I'm about to incur the rath of numerous CGN'ers...

Ardent

Ardent

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Northern BC, Coastal BC, or Africa. Depends on the
So, who here doesn't like the PE90, would love to confirm I'm not alone here :D

I held it as the holy grail of its class, until recently, don't get me wrong it's a fine rifle! However, I've finally let my blindness subside and I'm looking at things clearly. ;)

For me, for starters, I find the selector difficult to manipulate without a slight shift in grip, vs say the AR, M96, 180b etc. (I have/do have at least one example of each so they're all very familiar, only one I've had just one of is the 180b)

Next, not a huge fan of the slow-for-my-liking twist rate. Yeah yeah, silly reason, barrels can be changed and I passed up a 1/7 PE90 barrel a little while ago... But still, I like 1-7, to 1-9 on the slow side from the factory, without having to spend extra $. :)

Next, receiver construction. While perfectly serviceable, I just don't like those stampings (this is my stupidest reason, as I love the M96 :rolleyes: , just something rubs me wrong with the PE90)

Next, right hand charging handle... Enough said :p

Next, mag release, not a fan, true pain vs AR/M96/180b etc

So all in all, I'd rate the PE90 as a truly fine rifle, but not ideal by any measure. Anyone in the same boat after playing with one?
 
It physically hurts after firing a few rounds and you look at your receiver where the ejected rounds are slowly beating the #### out of it :(
A piece of velcro helps ...but not really.

Makes Nester sad!

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Smoothbore said:
Interesting. Objective opinions are always enlightening.
I found the comments helpful.
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I think we get a little excited about it, and rightly so, it's amazing we have it here. Unfortunately however it's not for everyone, I've found. ;) My biggest grievances are that selector (I find it more than slightly awkward), and the twist rate (great if all you do is shoot ball!). The barrel should last a long time, but I feel the throat ought to burn out far before the rifling, and a 1-7 to 1-9 twist wouldn't kill it much sooner, and I have a heavy preference for 1/7. Depends how you shoot. Also, with the mags, you are stuck with proprietary (and likely better than AR mags!) but for my purposes, it is nice using AR mags, for price and convenience as in the AR/M96/180b. This is a small grievance when spending $3000+ on a new rifle, but I still consider it. :)

But, as I said, I do like and appreciate the PE90, but it just wasn't quite 'magical' ;)
 
While I'm at it I'll add to my right side charging handle issue :p I also don't really like the reciprocating charging handle, again, a silly grievance, but a real one for me. I like a captive, non reciprocating charging handle ala AR/M96.

PHEW... I haven't had masked gunmen toting swiss hardware ring the doorbell yet... :p You guys are more reasonable than I thought ;) :p
 
I must admit that as a gun guy I have to say that the Swiss Rifles are easily the best made target/battle rifles made...full stop. However it is the features which I do not like. As Ardent has said the weight, the RH charging handle and the mag release I simply can't stand. The rifle also does not fit me when mounted with optics. I wouldn't go so far as to compare it to a M96. In a side by side shoot-off, I'm convinced that parts would come flying off the M96while the Swiss rifle would simply keep shooting along. <Yes, I have owned both...I shoot a Bushmaster> YMMV.
 
Having very happily owned a PE90 for just about 18 months, my only real concerns are the mass of the rifle, and the width of the front sight blade.

Considering it only fires the gopher-getter round, there is a WHOLE lot of weight there. Keep in mind, I learned on the FNC1A1, and will always compare every other semi-auto rifle to THE Holy Grail, which those fricken' morons have prohibited.... Ergo, the PE90 is the closest I can own...

I agree that if one was left-handed, the PE90 would not be for you. Period. You would be unable to sling it, and may or may not be bothered by the charging handle reciprocating in front of yer nose.

I find the FN/PE90 method of magazine retention and release MUCH better than the AR - When prone, you don't have to cant the rifle, or lift your head off the deck (at least with 20rd mags). If I were to redesign, I'd probably put the charging handle on the left side of the receiver, because I like it there (a la FN), ditch the bipod (which is cute, and occasionally handy, but...), move the sling mounts to an ambidextrous position, and slim down the foresight...

I realize that many of you don't really know what a fore-sight looks like, relying on those electro-optical whizbangs... It's the little vertical thing on the front end of the rifle, that we old-timers use to magically line up the rifle with the target, if we have no telescope(!). ;)

Anyway, the PE90 is not perfect for me, because I didn't design it, but is as close as I can get with what is currently legal in this country. I am blessed enough to make the income, and have the marital support, to be able to afford one... In my opinion, it is three times the rifle of an out of the box AR, for only twice the cost, and thus, a bargain.

I know that if it gets really dirty, I won't hurt it if I have to kick start (try that with your aluminum AR!), and if the zombies come en masse, and I run right out of powder, at least the rifle will make a great club!

PS - The selector is positioned just fine for me.... Another reason I keep my wife so happy...
 
I too hate the AK style mag release. Yes, it works. Yes, it is ambidextrous. Still hate it cause it is slow and cumbersome. Not a big fan of the M1A/M305 mag release either.

Like the 1911 and all modern HG's and AR's, I like the idea of push a button, let gravity get rid of the old mag while the hand is grabbing a fresh one. Maybe I see too much IPSC shooting but that kind of tactical reload/speed makes sense to me.

The AK style is way slower and does require a fair amount of dexterity (yes, training will help). Millions of AK users can't all be wrong but the many extra seconds to reload may explain why the AK users tend to have a higher casulty rate then AR users (yes, yes, yes, a whole can of worms but makes you wonder).

My "ignorant civvy opinion" would suggest that I want to get my rifle reloaded as quickly as possible when things get really noisy.

I can't believe that the new AR replacement rifles I have seen by HK are proposing an AK style mag release. UUUUUGGHHHHH.

Maybe, I just need to practise more.

Jerry
 
I'd love to have a Black Special, but the Blue star is just FUGLY! I mean it's BLUE!!!!! WHY???!!!!
 
Nester said:
It physically hurts after firing a few rounds and you look at your receiver where the ejected rounds are slowly beating the #### out of it :(
A piece of velcro helps ...but not really.

Makes Nester sad!
Click to expand...

It only hurts if you have the 'airsofter must look brand new' attitude. personally, i like my guns to reflect their use. favourite part of my ar...the shiny mag release (that took 10,000+ rounds). as for the sig, i could never, EVER stick a piece of velcro on it.

jl
 
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mysticplayer said:
The AK style is way slower and does require a fair amount of dexterity (yes, training will help). Millions of AK users can't all be wrong but the many extra seconds to reload may explain why the AK users tend to have a higher casulty rate then AR users (yes, yes, yes, a whole can of worms but makes you wonder).
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Yes...it must be the mag release. It couldn't be that the AK was designed in 1947 - the AR's accuracy and rate of fire are much higher, and that nowadays the AK generally sees action against well-trained battle-hardened US and Canadian troops vs. jihadists and insurgents who range in age from 9 to 87.....:D
 
sparrow said:
I must admit that as a gun guy I have to say that the Swiss Rifles are easily the best made target/battle rifles made...full stop. However it is the features which I do not like. As Ardent has said the weight, the RH charging handle and the mag release I simply can't stand. The rifle also does not fit me when mounted with optics. I wouldn't go so far as to compare it to a M96. In a side by side shoot-off, I'm convinced that parts would come flying off the M96while the Swiss rifle would simply keep shooting along. <Yes, I have owned both...I shoot a Bushmaster> YMMV.
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Well put, every word. I happen to agree on your durability assessment as well even as a rabid M96 fan, the SIG's tougher no doubt. For my purposes? Not an issue really, but a genuine consideration.

IF ONLY the AR platform was non restricted...
 
mysticplayer said:
I too hate the AK style mag release. Yes, it works. Yes, it is ambidextrous. Still hate it cause it is slow and cumbersome.
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It's only slow and cumbersome if you don't know how to do it...kinda like ###.

mysticplayer said:
Maybe I see too much IPSC shooting but that kind of tactical reload/speed makes sense to me.
Click to expand...

In a tac reload you keep the mag

mysticplayer said:
Maybe, I just need to practise more.
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Definitely!

jl
 
Told you the whole AR vs AK things was more a can of worms then just a mechanical difference but...

Will have to tell the wife we need more practise.....yippee....

But then she doesn't like rifles?????

Jerry

PS Ardent, sorry for the hijack... see you in a few weeks.
 
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