Type 81 LMG vs T81 folder

was it a little bent as well? lol note that i do not care about the bent part anyway ... still shooting around where it should or close to lol ...

Lol maybe, i never handled it, but i saw the video on it. The thing looked real rough, parkerized i believe, and wood furniture painted black if memory serves right. Not something id buy either haha
 
Lol maybe, i never handled it, but i saw the video on it. The thing looked real rough, parkerized i believe, and wood furniture painted black if memory serves right. Not something id buy either haha

we have all seen those lovely pictures and what we got ... they approved it maybe on the look lol ...
 
I have both. The LMG is a lot chunkier, which is both good and bad. You'll likely never wear it out, and I think all of the moving parts (recoil spring assembly, gas piston, gas regulator, bolt and carrier) being serial number matched is a nice touch. It feels extremely milspec. With the exception of not being full auto, it's exactly what the factory in China makes for export sales to actual armies.

Having been employed as a C9 and C6 gunner within sections in the past, though, I'm pretty much done with lugging LMG's through the bush unless I absolutely have to. For ease of carry and packing into your vehicle for a range trip, the folder is extremely handy. It's also built well: I have around 3000 rounds through mine and the only jam I had was magazine related. It seems to me that the folder is no less reliable, but it is perhaps, very subjectively, about 10-15% less "nicely built". It's far from unacceptable, and maybe mine is just loosening up from my round count, but the LMG has nicer finishing touches and just feels more solid. With this said, like I said, my folder has taken a beating over the three years that I've owned it and it's not failed me yet.

If you want a gun to shoot offhand and lug to your gravel pit, the folder will be a lot easier for that. If all you do is shoot off a bench at the range, the LMG is a good fit.

I'm very happy to have both.
 
I mean let’s be real it’s a heavy old rifle and it’s not something i wouldnt wanna “go to war” with, but it’s excellent for what it is! It’s a great sporting rifle and great cheap fun at the range or in the bush. Weight really would need be a issue as if it’s too heavy I’d set it down and grab a drink of coffee until I’m ready to shoot again lol. I was more interested in practical bush gun quality vs practical use.
I was always an Ar style rifle guy but since those seem to be out now I’m exploring options. I really like the run and gun concept it’s always been a lot of fun hence the reason I ask about folder version. There both great rifles but do you get more benefit owning one over the other
 
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There both great rifles but do you get more benefit owning one over the other

Yes. It's really all about what you are looking for. The folder sees more time at the range for me, and I'm fully willing to admit that I bought my LMG because it's aesthetically cool as hell, and I'm happy with it for that reason. If someone is more neutral on the LMG's aesthetics and wants a rifle they can drag through the bush, they may find themselves disappointed with the LMG after a few kilometers of lugging it around. On the other hand, if someone is looking for a gun to shoot off of the bench or if they're just fine with the extra bulk of the LMG, they might be real happy for it.

As with anything, the buyer should assess what they want out of their rifle and what they plan to do with it in order to make the right choice for themselves.
 
if i took off the LMG bipod it would weight less than a FNC1 rifle (9.5 lbs empty) so it wouldnt be a big deal for me to lug it around in the bush.
 
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I agree, It honestly feels no different then a M1a. It aint light, but its totally manageable. A person asking this sort of question needs to ask themselves " what advantages does the heavier and larger LMG bring that the rifle version doesnt" ? IMO the only 2 answers are 1) a slight bump in accuracy. 2) its technically a LMG = novelty factor. If neither of those really appeal to u then the rifle becomes the obvious choice. ** Putting price aside **
 
After shooting the P14 offhand with bayonet fixed everything feels like a lightweight carbine, even the M91/30. But I've always been a milsurp guy so heavy rifles don't bother me. The LMG looks cool as heck in original form but is poorly balanced. After removing the bipod and carry handle it is much better balanced. But the big selling feature for me was saving money by buying new. Why pay someone $2000 for their used rifle when you can buy it brand new for $500 less? I'll never understand the logic of listing used LMG's for 2k with no accessories when they're in stock everywhere for $1500. I may have scored 2 free clipazines with it as well. I asked to inspect one first to make sure it doesn't have a loose grip or any other issues and the one he brought out had 4 clipazines. I thought they were sold with 2 but he laughs and says that's what's in the box so that's what I'm selling you. At any rate it's a well put together rifle for something that came off a military contract assembly line. Nice fit and finish, machinng etc. Nothing to complain about without being a whiny b!tch about trivial things.
 
I've owned both. The LMG is superior in build quality and finish. Plus it's basically an RPK equivalent, do you need more convincing?
The folder I had seemed to be cobbled together from a bucket of various parts the factory swept up from the ground. It worked fine, however. If you could still get the vz. 58 with a folding stock, those were superior guns in size/weight and function.
 
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