On the fence about my new sg542

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latouf

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As I went to the range today, I brought my m14 and also my new sg542 acquired from a fellow CGner. I wanted to sight in the elcan 1.5-6x I also bought from another fellow CGner.

Before you ask, yes the scope is high and you'll get a chin weld at best (at leastthis was my case), so i installed my bradley cheek rest that I no longer need for my m14 as it now sits in a jae with integral cheek rest. I'm pretty happy with the result.

So shot a few rounds (sellier bellot, federal white box and barnaul). Results are good but its the entire concept of sg542 and elcan I'm still not sure of. I wanted something the shot 7.62x51, that could take optics fairly easily and was NR. After shooting a XCR-m and a keltec rfb (both my friend's) , I wanted something else.

I cant help but to compare with my m14. It is lighter for sure and easier to handle but that trigger is really heavy. And as i kept on switching between my too rifle at the bench, the recoil was more stiff on the sg542 (I guess weight really plays a part in that).

I hate that long useless 20 round mag. And I wonder if the gas regulator works properly (set to 1)? What is 2 for? Is there supposed to be a 0 also?

I'll give the setup another try (and practice dry firing with dummy ammo) to see if I keep these.

I have to admit I recently fell in love with a nice k31 (selling these would go a long way in buying one, all desired accessories and feeding nice ammo).

Perhaps, I'm not a black rifle enthusiast after all.

Any thoughts?
 
Lighten up that trigger. Shoot it more and put a different optic on maybe? I plan on buying one in the future. But I can't help you with the gas settings. I dunno what they do either.

Throw a few more hundred rounds down the pipe.
 
So you don't like the trigger, not a fan of recoil because the rifle is light and had to put a cheek riser on because the scope is too high ?
Did you handle the rifle before buying ? All of this could have been checked out by doing so.
If I had to BUY a rifle id get a k31 over the SG.
Mind you what did you expect from an over priced battle rifle? If you have the play money and want the SG go for it, but its meant to be an iron sight shooter, light weight that you can kick in the bush with and still make good shots with. Its not a bench rifle, I would be surprised if it shoots better then an out of the box m305. (those are only 500 bucks!)
Would I take one for free? Absolutely, I wouldn't do a thing to it though. Would be a fun range gun to blast with and would be good for large game in thick bush.
It sounds like you got it because you didn't want to have the same rifle as your buddy ! Mind you neither of those will be amazing shooters either. The XCR barrel is not attached well enough, would be easier for optics but the cheek well is still uncomfortable and not that great (ive owned one and hated it). The RFB ive never touched so no comments other then it might be more fitting for optics.

When I first got into the firearms game I wanted everything and anything black and modern ! Now im to the point where if I don't have a direct reason for that rifle, I don't need it. My collection has shrunk ten fold. I would have ogled at the SG years ago, now its an over priced cool factor toy. Personal opinions obviously. Shoot it a bit more give it a chance, maybe see how well you are with the irons. Its a nice rifle, but not at that price for me lol.

Id say if you liked the XCR or the Kel-tec pick one up instead. You know what you want in a rifle and the SG isn't cutting it. Shoot your friends some more... having the same rifle as a shooting buddy is awesome ! Friendly competition! Not to mention help on an mech issues.
 
Maybe look into an ATRS Modern Hunter? I haven't handled one but since it's similar to an AR-10 I'd think the ergos would be better and it would be better suited to optics as well than the SG. Food for thought
 
Thanks CDNkeeper. I will do just that. Shoot it some more (with iron sight) and move the optic to another rifle. Funny you mentionned hunting, that is one of the scenarios I enviosionned, but that clunky long mag makes this otherwise light and short rifle muxh less interesting. If someone made shorter ones, that would be good. I know 10 rounders existed in france and Europe when that rifle was in service over there.

The cheek riser doesn't bother me (it is fairly common on other AR platform (just integrated in the butt stock).

I'll try it out again and might end up back on EE. The price I paid was clearly not retail and I think I would have an issue selling it. Time will tell.
 
rugbydave said:
Maybe look into an ATRS Modern Hunter? I haven't handled one but since it's similar to an AR-10 I'd think the ergos would be better and it would be better suited to optics as well than the SG. Food for thought
Click to expand...

The modern hunter seems a fine rifle, but at nearly twice the price i've paid, no thanks.
 
i don't think you can go wrong with sticking with the Norinco M305.
They are exceptional for the price. As Barney says " don't get one, get two";)
 
I already have one and an lrb m14sa, but I was looking for something more modern in its ergonomics. I guess that everything comes with trade-off. I'll still give a chance and see it will grow on me. I think it is the simplicity of its design that won me over. Not the the m1a platform is not simple, but not as simple (stripping and cleaning is really dead simple on a sg542).

I know I wouldn't trade my m305 or my lrb or many other rifles I own, but I still cannot say the same for the sg542.
 
Man, this is going to become difficult. Wanstalls has a pre order for FNAR-H for a very good price. Might be what I am looking for and can't find in the sg542?

Decisions, decisions...
 
I am looking at the FNAR H too. Definitely a good contender to the SG. Don't hesitate getting the K31. You wont regret it. Oh and dont just buy one...buy two.
 
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