Which to Buy ?

whittling · Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 8:08 am Post subject: Which to Buy ?

OK ,here's the deal .I want to get a new rifle soon but I don't know what to get .I might be joining a Civil War reenactment group and will possibly need a Enfield or Springfield musket. On the other hand I would like to get a semi-auto milsurp like a Hakim ,SKS ,etc .My dream gun is the most wonderful gun of all times- the M-1 Garand ,but they run $650 -$1000+ and all I can afford is $300 -$600. Another gun to consider would be a Scoped Hawkins or Sharps as I'm going to be a Andrew's Sharpshooter.What do you think my best choice would be ?

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 10:22 am Post subject: Re: Which to Buy ?

If you're going to do Civil War reenacting (I started doing it in 1981) get either an 1855 or 1861 Springfield or a P1853 Enfield as they were the most common types used. I'm betting that the reenactment unit generally acts as regular infantry so a scoped rifle would not be authentic, not to mention unweildy. A scoped "Great Plains" style rifle might work, its similar to those used in the Civil War. The Sharps would be authentically inaccurate for early war events.

There appears to be plenty of info about the Andrews Sharpshooter online.

gelandangan · Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 4:38 pm Post subject: Re: Which to Buy ?

Sharps 50-120 ... yeah... Love

brick size bullet, long distance and hit like a truck ... Yeah... Very Happy

Vince · Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 12:04 am Post subject: Re: Which to Buy ?

UH OH......Gelan's in love agin....watch this space fer a new rifle. Laughing

Cheers, Vince

gelandangan · Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 1:57 am Post subject: Re: Which to Buy ?

Vince Mate.. the BOSS!!! would not approve.

but right now I have 3 (THREE) permit to Acquires just today delivered to my address Very Happy

I am getting a M6 combo 410/22, a Steven Favourite 30G and a little antique Belgian 32 Long.

I want to have a Sharps but.. heheh Ol' uncle Kev only gives $900 .. it it is $9000 then yeah.. Sharps Love

whittling · Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 2:44 am Post subject: Re: Which to Buy ?

Well ,right now I'm going to be joining the 22d. Massachusetts Regiment .The 22d. Is a unique regiment because they had their own artillery battery and sharpshooter company .The sharpshooters are a small independent group .During a battle they emerge on anywhere.According to the former Green Beret sniper that leads them ,they just go off to do they're own thing .As you can tell here-the Enfield is the best choice for a ordinary soldier but it looks like sniper rifles for a sharpshooterWeb Page Name

Vince · Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 5:23 am Post subject: Re: Which to Buy ?

Gelan....I like your choice of fun guns mate...especially the 410/.22 combo, magnificent combination.

There are two guns/rifles I've been threatening" to buy for sometime now... a front stuffer (always wanted to play with black powder) and a .410 shottie.

Cheers, Vince

gelandangan · Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 4:15 pm Post subject: Re: Which to Buy ?

Whittling,

I may be wrong but you got to have different state of mind to became a sniper.

Being regular soldjer boy unless you are in ambush situation you normally fight when the enemy are attacking and ready to fight back, thus you have "reasons and excuses" to take life.

Being a sniper, you have to take life without them being ready..
For some, this is a really bad experience.
It is like kicking them when they are down or hurting defenseless adversary (oxymoron there).

I for one would not able to be a sniper, I wont be able to sleep at night.

Vince, Yeah, I would like a front stuffer too, but they are too much effort methinks..

ElyBoy · Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 5:07 pm Post subject: Re: Which to Buy ?

I have always wanted to do the Civil War Reenactment thing.
I envy you, because it really looks like fun, and I don't know of anything like that in Minnesota.
Just my luck that if I did do it, my first "battle" would be as a Confederate under Pickett at Gettysburg.

A few years ago, I came real close to ordering a Sharps, but then I heard of the company, after ordering, coming up with many extra add on charges that amounted to hundreds of dollars, so I backed off.

Good luck and have fun.
You are a lucky man.

Eric

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 5:48 pm Post subject: Re: Which to Buy ?

Gelan, he's talking about reenacting the US Civil War.

Eric, in 1981 at my first reenactment I WAS a Confederate in "Pickett's Charge" (more accurately called Longstreet's Second Assault). In 1998 I was one of about 30,000 reenactors at Gettysburg for the 135th Anniversary of the battle. I've got a good picture of "Pickett's Charge" but I'll have to wait until I get home to post it.

Whittling, based on my experience I'd go with the Enfield. Reenactments are a lot more fun in the ranks than roaming around on your own.

ElyBoy · Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 6:49 pm Post subject: Re: Which to Buy ?

Mike, I'm a Civil War buff, and would give my right arm to do what you did.
Please post pics. when you can.

Eric

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 7:12 pm Post subject: Re: Which to Buy ?

Eric, the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War starts in 2011. There's time to join!! I really want to make as many of those events as I can but I'll have to work hard to get back in shape to do them!

Check this link >> www.firstminnesota.org/index.html

You should also read (if you haven't already) "The Last Full Measure: The Life and Death of the First Minnesota Volunteers" by Richard Moe, Henry Holt & Co., 1993.

ElyBoy · Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 7:38 pm Post subject: Re: Which to Buy ?

My Great Grandfather served with an Ohio unit, and was at Shiloh and other battles.
When I was a kid, my Uncle showed me his uniform.
I can also remember what I think was a porcelain canteen??

His name is on a Civil War monument in Cleveland I guess.

I am seriously going to look at that Minnesota unit to maybe get involved in.
I'm sure that they need a bald old fart with a bad leg, who can still shoot lights out at 400 yards.

I will let you know what happens, and thanks for the info.

Eric

gelandangan · Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 8:55 pm Post subject: Re: Which to Buy ?

Now I am confused..

Didja mean that a bunch of grown man playing cowboys and indians?

And you use real guns?
Did you really shoot?
At what?
What bullet?
Did they have MASH units? amputations? fake bloods?

So who win? and what count as a win?

whittling · Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 2:46 am Post subject: Re: Which to Buy ?

Yep ,Real guns ,cannons,bayonets....They shoot black powder at each other.They predetermine the winner,and then they go at it .If you want to pretend your shot you just fall down if you think you would be shot in real life.And they do have camps,''bloody bandages'' to throw on ''wounds'',fake amputations,and doctors ,and camp followers.Interestingly,my friend told me that a Father ,son ,and wife all fought side by side -with her disguised as a male.