Thinking of pairing the T3X CTR .308 ($1500) w/ a Vortex Venom 3-15x44 FFP, 34mm scope ($700) + low Vortex Pro series scope rings ($120) as my first rifle.

Reading that the T3X is pretty solid and should last, whereas the venom is an entry level scope (crazy for $700). But for the very casual plinker I though it'd suffice to get me, and keep me, into it. Any thoughts before I commit?

Ok. First off, let's just remember that this is a pump action gun and not a semi auto so let's stop bitchibg about what the government has done to centrefire semis. With that out of the way, here are some observations after putting only a few mags of ammo down the pipe.

I'm not really into tactical style guns, but I do have a couple (Derya TM22 as well as this new Derya model in the 12 inch barrel tactical look).

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First impressions:

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It has a decent bit of weight to it right out of the box and is not as plasticy as I thought it would be. I was concerned that it would be a little more like a GSG16.

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I bought this with fairly low expectations, but wanted another plinker with a little more snap than 22LR, while keeping the ammo cost low. In my opinion it really delivers. It comes with polymer flip up iron sight and the front site pin is a very nice, sharp pointed pin. The rear peep site has two different apertures , and there is also a notch site carved into the top of the smaller aperture ring.

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Having cycled the action without firing it and without snap caps I was really concerned that it was going to be too sticky. I was pleasantly surprised to feel how it cycles much better as you're firing. Maybe the action is just loosening up after having a few rounds through it.

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Too early for me to say if you could expect much accuracy out of it , I was just shooting off hand at twenty five yards today and I had quite a case of the wobbles. All I can say for now is that it makes the steel targets go ping and it punches holes in paper.

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Having never loaded Glock style mags before, I was UNpleasantly surprised at how difficult these are to load after the third round. The gun comes with two magazines made by Derya and they are the only nine millimetre magazines that I have , so i'm using them for now. Needless to say that I will be buying some kind of speed loader to save wear and tear on my fingers.

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The pump action ran smoother than I really expected it to, and the trigger exceeded my expectations as well. It's pretty good. A little bit of takeup and a little bit of creep , but consistently goes bang when you expect it to. I really enjoyed my brief shooting session with it because you really stay in contact with the gun while using the pump action.

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That's about it for now. If you hate manual action guns, you'll hate this one. If all you want to do is shoot semi-auto as fast as you possibly can, you'll also hate this one. However, if you have reasonable expectations for the dollars you are spending on this type of gun and you enjoy cycling your action manually, it's a pretty fun piece of equipment. I'll post more after I've shot more.

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Shoot safe, everybody.

Obviously no AR-15s here, so I’m looking at the usual cope options.

Looking for something that is fun to shoot at the range.

What are you running and how’s it been? - Reliability? - Any must-do upgrades? - Anything to avoid?

Thanks!

I only lasted about 20 minutes before I was mauled to death by black flies and mosquitos. I would take a MCK over a pump 9mm any day

Heard the bells on my street and knew I had to get the tool sharpening guy sharpen my bayonet… $5

Recently I came across an absolute steal of a deal online for a rifle I'd never even heard of until I saw it. I quickly sent a message, clinched a deal, and finalized it. The rifle is mine. To fund other projects and restorations I ended up parting ways with my SKS but there was one problem- I still have a ton of ammunition! The only solution to that problem was finding another rifle that could eat 7.62x39. I've known of other rifles on the market for sometime from Ruger, CZ, and Howa- what I didn't know was that there was also a Zastava option. Zastava as far as I'm aware no longer imports due to situations elsewhere in eastern Europe, so I went for that option. So what is it?

Zastava calls it the Mini Mauser. At one point they offered this rifle in 7.62x39, .223 Remington, and a couple other options. Externally, it does appear to look like a scaled down version of their full size offerings... But there are some key differences. The safety is most certainly not a feature you'd find on most Mauser rifles, it seems to lack controlled feed, and the claw extractor is not present on the bolt itself. So is it a Mauser? Visually yes, but not really.

When I got home I quickly settled in and confirmed the function of the rifle. Thanks to my ingenuity I created some dummy rounds some time ago out of live rounds (a simple process that requires removing the primer, bullet, and powder, and then reassembling without any of the boom parts). What I found was surprising... Zastava advertises the Mini Mauser as being able to hold 5 rounds in the magazine, but realistically you can only fit 4. I also found that surplus spec ammo is actually tighter on close and cycling than commercial spec ammo, and that the chamber is more or less tailored for commercial spec, brass cased ammo. Allegedly it is still safe to fire surplus and steel case ammo through this rifle, but for now I'll be sticking to brass cases. The receiver also comes drilled and tapped for optics, which is a nice touch. Maybe I'll top it with a scope, maybe I'll feel an itch for another red dot. We'll see...

Now for the really bad impressions...

Good lord, the machining. If you could go into a time machine and see Yugo workshops cranking out rifle after rifle because Tito and Stalin had a nasty breakup, they'd probably all feel like this. For a country known for some of the best AK variants and Mausers out there, this rifle is not it. Sporting look aside, this is about as rugged, rough, and no nonsense as working a bolt gets. Working the bolt feels like you're dragging it through sand and when opened the bolt just kinda flops around; a far cry from the super smooth bolt actions of today. Allegedly this is common with Zastava rifles- after a generous lubing of the bolt you're supposed to work the bolt around 300 to 500 times to fully "break in" the action and remove any machining imperfections on the guides in the action. Is it fudd lore? Maybe, but I'll have to sit down and work the bolt a bunch to see if it helps. If not, it might be time to go to a gunsmith.

Overall, my first impressions are a little mixed. It's rough around the edges sure, but it's definitely a unique gun in a world where everyone is obsessed with the alternatives in the same caliber. Is it going to be a regular option in my lineup? Find out soon...

I cannot lie. The new semi-autos were singing to me but I was determined to get into 223/556 this summer and wait out the gun-grab deadline and SCoC case before I invested in anymore ban-bait.

I decided on the Renegade in 19" and waited for them to come back into stock and waited and waited until I got a confirmation that there would be no more 19" units for months.

At about the same time this one popped up at Victory Ridge. Of course I overpaid for the Cerakote I really didn't want or need, and of course I swapped out a few pieces of furniture to Magpul FDE (did they ever match the colour well) and there she is. I've become quite fond of the FDE.

Scope is a Leupold Freedom VX 6-18x40. Ammo's PMC Bronze .223 . The range is 50 yards. (I stuck with 50 yds this trip as I was also out to try to make a red-dot work for me on an SKS. Success! Kudos to Bad-Ace) Looking forward to stretching out to 100 yds.

Other than not reefing and releasing the handle with enough gusto and causing a pile-up on a couple of occasions, I got 100 shots through it with minimal trouble and a lot of fun. It's slick and solid and Canadian. No regrets so far.

Anyone have any info on the sig cross? Thinking about getting rid of the Henry .45-70 and getting one for the back country instead since I'll be able to reach out a bit further, but it's still compact enough for it. Talk me out of it or talk me into it more lol. I don't do terribly much back country but enough since we go to the trailer in the mountains often enough. I just figured the sig would be a better option for screwing around at the range.

Any one says a 6.5creedmoor won't drop one, took him at 230yrds...

So, if your like me, and you saw that deal on the Akdas Alcor in a synthetic stock with 500 rounds from Tenda, you may have jumped on it. You also may have grabbed the Crusader Arms Kit to make the rifle look tacticool. This was before I knew about the Makasi Mk-15.

First, the ammo showed up before the rifle did, through Purolator. The ammo is SVT brand, based in the Czech Republic and is 55 grn. FMJ. I hear that these rifles tend to like 75 grn ammo because they have a 1:7 twist rate.

Now on to the rifle itself, it showed up a day or two later via Canada Post. When it showed up it was already in the Akdas gun case, with all of the goodies inside. Manual, mag, stock shims (keep those, you may need them) etc. When I looked these up I noticed that they had slightly changed the design of it, most notable was the fact that the front sight was moved back a bit... and the end of the barrel was knurled. Threaded barrel maybe? The answer to that is YES. The synthetic stocked version does, and is the standard 1/2x28, but oddly it wasn't listed as a feature.

In anticipation of buying the rifle, I went ahead and purchased the Crusader Arms kit for these. It also arrived before the rifle did. When putting it together there are some key things you must know... the Akdas Alcor has changed in design just enough that THIS KIT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITHOUT SOME MODIFICATIONS.

So let's break that down..

1. The pistol grip adapter and stock will not work without one of the shims that came with the rifle installed, the trigger guard now has more of a point on the rear of it which interferes with the Crusader Arms kit. From my trail and error, the best one seems like the -10 shim (they are labeled) wich is shaped like a wedge, thicker on the bottom and thiner up top. With the shim in, it will give the kit enough clearance to avoid the trigger guard and enough mating surface that it feels solid. Further testing may reveal a different result.
2. Akdas has changed the Alcor to have more rail space and more Allan key bolts to hold down the rail to the reciever. As a result, the Crusader Kit's rail on the fore-end now overlaps the Alcor's rail, and would need to be cut down for it to fit. I cut it flush with the body of the fore-end. This gives it enough space to clear the rail on the Alcor.
3. The cuts in the receiver vs the shape of the Crusader Arms kit will be slightly different. The kit will fit, but there is some slight play in the fore end even when the cap that tightens the stock down is all the way on. You could attempt to shape the Crusader Arms fore-end allow for better fitmit, but a alternative is to use a picatinny rail accessory (such as a laser or 45 degree rail) that can bridge across the Alcor's rail and the Crusader Arm's rail, once tighted down the play goes away, how long will that hold up? Who knows.

No test firing has happened yet but I will update when it does. Hope this helps someone who made the same purchase I did and wants to use this same kit.

TLDR: The Crusader Arms kit won't work with the synthetic stocked version without some modification.

Take care everyone!

My thoughts: It is an AR15/AR180 combo.

The piston is AR 180 inspired and nothing like an FAL.

The bolt is a multi lug rotating bolt (AR180/AR15) instead of a tilting bolt (FAL).

The receiver is milled in a manner more similar to the AR180 than FAL.

The gas regulator doesn't have FAL style adjustments.

Even the features that make it similar to a FAL are either common on other guns or also used in the AR180 platform.

The Para FAL stock style is used on many platforms. The recoil spring isn't anything like a traditional FAL, only the Para fal... and even that isn't unique (a single large spring?). Non reciprocating side charging handle... not unique.

The takedown lever is FAL like I guess? Am I missing something?

KSG25 & KSG Tactical

25-yards, average 2.1 seconds per mag dump:

John Wick scorecard: FAIL (assassins would kill me before my second shot)

Charging Wild Boar scorecard: C- (that sow would get within six feet before dropping )

Zombie Defense scorecard: B- (most of my team would survive)

Way to be a steward of the hobby for the young guys smh.

I’m loving this rifle, it is so compact and fun to shoot now especially with the upgrades I’ve done.

Ive got a bunch more ideas coming to make it the ultimate survival rifle.

Need a little fine tuning on the red dot but overall, such a sweet gun!

Just a quick review on the Morisson iron wolf tm22 lever action 22lr. There’s not much out there on it so I figured I’d make a post about it. So far I’m very happy with it only about 300 rounds through it with only a couple light strikes. Unsure if gun or ammo issue. The Morisson is the same rifle as the derya or ria tm22la. The iron Wolf model has all aluminum hand guard and grip/stock that are very nice quality and finish. And comes with 12” barrel. It’s a fairly heavy little plinker but well balanced and shoots great. I’ve designed and printed a full length rail for it as the factory is very short and far forward. This rail uses factory barrel screws and then required two holes drilled and tapped in receiver to attach in the rear. I’m running a cheap Amazon 1-8 lpvo with approx 200 rounds through it great so far with no zero hold issues. If you’re interested in a rail for yours I made files available on cults3d. Thanks for reading and get out there and do some plinking!

I purchased a Canuck Wrangler Jurassic in .357 Mag. I chose .357 over .44 Mag because I’ve always wanted a firearm in that caliber, I already had a mold for it, it could shoot .38spl which is way more available than .44 special and .357 looked fun and cheap to reload.

I bought a box each of .38 and .357 and the day I got the gun went to a family member’s rural property to try it out.

.38spl American Eagle 158 round nose (all that was available in brass)

Quiet, had virtually no perceived recoil but did not like to cycle in the rifle. The rounds didn’t like to pop back from the mag tube. Had to fiddle around with it and poke the rounds with my knife blade to get them to pop back.

.357 Mag American Eagle 158 semi jacketed flat nose (all that was available in brass)

Love the bang, and the thump. Loaded flawlessly, every time.

I don’t know why the .38s didn’t like to load, it was a pain in the ass to fiddle with them. I’m hoping that some use will break the gun in and they will work in the future.

My 12yo son loves the little carbine, he likes the lever action and if he proves he can hit things with it he’ll take it hunting this fall. From other experiences with cast lead in rifles, powder-coated 158gr hardish cast semi-wadcutters should go the long way through a deer. I will do some penetration testing, and see what they will do vs factory.

Have been doing more testing with the backland hunter. I’ve put about 810 rounds through it now without any significant failures. I swapped out the stock buffer tube and recoil spring for the black aces m4 adjustable stock and buffer tube. I also milled down the mag well to fit standard pmags. I did have some issues at first with the pmags. But I believe that is due to my user error. The mags were brand new and the rounds sat a bit tight with a lot force from the spring. The bolt would sometimes have a hard time closing fully due to the rounds being so snug (wasn’t an issue with the backland hunter stock magazines, maybe a weaker spring or more space for the rounds) however. After I let the pmags sit for a few days full of rounds the issues subsided. It cycles through pmags no problem now. I plan on putting another 500 rounds through it over the next week or so. I’ll post another update then. Overall though. So far so good.

Norma Tac-22 Ammo used no jams always ran

Before we start. Yeah. I know. Turkshit, turknelli, buy once cry once, etc etc. I get it isn't a go to war gun, it's a clone of a $3k gun that costs $1k. Ive heard mostly good stuff about the Canuck operator, but I imagine the Tacop is potentially a bit more refined given the original has been on the market for years.

I'm split between a 1301 and this, the fact of it being half the cost is the main appeal. Probably only going to get shot maybe a dozen times a year, likely less than 1000 shells yearly.

Anyone got one that can speak to it?

Edit:

Well out of the dozen comments, 2 actually had some feedback I was looking for.

Bought the Canuck. I guess I'll post an update when I get a chance to put a few hundred shells through it. It's not going to be as nice as the 1301, but if I get enough use out of it, I'll sell it and justify upgrading.

I had one of these years ago and like a fool sold it. I stumbled upon one a few weeks ago and jumped on picking it up. They are neat I’ll give them that. Bit heavy a lot of work for assembly but overall pretty cool. Fit and finish I’d give 8/10 there’s good sized gaps where the case halves fit together and the iron sights are awful. I decided to through a red dot on but the sights obstruct the view so they had to go. I modeled some filler parts and here we are. Next up I might toss my 10” barrel back on pin the folding stock and find a 36c forend the mag sleeves are printed aswell as the barrel shroud as the one it came with was almost impossible to get on/off