Straight pull l1a1 or M14

[polemass]

When I asked Valmont Firerarms about sks barrel-yes,new one fitted,when asked Oakrise-hm,I suppose so...was the answer.Looking what Luxdeftec is doing now for UK market it will be probably new barrel,and no extraction problems with 7.62x39.But SVT40 being 7.62x54R is different story probably,not the same bolt/lock as SVD=ergh,straight pull one?no..

[bnz41]

So the L1's were alright (A friend of mine has one and always worried about this, thanks for clarifying). It sounds like something wen't wrong in the process of doing whatever was needed. How are the ones (sks and svt 40) that oakrise selling made? He says from New parts, any story there?

Yes the L1's are ok like the others being built by Neal455 new barrels so no gas port.

Reference Oakrise the SVT 40's are on hold extraction problems, (do still want one of these once sorted) the SKS not sure about I did ask about them awhile ago but heard nothing. Both being made by LDT like the M14's so I guess new barrels no gas system, all other items from a parts kit.

What about the AK's from Oakrise? Valmont arms is also selling those (with a markup) as well? I'd add my friend had a typed letter from ARB at the time that sort of explained (from his half truth/lie version of events) what was going on (he was wanting a rear dust cover mount for his rifle that he eventually got from elsewhere). In hindsight the letter read as the weirdest, Walter Mitty Esque thing I'd ever read and I've read some real delusion stuff in my time. His L1A1 was never pulled, even during his renewal, so they knew where it was. I'm guessing they took a sample of ones to seize and check and once all came back clean, they realized it was worthless trying it for everyone in ownership (possibly also didn't have the manpower to do so)?

Sorry no idea about the Oakrise Ak's if I was going to buy a AK I would buy from Oleg at http://www.rusmilitary.com/html/firearms_akm.htm as these are built at the factory as UK Sec1 SP rifles.
With the ARB L1's they did not have to seek out customers to check the rifles, ARB had loads at his workshop to check all new barrels. These are now for sale at CPG Design in calibres .223 7.62x39 .22/250 and .308 but all have that stupid right hand extra cocking handle fitted.

[Daryll]

I make the L1A1 Straight pull rifles, to make them "legally" is not cheap. Others tried. They are now in court.....

I assume you're talking about ARB...The story I've heard is that he made some straight-pull L1A1's, Plod claimed they were illegal and confiscated them, and tried a prosecution.
Eventually charges were dropped and all the L1A1's were returned to him... (I've got one of them!)

They're now trying the same for the SKS's he was making, and that case is still on-going...


IMHO, regarding left or right cocking, for a normal right handed person, right cocking is preferable.... you can support and keep the rifle in the shoulder with you left hand while cocking with the right hand....unless you're shooting from a bipod when you can use your left hand to cock, so left cocking is preferable.

I thought ARB was in Jail and it was the SVT 40's he was tried and convicted on? A friend has one of the L1A1's and loves it.

When I picked up the L1A1 from Jon Francis at CPG Design, he said he'd recently talked to ARB, so I assume hes still out and about...??
I haven't had a chance to shoot mine yet, but will tomorrow..

[huntervixen]

Afternoon all,

Well, I have two Suffolk Rifles Straight pull L1A1's, Neals very first example, an Enfield 1962 and being the greedy sod that I am, also a Lithgow manufactured, ex New Zealand Army 1964 dated L1A1, also built up for me by Neal Parnham.

Both superb rifles to own and shoot, highly recommended. Both mine are fed on a diet of GGG and function without any issue what so ever.

As far as ARB go, lets be a little careful what we say chaps, as this is still an on going issue as far as I know .. that said .. and this is the most important point and the lesson from the above case .... whatever make or model of Straight Pull you buy, you must ensure the rifle is built up from a parts kit, with a new barrel. If the rifle is a totally new build however, then there is no issue.

All Neals rifles are beyond reproach, from a legal perspective, I know that to be a fact, but if buying from another source, get written evidence that your rifle started as a parts kit, an emailed conformation from the selling RFD will suffice.

[neal455]

I have a second batch of M14's back in stock in December, in 3 variation's standard, Sage stocked and SOCOM. We also have a new run of British L1A1's being done now, using parts from Uk, USA, and Europe. No silly side charging handle.
I also have M1 Garands (which i will say are the best ones to date)
To clear up an issue, Valmont just re sells our products.
To have theses rifle's made you need to order minimum of 10 sometimes 20 at a time. Its a massive financial commitment. LDT dont do single rifles, so far I have had to buy 50 M14's (in 2 batches) to get them to the UK market, I have been selling these for 5 years now, and it took 2 plus years to get the M14's built, 2 years to do M1 Garands. The L1A1's we do our selves. They are done in batches of 3 to 5.
The recent AK's that i have seen advertised are built from full auto AK's. Stick with Saiga ones.
That will take some explaining.........

[snayperskaya]

The recent AK's that i have seen advertised are built from full auto AK's. Stick with Saiga ones.
That will take some explaining.........

So which ones are those?.

SVD=ergh,straight pull one?no.

What do you mean by "ergh"?.......you don't know what you're missing Tovarisch.Have you shot one?......

[froggy]

What do you mean by "ergh"?.......you don't know what you're missing Tovarisch. ...
Our Polish Tovarich has probably shot the Real Mc Coy, hence the "ergh" ?

[polemass]

"ergh"...tilting bolt+short stroke gas piston,SVT-against rotating bolt+long stroke gas piston,SVD,OK?No,never fired SVD-but early AK47 yes-and like it more then VZ58...

[snayperskaya]

"ergh"...tilting bolt+short stroke gas piston,SVT-against rotating bolt+long stroke gas piston,SVD,OK?No,never fired SVD-but early AK47 yes-and like it more then VZ58...

Ah, I see

Incidentally the SVD has a short stroke gas system very similiar to a FAL with a relatively small piston, an operating rod and a return spring.The operating rod only travels about 25mm to knock the bolt carrier back, unlike the long stroke system on an AK where the long gas piston is attached to the bolt carrier.Also the SVD has three locking lugs on the bolt compared to two on an AK.

And yes the Oakrise/LDT SKS has a new barrel.....and good man for preferring the AK over the Vz

[bradaz11]

I love the look of the M14 SOCOM's but for the price, i might just go for a MARS based vz58 and have some 'almost' semi auto goodness fun, although saying that, my lr9 has just started acting up with this latest batch of 9mm :(so maybe another straight pull does make more sense. just need a lever release m14 or Garand out there, or maybe a G3