The firearm thread

**jono035** · 28th May 2010, 20:11

Originally Posted by Winston001

I don't think its an article ie. something which was researched, but rather a piece of direct reporting. I'd have thought the coalition forces would know the Afghans have been sharpshooters for 150 years, and carried some M16s at least. I like this comment though because I've always been puzzled by sheer American firepower:

Always beware those proclaiming a simple answer to a complex situation, chances are they don't know what they're talking about.

**Drunken Monkey** · 28th May 2010, 20:18

Direct reporting? Like the simple mistake of saying Russians used AK-47's in the Russo-Afghan war? (amongst other rubbish) - I don't think so. It was rubbish written by some knob end pretending to be a journalist, pure and simple.
The editor should be ashamed of themselves as well.

Maybe you want to clarify/elaborate your post Winston001?

**Swoop** · 29th May 2010, 12:41

Originally Posted by Drunken Monkey

Direct reporting? Like the simple mistake of saying Russians used AK-47's in the Russo-Afghan war?

Easily mistaken for AK-74 pattern rifles though.

**pritch** · 30th May 2010, 14:25

I have been lucky enough to shoot on some pretty cool ranges, and some pretty crap ones too I guess, but this'd take the cake...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyq90LEZe4k

**jono035** · 30th May 2010, 14:39

Wow, that's pretty impressive.

http://translate.google.co.nz/transl...2F&sl=de&tl=en

That's a link to the google translation of the range's website...

They have 300m, 100m rifle ranges, all underground... Rated for up to 17kJ which is pretty much everything up to hot .50BMG loads...
25m pistol range rated up to 7kJ, which is a little less than twice what you get out of a .500 S&W Magnum...

**Swoop** · 31st May 2010, 09:29

Chortle. No mention of the barrel underlugs shearing off...

The British Army, underfunded and lacking massive injections of new equipment for several years now, has managed to forge ahead in both Iraq and Afghanistan on its well-deserved reputation for professionalism and discipline. But the equipment and money crisis has affected weapons systems and equipment from aircraft, and now, all the way down to small arms.
The 9mm Browning Hi-Power automatic, designated the L9A1 in the British military, has been the Brits' standard issue sidearm since 1954, when it replaced the .38 Enfield revolver. Even this elderly pistol can still be found in service. Prince Harry famously sported one tucked into his body armor in a photo shot while he was serving in Afghanistan. But it was the British LRDG (Long Range Desert Groups) in World War II that had started the trend of using the 9mm Hi-Power, a decade before that pistol was adopted by the entire British Army.

The Hi-Power has long been considered a durable, accurate, reliable pistol that packs a lot of man-stopping power, making it perfect for urban or anti-terrorism warfighting. The SAS CRW (Special Air Service Counter Revolutionary Wing), who executed the famous 1980 hostage rescue at the Iranian Embassy made the Browning Hi-Power famous due to their groundbreaking development of close-quarter battle techniques using the pistol. The British have carried the Browning in conflicts ranging from the Falkland Islands mountains to the streets of Northern Ireland.

The Hi-Power is still produced, by Browning in the U.S. and Fabrique Nationale in Europe. Despite being over 50 years old, the handgun, like the 1911A1 .45, is far from being considered obsolete. The problem, for the British Army, however, is that the Brownings in circulation within the British Army are often older than the men who use them. Pistols are sometimes 20 or 30 years old. While the British have upgraded their standard issue assault rifle, the SA80, and their squad automatic weapon, the L86A2, and other infantry weapons over the course of the last 50 years, little to no attention has been paid to either finding a new sidearm or purchasing newer versions of the L9A1. Meanwhile, the companies that produce the L9A1 offer upgraded, more modern Hi-Power models. Thus, aside from a few special ops units, the majority of British officers are stuck using well-worn, beat-up 9mms that are not aging well. Reliable weapon though it may be, a 30 year-old pistol that has been issued to, and used by, dozens of officers, and spent a lot of time outdoors, is not going to be as reliable as a newer sidearm. Troops are often wary of using such equipment, knowing that a malfunction or a jam in an old handgun could very well cost them their lives in combat.

Serious attention to the handgun problem is only recently creeping into the British military. The Special Air Service recently transitioned away from the Hi-Power and adopted the Sig-Sauer P226 9mm as their standard sidearm, and a smaller compact pistol for undercover operations. Other units like the Special Reconnaissance Regiment likely have more latitude in their choice of, and access to, newer sidearms in better working condition.

Instead of gradually phasing out the Hi-Power or purchasing a newer model of the weapon, the British government, unsurprisingly, seems content to ignore the problem until it can no longer be ignored.

**Tank** · 31st May 2010, 10:12

Awesome shooting day yesterday - thought I would share. (ok brag)

Started early morning Brekkie in Manly at the cafe under the Thai. (bloody awesome - well recommended) - then out to the Navy range at the end of Whangaparoa. Possibly the most scenic range anywhere.

Did some pistol shooting on active targets - two shooters to drop three targets then first to shoot the middle one wins - brilliant fun (and I won the majority of 'races' - sweeeeeeet).

Was using a glock 17 - nice standard pistol, and when my B cat finally comes thru - probably what I will end up with. I know there are nicer ones out there - but fuck the Glock just keeps on going and going.

Anyway - home for lunch and a quick snooze.

There out to Southhead for a quick Deer hunt. Son (13) bagged his first deer (@100m) and humped it out of the valley. Was one really proud dad !

Back at the hut - One of the blokes had some other venison prepped from another trip - so fired up a pan and had a good feed under the stars. Son sitting there - blood all down back from the Deer and a grin from ear to ear knocking back food from the pan - sounds 'girlish' but was a really awesome picture - something I dont think I will ever forget.

Not many places in the world that can one enjoy a day like that.

Appreciate what we have here in NZ and dont let the bastards take it away!

**Tank** · 1st June 2010, 11:18

Are there any Auckland (Near Northshore pref) guys on here that reload ammo who would be happy to teach a total noob? Happy to pay in beer.

Have picked up a book, watched youtube - but actually doing some with someone will really help the learning process.

**jono035** · 1st June 2010, 11:21

Originally Posted by Tank

Are there any Auckland (Near Northshore pref) guys on here that reload ammo who would be happy to teach a total noob? Happy to pay in beer.

Have picked up a book, watched youtube - but actually doing some with someone will really help the learning process.

I'm in Mt Eden and I'd be happy to show you through the process and let you have a play with the gear. I currently reload for 9mm and .44 magnum on a single-stage press (Lee Breech Lock Challenger). Also have a very basic bullet casting setup courtesy of Mr Merde if that is of interest...

**The Pastor** · 1st June 2010, 12:23

Originally Posted by Tank

Are there any Auckland (Near Northshore pref) guys on here that reload ammo who would be happy to teach a total noob? Happy to pay in beer.

Have picked up a book, watched youtube - but actually doing some with someone will really help the learning process.

have you got a reloading kit?

**Indiana_Jones** · 1st June 2010, 12:25

Originally Posted by renegade master

have you got a reloading kit?

What he said ^^^

-Indy

**The Pastor** · 1st June 2010, 13:38

I think i got my kit from http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com - i got the 50th anniverasry kit which is really good. It has the powder measure thing which saves A LOT of time. I think they have the kit there listed for $98 American. Which is way cheaper than what ever you're going to get quoted in NZ.

**jono035** · 1st June 2010, 16:35

Originally Posted by renegade master

I think i got my kit from http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com - i got the 50th anniverasry kit which is really good. It has the powder measure thing which saves A LOT of time. I think they have the kit there listed for $98 American. Which is way cheaper than what ever you're going to get quoted in NZ.

What did it cost you all up including shipping? Mine cost $250incl, shipped.