Yeah, somebody from a previous life discovered this blog and wondered that he saw me with an (shudder) AK47. I'd just like it to be known that the AK that is apparently in the picture is really, through an intricate religious ritual, an honorary M14, okay? The original M14 is in a rifle case, easily accessible with a bunch of loaded magazines. But like I said yesterday, I've got a problem with everyday gear where I sweat it getting all banged up. So the AK is everyday gear. It doesn't mean I've left the Church of the Immaculate M14, or anything like that. It's just that immaculate gear doesn't get it when you actually carry it every day. That's all.
I mean, who really cares if your AK gets all scratched up in everyday use, right? It looks like an AK, but for religious use it's actually an M14. Really. That's all I'm saying. It's not that I've fallen from the ranks of the faithful or anything.. Seriously.
Am I protesting too much?
10 comments:
Sounds like an interesting enough backstory. You gonna dish? :-)
Besides, there is nothing wrong with having your M14 be your #2. Mine (the SOCOM16 variant with which I'm quite happy) feels no shame at playing seconds to the Steyr Scout. (It's seen what can be done with that Scout, and ceded the point.)
Maybe you could do a series of pics with this theme. Next up: the RG revolver? :-D
This is a cautionary tale of why you shouldn't post when under the influence of bourbon.
I used to make fun of AKs, and now I carry one because they're handy and (can be) cheap to acquire. I also used to make fun of myself, because I had an M14 (M1A, actually) and lived in fear of the first stock scratch. So I founded the Church of the Immaculate M14, of which I was High Pontiff.
High Preist Joel,
Do you think that an LRB M14 is holier than a current model Springfield? Like over $1000 holier?
Just wondering. You seemed like a guy who knows his M14s
And oh yeah, I love the AK. Love the side-folder stock and foregrip.
Bulgarian? Awesome piece!
LRB certainly thinks so. To hear them tell it, you're safer juggling Mason jars of nitroglycerin than firing a Springfield M1A. That has not been my experience.
There may be something to the "forged vs. cast receiver" thing, but I have to admit I haven't seen it myself and honestly don't know. Springfield has had periodic quality control problems, a couple of which I have seen. I've seen a standard M1A shoot the flash hider right off the barrel, and a rear sight assembly fall to pieces for no apparent reason. But I've put numerous thousands of rounds through my standard M1A with exactly zero problems not caused by poor maintenance. (I have learned to my grief that it's vitally important to keep the chamber very clean, especially when firing foreign surplus ammo of questionable quality. Otherwise you get to horrify the AR and FAL shooters on the line by holding your rifle vertical and stomping repeatedly on the op rod handle with your boot. Yes, this happened in public. Also, it actually works. But more conscientious use of a chamber brush works better.)
If I were made of money and hadn't sworn off ever buying another gun from an FFL, I might buy an LRB just for the pleasure of having the only one in town. But I frankly doubt it would be a noticeably better rifle than the one I've got. Maybe after enough rounds to wear out a barrel or two, but I can't afford to shoot that much.
My AK is a genuine frankenrifle. The parts kit is Romanian. The receiver is, er, American and the furniture came from all over the place. I then painted the whole thing with cheap camo paint, and after something like 18 months of bashing around the desert it looks sufficiently horrible that I like to think my little carbine gives the right impression to tourists and trespassers. I want them to wonder, "just how crazy is this guy?"
Is there an intricate religious ritual to transform an SKS to an honorary M1A? It is a Russian SKS, I assume that would make the ritual less time consuming. I am just guessing.
An SKS? Well...that does pose a thorny theological problem. If it were a Yugo or a Romy, I'd have to say it probably cannot be done within Orthodox CIM14 doctrine. Given that it's Russian, though, it's possible that a dispensation can be arranged.
This will, of course, require substantial sacrifice on the part of the SKS's owner. Make certified checks or money orders (no personal checks, please) payable to the order of High Pontiff, Church of the Immaculate M14. We also accept love gifts of specie or bullion.
Thanks for your reply, I thought similarly.
First of all I love the Franken-AK. I don't know why the possibility that you built it yourself slipped my mind, you're obviously a resourceful guy.
Only in America do people go to government licensed gun shops and pay $500 or more for an AK that doesn't even have fullauto capability.
LRB makes a nice rifle, no doubt better than an M1A. What I really liked about them is the M25 reciever with built in rails. See, I was hoping to build a DMR type rifle with a scope and everything, like an M21. Obviously with a scope and everything we're talking about a lot of money here anyway. Rails built onto the receiver would be a lot more stable and probably hold a zero better than an aftermarket mount that goes into the side, like you have to do with a regular M14.
Of course, this is all speculation right now as that's money I just don't have at the moment. I may, if you will forgive my blashpemy, get a FAL. I have a hard on for a 18" bbl Para fal with the folding stock, maybe with a cool optic and a Rhodesian camo paintjob. A rifle for a different purpose than previously mentioned though. It would be much handier to carry and maneuver than a full length M14 however, somethint to be said for that.
BLASPHEMER! Verily thou hast sinned in the eyes of John C. Garand the Redeemer! Being this particular wickedness is worse even than screwing up the count with the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch you must recite 100 Thirty Calibers, ten Full Power Cartridges and one 1000 Yard Torso Shot and send that AK to me for proper disposal. I also take check or money order as well as donations of real property with water and mineral rights.
Failure in this means damnation to your already mortgaged soul.
OK OK, since you blew town leaving me with no one interesting to immolate firing ranges with I'll admit a minor transgression or two.
The FAL and Saiga in .308 being the most notable.
The Browning 1919 makes penance for those though.
I am to be forgiven. You..... not so much.
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