What is your favorite infantry rifle?

[Ursa MAior]

G3A3. The grandfather of all.

[m10bob]

ORIGINAL: Tankerace

I'll post the only one I own: US Rifle Musket Model of 1861, Springfield Armory Manufacture [:D]

Ok a replica but still... Mine can throw a .575cal Minie Ball pretty far down range, and accurately to boot (except that it pulls upward).



Barring that, I'd settle for my second favorite I want to get, a 1903 Springfield (though either a Mk I or A1, not an 03-A3.

BTW my Springfield is a EuroArms that has been defarbed by the guys at James River Armory.

I want one!

[hueglin]

Terminus: Gotta agree with that one. The M-16 (or C-7, in our case) is just so flimsy...

Are you talking about the Canadian made C-7? If so I wasn't aware it was sold outside of Canada.

[DuckofTindalos]

Well, they are... It's the Danish Army rifle, and that's why I've used it.

[Marc von Martial]

ORIGINAL: Big B

Original post - M-14 rifle hands down.

I've fired (or owned) all of those mentioned and quite a few more. I was issued the M-16A1.
The G-3 (or H&K 91 as it's known in the States) just dosen't have the sighting-in accuracy with iron sights. M-16 (or any 5.56/.223) lacks the stopping power and range.

The Russian SVT-40 is a close second, never cared much for the AK-47s overall.
I want to try a Dragunov...
The M-1 Garand is wonderful, but I would take the M-14 for magazine capacity...and feel.

Actually it is not only the accuracy what makes a good inf rifle, but the reliability on the field, hence my take on the G3. Considering the fact that in the standard inf vs. inf firefight you only aim in the "general direction" to suppress the enemy. The killing is done on closer ranges. And there the less accurate iron sights (on ranges beyond 300m) of the G3 do not matter. You can beat a foe to death with it and it still will be possible to aim with the rifle. And then its great handling and reliabilty even after you dragged it through tons of mud, water and what not.

The Druganov is a great rifle, but only for very special purposes, I would not call it a "standard inf rifle".

I have never fired the M-1, but from what I heard from other guys it is one of the best things out there, if you can handle it.

[Marc von Martial]

ORIGINAL: Terminus

Speaking of H&K (and sorry for the thread high-jack), they finally decided to manufacture a successor to the MG3. Only took them 60 years![:D]

Yeah, grunts are becoming sissies these days [:D]. Nothing better to carry 11kg of metal, without the ammo [:D]

[morvwilson]

ORIGINAL: Marc Schwanebeck

ORIGINAL: Big B

Original post - M-14 rifle hands down.

I've fired (or owned) all of those mentioned and quite a few more. I was issued the M-16A1.
The G-3 (or H&K 91 as it's known in the States) just dosen't have the sighting-in accuracy with iron sights. M-16 (or any 5.56/.223) lacks the stopping power and range.

The Russian SVT-40 is a close second, never cared much for the AK-47s overall.
I want to try a Dragunov...
The M-1 Garand is wonderful, but I would take the M-14 for magazine capacity...and feel.

Actually it is not only the accuracy what makes a good inf rifle, but the reliability on the field, hence my take on the G3. Considering the fact that in the standard inf vs. inf firefight you only aim in the "general direction" to suppress the enemy. The killing is done on closer ranges. And there the less accurate iron sights (on ranges beyond 300m) of the G3 do not matter. You can beat a foe to death with it and it still will be possible to aim with the rifle. And then its great handling and reliabilty even after you dragged it through tons of mud, water and what not.

The Druganov is a great rifle, but only for very special purposes, I would not call it a "standard inf rifle".

I have never fired the M-1, but from what I heard from other guys it is one of the best things out there, if you can handle it.

I actually own an M-1 Garrand. It is my favorite for home defence. The M-14 is basicly the same weapon but chambered for 308 instaed of 30-06 and has detachable mag. with more ammo. I happened upon my M-1 for $600! M-14's start at over double that. I would rather have the M-14, but $$$$$

[Ursa MAior]

No pun intended but how is a rifle suitable for home defense (except when you live in a ranch)?

[morvwilson]

For me, it is just personal preference. I was never that good with a pistol. With a semi auto rifle, you can get away with hip shooting at close range if you have too. Also, I like the idea that if I have to shoot, one hit will take them down.

[Ursa MAior]

Hell sure it will take them down. But what about if the bullet goes through? In my humble opinon a shotgun will also do (dunno whether auto shotguns are legal tho).

[Raverdave]

The L1A1 SLR without a doubt. Loved it to bits and with a bayonet on the end it sure would make the bad guys think twice.
7.62mm destroys, while 5.56mm just aggravates.

[morvwilson]

ORIGINAL: Ursa MAior

Hell sure it will take them down. But what about if the bullet goes through? In my humble opinon a shotgun will also do (dunno whether auto shotguns are legal tho).

You are right Ursa, for high power rifles if you load full metal jackets the bullets will go through, if you load soft points the bullets flatten out when they hit their target and make a hole about the size of a pie plate. (These are usually the type of ammo used for hunting, the bullet will not go through all the energy is transferred to the target)

Shot guns definitely have their advantages, don't have to be a good shot for one. Just be sure you are loaded with 00 or 000 buck shot or slugs(if you are confident in your marksmanship). Bird shot will just make them angry!

Auto shot guns are legal in CA for now under certian conditions. If you like your firepower I think you have to live in Nevada or Kentucky where it is legal to own machine guns.

[Ursa MAior]

I am afraifd none of these states have a well respected strategic research institute or a good university (like CalTech or Harvard) where I'd like to work after graduating. [:(]

[morvwilson]

After establishing citizenship, establish residences in both the state in which you work and the other where you want to have your machine gun[8D]!
 
Just remember one thing, most machine guns fire about 600 rounds per minute. At $1 per round, that adds up fast!
 
I actually find that when I take out my bolt action rifles or black powder I don't fire nearly as much ammo as when I take out a semi auto.

[Ursa MAior]

OKay we can talk about this after Jan 2008 earliest!

[deterrumeversor]

Once upon a time 4 countries went to war:
Germany, who went to war with an outstanding hunting rifle...The Mauser
America, who went to war with an excellent target rifle ..........The Springfield 1903
Britain, who went to war with the best battle rifle...................The Lee Enfield
Russia, who went to war with .......... a club...........................The Mosin Nagant
 
God I love my clubs...lol...Nearly indestructable, you can get extreme accuracy with them. This is obviously luck of the draw considering that they have been in use for over 100years by Soviet conscripts or worse; who may or may not have cleaned or cared for them...Bolt action, 7.62x54r, with ballistics like the 30-06. Used in combat from 1891 to present (albeit in 3rd world countries anymore) with only minor variations to the sights, stock, and barrel length. They have been used in every major conflict around the globe. I have several whose receivers date back to 1895 and 1897, and rebarreled in 1927, and 1942 with 1 1/2 - 2 inch groupings at 100 yds.

[gunny]

FN FAL best darn rifle in the free world, from 1950-something to 1980-something.

Sorry folks but the belgians have the proven track record for making the most reliable small arms and mg's.

[Mundy]

ORIGINAL: Tankerace

I'll post the only one I own: US Rifle Musket Model of 1861, Springfield Armory Manufacture [:D]

Ok a replica but still... Mine can throw a .575cal Minie Ball pretty far down range, and accurately to boot (except that it pulls upward).



Barring that, I'd settle for my second favorite I want to get, a 1903 Springfield (though either a Mk I or A1, not an 03-A3.

BTW my Springfield is a EuroArms that has been defarbed by the guys at James River Armory.

Gotta agree with you on this one. I've had the same one as yours for 2 years now. At 200 yds, I can regularly hit a 2 ft gong target with it. It seems to take several seconds to hear it.

I didn't go all out to have it defarbed, though. Are you a skirmisher or reenactor?

Last year I bought an Armisport 1842 Springfield (The rifled one). There's something about throwing a 730 grain .685 minie downrange.

Here's where I've bought mine:

http://www.regtqm.com/

Looks like prices have climbed since then.

I actually enjoy shooting the muskets the most. Not that I'm rejecting anything more "modern". I own an AR-15 (set up like a standard a2), One Turkish mauser, one No 4 Enfield, Two Mosin Nagants (M90/33 and M44), and a Yugo SKS. Overall I like WWII and earlier.

[shunwick]

cough ... the SA80 ... cough

Best wishes,

[Tankerace]

I'm putting together a reenacting kit, but I wanted to get the musket first because I also have an interest in old weapons. RQ is where I bought mine too, cost me $699 without sling and bayonet. I've been wanting to get a Model 1842, but I'm leaning to a smoothbore just to see what I can do with 'buck and ball' ammo. Hopefully later this year I can get a Model 1842, that is if a Pedersoli flintlock doesn't catch my eye (cough 1795 Springfield cough) [:D]

ORIGINAL: Mundy

ORIGINAL: Tankerace

I'll post the only one I own: US Rifle Musket Model of 1861, Springfield Armory Manufacture [:D]

Ok a replica but still... Mine can throw a .575cal Minie Ball pretty far down range, and accurately to boot (except that it pulls upward).



Barring that, I'd settle for my second favorite I want to get, a 1903 Springfield (though either a Mk I or A1, not an 03-A3.

BTW my Springfield is a EuroArms that has been defarbed by the guys at James River Armory.

Gotta agree with you on this one. I've had the same one as yours for 2 years now. At 200 yds, I can regularly hit a 2 ft gong target with it. It seems to take several seconds to hear it.

I didn't go all out to have it defarbed, though. Are you a skirmisher or reenactor?

Last year I bought an Armisport 1842 Springfield (The rifled one). There's something about throwing a 730 grain .685 minie downrange.

Here's where I've bought mine:

http://www.regtqm.com/

Looks like prices have climbed since then.

I actually enjoy shooting the muskets the most. Not that I'm rejecting anything more "modern". I own an AR-15 (set up like a standard a2), One Turkish mauser, one No 4 Enfield, Two Mosin Nagants (M90/33 and M44), and a Yugo SKS. Overall I like WWII and earlier.