Colt® Modular Carbine CM901

[spike.t]

anyone know about or had experience with this rifle? seems a bit heavy at 9.4 lbs....any similar that are lighter? cheers mike

 

[BRICKBURN]

Suggest the Poachers at Takeri piss off quick if you are shopping for something of this persuasion.

 

[Red Leg]

I have a very similar AR platform rifle in .308 - and similar weight. With scope and bipod, the damn thing might as well be a crew-served weapon. That said, should I actually be able to get in position with it, I could absolutely control a 400 meter range fan against anything but armor or indirect fire. With apologies to Colt and the made in America crowd, I have always felt the FN FAL was a superior .308 caliber battle rifle solution.

 

[sierraone]

anyone know about or had experience with this rifle? seems a bit heavy at 9.4 lbs....any similar that are lighter? cheers mike

Spike, in your part of the world, a FN in .308 is a much better choice for two reasons, #1 they are already on your side of the world, and #2 a 5.56 just doesn't have enough oomp in it, if you have to shoot most of your animals vs shooting a poacher.....An AR 15 in 5.56 has it's place in the world, but not where you live!!! IMO!

 

[spike.t]

Suggest the Poachers at Takeri piss off quick if you are shopping for something of this persuasion.

got my pws 114 as well, but was thinking this might be bit better in 308 as all round rifle for sticking in the cruiser when out.

I have a very similar AR platform rifle in .308 - and similar weight. With scope and bipod, the damn thing might as well be crew-served weapon. That said, should I actually be able to get in position with it, I could absolutely control a 400 meter range fan against anything but armor or indirect fire. With apologies to Colt and the made in America crowd, I have always felt the FN FAL was a superior .308 caliber battle rifle solution.

i had one and yes they are good but also heavy..., but want something a bit more compact....a folding stock paratrooper version would be good but impossible to find. the dealer has one of these colts in at the moment.........are there any of the ar makes type in 308 that are lighter in weight?

 

[sierraone]

I have a very similar AR platform rifle in .308 - and similar weight. With scope and bipod, the damn thing might as well be a crew-served weapon. That said, should I actually be able to get in position with it, I could absolutely control a 400 meter range fan against anything but armor or indirect fire. With apologies to Colt and the made in America crowd, I have always felt the FN FAL was a superior .308 caliber battle rifle solution.

Fully agree with you on the FN in .308!

 

[Velo Dog]

I have always felt the FN FAL was a superior .308 caliber battle rifle solution.

Red Leg,
I'm definitely +1 with you on the Belgian designed FAL.
Definitely the best of the best in 7.62 / .308 caliber fighting rifles IMO.

Spike.T,
I feel that the 5.56 / .223 cartridge is only called for in Civilian Law Enforcement, (crowded city specifically) because loaded with 55 grain extra-frangible projectiles, it does not tend to ricochet as far as larger / heavier caliber projectiles often do.

So, since you have a bush environment to patrol against poachers, I suggest the .30 would be a better choice.
The FAL also has an added bonus in that it generally holds its resale value a bit better than the more prolific AR style rifles do (at least here in The States anyway).
If I were working for you as your Anti-Poaching Patrol Dude, my FAL would be my first choice and constant companion there at Takeri (provided I could get it into Zambia somehow -LOL).

Not sure of Zambia's laws for residents on this but, another fairly good patrol rifle IMO is the common AK-47.
It is however not guaranteed that all of them will be accurate.
Most are "adequate" but some are "all over the paper".
(The FN is fully capable of hitting small targets at least to 500 meters, every time).
The AKs however are extremely reliable and they do hit hard plus, the're generally accurate enough for the first couple hundred meters anyway.

For AK profile weapons, I like the Czech version best because they tend to be quite accurate, (typical CZ product).
They sadly do not accept Soviet designed magazines and are of a different internal mechanism design but the one I have fired was beautifully made and split-hair accurate.

Not sure if the Finnish Valmet version of the AK-47 is available these days but by reputation, they also are quite accurate.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[spike.t]

yeah @Velo Dog know about ak`s plenty walking around on govnt people, but not for the general populace as a military cal....thats why we have .223 and .308 just like the fact the ar type 308 are compact. and there is one in the shop.

Spike, in your part of the world, a FN in .308 is a much better choice for two reasons, #1 they are already on your side of the world, and #2 a 5.56 just doesn't have enough oomp in it, if you have to shoot most of your animals vs shooting a poacher.....An AR 15 in 5.56 has it's place in the world, but not where you live!!! IMO!

now as we arent allowed to shoot poachers these days as they are also voters......so this would be just for general purpose....unless they are trying to shoot you but even then i think you would need witnesses to back you up on it, or you up to your eyeballs in the proverbial!!!! mind you they do seem to be more willing to start shooting these days. our scouts have been shot at on last 2 encounters.... one game ranch owner in southern area was out looking for them on his place recently, and they came across one who straight away took a shot at them and ran....this shot went through the baggy part of his shirt by the side of his waist!! seriously lucky a few inches in and it would have been his stomach.......

 

[Velo Dog]

yeah @Velo Dog know about ak`s plenty walking around on govnt people, but not for the general populace as a military cal....thats why we have .223 and .308 just like the fact the ar type 308 are compact. and there is one in the shop.



now as we arent allowed to shoot poachers these days as they are also voters......so this would be just for general purpose....unless they are trying to shoot you but even then i think you would need witnesses to back you up on it, or you up to your eyeballs in the proverbial!!!! mind you they do seem to be more willing to start shooting these days. our scouts have been shot at on last 2 encounters.... one game ranch owner in southern area was out looking for them on his place recently, and they came across one who straight away took a shot at them and ran....this shot went through the baggy part of his shirt by the side of his waist!! seriously lucky a few inches in and it would have been his stomach.......

Rogerthat Spike,

With this thread I decided to have a peep into .308 ARs at gunsinternational.com (see "AR 10" in the Rifles section).
Many and varied configurations for sale there.
Even Ruger makes one now.
I get it that you need a "handy carbine" for multiple exit/re-entry of your vehicle.
My infantry rifle version FAL would not be ideal for that (but in a fight, close in or out in the open, the FN is tried and true, around the world).
Also, there is a "Paratrooper" version FAL, with shorter barrel and folding stock.

Be that as it may, I did see a Sig- Sauer AR-10 that fit the description you are wanting (18" barrel and telescoping stock).
They wanted a little over $2,000.us for it, new in the box.

One of my sons tells me that he watched some U.S. Special Forces Troops on foot, clearing buildings, on the battlefield, while armed with a short carbine version of the old 7.62 US M-14, known as a "So-Com" (spelling?).
He said it looked like it was a very handy and effective weapon in their hands.

I totally understand that in Zambia, having to shoot it out with some rag-tag poacher gang could end you up in prison there.
Nonetheless, I agree with you that in your setting, a man needs to be ready, since even going to prison beats going to a cemetery.

A short, fast handling .308 seems like the best choice for getting in and out of your vehicle repeatedly.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[PeteG]

now as we arent allowed to shoot poachers these days as they are also voters..

hyena's and pigs to sort out what the crocs leave behind...

 

[PeteG]

anyone know about or had experience with this rifle? seems a bit heavy at 9.4 lbs....any similar that are lighter? cheers mike

looks nice, if its not going to be carried all that much, the weight shouldnt be a problem at all.
The weight actually will be useful if you do catch someone and get him in handcuffs...

 

[spike.t]

7.62 US M-14, known as a "So-Com"

yeah Mr VD i do really like this one and have asked for a price quote...not too hooligan looking....

 

[spike.t]

looks nice, if its not going to be carried all that much, the weight shouldnt be a problem at all.
The weight actually will be useful if you do catch someone and get him in handcuffs...

fk only got cable ties......

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Mike,

Consider the Ruger Mini Thirty in 7.62x39: http://www.ruger.com/products/miniThirty/models.html
Under 7 lbs and can be had for around $700-800 new on Gunbroker or from other online dealers.

Chuck Hawks did a comparison on the AR vs the Ruger (Mini 14 in .223) and the Ruger was slightly favored.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/compared_AR-15_Mini-14.htm
http://www.chuckhawks.com/ruger_mini-30.htm

 

[spike.t]

they have them in .223 in the shop,but with that cal as its the ak round not allowed

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Also comes in 300 Blackout, which is probably difficult to find in Africa.

 

[Bert the Turtle]

Regards the FAL being the superior rifle, I won't disagree. I will point out that for social purposes, one would be well served to compare not rifles, but rather weapon systems. By this I mean the combination of rifle, associated components such as magazines, web gear, ammunition, and optics.

Good optics offer substantial advantages over iron sights although with young eyes, good light, and moderate range one can stay in the game with iron sights. However, once the sun sets all advantage accrues to the person with the ability to see, i.e. night vision equipment. If night vision equipment is available to you, I would strongly encourage choosing a rifle that allows good use of such equipment.

 

[spike.t]

yeah we have a flir hand held thermal scout night vision , and i like this thermal scope of theirs but couldnt find it for sale even where they sell flir products, so phoned them in usa and spoke to their int sales person and he said that they arent allowed to sell it outside the usa as the govnt wont allow it...

http://www.flir.com/uploadedFiles/C.../ThermoSight/ThermoSight-RSeries-Brochure.pdf

the ones i could get are bigger and cost quite a lot more ...so.......

 

[CAustin]

I have the Colt M4 in 5.56 NATO that is a Cracker Jack to shoot. Would be great for poachers, jackels and small plains game. Friend of mine has the same model and he killed a white tail deer last week with one shot. All that said I agree with others that I would rather have it I a 308.

 

[PeteG]

yeah we have a flir hand held thermal scout night vision , and i like this thermal scope of theirs but couldnt find it for sale even where they sell flir products, so phoned them in usa and spoke to their int sales person and he said that they arent allowed to sell it outside the usa as the govnt wont allow it...

http://www.flir.com/uploadedFiles/C.../ThermoSight/ThermoSight-RSeries-Brochure.pdf

the ones i could get are bigger and cost quite a lot more ...so.......

Can someone from over there buy it and bring it across in their luggage?
Would it be checked at customs? Would there be any issues?