More like Goldcutter...

So last year while doing one of my AR-15 builds, I decided to go with the Knight’s Armament Sandcutter bolt carrier group. It gets its name from the cuts made along the side that supposedly make it more reliable in desert environments because it allows for space when debris (sand) enters the action. I bought the Sandcutter for $249 back in 2021.

Fast forward to 2022 and I was thinking of getting another one for a side build but noticed the prices had gone up...WAY UP. I don’t know what the reason is behind it. Maybe Knight’s Armament discontinued them, or they got a contract to supply them for someone and won’t have any for the civilian market for a while, or just lack of materials due to supply chain interruptions. The Sandcutter BCG’s are going for close to $1,000 now, but only the Knight’s Armament one. Other companies offer their own versions but aren’t being bid on like the Knight’s.

For those who don’t know, Knight’s Armament is a smaller shop that is well known for their accessories but also their AR-10 rifles like the SR-25 and M110 SASS. Many argue that their stuff is God-tier but others feel that they’re a bit old school and nothing special to warrant the prices they command. Comparing a Knight’s Armament AR to an Anderson Manufacturing AR is like comparing a Rolex to a Casio. Both rifles will shoot and do what they’re built for, just like both watches will tell the same time, but only the Knight’s and Rolex gain considerable value over time versus the Anderson and Casio.

Beretta 92FS

A legendary 9mm pistol that has been issued or is still in current service with law enforcement and militaries around the world. One notable pop culture appearance for the 92FS was in the early Resident Evil videogames and remakes. Custom wood grips with the RPD STARS emblem are available on the aftermarket for those looking to recreate a nostalgic videogame gun while still being functional and aesthetically pleasing. This example also has an aftermarket custom made compensator with an underside rail for accessories. (GRH)

Mosin Nagant M44

A rather poorly conceived attempt by someone to turn the carbine version of the Mosin Nagant 91/30, the M44, into a sort of “scout” rifle. There are adapter mounts that let you use AK and SVD optic brackets on a Mosin but as we can see here, the problem is the lack of a proper cheek weld. What’s more absurd than this setup is the seller’s asking price of over $1,500. (GRH)

WASP

Kind of a random but recent purchase. Probably by now most of you have seen videos over the years of the CO2 injection knife. They don’t show up for sale too often since it seems the company no longer makes them or is even in business anymore. I did see one website claiming they have them in stock with a waiting period so maybe they’re coming back to the market.

Found this one at a shop that said it was “old stock”. They didn’t really know what it was and priced it out based on a listing from Arizona Custom Knives back in 2016, for $400. So technically I got a good deal because the last one I saw on Gunbroker was back in 2020 and it went for $1,200.

PTR-91

U.S made clone of the German H&K 91, which in turn is the civilian, semi-automatic model of the H&K G3. Although a somewhat aged design with what many consider poor ergonomics paired with a hefty overall weight, the rifles still have enough fanfare to warrant companies offering aftermarket upgrades. This example is equipped with the more user friendly and modular (but heavy) Magpul PRS stock, along with a Midwest Industries MLOK handguard. Note the Trijicon VCOG optic. (GRH)

M72B1 “Khyber Pass”

A custom build AK variant that uses the Yugoslavian M72B1 RPK as the base rifle. The barrel is shortened to 16″ inches long, removing the RPK’s bipod attachment. Most Khyber Pass AKs are generally considered to have the simple side-folding triangle stock. What you’re left with is basically a heavier AK rifle due to the thicker, finned barrel along with the reinforced RPK receiver. (GRH)

5.7

A long overdue build I finally decided to finish in late December 2021. I’ll do the writeup on it in a few days when I have time off. 

Marrocchi SP 64 Explorer Survival

A rather obscure and uncommon .22 LR rifle imported from Italy. They were available in a more traditional wood stock set-up and still take-down rifles, but the Explorer Survival went with a synthetic approach. The rear stock would house a spare magazine, a small survival kit and knife. While the concept of a take-down survival rifle isn’t new, the SP 64 is rarely seen since they were imported in relatively few numbers. (GRH)

Mossberg Bullpup

In the late 1980′s the Mossberg company, famous for its pump-action shotguns, began offering them in a bullpup configuration. Using their own polymer chassis kit, the Mossberg Bullpups were most commonly found with the Model 500 installed. On occasion it’s possible to find a Model 590 or even Maverick (Mossberg’s cheaper branch) Model 88′s in bullpup form. The carry handle houses a pair of short iron sights, and it features a secondary safety in the backstrap of the grip, similar to a 1911. Long since discontinued, they were ahead of their time considering now how many bullpup shotguns are on the current market from different manufacturers. (GRH)

Taurus Raging Thirty

Built around the Raging Bull frame, this odd but massive revolver was produced during a time when Taurus was experimenting with just how many different calibers could be adapted to the Raging Bull. Chambered in .30 Carbine, the same caliber as the M1 Carbine of WWII fame, the Raging Thirty was available for about a year or so before being discontinued. Sporting a 10″ long slab-style barrel with ribs for the scope mount, it tends to be more of a collector’s item than something for varmint hunting. Due to the low numbers produced, they are very sought after and can easily bring in over $3,000~. (GRH) 

NM9 - 1 “水燕” - AFI

Springfield Armor SAINT Edge ATC

A new entry into the SAINT series of rifles from Springfield Armory, the Edge ATC (Accurized Tactical Chassis) is a true free-floating barrel system for the AR-15 platform. Current free float handguards still require a point of contact with the barrel nut in order to attach. The ATC allows for the upper to be dropped in without the barrel nut or gas system making contact with the chassis lower or the upper handguard. Designed more for DMR-style off the bipod shooting, the ATC is chambered in .223 Wylde, which is compatible with .223 Remington and 5.56x45mm. (GRH)

(Source)

Enfield No.4 Mk2 “Tanker”

A shortened version of a full-length Enfield rifle, the so called “Tanker” models usually feature a 16″ long barrel. They get the name Tankers because they are marketed as the issued firearms of tank crews that needed a shorter rifle. In reality a majority of the Tanker style rifles are just surplus guns that were cut-down by importers in order to sell their overstock they couldn’t get rid of. While they make for interesting novelty pieces, and are actually sometimes decent truck or scout guns, they hold no collector value. (GRH)

AMT Hardballer Longslide

U.S made 1911 variant that was unique at the time of its production due to its unorthodox barrel and slide length of 6″. It was famously featured in the first Terminator movie but the Hardballer series of pistols would also appear in the Hitman videogame franchise as Agent 47′s iconic weapons of choice. They have some minor issues that need to be addressed if you plan on buying one, particularly the problem of stainless-steel galling. As with most 1911 pistols, the Hardball is chambered in .45 ACP. A very rare version chambered in 10mm Auto was also available but under the name Javelina. (GRH)

Back...

I’m still alive...but let’s see if I can actually remain consistent with posting again. New job consumes a lot of my time.

Robinson Armament M96 Expeditionary

U.S made semi-automatic rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm, it is based on the Stoner 63 but is not an exact copy or clone. They actually share very little in terms of parts compatibility. The Expeditionary Model had the longest barrel, measuring in at 20″. Shorter versions, most notably the Recon variant, had a 16″ barrel. Long since out of production, when they initially hit the market, it was to mixed reviews. This was due to their cost and the criticism of their crude, ugly appearance from the many weld marks during receiver assembly. (GRH)

Saiga 7.62x39

Russian made semi-automatic AK variant imported into the U.S, with many being in a sporting configuration. Over the years conversion kits and services have returned a majority of Saiga’s back into their AK pedigree, although later imports were arriving complete. Unfortunately importation of Saiga and Vepr rifles and shotguns was put to an end with new sanctions placed against Russia, increasing the value of the examples already stateside. (GRH)

Romanian AES-10B

Semi-automatic RPK variant from Romania, it features a couple of odd if not unique features. Some but not all AES-10B’s imported into the U.S have a carry handle that is attached via a welded ring onto the rear sight base. The bipod on the AES-10B is also different from Russian and Yugoslavian versions because the legs are adjustable in length. Lastly it is also one of the few (maybe only), RPK variant for the U.S market that had two different barrel profiles. The AES-10 was an earlier model that used a thing pencil-style barrel, whereas the AES-10B is a regular heavy barrel. (GRH)

vulturetech EMP 1.1 - xparament

Springfield Armory G3

In the late 1980′s Springfield Armory imported G3 clones made under license in Greece. The Greeks fielded the G3 rifle and had the tooling, training and German supervisors from Heckler & Koch overseeing the production of these firearms. When Springfield Armory began importing semi-automatic civilians models into the U.S from Greece, a small batch of about 500 G3 marked examples arrived. Heckler & Koch were not too happy about the G3 designation and told Springfield Armory to change it, thus creating the SAR-3 and later SAR-8 rifles. (GRH)