Forwarded message:
Date: Mon, 22 Dec 1997 23:34:51 -0700 From: Tim May <tcmay@got.net> Subject: Re: Best Cypherpunk long gun
Were I to recommend one rifle to meet most needs, it would be some variant of the AR-15, from Colt or Bushmaster or Olympic Arms, etc. About $800 for a common variant. No need for a collapsible stock. This will handle social needs from short range, to a few hundred yards (maybe more).
There are those who recommend a cheaper SKS or AK-47 variant. I've never owned one, so can't honestly comment. The concensus in rec.guns and misc.survivalism seems to be that the AR shoots better and more accurately, but the AK-47 is more forgiving of bad conditions, dirt, etc. Inasmuch as I don't expect to be in the desert, or even any mud, I'll take the more accurate piece.
I would go for a HK 93 or G3 model myself w/ Zeiss 3x9 scope w/ some sort of laser designator for long range (> 200 yds.). Chambered in .308 and will give about a 4 to 6-in. group at 600 yds. from what I have seen - very handy for shooting throug 4 in. brick walls as well. Very accurate (a very popular sniper weapon) and more than forgiving with the environment. It's little brother the MP-5 pretty much owns the SWAT and similar sorts of jobs. A Desert Eagle chambered in .357 (you just *think* those .223 go through vests) would be my close in choice. Course you ain't gonna touch the HK for less than a few $k and the Desert Eagles are over $1k.
(The notion that the AR-15/M-16 "jams" is based on 35-year-old early experiences in Viet Nam, using an early design and early ammo. The jamming problems were fixed quickly, by changing the forward assist, changing the ammo a little, and teaching soldiers how to properly clean the weapon.)
Don't worry about it - go with a HK and you can fill the chamber with gunk and the next cycle of the blowback bolt system will clear it. Excellent all weather weapon. It'll even fire if un-oiled - not something you should do with a M16/AR15. ____________________________________________________________________ | | | Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make | | violent revolution inevitable. | | | | John F. Kennedy | | | | | | _____ The Armadillo Group | | ,::////;::-. Austin, Tx. USA | | /:'///// ``::>/|/ http://www.ssz.com/ | | .', |||| `/( e\ | | -====~~mm-'`-```-mm --'- Jim Choate | | ravage@ssz.com | | 512-451-7087 | |____________________________________________________________________|