Serbu bfg50 or m82a1 - Page 1

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Serbu bfg50 or m82a1

Posted: 12/29/2020 10:41:09 AM EDT

Should I save up for an m82a1 (price has been continuously increasing) or just settle for a serbu bfg50 (bolt action)? While 82a1 has always been a dream, i can't justify spending so much for a rifle i will probably shoot couple of times a year. What do you think? Anyone with the bfg50? How is the recoil?

Posted: 12/29/2020 1:05:27 PM EDT

[#1]

You do know that Serbu also makes a semi? Have you looked into one of those?

Posted: 12/29/2020 1:24:33 PM EDT

[#2]

Yes, but they are pricy at $7k+, I would think of the m82a1 at that price range

Posted: 12/29/2020 2:30:16 PM EDT

[#3]

At the price difference, I would buy a Serbu semi and if the price for an M82 is more than a Serbu... I would still buy a Serbu.

The Serbu is made so that the user can swap barrels from standard to match. I believe the trigger can be swapped out also. Even in the standard configuration it's more accurate than the M82.

I think the hang up is name recognition, people see Barrett and think "the best", "only one"... when in fact there are others. Most people don't know how many others there are and the fact that Barrett and Serbu are the only 2 that are being sold in any quantity.

I don't include the M2/3 series as they're crew served and the others are not.

Posted: 12/29/2020 3:02:56 PM EDT

[#4]

It depends on what you are really wanting as they are apples and oranges. Being a semi with a ten round mag, the M82 is in an entirely different world than any single shot. It's like comparing a Ruger Precision in .308 and an M60 machine gun. Both are .308's but they have entirely different uses and capabilities. Can you elaborate a little more on the itch you are trying to scratch? You don't need to spend 8k if you just want to have a 50 in the stable but you also don't want to blow 30 percent of the price of a Barrett if that is your dream gun as the price is increasing but in my opinion is still about as low as they will ever be.

Posted: 12/29/2020 3:23:51 PM EDT

[#5]

I think everyone should start out with something like the BFG50 single shot before jumping head first into 50 world. I have a Safety Harbor which is real similar and it’s good for what it is. I really like the Barrett 99’s but the price is quite a bit more. You could also go with something like the Armalite AR50 which falls in between price wise.

Quoted:
At the price difference, I would buy a Serbu semi and if the price for an M82 is more than a Serbu... I would still buy a Serbu.

The Serbu is made so that the user can swap barrels from standard to match. I believe the trigger can be swapped out also. Even in the standard configuration it's more accurate than the M82.

I think the hang up is name recognition, people see Barrett and think "the best", "only one"... when in fact there are others. Most people don't know how many others there are and the fact that Barrett and Serbu are the only 2 that are being sold in any quantity.

I don't include the M2/3 series as they're crew served and the others are not.

View Quote

In reality Barrett is in a league of its own just because of quantity. How many semi auto Serbu’s are there?

Posted: 12/29/2020 3:40:42 PM EDT

[#6]

That's my point, name recognition.

If Barrett lost the military contract to Serbu, think of the what that would do to both companies.

Barrett has been around for a long time and isn't going anywhere. They could ride their name for at least a decade if they closed their doors tomorrow.

Posted: 12/29/2020 4:04:23 PM EDT

[#7]

I have a bfg50 and bfg50a.

The recoil on the 50a is a bit more then the semi.

Using same bullets.

Maybe 30/30 to 308 different.

Posted: 12/29/2020 4:55:31 PM EDT

[#8]

The M82A1 will be wildly more "fun" than the single shot and will have less recoil. I don't even need to be the one shooting my M82A1 to enjoy it. Just watching the smiles it creates is well worth it.

And doing a 50BMG mag dump is MUCH cooler than anything out there.

Posted: 12/29/2020 4:58:36 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
The M82A1 will be wildly more "fun" than the single shot and will have less recoil. I don't even need to be the one shooting my M82A1 to enjoy it. Just watching the smiles it creates is well worth it.

And doing a 50BMG mag dump is MUCH cooler than anything out there.

View Quote

The semi has a huge cool factor for sure but most of the newbs I run into are just as happy to shoot a bolt action. Most people have no exposure to them so any of them are awe inspiring.

Posted: 12/29/2020 7:11:38 PM EDT

[#10]

Nothing to do with the subject currently being discussed.

Posted: 12/29/2020 7:25:22 PM EDT

[#11]

Edit

Posted: 12/29/2020 7:53:40 PM EDT

[#12]

If you have the money, go with a semi auto Barrett or Surbu.
I've owned both of them and I still have the Serbu semi, as it was the only semi 50 that I could make NY SAFE Act legal without major modifications.
The only thing the M82/107 has over the Serbu, is it can be broken down into a smaller package for transport.
The Serbu semi has the features that should've been on the next gen Barrett semi.

Posted: 12/29/2020 9:34:40 PM EDT

[#13]

I had zero 50 BMG experience and recently bought a 82a1.

1. The price will not go down significantly, so if you get bored with it you should get 90% of your money back.

2. Semi-auto BMG is fucking cool

3. The 82a1 is military issue, so there's more cool points

4. It's not the best at ELR but it's good enough to hit 5 gallon buckets of water at 600 yards, and that's fun with newbs.

Posted: 12/30/2020 4:29:00 PM EDT

[#14]

I have one of the first five Serbu semis that were shipped back in August of 2011. It's runs great.

Tony

Posted: 12/30/2020 4:29:55 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
I have one of the first five Serbu semis that were shipped back in July of 2011. It runs great.

Tony

View Quote

Do you know how many are out there? I remember you posting about yours when you got it.

Posted: 12/30/2020 4:35:13 PM EDT

[#16]

I have no idea. I haven't talked to Mark in many years.
Even though mine was one of the first 5 shipped, it's Serial Number 15. I assume Mark kept S/N 1 through 10 for friends and family.

Tony

Posted: 12/30/2020 7:42:21 PM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
You do know that Serbu also makes a semi? Have you looked into one of those?

View Quote

Lead time is 1-1/2 YEARS.
Says so on 1000.00 deposit page on Serbu website.

https://serbu.com/bfg-50a-deposit/

Posted: 12/30/2020 9:48:57 PM EDT

[#18]

Just to throw another thought in the mix, how about the serbu rn50? That is really budget price through in terms of value for money, I am wondering if the bfg50 is more worth it, since the latter includes the stock in the price and it appears to have a better cheek weld. I am totally new to the 50 game. Just bought some 50 ammo. Wondering if having the rn50 or the bfg50 would be a good compromise between a barrett m82a1 and a bolt action long range rifle (e.g. mrad) while still saving $.

Posted: 12/30/2020 10:30:10 PM EDT

[#19]

The RN50 is not really on par with a normal bolt action gun in my opinion. I would get fed up with the loading method just like I would with any of the shell holder guns. So for me I'll stick with a normal bolt action.

Posted: 12/30/2020 10:38:54 PM EDT

[#20]

The RN-50 is slow to load but it's pretty accurate for what it is. That and it's priced good for someone that's looking to get into .50's on the cheap.

That way if they figure they don't like the blast and recoil from the .50, they can turn around and sell it.

Posted: 12/30/2020 10:57:51 PM EDT

[#21]

Yeah my pricing is a little whack because I bought a Safety Harbor bolt gun for just under $1700. I wouldn't have bit for $2500 or more but for $1700 I couldn't pass it up.

Posted: 12/30/2020 11:10:19 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:

Lead time is 1-1/2 YEARS.
Says so on 1000.00 deposit page on Serbu website.

https://serbu.com/bfg-50a-deposit/

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
You do know that Serbu also makes a semi? Have you looked into one of those?

Lead time is 1-1/2 YEARS.
Says so on 1000.00 deposit page on Serbu website.

https://serbu.com/bfg-50a-deposit/

I would suggest to stay far away from anything like that. I've seen many deals like this in guns and custom knives go way wrong for the purchaser. Personally I think the Serbu 50 semi just does not have the pedigree to warrant spending that much money. $50 or $100 down for a spot in line would make sense but a grand for something you won't see for up to a year and a half? Save your pennies for a Barrett.

Posted: 12/31/2020 10:16:43 AM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:
Just to throw another thought in the mix, how about the serbu rn50? That is really budget price through in terms of value for money, I am wondering if the bfg50 is more worth it, since the latter includes the stock in the price and it appears to have a better cheek weld. I am totally new to the 50 game. Just bought some 50 ammo. Wondering if having the rn50 or the bfg50 would be a good compromise between a barrett m82a1 and a bolt action long range rifle (e.g. mrad) while still saving $.

View Quote

Lead time from Serbu:

RN50......8-10 months
BFG50....6- 7 months
BFG50A.. 18 months

Are you willing to put your faith into ongoing
spare parts and support if it takes that long
to deliver a single factory unit?

At this moment in time the short answer is the M82A1.
Immediate availability of weapon and spare parts.
Proven retention of marketability and resale value.
More $$$ but goes to show...buy once, cry once.

Posted: 12/31/2020 10:57:53 AM EDT

[#24]

Thanks to all. This is really helpful, especially for a newbie in 50 cal.

Posted: 12/31/2020 1:07:17 PM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:
I have one of the first five Serbu semis that were shipped back in August of 2011. It's runs great.

Tony

View Quote

That's funny... I bought one of the first BFG50s that were made, and was the 3rd order, but got #15 as well!
I later had him make #15 in 50DTC for me too.http://www.daplane.com/50bmg/video/lc_091307_lbc647.wmv

Posted: 1/7/2021 5:29:16 PM EDT

[#26]

I had a BOHICA and sold it after some issues. I upgraded to a bfg50a after shooting my buddy's 82cq. The bfg was a couple grand cheaper at the time.

I'd just put out a WTB for an 82 or a BFG50a and see which one you find first in your price range.

That said, you won't go wrong buying a single shot BFG or safteyharbor or AR50 for a first 50.

J