For Military Gun Folks.

[Shifty]

A Garand is not the least bit difficult to load. It merely requires enough practice to handle it proficiently. If you cannot handle a weapon proficiently, and are not sufficiently dedicated to developing that proficiency, you should remove said weapon from your arsenal.

Were I to find myself in a rifle fight, armed with a Garand, and the necessary loaded clips, I would not feel that I was poorly armed at all.

Agreed 100%, I was referring to home defense where I don't want to shoot through my house and into my neighbor's.

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Agreed 100%, I was referring to home defense where I don't want to shoot through my house and into my neighbor's.

Sure. Home defense is a job for a good handgun. Home defense should never be confused with CQB, they are not at all the same.

[Slash27]

Politics, both in the military and in Washington is the obstacle at this point. A shoot-off between the various rifles could be done within 6 months, but the politics get in the way. I'm not a fan of FN for various reasons. H&K's 416 is little more than an M4 with a revised upper receiver and gas system. Colt's design is very similar to the H&K. Personally, I like the ACR. It was designed by MAGPUL Industries, sold to Bushmaster who has partnered with Remington. It's a wonderful rifle and like the M4, it's US designed and manufactured. Everyone I know who has had a chance to play with the ACR would trade the M4 in for it in a second.

My regards,

Widewing

Have you got your hands on the ACR yet? Better yet, when can I?

[Slash27]

I'm all for it Slash.  In fact we live so close to each other it's a shame we haven't at least met for a beer after all these years.

That's all on me. I just have to get off my ass!!!

[Shifty]

Sure. Home defense is a job for a good handgun. Home defense should never be confused with CQB, they are not at all the same.

I've never been a decent shot with a handgun. I'd still probably take out a neighbor. I know my limitations so I have a shotgun for home defense.

[Gman]

Sure. Home defense is a job for a good handgun. Home defense should never be confused with CQB, they are not at all the same.

+1.

Also, having seen the ACR/Hk416/7, etc etc etc in the field, I'd still take an Sa58 FAL or a Socom M14 ish type of rifle if having to choose a .308 short barrel weapon.

Also Shifty, you can easily take out a neighbor with a shoulder supported weapon as well.  Buck and slug rounds can penetrate through structures and barriers at LEAST as well as pistol rounds.  If you feel more confident with a shotgun in terms of accuracy that's good, but be sure you have a white light on it somewhere, as employing a tactical flashlight (a must in home defense situations) is very difficult with anything other than a handgun.  


Here is my personal favorite historical/ish .308 rifle.  Spanish Fr8.  It has a very short barrel, HK style muzzle break, great little mauser action, and can be found for 150$ or less with as new bore here in Canada.

[Widewing]

Have you got your hands on the ACR yet? Better yet, when can I?

Yes, but didn't get to shoot it that afternoon. We were limited to fitting it for a shot counter in the grip. Semi-auto version should be available commercially very soon.


My regards,

Widewing

[Dago]

Never had any trouble with "Garand thumb". Neither did Dad, and he carried one in two wars, earning an expert marksman rating several times.

A coworker occasionally shoots his Garand in Garand competitions at the American Legion range where he belongs, and he was telling me how many times he has heard guys yell and cuss about getting their thumb whacked.  He told me many times it is a vet who carried the weapon in the service.  I imagine with practice you can learn to minimize or avoid this.

[Cthulhu]

Sure. Home defense is a job for a good handgun. Home defense should never be confused with CQB, they are not at all the same.

You've obviously never seen my wife when she's really pissed. We're talking a big-bore H&H loaded with Barnes solids. And even then you better be backing up. 

[Saurdaukar]

The best source of Garand Ammo is the CMP (Civilan Marksmanship Program)              

+1.

Also where I purchased my M-1 Carbine.  IBM.  Great condition and, without a doubt, the most fun rifle I've ever shot.

I wouldnt want to take it into combat... but for the range, MAN is it fun.  

[Selino631]

+1.

Also where I purchased my M-1 Carbine.  IBM.  Great condition and, without a doubt, the most fun rifle I've ever shot.

I wouldnt want to take it into combat... but for the range, MAN is it fun.  

I was looking at that site, what grade did u get?

[rstel01]

I see a lot of guys talking about the difficulty of loading the Garand like they plan on using it for home defense.
My love of the weapon is based on it's history. As far as home defense it's the last thing I'd reach for in my collection if Harry the Home Invader paid a call. 

+1 on this also. Not really the choice weapon at zero-dark thirty when you are half groggy and some Crack-Head might be downstairs. It's at battle rifle really for +100 yards. For home defense the ones I keep out ready to go:
MP5 Pistol Version and 40 Taurus (My wifes side of the bed what she has at reach)
1911 and Ithaca 37 (my side of the bed for what is in reach)
Also keep an M-4 and "grab & go" 120 round bandoler of SS-109 Zombie Killer's out and that gun is also real close. Have a few .38's and other light pistols hidden around in various rooms also. Otherwise, everything else is in the Armory.

       

[Slash27]

Yes, but didn't get to shoot it that afternoon. We were limited to fitting it for a shot counter in the grip. Semi-auto version should be available commercially very soon.


My regards,

Widewing

SCAR type price or less?

[Widewing]

SCAR type price or less?

I would expect a price between $1,300 and $1,500.



My regards,

Widewing

[Slash27]

I expect a happy Slash27