Lets see all the personal opinions on the other semi-auto battle rifles. The likes and dislikes, the pro's and con's, what ever good or bad lets hear it. Post the country of origin/make, the model and the caliber. If you want to add more feel free to.
Here's a few to think about and start off with;
French MAS 49/56 Commando Rifle:
In 7,62 nato or in 7,5mm french(.308").
Never considered one.
FN49:
The 30-06 Luxemborg, 7mm venesulan(7x57 mauser), 8mm egyptian(8x57 mauser), 308 argentine navy and the rare 7,65x53 argentine.
Never had a chance to shoot one, but I'd love to pick one up in 7x57 or 8x57 (or both).
SKS;
Russian, Romanian, Yugo, Albanian and the Chinese in 7,62x39 russian.
Shot a Chinese. Neat little gun. Wanted a Yugo or other surplus, but procrastinated, so the supply has thinned considerably.
Czech;
VZ52 in 7,62x45 czech / VZ58 in 7,62x39
Wanted a VZ52 but couldn't bring myself to buy one because I had no idea where to get ammo for one. Now I know a guy that has a bunch of ammo for one and can't find the guns to feed it to even if I could afford to buy one right now.
I've batted around the idea of a VZ58, but it looks like the ones being imported right now include the magazine in 922(r) parts count, and I'd rather be able to use any magazine without having to worry about the BATFEces.
Spanish Cetme;
In 308
Aside from all of the problems listed over in the CETME thread on this same board, I just don't like the ergonomics. They're a good gun if you get one that the angry monkeys at Century put together right, or that someone took the time to make right.
M1 Garand;
30-06 springfield
Bought a Springfield made in 42 (by the serial number) from my best friend's dad several years ago for $500. The bore was pitted, but the rifling was strong. Shot some Korean surplus through it, evidently didn't clean the chamber well enough, because now it's rusted and sticks cases. Been trying to polish the chamber out, but that's hard to do with the barrel in the action. May resort to taking it to a gunsmith so I can get it shootable again.
M1 Carbine;
In 30 carbine
Have a Universal I bought used for $325 a few years ago. It was fun to shoot even though it didn't quite run right. Finally got it running right after I replaced the recoil springs and the springs in my old GI 15 round magazines. Then the gas piston welded itself into the gas block. Got the piston out and polished it in the tumbler. Having to work on the gas block by hand. I think I can make it run again.
Russian SVT-40 Tokarev;
In 7,62x54r
Got to shoot one that someone brought to the range one day. It's an interesting gun and I'd like to have one of my own. The ergonomics could be better, though.
Egyptian hakim:
In 8mm mauser
Lusted after one of these as a substitute for an FN49. Never bought one (kick myself for passing over a few at the shows in the past, though).
Egyptian Rasheed;
In 7,62x39
Swedish Lungman;
In 6,5mm x 55mm swede
No experience, never even thought about them.
AK47;
In 7,62x39 russian
Shot a few. Don't like the slant brakes a lot of them come with. They're much better with a 74 style brake.
I notice you don't mention the AK-74, which is basically an AK-47, but in 5.45x39. I've shot one of these, too, and it's way cooler than the 47. Less recoil than a .223/5.56x45mm chambered gun, super fun to shoot, and surplus ammo is dirt cheap.
I also see no mention of the FN FAL, of which I have 2. One is an STG-58 built on an Entreprise Type 3 receiver, complete with bipod. It needs some serious elevation adjustments since it will take the 500 meter rams with the rear sight on the 200 meter setting (and lemme tell you, hitting anything closer than the rams is a bit of work). The other is a lightweight I built off an Imbel kit and an Entreprise Type 1 receiver. I do miss the days when I could buy surplus 7.62x51mm ammo for them for $150/1000. I've given some thought to building one in another caliber, like .243 Winchester, .260 Remington, or 7mm-08, but I haven't quite convinced myself to make it happen yet.
