can serve in all the confrontational roles one can imagine, perhaps compete in some practical rifle event or informal bullseye competition, hunt any game on the continent, and shoot frequently enough to keep ones marksmanship up, the AK comes up a just a wee bit short in my estimation. Hey, I've got nothing against Kalashnikov's rifle and really like the 7.62x39mm cartridge, however.....
The x39mm cartridge is not the deal it used to be and lacks a bit of range and punch when considering a wide variety of targets. Some AK's do not take an optic easily (mine for example, no rail). While the AK's trigger serves well enough for what originally was a full auto design intended to build a base of fire against an adversary, it pales when compared to even a price point sporter these days and a good trigger is important in shooting well, especially at any distance. So...
I can't imagine not having a good .22lr, an adult rifle with good trigger, decent sights or optic and reliable as a brick. But I wouldn't want to fight for my life with one, or be forced to hunt medium or large game. A fella really needs minimally two rifles in my opinion.....a good .22 and some type of GP centerfire, which conveniently brings us back to the start of the thread.
So if I could keep my .22, I'd opt for a .308 bolt carbine of some variety. I'd want the option for a flush mount or extended mag. I'd want a pic rail up top, to put a modest scope on it, say a 2-7x32mm, or perhaps one of the newer 1-6x30mm numbers with an illuminated aiming point. I wouldn't disdain some type of magnifying red dot, provided it would be one unit and not a separate magnifier. I would want some provision for back up iron sights just because stuff breaks.
Yeah, ....primary for what? The thread immediately went the SD/HD tactical end of the world direction and I suppose that was the OP's intent anyhow. But.....
If we are talking one rifle to do many things, a general purpose rifle that can serve in all the confrontational roles one can imagine, perhaps compete in some practical rifle event or informal bullseye competition, hunt any game on the continent, and shoot frequently enough to keep ones marksmanship up, the AK comes up a just a wee bit short in my estimation. Hey, I've got nothing against Kalashnikov's rifle and really like the 7.62x39mm cartridge, however.....
The x39mm cartridge is not the deal it used to be and lacks a bit of range and punch when considering a wide variety of targets. Some AK's do not take an optic easily (mine for example, no rail). While the AK's trigger serves well enough for what originally was a full auto design intended to build a base of fire against an adversary, it pales when compared to even a price point sporter these days and a good trigger is important in shooting well, especially at any distance. So...
I can't imagine not having a good .22lr, an adult rifle with good trigger, decent sights or optic and reliable as a brick. But I wouldn't want to fight for my life with one, or be forced to hunt medium or large game. A fella really needs minimally two rifles in my opinion.....a good .22 and some type of GP centerfire, which conveniently brings us back to the start of the thread.
So if I could keep my .22, I'd opt for a .308 bolt carbine of some variety. I'd want the option for a flush mount or extended mag. I'd want a pic rail up top, to put a modest scope on it, say a 2-7x32mm, or perhaps one of the newer 1-6x30mm numbers with an illuminated aiming point. I wouldn't disdain some type of magnifying red dot, provided it would be one unit and not a separate magnifier. I would want some provision for back up iron sights just because stuff breaks.
Ignition Override
New member
bamaranger’s reasoning of the big picture is as good as, or better than anything I’ve ever read- on any gun website.
Possibly related to the OP’s quest might include various rifles carried for use against quite murderous animal poachers in Africa:
rangers quite often patrol with AKMs, plus AR (15, or 10?), shotguns, G3s, both Para and even standard FALs with 21” barrels.
In just one African country over 120 Game Wardens were murdered by poachers- with surviving family members often destitute ( no life insurance etc).
If you could be attacked by insurgents, many of whom are well-financed by foreign organizations, what would you carry?
Possibly related to the OP’s quest might include various rifles carried for use against quite murderous animal poachers in Africa:
rangers quite often patrol with AKMs, plus AR (15, or 10?), shotguns, G3s, both Para and even standard FALs with 21” barrels.
In just one African country over 120 Game Wardens were murdered by poachers- with surviving family members often destitute ( no life insurance etc).
If you could be attacked by insurgents, many of whom are well-financed by foreign organizations, what would you carry?
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stagpanther
New member
Zestava Zpap 92--Oh yeah, I definitely would get one without blinking an eye. 1,000 rds of of Wolf Polyformance and I would be set.
bamaranger
New member
African Game Rangers
I have seen a documentary film about ivory poaching, and a goodly part of it followed game rangers on the dark continent as they pursued poachers.
As I remember, the rangers got out ahead of the bad guys by using 4wd, laid an ambush and wacked the lot of them. AK's and a PKM for the good guys.
I have seen a documentary film about ivory poaching, and a goodly part of it followed game rangers on the dark continent as they pursued poachers.
As I remember, the rangers got out ahead of the bad guys by using 4wd, laid an ambush and wacked the lot of them. AK's and a PKM for the good guys.
bamaranger
New member
hind sight
That was a long time ago......the full auto weapon may have been an RPD
That was a long time ago......the full auto weapon may have been an RPD