Best Weapon Design

[TR]

Seeing how I can take a hint I thought I'd throw this one open for discussion.

Best pistol designs I'd have to say go to the Colt (Browning) Model 1911 (of course), the Browning FN 35, S&W Model 10... all three examples are STILL seen in service despite their age. there's others of course but I don't wanna steal anyone else's thunder.

Of course the Colt AR-15/M-16 Family (including the CAR-15/M-4) for the rifles... it has shown staying power despite initial teething problems and powder foul ups (thanks McNamamra). And today is one of the more commonly encountered weapons out there in the world at large.

Comments Anyone?

T.R.

[Kolt]

To add to the rifle catagory, but in a different way, I'd add the Remington 700 (or at least the action) as being one of the most successful and widely used.

As for pistols' (design) qualities, the Glock should also be noted. It doesn't beat the 1911 (nothing has yet to come close to the modifications that can be performed on a 1911) in my opinion, but it is a good design for an off the shelf combat weapon.

For shotguns, the Remington 870 is about as good as it gets in a 'pump only' weapon. However the Benelli M3 is a close runner up for versatility.

Just my 2 cents.

Kolt

[JY]

Well now, gotta say the Accuracy International AW Sniper Weapon System in 7.62X51mm, .300WM, .338 Lapua, and .50 browning, four great flavors 8)

McMillan M86 Sniper Weapon System, one of the best domestic in 7.62X51mm and .300WM. A first class long range rifle(based but NOT made on the Rem.700)a class rifle all the way.

Pistol SIG Pseries without a doubt P226 is used by more SOF units world wide than any other.

Shotgun Rem. 870 as pump(trash the Mouseburger 590A1) and the Benelli MOD 90 M1 & M3, as the semi autos.

Assault weapon, M4A1 most adaptable weapon going.

Subgun........Only persons I wish them on are the one's I meet in the field.

my 2 cents worth on that, again back as the battle warms up..8)

Take care...Jim

[This message has been edited by JY (edited 01-09-2000).]

[kalashnikov]

Pistol: has to be the 1911, more copied and modified than any design. Runners up are the hi-power and the SIG.
SMGs: I have to mention a few, each with its own advantages (these are not necessarily the best by today's standards, but they dominated their era): Thompson (A1), was revolutionary for its time, wasn't wimpy 9mm, and the soldiers loved it. The Uzi, another design with a lot of staying power, often imitated, never duplicated. I believe it was actually Israeli standard-issue for a time. And finally, the MP5, in all available calibers, is the current dominant SMG, and has been for many years, so is my winner for SMG (sorry JY).
Bolt rifles: the Mauser Gewehr 98 influenced most other designs in the early third of this century, so it deserves a mention. But I feel that the Remington 700 action is the best of today.
MGs: The Browning .50 cal, like Browning's 1911, is still in use today, and is clearly the best heavy machine gun. For medium machine guns/GPMGs, the MG42 dominated WWII, but presently the FN MAG design I believe is the best. And for light machine guns/SAWs, the BAR was revolutionary, though it seems incredibly archaic by today's standards. Presently, I think either the Minimi or the Ultimax takes the prize.
Automatic rifles: the FAL is clearly the best of the 7.62mm / 20 rd mag crowd. For true assault rifles that fire lower-power ammo, the Kalashnikov AKM is the best of the "old reliables" category. But today, of course, I must say the M4A1 is the best, as shown by its adoption not only in the US but by numerous foreign militaries the world over. It is extremely versatile, and is the best of today. And since the rifle has almost always been every soldier's personal weapon, I would give the prize of best gun of the century to the M4A1.

[This message has been edited by kalashnikov (edited 01-09-2000).]

[veil]

For handguns : the tremendous amount if copies and aftermarket crap for the 1911 shows that in its purest form its a very incomplete weapon. Would you want to carry one of those 1970 standard issue 1911's? Cant hit the broad side of a barn with em.

I think the P226 definitely is both the most successful (in military atmospheres) and effective handgun made. Altough the Glock family comes close for being the best "off the shelf" handgun in all flavours, P-series just win in accuracy/recoil.

Rifles? dunno. I'd say the German STG44 had the biggest impact on everything to come so that's the winner. Even guns like the G36 still borrow heavily from this frontline abomination.

Mmm... and the MG42. Still in use, and one of the first effective GPMGs around. Whether (sp) carried by austrian airborne troops or bolted to a Leopard III tank, you know it'll be there and scare the shit out of you when you hear it.

-Veil

[baboon]

John Browning's classic designs, with the exception of the BAR, have certainly stood the test of time. As regards what I believe should be called " machine rifles", now mostly obsolete, the Bren is by far the best of them, still in service today. The Garand must be mentioned as the first mass-produced semi-auto rifle, giving US infantry the best standard rifle of the war.The M16 must be the only weapon that started off as unreliable and unpopular but has gone on to be well-loved and looks set for many more years of service. The MAG has to be the best modern GPMG.As the two best of the century, the 50 Browning and Hi-Power definitely win , there can't be two other weapons or for that matter manufactured goods of any kind which have been built with only minor modifications for over sixty years.(Correct me if I'm wrong on this figure.When did Hi-Power production cease? I'm counting the BDA as an improved GP35).

[This message has been edited by baboon (edited 01-09-2000).]

[TR]

Techincally Baboon the Browning HP hasn't ceased production, you have them being made in Argentina today as well as in the USA...

T.R.

[Tripp]

Handgun: Sig 226... Got seven of em spread around the house and one on my belt and the junk handguns I keep in the safe. :-)

Bolt rifles: G or K98. The whole world has been tring to build a better Mauser action. Never happen.

Auto rifles: I never liked the combloc stuff and none of my M-16's have ever let me down. These things are getting pretty long in the tooth and still serving.

GPMG: BMG 1919a4. Improved it when they created the air cooled version from the water cooled 1917. We have linked 25,000 rounds together and fired it all in what would have been one burst if the idiot who did most of the linking (me) would have checked to make sure all of the ammo was set right before we got started. Barrel was wasted but we only had to jerk the charging handle one extra time. MG-42's are my favorite and I play with them allot but the 1919 is still the best.

Shotguns: Ithica 37. The real 37's, not those cheap shit 87's that the new owners tried to pass off as the real deal. I don't duck hunt so I don't need an autoloader.

Subguns: Soumi M/31. Try it for yourself and you will see why it is miles ahead of all of the fancy stuff you see now. PPSh-41 comes in as a close second.

AA guns: Not a monster caliber but the W.W.II German Flak 30 is still my favorite. Easy to learn and even easier to acquire targets. (Need more parts and magazines for these if you have them!)

Small field pieces: 75mm Pack howitzer. Give me 10 rounds and I can wreck allot of stuff. I love that little piece of scrap metal.

Best rifle of the century: John Garands Gas trap without a doubt. Changed everything and set the bar high for the next in line.

Just my opinions, your milage may vary.

Tripp

[reconsweden]

Don´t mean to rain on anyones parade but I saw that many people love the Sig 226. It is not loved in Sweden because it can´t handle our military 9x19 ammo(the police also use it). The police carry the 226 and they are going to pieces and have to be replaced at a steady pace. The Glock can handle it so the military use it. As to greatest weapon I think:FN-MAG/MG42 as MG, Glock as pistol/sidearm, L96A1 AW as sniper rifle and Carl Gustav as AT/support weapon.

[Toadie]

Pistol: Only shot USP and Glock, I would choose USP

Assault Rifle: Good old G3. Pure Power in 7,62.

Machine Gun: MG3(MG42). I als shoot FN MAG, and Minimi(French Version), but if you had the chance to punch holes with this chainsaw in an VW Polo, you never will choose another MG.

[DGR]

Pistol? Glock, in your choice of calibre. Simple to use and maintain, nothing unnecessary in its design. Only real weak point is the Grip either fits your hand or it doesn't, not much leeway.

Rifle? Lee Enfield and Mauser 98. What other design lasted as long as that pair.

Sniper Rifle? AI AW. Simply the most popular Sniper weapon since it came out.

MG? Browning did well with the M2 and M1919 pair for HMG work, but the MG3/MG42 would be better for GPMG work, while the Minimi would be the best SAW/LMG around. The Bren comes a close second to the Minimi.

Shotguns? Remingon 870 or Ithica 37. Nuff said.

SMG's? Probably the MP5 family.

Assault weapon would be the M16 family, especially the latest versions. The AUG isn't that bad, but it does have a few weak points.

Battle rifle? FN-FAL (SLR) gets my vote here.

[TR]

DGR!

Nice to see you back around these parts...

T.R.