50 cal

They are an exceptional US AK receiver manufacturer. Couldn't ask for better. I have 2 AK74's and an AMD65 built on their receivers. The work is flawless on their receivers.

A REC7 is just another piston AR. You can get into one a heck of a lot cheaper, a lot cheaper and come out ahead for ammo and mags. I picked up a REC7 at the gun show in Knoxville this past weekend. Just a standard AR M4 style lower with a Magpul MOE stock, upper with chromelined barrel and I believe it was a Daniel Defense rail. Just add an Adams Arms or Osprey piston kit and save almost a grand. I built my midlength piston rifle with a LaRue rail set up almost just like a REC7 but mine has an Adams Arms piston kit. The barrel is Bravo Company. I saved enough to set a used ACOG I bought on the AR15.com equipment exchange on top of it. But that's one guys opinion, worth exactly what you paid for it. Edit to add: When I say I pick up a REC7 at the show, I meant just handled it at the table. Not bought one.

I would go with an M1A Scout. I have one and like it a lot. I have a 6.8 I built. The ammo is pretty pricey if you don't reload, but I have a Type06 FFL and get components at dealer cost. That helps a lot. .308 ammo is pretty plentiful and can be found readily. That REC7 is going to set you back... A LOT. Think $2400

When I was at Barrett, we built some 20" barreled uppers in 6.8 for the USMC to be used as DMR styled rifles. The accuracy was amazing. We only shot them out to 500 meters before shipping to Quantico. The Corps liked them and ordered more. Wished I would have bought a barrel at that time. I use a 16" 6.8 and like it. Does what I need. Don't shoot it past 300 meters. Don't have anywhere to stretch it out past there in the Knoxville area.

K31's are my weakness. I have 3 right now. Luckily I bought my first 2 when they were only $89 from AIM. My last one I got from Simpson Ltd. Paid a premium for a walnut stocked beauty.

If you were to truly understand the mechanics of the DI system, the gas fills the gas chamber of the carrier and slightly pushes the bolt forward in the carrier as the carrier fills with gas, as it fills with gas then the carrier slides to the rear. This alleviates the pressure against the bolt lugs A piston system just rips the bolt carrier back away from the breech. That is the cause of some broken bolt lugs. I tried a piston system. Went back to DI. Like it much better. The gas build up on the bolt is self limiting. It will build up so far, then stop. I just lube the crap out of my rifles, shoot the piss out of them and most of the carbon wipes out with an oily rag. Piston systems are a solution in search of a problem. Sure, they work for the AK style rifles, but their locking lug set up is entirely different. All this "Tier1" operators using piston systems is crap. They may have experimented with them at Battle Lab at Ft. Benning and saw very limited use in the field, but widespread use? I seriously doubt it.

Botach?? Some people have great luck, some people have to stay on them for weeks, then request a refund for weeks to get either a product or a refund. It's a crap shoot with them. I think it's a requirement to have a split personality to work there.

TGI always has Mosins on Gunbroker. They are in extremely good condition.

Get a Stag upper. Can be had right from them for about $500 or so. The others are waaaaay overpriced. The Stag will do the same thing the others will.

Coal Creek had some.

I use 5.45x39 corrosive almost exclusively through my AK74. Just give all the affected parts a good cleaning with HOT soapy water then clean like normal. Almost 3,000 rounds through the '74 without a hint of rust or corrosion. Same thing with my VZ24 and K98 Mausers. I bought a bunch of Romanian 8mm that is corrosive. Same with my 2 Enfields. I have a bunch of corrosive .303 Brit. The bores on all the rifles look bright and shiny. Just takes a little extra effort. Some are scared of mercuric primers. There is not a thing wrong with them.

I really don't notice that much of a difference. I scored a bunch of 55 grain Moly'ed V Max's years ago really cheap. Been shooting them through my 700 heavy barrel. They are really accurate. I use VihtaVoury N133 powder behind them with extremely good results.

I run an Olympic 9mm upper. I had to use the 9mm hammer and a 9mm specific buffer for it to run right. I have a mag well block that let's me use unmodified Sten mags. It has been flawless. It never fails to get attention at the range.

I have 2. Both No1 MkIII's. One BSA, and one Lithgow. The Lithgow is in excellent condition and shoots extremely well with Sellier & Bellot ammo I bought years ago. Glad I stocked up on that stuff.

I got to handle two of these a few weeks ago at TGI. They are really nice pistols. The grip frame is about as perfect as you can get on a handgun. Don't need another handgun but will definately add this one to the stable.

They had some serious QC issues in the past. A shooter was seriously injured with a MK2 upper I believe it was. They redesigned the bolt to prevent partial bolt open firing. Make sure you get a MK3 upper.

The M4 ramps only really help in full auto and with feeding the last 5 rounds or so out of the mag. Got this straight from a Colt engineer while I was working at Barrett. Take it for what it's worth. And worth exactly what you paid for it.

It's an A.R.M.S. 40L

My green AR.

Got to fire a Tavor when I worked at Barrett. It was pretty nice. Decided right then I was going to have one if Ronnie and IMI would ever settle on licensing. But that fell through. The rifle was a perfect fit for me. Ended up getting an MSAR E4 not long ago. Really like it.

I like it. Much better than basic black.

I use to work at Serbu some time ago. Worked a deal with Mark for a Super Shorty. It is on the way. Need to fill out my paperwork, get my $5.00 check ready for the AOW stamp and send it in. Happy camper.

There is so much info at Ar15.com that you could spend a month there and not take it all in. Register and read. Have a thick skin if you ask a question. Don't be taken aback if people pounce on you for having a low post count. They have a pretty bad habit of that there. Just take it in stride. There are lots of knowledgable folks there.

I use a Para LTC for daily carry. Its a great pistol. Feeds anything I stuff in it. Accurate as you could ask of it. The stepson shot it and wanted one. Found him one here from a user. He uses it for his carry pistol. Same results, will feed anything. And is a very accurate pistol.

The FAL is an excellent rifle. I have owned numerous ones. Built them all from the parts kits. They are an addiction once you build your first one. I am down to one now, a 18" barreled barbine that is my favorite. I have a bunch of mags I bought at Knob Creek years ago when they were $2.00 each.