I really have the urge for an SBR. My work gun is a Micro-Galil and although it is less than ideal for a general carbine it is hard to argue with the tiny package the side folder allows. It is pretty cool to be able to hide it in a daypack but being the departments gun I can’t play with it that much. I thought about having a Micro built but it is heavy to a fault and would be a very pricey venture. The 106UR then captured my attention until today when I was looking at a thread on TOS with an AK105(?–CR equivalent). This made me begin to wonder if the CR would be a better option. I know you guys play with a lot more of this stuff than me and I have never seen either rifle in person, but a)is the UR too much of a good thing, i.e. tiny forearm, blast, etc, and would an sbr’ed CR still be small enough to fulfil my needs and be more versatile or b)is a CR still too long at 12.5"+ to be a “trenchcoat” or “briefcase” gun and too close to my 106FR and only a 106UR small enough to fill the place of my Micro-Galil?
First off, I would need to know a little more about your mission requirements to give you more informed advice, however OPSEC/PERSEC rules the day so no worries there. I’ll have to extrapolate from your mention of a Micro Galil (nice gun, BTW) and your concealment requirements.
IMO the AK-104/105/102 configuration is the best overall platform for the Kalashnikov-pattern guns. Of these three, the 5.56mm AK-102 platform is the most effective, with a caveat; The 12.5", 1/7 twist chrome-lined hammer forged barrel is a great GP barrel for 62 or 75/77 gr. 5.56mm ammunition. The caveat is that I have a hard time recommending Arsenal. Inc. 5.56mm carbines (in any flavor) out of the box. If you decide to go this route, make sure you understand up front that the likelihood that there will be a defect with the rifle is much higher than average. 5.56mm Kalashnikovs are finnickey and you REALLY need to vet them with at least 1,000 trouble-free rounds and ensure that ALL of your chosen magazines work. For the most reliable combo I’d stick with 7.62/5.45mm however 5.56mm TAP/mk262 does give you better options out of those short barrels.
As far as trenchcoat or briefcase gun, the 102/104/105 platform is a bit large - you’d be better off with a Krink in this role. Personally, I do think there is a requirement for a suppressed Krink in 5.45/5.56mm but the suppressor will kill your “briefcase concealability” - with the stock folded it will fit under a coat… you know your requirements better than I but I would suggest a single-point sling in this role. One problem with the Krink is the lack of a good UltiMAK system to allow mounting of an Aimpoint Micro optic… I know Sampson makes an alternative but it’s just not the same.
Thanks for the reply Thekatar, you and Templar were 2 guys I expected to have experience with these models. As far as op-sec, I apologize if I made myself sound more James Bondish than I intended. I am just the po-po from a mid-size town. Some of us on the tactical team have the Micro’s as opposed to AR variants for our carbines due to our primary being a bolt-gun. We do use them for plain clothes surveillance ops and such due to their size, as well as search warrants, etc. I have really gotten used to having a rifle I can have concealed in a small bag but on my own time I don’t want the departments Galil with me. I have a 106FR that, knock on wood, has been great and thought that the UR would be just as good as the Galil and lighter to boot. Sounds like the UR would be more what I was looking for…
Thanks guys, I think I was hoping that the CR would do the trick(you know, it’s only 5 inches longer, I can live with that, blah, blah, blah) cause it is a little easier to find…oh well…back to the hunt.
Sorry I am not a secret squirrel Suicide, it disappoints me too:(
The Galil always causes a stir but truth be known I have tried every way I could to turn it in and get a Commando issued but the powers that be won’t let me…
And believe it or not, our Micro’s were horribly unreliable…until we got AR15 mag adaptors and AR mags:eek: