Free Republic

Russian farmers are begging President Vladimir Putin to help them deal with a massive influx of antelopes that are wreaking havoc on crops and water supplies in the Saratov region. Already dealing with his attempted invasion of Ukraine, Putin now has his own 'invader' to worry about - one that threatens his homeland's food supply. Approximately a million saiga antelopes, recognized by their distinctive, bulbous noses, have reportedly invaded the south-western province, many crossing into Russia from neighboring Kazakhstan. The Saratov region, situated along the Volga River and known as Russia's sixth-largest grain-producing area, has been ravaged by these Eurasian...

There is considerable controversy and confusion about the firearms used in the Dallas sniper attack against police officers.  Early in the aftermath, numerous disarmist pundits proclaimed that it was an AR15 rifle, without any substantive verification of any kind.  One of them was the “gun guy” on the Huffington Post.  Another was Dallas Mayor (D) Mike Rawlings.  From newswest9.com: Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings says the suspect in the sniper slayings of five officers used an AR-15 rifle. Rawlings said that’s the type of weapon 25-year-old Micah Johnson used in the attack Thursday night in downtown Dallas. A similar assault...

Kazakhstan – An aerial survey conducted as part of a national monitoring program earlier this year estimated that the saiga antelope population numbered approximately 250,000 animals prior to this mass die-off, which has therefore halved the total population in about one month. snip The animals die within hours of showing symptoms, which include depression, diarrhea and frothing at the mouth.

I’m the new (2nd owner) of a saiga 12. I’ve read about the “low brass” issues it has, but mine has no gas port markings “1” or “2” since it came with some customization from the previous owner. My interwebs reading shows set it to “1” for low brass and “2” for high brass. Does having the port screwed all the way in as far as it will go (toward the buttstock ) equal “1” ? It jams (failure to eject) with No # 4 estate tactical 2-3/4” and with S&B 00 buck 2-3/4. And what exactly is considered “low...

Thinking about .223 hardware at a good price ($329), like Soviet Bloc designs/surplus, and have a spare scope that needs a home. AR platforms are usually expensive, humdrum design, and I see a lot of jams at the range.

I've been wanting to get a AK pattern rifle for quite awhile. Got a generous tax return and am looking at the Saiga 7.62X39 that JG Sales is offering right now for $349.00.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has just released its “Study on the Importability of Certain Shotguns.” Here’s what it’s about: The purpose of this study is to establish criteria that [ATF] will use to determine the importability of certain shotguns under the provisions of the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA). Like what? Under one [category] the Attorney General shall approve applications for importation when the firearms are generally recognized as particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes (the “sporting purposes test”). And there’s an important catch, defined in previous “studies”: “[T]he ability to accept...

Beginning June 12, 2008 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. SEC. 2. RESTRICTION ON MANUFACTURE, TRANSFER, AND POSSESSION OF CERTAIN SEMIAUTOMATIC ASSAULT WEAPONS. SEC. 3. BAN OF LARGE CAPACITY AMMUNITION FEEDING DEVICES. SEC. 4. STUDY BY ATTORNEY GENERAL. SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. SEC. 6. APPENDIX A TO SECTION 922 OF TITLE 18. `APPENDIX A `Centerfire Rifles--Autoloaders `Centerfire Rifles--Lever & Slide `Centerfire Rifles--Bolt Action `Centerfire Rifles--Single Shot `Drillings, Combination Guns, Double Rifles `Rimfire Rifles--Autoloaders `Rimfire Rifles--Lever & Slide Action `Rimfire Rifles--Bolt Actions & Single Shots `Competition Rifles--Centerfire & Rimfire `Shotguns--Autoloaders `Shotguns--Slide Actions `Shotguns--Over/Unders `Shotguns--Side By Sides `Shotguns--Bolt Actions & Single Shots

"This is not a gun you go deer hunting with."Lawrence Keane, senior vice president and general counsel National Shooting Sports Foundation New York Times, 11-23-04 "They can be used for hunting. They are not any morepowerful, and they're not... you can hunt anything. Peoplehunt everything from deer to any type of game."Wayne LaPierre, PresidentNational Rifle AssociationHardball with Chris Matthews, 9-8-04 Washington, DC - The SKS rifle apparently used by the hunter to kill six other hunters in Wisconsin wasn't banned under the Federal assault weapons ban that expired September 13, but it should be banned for civilian use. Designed for...