Saturday, November 30, 2013

Firearm Forum Question: AR-15 (M-16) 5.56x45mm versus Avtomat Kalashnikova AK-47 7.62x39mm

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Which is the better assault rifle to own for civilian self-defense: The AR-15 (223/5.56) or Soviet style AK-47 (7.62x39mm)?
Thank you The Big Red 1

The AR-15 has many variations and styles. Shown is the later version for civilian use, the semi-automatic AR-15/M4 Carbine in 223/5.56.

The old Soviet based designed AK-47 is manufactured by many countries and also has many variations and styles. Shown is the original Russian post WW2 style design in 7.62x39. The civilian model is the same but in semi-automatic only.

Answer:
Blog Administrator -
It all depends on your own personal choice and needs, like buying a car, each person has their own opinion what they want and think is better. Personally I own both.
But here are some facts you may want to consider: The AK-47, SKS Assault Rifle has been around longer. It is almost indestructible. It rarely ever jams. Will shoot any kind of ammo manufactured that fit the standard 7.62x39mm. The AK/SKS is the most widely used weapon in the world in war and conflict. The ammo (ammunition) is less expensive per round to shoot than the 223/556. The AK is easy to disassembly and clean. It is heavy with the original wood stock, but the more modern versions have the synthetic stocks as well. The AK is less vulnerable to sand, dust, water, and the cold than the AR-15 and it's cousins. It you purchase one make sure it's the real thing and not American made and sold. I personally would recommend one that is 100 percent made in the Czech Republic. 
Note: I would stay away from the Chinese made weapons such as Norinco.

The AR-15 (M16) has been around since the Vietnam War, and started off using the .223 Remington Ammo. The post Vietnam AR-15 Assault Rifle and it's cousins fire both the 223 Remington (good for target practice), and the 5.56 rounds. Some of the AR designs are more particular to what ammo they fire and are subject to jamming. They also have Magazine issues, as in using off brand mags can cause jamming. The AR requires more maintenance and is harder to clean, disassemble, and reassemble. It is the standard weapon used by the U.S. military and most federal and local U.S. law enforcement. Therefore, in an emergency the ammo would be more readily available. The AR15 ammo is generally more expensive per round than the AK 7.62. The AR15 is made both in the USA and Europe for civilian use and widely sold here.

Both the AR15 and the AK47/SKS ammunition types can easily be found at a Wal-Mart store. Choose wisely grasshopper.

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Friday, November 29, 2013

Firearm Forum Question: How to the Clean the AR15 Assault Rifle

Ask A Firearms Question:
I recently bought a used fully outfitted AR-15. Is there a decent Video that shows step by step methods of striping down and cleaning the standard AR-15 Assault Rifle?
Thank you Al Shoeman Bundy


Answer:
Blog Administrator -
I found this YouTube Video to be one of the best out there. It is for the newbie and takes every aspect into a step by step method of stripping down, cleaning, and reassembly of the AR-15 (223/556) Assault Rifle. The video is about 25 minutes long but worth watching. Good luck.



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Thursday, November 28, 2013

Firearm Forum Question: ArchAngel Ruger 10/22 Conversion versus S&W MP-22

Ask A Firearms Question:
Which is better the ArchAngel Ruger 10/22 Conversion or buying a new S&W MP-22?
I have an old Ruger 10/22, which is a 22 Caliber Rifle but am thinking of getting the Smith-Wesson MP-22. Someone suggested that I convert my old Ruger 10/22 into an assault style looking rifle using an ArchAngel Conversion Kit. I would like to get some opinions on which is better.
Thank you Harvey Winestap.

Standard Ruger 10/22 with wood stock.
Suggested Retail Price 'New' $329.00
These generally sell for around $289.00 at most gun shops.
They can be found used for around $225.00
ArchAngel AA556R Conversion Kit using the Ruger 10/22 (sold without magazine).
Kit sold online for approximately $155.00 including shipping & handling.
Offered with or without a bayonet.
Smith-Wesson (S&W) MP-22 Assault Rifle.
Suggested Retail Price 'New' $499.00
Usually they are around $429.00 in most retail firearms stores.

Answer:
Blog Administrator -
I had two older model Ruger 10/22 Rifles with Wood Stock which had two standard 10-round magazines and a 25-round banana clip. I converted one to an ArchAngel AA556R with Bayonet (see picture below). The other had the original Ruger 3 x 7 Rifle Scope with two 10-round cylinder magazines which I did not change.
The Ruger 10/22 has been around for a long time and is an excellent performing 22 caliber rifle. It is hard to beat and they can take punishment. They rarely jam and last forever.
In contrast the S&W MP-22 Assault Rifle in 22 caliber is fairly new. It has had some jamming issues and you can find a lot of these used at Gun Shows.
If you compare the cost of buying a New S&W MP-22 at say $429.00 versus buying a used Ruger 10/22 with two standard 10 round cylinder magazines for around $225.00 and then purchasing the ArchAngel Conversion Kit for $155.00, the total cost is $380.00, a savings of $49.00. Don't forget new firearms require an FFL Licensed dealer which means you need to register the gun in your name and probably pay a sales tax.

In my case I ended up with two Ruger 22 caliber rifles, which have interchangeable magazines. I have four 10-round mags plus one 25-round banana clip.

In my opinion the Ruger 10/22 with the ArchAngel AA556R Conversion Kit is a better choice, I recommend it. I would not recommend the S&W MP-22.

Here is my Ruger 10/22 with the ArchAngel Conversion Kit.
I added a combo Green/Red Dot Scope and a forward stock arm for around $65.00 that I found used at a gun show. Shown without the Bayonet and with the 25-round banana clip.

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Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Firearm Forum Question: Ruger Cowboy Revolvers

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I have been looking to add a 45 ACP revolver cylinder to my Ruger 45lc (Long Colt), Ruger has been little or no help, what advice can you give me?
Thank you C. Rosco Harper.


Answer:
Blog Administrator -
These were available in both the Ruger Blackhawk and Vaquero models. Ruger sold the rights to make this combination (45lc/45acp) to Lipsey's Guns and Davidson's (Gallery of Guns) by model (see Ruger's website). Ruger nor it's exclusive distributors will sell just the 45 acp revolver cylinder. Ruger, however, will replace either the 45lc or the 45acp cylinder if one of them is lost, stolen, or damaged if and only if the firearm (Vaquero, Blackhawk) were originally purchased as a combination from Ruger. Call Ruger, get a return authorization number for the revolver and ship it back. The estimated cost for fitting a new cylinder by Ruger is approximately $135.00.
Important Safety Fact: If you acquire a Ruger 45 ACP Cylinder for your revolver it must be fitted and configured by a gunsmith. Do not attempt to shoot your firearm without having it properly fitted.
Background: Many SASS shooters use Ruger 45lc revolvers. Since the cost of 45lc ammo has skyrocketed owning a single cylinder 45lc is no longer practical. Therefore, many shooters want a combination 45lc/45acp because the 45 acp ammo at the the moment is less expensive to shoot. If you own any 45lc revolver, you need to reload your own ammo. At minimum save the brass, cowboy shooters will buy it.
I suggest looking on Gun Broker periodically for a 45 acp cylinder for your needs. The current market shows these selling for around $85.00.
Ruger's Poor Marketing Approach: In my opinion, Ruger has taken a very dismal marketing approach by licensing specific models to exclusive distributors. Also, the demand for 45acp cylinders for both the Vaquero and Blackhawk 45lc revolvers warrant making these 45 acp cylinders available for direct sale.
Ruger Firearms and Your Revolver: If you have had any Cowboy style action job performed on your Ruger revolver, do NOT return it to Ruger. Ruger, along with most firearms manufactures will return the firearm to it's original specs before returning it to you.
Sample Photos of Ruger 45lc Revolvers:
Original Vaquero with Birdshead

Ruger Blackhawk

Ruger Bisley in Stainless Steel

Standard Ruger Vaquero

Ruger Birdshead (new version) 45lc/45acp known as the Combo



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