Seeking advice on starting semi-auto collection

[Warg]

Since you have a SCAR 17 I'd just go with collecting modern firearms.

7n6

I will acquire some modern pieces. I just ordered the following to go with the SCAR:

Galil Ace 7.62x39
Molot VEPR AK 7.62x39
Steyr Aug M1 with 3X optic
CZ Scorpion Evo carbine

I got the Evo for the wife (she really liked shooting this gun as a rental) figuring that if she gets something she likes to shoot every now and then there will be no issue with my spending $$$. I nearly picked up a CZ 805 Bren, but am going to hold off and wait for the Bren 2 (proper bolt release and 1 lb lighter) which should be available next year.

However, I intend to get some classics such as the HK91, FN FAL, AR180, etc. as suggested. Additionally, I'm very serious about getting one full-auto piece and likely the HK route. Not in any hurry and will be very selective. I looked at an '81 HK 91 last week that was decent, but overpriced at $4K and the seller wouldn't budge.

[RetroRevolver77]

$3K is about the normal price for an HK 91 if relatively in good shape and then another $700+ to unban it to factory G3 configuration with paddle release and grenade ring etc. Expect to pay $5K on up for an FN FAL- and that's usually a beater at that price point. Then about $5K on up for an HK 94 to turn into an MP5 or $5K on up for an SP89 to turn it into an MP5K. Clones, or aftermarket made items don't count for a collection- all be must factory imports of original designed manufacturer. Example, no MKE in lieu of an HK or no Imbel kit guns in lieu of an FN FAL etc. Be leary of someone else's conversions, especially on HK items- lot of people do G3K conversions on rifles that were made prior to the G3K configuration being invented. Same goes for the MP5-N series and MP5K-N series.

This is why I suggest going the modern route. You can get an FN SCAR 17 for less than an HK 91 for FAL. You can get an Evo instead of an HK 94. Modern AUG's instead of the old imported 1980's versions etc. Modern AK designs instead of wooden stock 1980's "grail guns". Plus the older stuff is stupid expensive to outfit in many occasions and original parts are drying up fast. I've owned all that stuff and own a lot of it now which is why I keep stressing- go the modern, post 2000's manufactured stuff on up. Modern rifles of new design, not re-hashed old designs and go with polymer framed or aluminum framed modern pistols, SIG, Glock, FN etc.

[The Dumb Gun Collector]

Top 10

1. Garand
2. Ak47
3. M1 Carbine
4. Fn FAL
5. HK-91
6. Steyr Aug
7.M14 I
8. SCAR
9.
10.

[JoshNC]

Top 10

1. Garand
2. Ak47
3. M1 Carbine
4. Fn FAL
5. HK-91
6. Steyr Aug
7.M14 I
8. SCAR
9.
10.

HK94
HK SP5K
B&T APC9
B&T APC 556

[KalashniKEV]

Unsure about a M14 as a collectors rifle unless you mean a pre86 NFA original.

That's crazy talk.

A 100% USGI kit assembled by a competent, known builder on a quality receiver is undeniably collectable.

If you don't think so, wait (...and wait ...and wait) for something like that to pop up among the Springfield junk and then see what it goes for at auction.

Then about $5K on up for an HK 94 to turn into an MP5 or $5K on up for an SP89 to turn it into an MP5K. Clones, or aftermarket made items don't count for a collection- all be must factory imports of original designed manufacturer. Example, no MKE in lieu of an HK or no Imbel kit guns in lieu of an FN FAL etc.

Agree- but you're slightly misguided. Taking a classic factory HK gun and junking it out with US commercial parts or bubbah work is no bueno. Just leave it alone. At the same time, the MKE guns are licensed production built in a world class ISO manufacturing facility, on a line that has been running for decades, for issue to a military that actually uses them in front line combat/ genocide operations against the Kurds (or for sale to Saudi Arabia/ al Qaeda aligned governments).

HK is trying to compete with that by offering a neutered gun built by the latest crop of kids their vo-tech feeder system has dropped off? (For more money???)

Same for an Imbel on Imbel made by a competent builder vs anything but a factory Herstal FN FAL.

Still, at least you're seeing this topic clearly as opposed to those who have suggested something like:

"Hey! Wanna see my Car Collection?!?

This is my utilitarian Honda Civic, this is my Ford Fusion (it's a hybrid!) this is de Gerrrman VW Jetta... and here's a 4-door Wrangler!"

Who cares???

[SteyrAUG]

That's crazy talk.

A 100% USGI kit assembled by a competent, known builder on a quality receiver is undeniably collectable.

If you don't think so, wait (...and wait ...and wait) for something like that to pop up among the Springfield junk and then see what it goes for at auction.

I thought we were speaking of Springfields. But yeah a LRB receiver, USGI parts kit assembled by Fulton would be good to go. But just like a Polish AKM kit on a Nodak receiver built by InRange is going to be a great AKM, it's not a typically available option so I generally assume commercially available is what is being discussed.

[KalashniKEV]

I thought we were speaking of Springfields. But yeah a LRB receiver, USGI parts kit assembled by Fulton would be good to go.

I understood it to mean a representative example of the M-14 type.

...it's not a typically available option so I generally assume commercially available is what is being discussed.

I was thrown by the word "collection-" didn't know we were seeking the fill-the-shopping-cart approach.

For a "reference library," one could go nuts for $50k- there's piles that could make it's way off of the shelf and into your closet in the next four days.

[RetroRevolver77]

Agree- but you're slightly misguided. Taking a classic factory HK gun and junking it out with US commercial parts or bubbah work is no bueno. Just leave it alone. At the same time, the MKE guns are licensed production built in a world class ISO manufacturing facility, on a line that has been running for decades, for issue to a military that actually uses them in front line combat/ genocide operations against the Kurds (or for sale to Saudi Arabia/ al Qaeda aligned governments).

HK is trying to compete with that by offering a neutered gun built by the latest crop of kids their vo-tech feeder system has dropped off? (For more money???)

Same for an Imbel on Imbel made by a competent builder vs anything but a factory Herstal FN FAL.

Still, at least you're seeing this topic clearly as opposed to those who have suggested something like:

"Hey! Wanna see my Car Collection?!?

This is my utilitarian Honda Civic, this is my Ford Fusion (it's a hybrid!) this is de Gerrrman VW Jetta... and here's a 4-door Wrangler!"

Who cares???

I owned MKE guns, didn't care for them because while nice- they are not HK. Sold the three I had and bought a 1989 HK 94 and a 1989 SP89. Both were unbanned and SBR'd using factory HK parts (paddle release, stocks) along with keeping the original barrels. Just added the tri-lug on the Mp5 and left the factory stubby barrel on the SP89 because that is what it came with back then. The tri-lug MP5K's didn't exist until 1991 or 1992 time frame- so not wanting to do something that didn't exist for the Sp89 date code.

As far as the new SP5K's, well you can put a B&T barrel on their that is date coded to match the gun- since both use the same date code system along with adding the paddle release, then just leave it as a pistol while throwing one of the B&T stylized "brace" stocks on there. I personally won't own one as it doesn't go with the rest of my collection which is only original era correct imports or domestic produced items. Basically, my collection is mil spec stuff.


7n6

[KalashniKEV]

As far as the new SP5K's, well you can put a B&T barrel on their that is date coded to match the gun- since both use the same date code system along with adding the paddle release, then just leave it as a pistol while throwing one of the B&T stylized "brace" stocks on there.

So... it it meaningful at all if the barrel is made in the same year, and that the person who made the barrel stamped it with the German/Swiss bizarre date cipher?

Not to me.

Plus the added expense of milling and installing the paddle that should have been there all along... and then a neckbeard brace to top it off???

Whatever makes folks happy, but I'll never understand it.

I'd also rather have a SAR-1 than a Saiga, so I'm sure that's equally insane to folks of a different perspective.

[RetroRevolver77]

So... it it meaningful at all if the barrel is made in the same year, and that the person who made the barrel stamped it with the German/Swiss bizarre date cipher?

Yes it is meaningful. You can buy an SP5K for nearly a third of what the SP89's go for and it's a real bargain. The B&T barrels are among the best as well so keeping things all top tier for a build. As far as whether they should have come in with certain barrels or paddle releases- blame their government.