Favorite Non-U.S./Soviet Military Rifle 1960s-Present

E

EdInk

New member
Using your own opinion and criteria, what do you think is the overall "best" non-U.S./Soviet standard-issue military rifle from the 1960s through the present?

This thread isn't designed to start any arguments but rather to stimulate conversion about a variety of firearms OTHER THAN the AR and AK familes of military rifles.

I think my personal choice would be the Swiss SIG 55x series if rifles. My reasons are the finish quality, reliabilty and "kinda cool" features like being able to adjust the piston with a quick turn of a knob. Plus, I think it is an attractive looking rifle.

What do you guys think? (Again, no real specific criteria just preference.)
 
Probably the SA80. I really like the way they look and I think it would be a fun rifle to own. Too bad they're extremely rare, if available at all in the US.
 
Can it still be influenced by US/Soviets? :) My favorite "shooter" is my Golani Sporter / Galil clone. It's an Israeli rifle built like an AK that shoots 5.56/.223 ..Imagine if you will, an AR that's as tough as an AK. The Israelis had the right idea with this one. My only complaint is they put the rear iron sight on the wobbly cover. Despite that, it seems to hold zero or close enough to it for short range..bleh...I scoped mine with a Nikon M223.

GolaniwNikon.jpg


Can't go wrong with the Sigs though...wish I had one. That new Beretta ARX 160 coming out looks pretty sweet too.
 
I wanted an FNFAL, I could afford a HK91, especially back in the '70s when they were $160.

These days, if AR/AK ancestry is completely ruled out - including magazine use - then you have to look a lot further. The next choice I had was the Steyr AUG. After than, things go downhill fast.

Go ahead, make it tough, rule out using the magazines, and then see how much more effort it takes to make a choice. No SCAR, ACR, XCR, maybe even the Beretta ARX won't make the cut.

Most of the sporting imports actually get to stay, the AK mag isn't allowed to fit. Big indicator where things are actually at, it's not the action, it's the magazine we design to use.
 
Favorite Non-U.S./Soviet Military Rifle 1960s-Present
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I think my personal choice would be the Swiss SIG 55x series if rifles
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Am I missing something, none of the one's listed are made in Russia.

Well if that's the case my vote is for a Yugo SKS.

Jim
 
Owned a Valmet (Finnish) M76 in .223 for several years, which took Galil mags and shot quite well. One of the best true AK clones ever, and better that the original for sure. Mine was the M76W, with wooden butt stock, and trit sights. Wish I still had it!

"Am I missing something, none of the one's listed are made in Russia."

I took this to mean any non US or Soviet arms.
 
I love my "Spanish Lady", the CETME rifle. Rugged, reliable, accurate and good looking. And the ergonomics fit me far better than the admittedly 'prettier' FNFAL -but there's just something about the FAL's stock shape that does NOT like my noggin......
Another feature I like about the CETME/HK series is their more forgiving attitude about cartridge pressure - no finicky gas system to go wonky. :cool:
 
Love the G3 & FAL. I'll throw the VZ-52 in just for fun :D (Yes I know they all pre-date the 1960's...sorry)
 
Sorry but your Yugo SKS was designed before the 1960s. Try again.

We said non US or Soviet standard issue rifle. The XCR is double disqualified. It's US and not standard issue.

The Galil is "kinda borderline" (read AK clone) but I'll allow it because I support the way Israel handles their problems with quick effective force. You could always opt for the new Tavor.

Otherwise some great choices IMHO (except the British Bullpup), can go wrong with a fine European battle rifle.
 
i'd have to say the Russian SKS, it is more accurate than the AK-47's as it's design was a scaled down from a anti-tank rifle and had a machined reciever from a 8lb chunk of steel. they are about as reliable as you can get if you keep it clean. i no longer own one but had probably 15 or so back in the late 1980's and early 1990's.
 
Chinese made ZSU 23

A literal blast, (although it might be a stretch to call it a rifle) the whole gun platform jumps back when you hit the foot switch.
What a blast, and worth a $5 per round for knocking holes in a mountain 3 miles away outside Beijing. Haven't found anything like it in the US.
 
What NON US /NON Soviet have been designed and fielded from the 1960s through today?

Everything I can think of (off the top of my pointey head) is either designed before the 1960s, or is a redesign/variant of something designed before the 1960s. And this includes the AR/AK variants.

The Galil and the Valmet are basically modified AK designs. The FAL is a pre 1960s design. So are the HK 91 & 93 (G3), based off the CETME, which was created from some of the last WW II German designs.

The Sig 550 series began in the 1950s.

SO, for 1960s & later designed and fielded arms, what does that really leave us to choose from?

The Stey AUG
The French FAMAS

Since standard issue is also one of the criteria, please enlighten me, what other arms are there to choose from? It seems to me that outside of the two bullpups listes, every other standard issue rifle in the world since the 1960s is excluded by the question's criteria.

The world's major arms makers are US, Europe (meaning FN, HK, Beretta, Steyr, does FAMAS count?) and former east bloc nations (including Chinese) that produce variants of Soviet designs. Smaller makers, generally national armories in some nations produce arms, but haven't made any really serious inroads on the world market, outside of their parent nation, or perhaps one or two others.

Steyr AUG got Australia to buy, but I understand currently they are very unhappy and are dumping the AUG for an AR rifle. FAMAS armed the French, and a couple of former French colonies, but haven't sold seriously anywhere else. Galil has a guaranteed market in Israel, but no other nation is using it for a standard issue arm. Beretta arms Italy, but what other nations have adopted their rifle? The list goes on, and without hitting my reference books (admittedly not very current) I just can't think of what rifles meet the OP criteria (and not already mentioned).

SO what guns am I missing?
 
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