Alternatives to SGC 9mm

[techguy]

So, after being discouraged from buying the above rifle, my question to you wise folk is what should I get instead?

It was going to be used for gallery 'type' shooting as well as potentially CSR.

Is there anything else out there which I could use for this? I know I could get a lever action, and a straight pull .223 but is there anything out there I might not have considered in a single package?

It is kinda theoretical at the moment as I've got my FAC 'interview' on Wednesday so could change the 9mm slot if my FEO will let me have the number of slots I want :)

[Sandgroper]

Cost about the same as a SGC LR 9mm, but what about a Armalon in 30 carbine? http://www.armalon.com/public/products/item/8/

[saddler]

Armalon also did a 9mm Bolt-Action based on the No.4 action for a while.
I don't think they are still made but a second-hand one may pop up for sale if you do some looking for long enough

[M99]

Armalon also did a 9mm Bolt-Action based on the No.4 action for a while.
I don't think they are still made but a second-hand one may pop up for sale if you do some looking for long enough

Peter is still making them in 9mm and has a couple in stock at the moment - he is just no longer doing the obscure calibres.

Mike

[Dangermouse]

I have shot the Armalon 9mm Lee Enfield conversion and it shot like a dream, I left the range determined to track one down until I found out the price!

A quick googgle shows that a S/H one sold for more than the cost of a new SGC 9mm lever release.
http://www.gunstar.co.uk/Rifle/Armalon- ... 33991.aspx

The other issue is that they are not fast enough to use in gallery rifle competitions, so you are basically buying a really expensive plinking rifle.
For the same money you could buy two good .22lr's or even a under lever and a Rimfire.
I say a couple of .22lr's as you could satisfy your tactical rifle craving and also get a semi race gun for that kind of money.

I wish I had not sold my .357 Marlin, it was a great gun but in honesty I was never that in to shooting comps with it - but as a zombie gun...

I also regret selling my Ruger .22lr, in fact since selling it I don't think I have entered any competitions. For ease to shoot and price of ammunition it has given me the most fun and reward of all my firearms to date.
One think you may like to look at is the entry fees for the competitions. When I was entering all the gallery rifle action weekends (5 a year) I was spending over £100 on each competition and using several hundred rounds of ammunition. For .22lr at £5-6 a 100 that is no big deal. But when you start to look at factory ammunition at around £25 a 100 or greater then it starts to make life a little more difficult to justify, especially in these times.

Now I am hand loading for my 9mm I have not got over the mental problem of loading 700 rounds just for one competition, for me that would involve a couple of days work.

Just some thoughts from a gallery rifle shooter,

DM

[Dangermouse]

I know that SGC have had a lot of negative press, but you do see the .223 speed master and the .22lr conversion being sold for around this price from time to time.

I do not know how effective the .22lr conversion kit is or how accurate it is, perhaps others could comment, but it would be a good way of getting more with less.

DM

[techguy]

Thanks for the input everyone!

I am asking for a couple of .22 rifles on my ticket anyway, so I guess I could just use them for GR. Ouch, those Armalons are expensive!!

I *think* I will try and change that slot from a 9mm rifle to a .223/5.56 instead and get a straight pull AR. Can use it for CSR and short to medium distance stuff too.

[Dangermouse]

Good effort, you have the right idea asking for a .223/5.56 don't forget to do the same with ammunition ie .223 and 5.56
Should you actually get a .223 make sure that it is safe for 5.56 before buying, you don't want to turn away any "cheap" 5.56 should it come your way.

Before he comes round it might be worth your while looking in to your likely ammunition expenditure for each of the calibres. Better to start of asking for too much and getting knocked down, after a friendly chat, than to find that you are always looking round the shops for your favourite ammunition before a competition.

DM

[ovenpaa]

Look for a .223 Wylde chambered rifle as they take both standard .223 and 5,56x45 and allow you to build longer OAL's if needed. I have an SGC Wylde chambered AR clone I may even thing of getting rid of at some point tongueout

[techguy]

That sounds interesting ovenpaa...tell me more about your Wylde AR clone...