Shoot, oh wait, probably not the best word to use to start a blog about guns. I realized, however, that I have not blogged about firearms in awhile. So, I was watching a re-run on the military channel about their top 10 battle rifles one night in the last week. Well, I can do top 10 lists also (and I have fired every gun on this list at least a few times).
10. Springfield A303 (.30-06 caliber) Seargent York used it, any questions? Love the caliber, but it is a long and rather heavy rifle.
9. Lee-Enfield Rifle No. 5 Mk I "Jungle Carbine" (caliber .303) too short and too light for general issue, but it was popular because of size and weight and I don't mind recoil. "Jungle Carbine" was name given to it by Santa Fe Arms company when they were trying to sell surplus models.
8. Mauser K98 (caliber 8mm) one of the best bolt action rifles ever to see combat use. The K98 action design is still borrowed for modern bolt action rifles.
7. Mosin-Nagant Model 44 (7.62x54R caliber) One of the most fun to shoot Russian/Soviet bolt action military rifles. The built in, fold-out, bayonet is pretty neat, and the carbine length barrel ensures nice pumpkins when fired.
6. Galil (Nato 5.56x45, .223 caliber) This is the only .223 that I have ever fired and liked. Wish I could have fired one in 7.62x51 Nato (.308). The Israelis make nice guns.
5. M1 Garand (.30-06 or .308 caliber) great rifle all around. Never fired one that was not accurate. Some people don't like the clip system for loading the ammo, but hey this beats the clip system for the Mosin-Nagant M44.
4. AK-74 (5.45x39 caliber) The 1970s variant of the AK-47 system designed to lessen weight load for soldiers without compromising accuracy and lethality. The goal was achieved, with a bullet called by the Afghanis "the devil's bullet" because of its impact in the 1980s in the fight with the USSR.
3. AK-47 (7.62x39 caliber) What a great rifle, throw it in the mud, freeze it, throw it under a vehicles tires, it still functions. This rifle made everyone else in the world play catch up with the Warsaw Pact and is still in use in militaries around the world.
2. M14 (7.62x51 NATO .308 caliber) the rifle that should be in service in some variant in the U.S. military rather than the M16 variants that circulate today. This is a solid rifle with a high degree of accuracy and knockdown power. Still in use in some military circles and basis for the M21 and M25 sniper rifles.
1. FAL (7.26x51 NATO .308 caliber) "The Right Arm of the Free World". This rifle competes with the AK-47 for most used rifle in conflicts and militaries around the world during the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s. The rifle is still in use in variations in contemporary militaries. The rifle is available in both inch and metric patterns of construction.
Note to all you bobble head, M16 lovers out there--get a real rifle.
10. Springfield A303 (.30-06 caliber) Seargent York used it, any questions? Love the caliber, but it is a long and rather heavy rifle.
9. Lee-Enfield Rifle No. 5 Mk I "Jungle Carbine" (caliber .303) too short and too light for general issue, but it was popular because of size and weight and I don't mind recoil. "Jungle Carbine" was name given to it by Santa Fe Arms company when they were trying to sell surplus models.
8. Mauser K98 (caliber 8mm) one of the best bolt action rifles ever to see combat use. The K98 action design is still borrowed for modern bolt action rifles.
7. Mosin-Nagant Model 44 (7.62x54R caliber) One of the most fun to shoot Russian/Soviet bolt action military rifles. The built in, fold-out, bayonet is pretty neat, and the carbine length barrel ensures nice pumpkins when fired.
6. Galil (Nato 5.56x45, .223 caliber) This is the only .223 that I have ever fired and liked. Wish I could have fired one in 7.62x51 Nato (.308). The Israelis make nice guns.
5. M1 Garand (.30-06 or .308 caliber) great rifle all around. Never fired one that was not accurate. Some people don't like the clip system for loading the ammo, but hey this beats the clip system for the Mosin-Nagant M44.
4. AK-74 (5.45x39 caliber) The 1970s variant of the AK-47 system designed to lessen weight load for soldiers without compromising accuracy and lethality. The goal was achieved, with a bullet called by the Afghanis "the devil's bullet" because of its impact in the 1980s in the fight with the USSR.
3. AK-47 (7.62x39 caliber) What a great rifle, throw it in the mud, freeze it, throw it under a vehicles tires, it still functions. This rifle made everyone else in the world play catch up with the Warsaw Pact and is still in use in militaries around the world.
2. M14 (7.62x51 NATO .308 caliber) the rifle that should be in service in some variant in the U.S. military rather than the M16 variants that circulate today. This is a solid rifle with a high degree of accuracy and knockdown power. Still in use in some military circles and basis for the M21 and M25 sniper rifles.
1. FAL (7.26x51 NATO .308 caliber) "The Right Arm of the Free World". This rifle competes with the AK-47 for most used rifle in conflicts and militaries around the world during the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s. The rifle is still in use in variations in contemporary militaries. The rifle is available in both inch and metric patterns of construction.
Note to all you bobble head, M16 lovers out there--get a real rifle.
Very nice. I just picked up my first M-1 Garand at a Texas gun show last weekend, vintage 1952.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to shoot it. I am USMC Expert qualified on the M-16A4--hey that's what we train on. Been awhile since I shot a manlier rifle.
-2nd Lt Weeks