viscero

Very nice!  Want to take the wife there some day.  I went there once in my youth with my boy scout troop and we hiked nearly every trail they had.  Still remember what an awesome experience that was.

I agree on the AK platform.  7.62x39 isn't really that much more expensive that the 5.45 and is generally non-corrosive as well in its surplus form these days.  The AK has become very modular in recent times and there are several good models to start out with.

I got a polytech M14S,  Does that count?

Love the remmy 870 BUT you can get a mossy 500 or even a maverick 88 for cheaper.  I think I read that the IAC hawk is supposed to be a copy of the 870?  I wonder if the aftermarket 870 goodies would fit it?

Agreed lack of parts kits is a major factor.  Also overall importation of assembled rifles has all but stopped.  First the arsenals and Saigas dried up.  Then the veprs.  The wasr's started to decline and they couldn't keep up with demand so distributors started bringing in the Yugo's.  But now Zastava is in the same boat as Romarm.  Who knows how much stuff is currently in transit or sitting in customs somewhere as we speak.  I do know that a lot of times the ditributors over here order stuff and have little to no idea if or when it will be fullfilled from overseas.

Will be going on a Vepr 54r..

Thanks guys!

I find myself in need of a bipod, the type that mounts to a swivel.  I was wondering what the difference is between the $130+ Harris models and the $15/20 overseas knock off's.  I've read that several people just go with the cheap ones and that they work great.  So I'm curious what the collective opinion is around here.

LOVE the vids they have of the axe and chisel being made but my fave is the knife.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3nojb-gFH4   Their axes and knives on their site are quite stunning.   http://www.neemantools.com/en/products/kitchen-knives

I just don't get how most vendors at shows like to pretend that the internet doesn't exist and that consumer's aren't capable of informing themselves of current pricing and availability on things. especially surplus ammo and firearms.

I had the similar experience to most here.  Overpriced ammo and guns.  Not a lot in the way of variety.  No crates of mosins or anything remotely interesting in the C&R department.  LOTS of optics and knives it seemed along with other nick nacks.   Walked out with two bags of beef jerky  :yum:

Will be there as well.

Pretty sure a lot of the century stuff in the past was farmed out to other builders as well.  Some of which were great and some less than stellar.  Another thing to check for on Ak's is the cycling of the action.  Should be smooth and not tight or binding when hand cycling.  If you are purchasing one that is used you might want to check for chrome lining on the barrel just in case the previous owner wasn't too diligent about cleaning after he shot a bunch of corrosive ammo out of it.

Any updates on this MacGyver?

Not that it would cause me to change my mind at all but is the selector markings on both sides and are they "safe"/"fire" or bullet pictograms?  Just curious.   Thanks

In for two!

All Corker has ever said in his canned responses is "I will certainly take your concerns into consideration."  This means nothing and he isn't committing to anything by saying this.  Here is the letter I emailed to Corker and Alexander (much thanks to the akforum.net for crafting it)   Dear Elected Official, On April 11th 2013, a majority of Senators in the United States Senate voted to allow Senate Bill 649 to move forward and potentially reach the President of the United States to be signed and become law. Senate Bill 649 is nothing more than an egregious affront to the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. To even bring it to the floor of the Senate is a betrayal of the Oath of Office for a U.S. Senator. The title of Senate Bill 649 is “Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act of 2013” I’m sorry, but I fail to see any narrative within this bill that protects our communities or our children. This bill does nothing but infringe on our ability as responsible law-abiding citizens to purchase or sell firearms used for the defense of our family, homes, and personal possessions. Additionally, I failed to find any narrative that actually provides armed security guard initiatives for our children that attend public schools. Included in S.649, “The School and Campus Safety Enhancements Act of 2013 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize school security grants by the DOJ Office of Community Oriented Policing Services to be used for the installation of surveillance equipment and the establishment of hotlines or tip lines for the reporting of potentially dangerous students and situations.” What does this do to prevent an “active shooter” within a public school? Why can’t our elected officials focus on the actual problem instead of meaningless legislation that infringes on responsible law-abiding citizen’s rights guaranteed by the Constitution? Astonishingly, 68 of our United States Senators (Democrats and Republicans) ignored their Oath of Office to “Support and defend the Constitution of the United States.” I was shocked to see your name listed among those that betrayed the U.S. Senate Oath of Office. This is a direct betrayal of the Constitution of the United States. The same Constitution you took an oath to support and defend. This is word for word from the United States Senate website: “Upon taking office, senators-elect must swear or affirm that they will "support and defend the Constitution." The president of the Senate or a surrogate administers the oath to newly elected or re-elected senators. The oath is required by the Constitution; the wording is prescribed by law.” I asked that you support me in future votes and to not vote for legislation that does not address the problem. By infringing on my Second Amendment Right, you jeopardize my responsibility to protect my family, my home, and my personal possessions. If you remember United States Supreme Court Case 545 U.S. 748, Castle Rock v. Gonzales, the Court ruled 7-2 that a town and its police department could not be sued under 42 U.S.C. 1983 for failing to enforce a restraining order, which led to the murder of a woman’s three children by her estranged husband. In short, the police are not required or obligated to protect citizens. It is the citizen’s responsibility and right to protect themselves. In closing, if you cannot support me as a constituent of this state, then I cannot and will not support you in future elections.  I will actively contribute my time and money against your future campaigns for office. Respectfully, INSERT YOUR NAME HERE

Was a guy selling 440 rd tins of x54r for 109 + tax.  Was the lowest I saw.  Still lots of overpriced AR's and AK's.  Didn't see too many people trying to sell their own stuff like it was a few months ago; about the usual ratio of private sellers.  All-in-all I didn't feel like there was a lot there at the show.  Went looking for a Garand and only saw three for sale.

Well I ended up paying a visit to Bills Outpost in Maryville on my way into town and I have to say I definitely lived up to the good reviews I have read. Not only did they just happen to have the EXACT model of Vepr I was after but they had it at prepanic prices!!! Very happy new Vepr owner today! They had lots of ak's and ar's and a few surplus rifles too. Lots of selection and good prices.

Going to be up around Knoxville this weekend and was wondering if anyone had spotted a VEPR in 7.62x54r at any of the good LGS up that way?  Specifically looking for one of the 23" versions.  If you've seen someone carrying one of the shelf please let me know.   Thanks

Just happened to see this Draco up for sale on Slickguns.  I have actually been to this store and bought a couple of long guns in the past.  Not sure why they even bother putting the word "Pawn" in their name.  The place is wall to wall guns and even has a range I think.  Anyways, good folks to buy from in my experience if you were craving a Draco.   http://www.pistolandpawn.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=303&products_id=366048

Smith, how do you like that grip on there? Its the one characteristic I haven't settled on yet for mine. So far I've tried the traditional AK grip, the Saw style, and a MIAD with SLR adapter. Was wondering about this one as well as the new AK-specific magpul offering.

I think Wideners is about the only place that has them in stock at a not too insane price right now @ $689 w/ two mags.  Plus its a TN store so you get to feel good about spending money in state  :up:   There's a pretty well maintained thread over on arfcom that keeps up with the current inventory, pricing, and included accessories here http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_4_98/125653_AK_Pistols_Prices_Availability.html for all of the different pistol configs.   I say "included accessories" because the M92's ship from the factory with a cleaning rod and two mags but some retailers are/were skimming the mags and rods and selling them seperately at panic prices.

I own a Draco and an M92 and between the two the M92 has a far superior build quality but doesn't have as many options in the SBR category as the Draco does.   Draco Cons: Harder to find so price is higher FInish is very rough May require a trip to a good smith to remedy some of the factory quality issues. (Had to have my RSB rolled on mine)   Draco Pros: 14x1 threads and factory detent w/ spring - wide variety of muzzle device options. Rear trunnion is pretty much 90 degrees so mounting any ace style stock is a breeze Standard Romanian style receiver so changing out the rear end to your liking is easy enough to do.   M92 Cons: 24mm threads and no factory detent pin/spring.  Out of the box you gotta spend some coin on parts to get a muzzle device on there.  Not as many options once you do either. Rear trunion is angled slightly which can be a bit of a problem when aligning ace style stocks correctly Serial number location prevents extensive mods from being legal w/o swapping out the receiver entirely   M92 Pros: Build quality and finish is superb. Widely available   To me it comes down to this.  If you just want a toy then get whichever one you like.  If you want to SBR then it depends on if you want a ton of options OR a (nearly) factory built Krinkov clone.  If you want a Krinkov clone then go with the M92.  If you want a bunch of hassle free options on your SBR build then go find a Draco.     At least that's been my experience...

wrote on their FB under the post about the story/investigation/made up bull****/whatever you want to call it.