We could start a whole new thread covering this kind of stuff. To answer your question, the barrel journal code system is left over from the cold war era. A lot of the issues were due to cast components or milled components requiring hand fitting etc. No different than other weapons at the time say Colt 1911's, S&W revolvers, Springfield M1A's, FN FAL's produced up through the 80's where each part was somewhat hand fitted during final assembly so to speak. Now days just like all other big name manufacturers their processes are all automated. Western technology has excelled at producing rifles that have ease of component swap due to wear while the Russians built a rifle that lasted for a really long time. I personally think there should be something in-between, a rifle purpose built for durability, longevity but also allowing for ease of component swap. Basically, all components in the weapon except for perhaps springs- should last at least as long as the barrel itself if not longer.
Last edited by RetroRevolver77; 04-21-18 at 10:02.
The SCAR16/SCAR-L fits these parameters. The bolt in the 16/L is significantly larger than other multi lug designs; very over engineered.
While not as easy a barrel swap as a AR or SCAR, the SIG 55x series also fits these parameters and barrel swaps are straight forward once you have the right tools and knowledge.
7n6, I’m surprised a dedicated AK guy like you has yet to warm up to the SIG 551/553. It’s a Swiss AK with better ergonomics, optics mounting capabilities, etc than the AK. Just bite the bullet and buy a 553, you’ll be happy you did.
71150D34-9123-4FC8-88AA-EBD92461F0B3.jpg
Last edited by JoshNC; 04-21-18 at 11:33.
SLG Defense 07/02 FFL/SOT
The SCAR could have been the be all end all of AR18 refinement but they dropped the ball hard in the durability aspects- which is why I sold off my SCAR's. As far as SIG 55X rifles go, I already own 5.56 AK variants so I don't need any additional ones. At least my current 5.56 AK's share about a 90% parts compatibility with standard AKM's/74's. If I truly want ergonomic for range duty or HD, I'll just use my AR's. However if SHTF tomorrow then I'd grab one of my 5.56 AK's or an AUG instead. I dream of consolidating to maybe one type of rifle and handgun but the perfect combo has yet to exist. Though overall, an AUG and Glock is about close as we've come so far.
Here's one of my little SHTF 5.56 rifles.
Attachment 51670
7n6
Last edited by RetroRevolver77; 04-21-18 at 14:37.
" Nil desperandum - Never Despair. That is a motto for you and me. All are not dead; and where there is a spark of patriotic fire, we will rekindle it. "
- Samuel Adams -
Last edited by RetroRevolver77; 04-21-18 at 17:03.
Wasn't aware that the 5.56 SCAR performed better than the 7.62NATO version for drop tests. I watched a video of the non-scientific Peruvian military trials of the SCAR 17 version which was rendered inoperable after a drop test of only eight feet onto concrete. In my personal opinion, the design seems like it could benefit from further development to make it more robust so I sold mine off. I now have FN Para 50.63's instead.
7n6
Last edited by RetroRevolver77; 04-21-18 at 19:32.
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