What are your grail guns?
What are your grail guns?
Mine would have to be either an HK23e (think HK 54 but beltfed) or an As Val.
Every time I've ever seen a H&K MK 23 I've told myself I'll own one one day. Ultimate grail status would be with the early, chunky LAM, but I know I might as well wish for a rainbow-farting unicorn. I owned a cheap airsoft MK 23 as a kid, if that's any proof.
Outside that, a SITES Spectre M4 fully kitted with the foregrip, top-folding stock and coffin magazine. To me it's the coolest looking of all the traditional SMGs ever produced. I saw one at a gun show years ago and the guy wanted an arm and a leg as expected, but hardly knew a thing about it and it was bare-bones as could be.
Finally, a Mateba autorevolver. Recoil operated, bottom-barreled revolver made in Italy that looks 100% like a space gun? Yes please. I may try to scratch this itch one day with a Chiappa Rhino.
I've got a USP myself it's a shame that mounting system never caught on, it's got a pretty slick look to it.
Also I'm not sure if they're still around but I know Mateba got a US subsidiary that was making more of their revolvers.
I'd love to have a leveraction in 45-70. My favorite gun i own is a semi auto 30-06. Tons of fun
A VAL/VSS would be up there if this grail gun wish comes with ammo as well.
I'd also love a FAL but every time I look I can't justify the expense when an AR-10 will be better at everything at a fraction of the price. I'm also really interested in an Urutau once the print files are released, and really any 3D printed firearm.
My gateway "grail gun" (i.e., first gun and start to a very expensive hobby) was an AK, ended up going with a Yugo M70. Beautiful rifle and have had almost no issues with it. Just hoping 7.62x39 goes down in price soon(TM)
At this point the only hope for a VAL/VSS seems like if PSA comes out with one like they did with the stg. 44 clone.
There's a lot of really cool 3D printed designs being worked on now, it's like a renaissance for home gun design. If you're keen on the Urutau I'd keep an eye on the AR-15 Bullpup (creative name) it's one of the cleanest conversions I've seen.
Unfortunately I don't think 7.62x39 is going to move much in price soon. The prices it used to have were the product of cheap imported ammo. I believe that someone is supposed to start producing domestic 5.45x39 soon so maybe it'll fall down closer to .223 or 7.62x39 prices. Realistically probably closer to .300 blkout.
M2's are neat.
Smith and Wesson 500 Emergency Survival. Last I checked they go for like $4000 on Gunbroker :(
That's honestly an insane mark up. I looked it up original MSRP was like $1.5k. Actually fairly reasonable for a revolver plus the packaged stuff. But I guess I didn't realize the S&W collector market was still so lively and had much interest on more recent (post 2000) stuff.
A really nice old SxS. I have a couple servicable field grade LC Smiths, but nothing of any higher grades or condition.
I have a long list of different custom firearms I'd love to put together like an engraved 1911 and a bolt gun from a defiance barreled action, but here's the off-the-shelf or clone list for me:
Nighthawk Sandhawk
Mark 12 clone from PRI
Knight's Armament SR-25
Bula Defense M14
M24 Sniper System or clone of one
M40A6
Some of these, like the M24, I can probably make happen in the next couple months/years. Some like the Nighthawk and SR-25 may never happen just because they're not a priority.