From: bobd@marune.acs.ohio-state.edu (Bob DeBula)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: What to buy....
Date: 19 Nov 92 15:16:10 GMT
Organization: The Ohio State University

In article <1992Nov14.043630.21903@bbxrbk> bbx!bbxrbk!russ@unmvax.cs.unm.edu (Russ Kepler) writes:
#I find myself in the enviable position of being able (and wanting) to
#buy some toys before the new year, and am soliciting suggestions from
#the net.
#

It is interesting how many folks 1992 purchasing priorities have been skewed
by the election results, isn't it?

#So, I'm asking folks to name what they think will be banned, assuming
#that a ban is possible and is attempted.  I've got a lot of what I'd
#expect to be banned (SKS, AR-15, etc) but what other toys do folks
#think may be banned?  I'm really not interested in the HK-91 (I reload
#for a friend with one) and sort of like the SP89 (true ban bait here,
#no?).  Are there others that folks feel are nice pieces and potential
#ban targets?
#

I think *sale* of just about anything on the import restriction
list might well be banned. That being the case, one classic
you failed to mention is an FAL of some description (save money
and get a Springfield Armory SAR-48 IMHO). Being that I like
FN designs, I would also think about getting an FNC (prices
*were* fairly low (~$800) a few months ago). You might also think
about an AK of some description if you're into the classics.

I expect prices at the next show I go to (at the end of November)
to be substantially higher than they were at the last show 2 months 
ago. Still, I saw *only* Belgian FALs (i.e. $1600+) and only
*one* FNC at the last OGCA show (fairly big show) I attended.
(I am discounting the "sporterized" LARs I saw).
The only SAR I saw all day was a factory cut-away SAR-48
which I'm probably going to regret not buying (these puppies
tend to get valuable over time) for ~$700.

Incidently, I don't expect the SKS to necessarily be directly banned,
but I do expect some stiff import tariffs on Chinese goods in
general next year (or maybe certain categories of Chinese
imports will be banned).

Incidently, I agree with you on the HK-91. I know a lot of folks
dearly love 'em, but I always found them ergonomically
unacceptable (mainly I find them overwhelming muzzle heavy
when fired from a standing position). The FNC's ergonomics
take some getting used to (the cocking handle and ideosyncracies
associated with locking/releasing the bolt), but one definitely can
get used to it and the balance on an FNC is pretty nice. The FNC 
also has an AK style gas system and seems to be pretty tolerant of a wide
range of ammunition. It also takes some (for now) commonly
available FAL accessories such as the over the flash hider
bayonet and uses standard M-16/A-15 20 and 30 round magazines.
Spare parts (such as the firing pin) are the only substantial
concern I can see with them. Despite its' relatively heavy weight,
the FNC has a nice balance and handles nicely (seems short and
handy). Accuracy also seems fairly decent with iron sights.

-- 
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              Disclaimer: These are my views, not the U's

        "If it's in the paper it must be true!" --- D. Doright