- Location
- big sky country
Dear all Swiss Arms owners. Tell me about your experience with your rifle. I'm trying to comvince myself to buy one.
Talk me into buying a Swiss Arms
- Thread starter smak_daddy
- Start date
I would also like to hear some Swiss Arms owners weigh in on this, I'm very seriously considering picking up a Classic Green this fall, and would not mind hearing some opinions to help me get past the price tag.
From what I've told myself:
-It's very well built, if I get it now it'll probably still be kicking in 20 years, if not more.
-Very accurate, more so if you handload your own ammo. Need I say more?
-Aesthetically pleasing. This doesn't mean everything to me, but it certianly helps.
From what I've told myself:
-It's very well built, if I get it now it'll probably still be kicking in 20 years, if not more.
-Very accurate, more so if you handload your own ammo. Need I say more?
-Aesthetically pleasing. This doesn't mean everything to me, but it certianly helps.
had mine for a year and a half now.
Pluses:
really accurate ( I can achieve sub MOA with cheap reloads pretty easily)
super solid
never a failure of any sort
Minuses:
heavy
beats up the brass upon ejection pretty good
Love mine, would not sell it.
Pluses:
really accurate ( I can achieve sub MOA with cheap reloads pretty easily)
super solid
never a failure of any sort
Minuses:
heavy
beats up the brass upon ejection pretty good
Love mine, would not sell it.
I have an early Blue Star and I love it. Yes it's heavy because it's all steel but not so heavy to become an issue. It's accurate but sensitive to where you support it (the upcoming NEA free floating handguard is on my shopping list) and it's reliable to the extreme and runs clean. Quality through and through. You can reduce the dinging of the brass by gluing a piece of hard rubber on the spot where the ejected cases hit.
Buy it and you will not regret it.
Buy it and you will not regret it.
Smak,
The reason I skidded that wonderful NM was to get a Swiss.
A Swiss being non-restricted is very nice and a big bonus. I am literally itching for a gopher spree later this spring and 'yote hunting this fall, something I could only dream of with an AR.
I picked up a used one that was taken care of but wasn't a safe queen, and have thoroughly enjoyed it.
I noticed with mine:
- it is quite accurate
- internals haven't got nowhere near as dirty as a DI AR for same number of rounds
- its consistent as when shooting off the bench it makes a nice little pile of brass at about 20 degrees (although as mentioned above can be hard on brass)
- the stock folds, something I know some people don't like. I find it great for throwing in a bag and off to the range
- I like the way it handles compared to an AR (just a personal thing) and it just runs well
Down sides:
- the gun was expensive
- parts and accessories are expensive
- the balance of the gun is nose heavy
- the standard rock in AK-style mags do take some getting used to and are slower than a straight drop AR (although NEA has that new lower conversion for AR mags which eliminates this)
- a rail system is available but makes it nose heavier
- the bipod is rather flimsy; a good expedient but don't trust it
If you are looking for one, note, on the standard length barrel, there are 1 in 10 and 1 in 7 twists out there. You can tell the difference because the 1 in 7 have threading inside the flash hider. It will obviously make a difference if you are wanting to shoot some of the heavier bullets or not.
Hope that helps!
The reason I skidded that wonderful NM was to get a Swiss.
A Swiss being non-restricted is very nice and a big bonus. I am literally itching for a gopher spree later this spring and 'yote hunting this fall, something I could only dream of with an AR.
I picked up a used one that was taken care of but wasn't a safe queen, and have thoroughly enjoyed it.
I noticed with mine:
- it is quite accurate
- internals haven't got nowhere near as dirty as a DI AR for same number of rounds
- its consistent as when shooting off the bench it makes a nice little pile of brass at about 20 degrees (although as mentioned above can be hard on brass)
- the stock folds, something I know some people don't like. I find it great for throwing in a bag and off to the range
- I like the way it handles compared to an AR (just a personal thing) and it just runs well
Down sides:
- the gun was expensive
- parts and accessories are expensive
- the balance of the gun is nose heavy
- the standard rock in AK-style mags do take some getting used to and are slower than a straight drop AR (although NEA has that new lower conversion for AR mags which eliminates this)
- a rail system is available but makes it nose heavier
- the bipod is rather flimsy; a good expedient but don't trust it
If you are looking for one, note, on the standard length barrel, there are 1 in 10 and 1 in 7 twists out there. You can tell the difference because the 1 in 7 have threading inside the flash hider. It will obviously make a difference if you are wanting to shoot some of the heavier bullets or not.
Hope that helps!
Buy a railed version. Don't drop 3k+ into a rifle upon which you can't mount optics properly.
I second the 1:7 twist. Then you can sling heavier rounds. There are some decent hunting loads available depending on your game.
But get one.
I second the 1:7 twist. Then you can sling heavier rounds. There are some decent hunting loads available depending on your game.
But get one.
Ar180shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ottawa, ON
I absolutely love mine.
Non-restricted, accurate as one can expect from a semi, and fun as He!! to shoot. I'm testing some more hand loads today and will be making a youtube video of the results.
The only downside is it's a heavy SOB, but I can deal with that.
Non-restricted, accurate as one can expect from a semi, and fun as He!! to shoot. I'm testing some more hand loads today and will be making a youtube video of the results.
The only downside is it's a heavy SOB, but I can deal with that.
How heavy are these things?
Get one. My experience so far,
Positives:
- Quite accurate (more than me)
- the cycling is just exquisite and it feels like a well oiled machine
- Soft recoil which allows for fast follow-on shots
- First rate fit and finish
- easy to strip, clean and maintain
- exccedingly reliable in most conditions I have tested it in - hot (upto 37C), cold (upto -15C), rain, snow - yes, I am that way
- 'feels' substantial and has a lot of presence when in company of other firearms
- good ergonomics and comfortable to shoot for extended periods
- One of the best iron sights put on a gun (comes with night sights as well) - good tradeoff between long distance accuracy and ease of handling
- classified as a Non-restricted firearm (for the 20" barrel only)
Negatives (depending on your point of view)
- Can be a little heavy if you are used to carrying an AR. Personally, it is not a concern.
- Relatively expensive when compared to other rifles in this class.
- Doesn't come in 7.62mm NATO (yet)
In short, if finances permit, get one.
Positives:
- Quite accurate (more than me)
- the cycling is just exquisite and it feels like a well oiled machine
- Soft recoil which allows for fast follow-on shots
- First rate fit and finish
- easy to strip, clean and maintain
- exccedingly reliable in most conditions I have tested it in - hot (upto 37C), cold (upto -15C), rain, snow - yes, I am that way
- 'feels' substantial and has a lot of presence when in company of other firearms
- good ergonomics and comfortable to shoot for extended periods
- One of the best iron sights put on a gun (comes with night sights as well) - good tradeoff between long distance accuracy and ease of handling
- classified as a Non-restricted firearm (for the 20" barrel only)
Negatives (depending on your point of view)
- Can be a little heavy if you are used to carrying an AR. Personally, it is not a concern.
- Relatively expensive when compared to other rifles in this class.
- Doesn't come in 7.62mm NATO (yet)
In short, if finances permit, get one.
If you don't your d!ck will fall off!!
Oh wait, wrong platform
On a serious note - this is one of the finest rifles out there and well worth the cash. Quality is outstanding and very accurate with the iron sights with a bit of practice. You will not be disappointed.
If you want optics, then a railed version would definitely be suggested.
lonedrone
Oh wait, wrong platform
On a serious note - this is one of the finest rifles out there and well worth the cash. Quality is outstanding and very accurate with the iron sights with a bit of practice. You will not be disappointed.
If you want optics, then a railed version would definitely be suggested.
lonedrone
Bullwhip and Redivivus have given very good summaries of positive and negative.
The only thing I might add is that the SA magazines are not a negtive. If anything they are a positive, as the magazine style of the AR is probably its' biggest failing.
I am very tempted to add a Carbine or a CQB to my SA rifles.
The only thing I might add is that the SA magazines are not a negtive. If anything they are a positive, as the magazine style of the AR is probably its' biggest failing.
I am very tempted to add a Carbine or a CQB to my SA rifles.
North Eastern Arms
Manufacturer-Business Member
Anyone we have spoken to about the Swiss and HK G36 who have deployed with them say the biggest downside of both platforms are the mags. They are big, break and get caught up on web gear...... which is why we are selling quite a few lowers and magwells, into europe.
- Location
- big sky country
I absolutely love mine.
Non-restricted, accurate as one can expect from a semi, and fun as He!! to shoot. I'm testing some more hand loads today and will be making a youtube video of the results.
The only downside is it's a heavy SOB, but I can deal with that.
Please PM me a link to the video when you post it.
- Location
- big sky country
Great summary Bullwhip. I've shot one hole groups with that gun I bought back from you. I love it.
I will buy a Swiss Arms right after the registry is eliminated.
I have been shooting AR's for about 25 years. I used to go gopher and coyote hunting my Colt AR with 30 round mags. (white hockey tape for camo) I love the platform, I'd trust my life to it, but the God dam legal status pisses mne off.
I'll never abandon the AR platform, (from my cold dead hands) but I want a gun I can throw in my back seat and forget about it.
