1gewehr

There are always a few for sale over at FALfiles.com. Since 90% of the FALs in the country are kit builds, it's a good idea to be able to shoot before buying.

I've just called CZ-USA and they shipped them right out

Overall, American firearm quality has deteriorated.  The 1950's were the apex of quality.  After that, the focus became less expensive models and materials.  I can understand that a company needs to be competitive on price.  Remington has had a constant search since the 60's for a less-expensive bolt-action rifle that would sell well.  Finally, they also started cutting costs on their flagship 700.  Sales have plummeted.   Having a very high quality model in the lineup pays dividends for the reputation overall.  When Colt dropped the Python, their reputation suffered.  Rightly so.  I bought a new Gold Cup in 1982 that was incapable of firing two consecutive magazines without a jam.  I finally tired of trying to get it to work reliably and sold it.  I haven't bought a new Colt since.  And my story has cost Colt other sales as well.   The lesson is that a company HAS to provide a quality product even at the risk of being more expensive than the competition.  Look at Taurus.  A lifetime warranty is fine, but their reputation is not for a firearm that will provide a lifetime of reliable use.   As for Remington, it really hurts to see a company that had such an excellent reputation work so hard to destroy it.  After the R51 fiasco, and the hit that Marlin took after the Remington takeover, you would think that Remington management would make quality and customer service a huge priority.

The Makarov hammer block is pretty robust.  I still use my thumb to let it down softly.  There's no sense in letting parts slam together.

A short description would be helpful. I am not about to go clicking on unknown links without knowing why.

For plinking, I'll keep my Ruger MkIII. For targets, I'll keep my High Standard Victor. If I were to buy a S&W.22, it would be a M41.

I signed.    As mentioned above, it can pass as legislation if it's tied to something the liberals want.  Tie to funding for O-care and it's a guarantee!

I have both CZs and Sigs.  I prefer the CZs.  Both are well made guns.  It's going to boil down to personal preference. To me, the Sig has a high bore axis, feels clunky in my hand, and the decocker irritates me.  The CZ75/85 series is handgun perfection for what 'feels right' to me.   I'm not fond of polymer or strikers.  But I carry an XDs .45 because it's the best tool for the job.  I used to carry a Star PD .45.  But it's getting a bit well-worn.  And they weren't renowned for their service longevity. 

I also use a Lee hand press for that.  A very versatile tool!

Total BS.  There are persistent rumors that commie guns could use US ammo but not vice versa.  The first time I heard it, the person referred to 7.62 AK ammo not able to be used in an M-14 but our ammo could be used in theirs.  After I finished laughing, I showed him the two cartridges.   Do NOT try to shoot 5.56 in a 5.45mm rifle.    The only ammo that fits this myth is using US 1940-1970 81mm and 60mm mortar ammo in commie 82mm and 60mm mortars.  I would not try it using any US ammo more recent that Vietnam vintage as the newer ammo has much higher pressures.

Mine shoots point of aim with NATO-spec 124gr ammo at 10 meters.  It was made in 1995. Newer ones may be different.

Quality is not as good as the Belgian pistols.  FN provided the tooling and machinery to make the guns.  Early Argie HPs are very nice compared to later ones.  All of them are a bargain for a High Power.  The cheapest trigger job is to remove the d@$# magazine safety.  New Argie guns can be improved with about 100rds of ammo and no lube.  Then clean thoroughly and use a decent lube and you'll feel a definite improvement.

ALL High Powers are designed for Euro-spec ammo.  That is the same as NATO-spec (124gr @ ~1150fps).  Plus-P is a little hotter.  US SAAMI specs are for 115gr @ ~1150fps.    I don't bother with Plus-P in my pistols.  If you want more power, get a more powerful caliber.

The .40 Short&Weak. All the penetration of a .45acp, and the impact of a 9mm. ;-) Interesting caliber.

I have often seen that a new model will have NO spare magazines for sale.  For that reason, I think that manufacturers should ship a pistol with three magazines.  While most users will never use more than one, it seems to me that many buyers would see the extra value in a manufacturer who ships a pistol with a useful number of mags.

Ban whatever they want.  We'll just make more!    Europe has very strict gun control.  France is among the strictest.  Somehow, terrorists didn't have any trouble getting a whole bunch of AKs.   In the '80's a German farmer told me that most rural German families had a 'little something' hidden away from WWII.  Gun control will have the same effect here.

The whole 'background check' is ludicrous.  The sales pitch is that background checks will reduce crime and the ability of terrorists or crazy folks from getting guns.  The reality is that it will have absolutely no such effect.   Just like the 4473 requirement and stopping mail-order guns sales in 1968 had no effect on crimes, background checks have had no effect either.   It's just one more step to making guns harder to buy, and 'controlling' the law-abiding citizens.

Hmmm.  Now you should have an understanding of why penetration is important!!   Back on topic.  There ARE no accurate figures on firearm ownership in the US.  For the most part, firearms are durable goods.  Very few are destroyed each year compared to the number manufactured and imported.  Even the inexpensive Iver Johnson revolvers produced in the early 1900s at a rate of over a million each year are still around in significant numbers.   And remember, there are NO numbers available for the firearms being legally made by individuals.  Since Obungler came to power, I believe that the number of home-made AR & AK receivers (and other firearms) is pretty significant.  I know of individuals who have made AR15s, AR10s, AKs, 1911s, Sig 228s, and a whole host of other types without any government knowledge.

Comparing just the weight of the two cartridges, the 230gr .45acp is almost exactly twice as haevy in brass and bullet weight as the 9mm 115gr.  So, materials alone would cost twice as much.   Metal prices are pretty high compared to 8 years ago,reflecting a much more accurate picture of the real inflation rate than what the Feds are admitting.

If I could only have one, it would be the FAL. Extremely reliable and durable. Battle-proven over 60years all over the world. Good balance and ergonomics.

My rule of thumb is to have at least twice the number of mags as I will ever carry.  As mentioned above, mags are consumable. They wear out, get damaged, dropped, and lost with amazing frequency when you're under pressure. In the '80's I had an acquaintance who was a Panzer grenadier during WWII.  He said that he carried a captured PPSh41 with at least eight drums. (That's 568 rounds!) When I was in the Army, I typically carried a dozen M16 30rd mags.  (Just 360 rds)   When I shoot submachine gun competitions with my Sterling, I carry 10 34rd mags.   For handguns, I usually carry two spares.  That should be enough to fight my way to a rifle.   So, my recommendations are to have at least six mags for each handgun, and 20-30 mags for your rifles.  More is always better.

The first rule of gun fighting is "Have a gun".  The second rule is "Have the best weapon possible".   There are very few situations where I would prefer to have a handgun versus a long gun.  Even a .40 Short&Weak from a High Point carbine is preferable to the same round from a Sig Sauer P229.  I'll take the added 200fps, longer sight radius, and steadier grip any time!!!

I use it on all of my firearms.  It protects against rust, lubricates, and doesn't deteriorate.  It's not a very good cleaner, but adequate in a pinch. I also use it on wood stocks and grips as it doesn't feel oily, and won't make the wood soft like oil will.

Caliber had very little to do with the FBI failures in the infamous Miami shootout.  It was poor decision-making on the part of nearly every FBI agent involved. 1)  They knew that they were after cold-blooded murderers.  Yet not ONE FBI agent bothered to put on their protective vests! 2)  Two agents were busy boffing a waitress several blocks away while the whole thing went down.  They were the ones with the MP5s, of course. 3)  At least two agents put their handguns on the seat of their car before running into something!  Car stops, gun goes flying out of reach. 4)  Several agents emptied their weapons with no reloads.   Most of the serious injuries to the FBI came from a Mini14 in 5.56mm.  This started the huge move by police away from 9mm submachine guns towards the small 5.56mm rifles.   Few handgun calibers are reliable at stopping a determined attacker.  Simple physics and anatomy dictate that.  As usual, the lesson from the Miami shootout is that if you KNOW you will need to stop someone, use a rifle or shotgun!!   The purpose of a handgun is to let you fight your way to a long gun!

I only use mine to reload 9mm and .38spl. It is excellent for that purpose. Those are my high-quantity shooting calibers. So I'm cranking them out a case at a time. When you really get into reloading, you find that one press isn't enough. I have the SDB, a 550B, Lee single-station, and a Lee hand press. All get used.