[Mikey_1962]

Outstanding weapon.

[Niteranger68]

Is it wrong to hate you?

[vlad335]

Not exactly what I would call a plinking gun. I wanted one of these a couple years ago for target shooting but balked at the thousands of dollars it would cost. Had to be honest with myself and realize that the reason I wanted it was to have the biggest, coolest gun on the range.

I obtained a C&R and bought a couple Mausers. Turkish, Yugo, and one German K-98. Ammo is dirt cheap and they are loads of fun to shoot.

[CMS]

My fiance got me a Windrunner M96 :) I have not yet been able to shoot it yet.

hmmm If you want a .50 just for light target shooting might I suggest the Grizzly LAR at $2200 its cheaper than the Barrett, but has the same accuracy.

If you have to go with Barrett go with the M99 its the 5 shot bolt action.

www.edmarms.com
www.grizzlylar.com
www.cobb50.com
www.anzioironworks.com
www.serbu.com
these are a few sites to .50 manufacturers. forgive me my html linkfu is weak.

[labette]

If you “pull the trigger” on this idea, {pun intended} Post back and give us your evaluation. I don’t think one would work for me. I seem to be awfully recoil sensitive.

[rickdylan]

The ONLY thing a 50 can do which a more normal rifle cannot is defeat light armor and its use for that is problematical. Most people want the 50 for long range shooting but it doesn't really even strike me as any sort of a magic answer for that. It's basically a larger 30-06 cartridge, which is not a modern cartridge or anything like that and to my knowledge it does not obtain the velocities or ballistics a modern magnum rifle would.

My choice for long range shoting would be one of the Savage heavy barreled rifles in that 270 wsm caliber using 140 gr Barnes all copper bullets at about 3300 fps. That could be put together with a good scope for under a thousand dollars, would not even need a muzzle brake, would have better ballistics than the 50 and would flatten any North American game.

[NonValueAdded]

This is for light target shooting only

light target shooting and you are considering a 50 cal? gadzooks, how do you define heavy???

[Doohickey]

This is for light target shooting only.

LOL!

[Shooter 2.5]

I understood what you meant by light target shooting. I also understand why you want one. Years ago, my friends tried to talk me into buying a machine gun. I thought they were out of line since I didn’t like them. Plus, the cost of one was outrageous to me. A whole 800 dollars. Now my chance of getting one is now impossible.

If you want it, get it. It’s an investment if nothing else. I seriously doubt the price will ever go down. You might have a problem someday in feeding it though.

Word of advice. If you ever shoot one, squint your eyes a little. It feels like someone is reaching into your eyesockets and yanking your eyeballs out.

[43north]

You silly Freepers. Light target shooting means he wants something capable of destroying “light targets”... you know, APC’s, log bunkers, Kevlar prairie dogs, that kind of stuff.

“Heavy target” shooting is reserved for 105mm howitzers and larger...

[Fido969]

If you have access to a 600 yard (or plus) range I would say: “Go for it!”

If you have had any problems with recoil, though, you might want to reconsider... I have heard of guys who just shook for hours after letting loose a couple dozen rounds on one of these babies. And at $1.50 a pop, once those shakes start, you’re pretty much done target shootiong for the day.

[GoldCountryRedneck]

If you can afford to do it, don't think, Just Do It!!

Our range had a ".50 Cal Day" with a Barrett which you could shoot for $3.00/ round. I know, outrageous, but... I put 15 rounds through it (there was a line waiting and even that paltry number got some grumblings) and having never fired one, I was impressed.

The action was smooth, the balance was perfect (maybe thanks to the bi pod) and the grips and trigger fell comfortably and crisp.

The sound and concussion was awe-inspiring, yet with the muzzle brake the perceived (and felt) recoil was surprisingly mild. No shoulder bruises at all and I'm not a big kinda' guy (5'9"/155 lbs). My .12 GA ex-police pump (with 00-buck) is brutal by comparison and I'm black,blue, purple, and numb after.

Should I mention that my lady-friend was impressed with my own, ummm, performance later in the evening following that afternoon on the range?

Yeah, has that effect...

Anyway, were I not tuition-challenged and living in Kalifornia, I'd own one just to own one. Its' that kind of firearm...

Gun-porn (just so's we know what we're talking about)

[Hazcat]

Watch what you shoot at ;)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=0ABGIJwiGBc

[Tainan]

Now here's a muzzle brake...

From a .30 cal deck gun on a Taiwan Navy Minesweeper.
If you want the Barrett, get it! It will be just as fun to shoot as you think it will be. I'd also recommend reloading your rounds. With this big caliber its pretty easy, and a lot cheaper.
Plus, when/if you decide you've had enough, there is a ready re-sell market among your range buddies. Good Luck!