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Posted: 5/1/2004 5:21:04 AM EDT
| Anyhere have one that would like to talk about it? I`ve been wanting to add one of these to my collection for a while but the price tag`s been scaring me away. Is it worth what they`re asking for it? Meaning accurate and reliable, not just a firing sometimes but not always copy. |
The Semi-Auto BAR is worth every penny. It is an amazing piece of art, and you will enjoy it for years to come. Here is a brief review I wrote on it for rec.guns several years ago. GUN: Ohio Ordnance 1918A3 SLR (Self-Loading Rifle) CALIBER: .30-06 (also comes in .308 and 8mm) MANUFACTURER: Ohio Ordnance Works, Chardon Ohio (they advertise regularly in Shotgun News) Package includes: BAR 2 20-round magazines Flash Hider Bipod Carrying Handle Sling Manual MSRP: $2650 PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS: My first thoughts on opening the box were, "un-f#%&ing-belivable." This is one impressive gun. It is an exact copy of the WWII 1918A2 BAR, with all military surplus materials--except the trigger group, receiver, and bolt group. These are newly manufactured by Ohio Ordnance, specifically designed to be semi-auto only. Ohio Ordnance re-designed the BAR to fire from a closed bolt (unlike the open-bolt original), thereby making it "BATF-approved" for manufacture. Also, the trigger group is incompatable with all full-auto parts, further making BATF blessing possible. Since the BAR has only two so-called "assault weapon" features (a flash hider and a detachable magazine), it is not a "semi-automatic assault weapon," as defined by the 1994 Act. The gun is impressively finished. The wood foregrip and carrying handle are new, as is the original-style plastic buttstock. Ohio Ordnance now makes replacement walnut wood for the BAR, but it's pricey at something like $375 for the finished walnut. All the original military surplus parts have been parkerized VERY nicely, giving the gun its classic look. This puppy is heavy, though. I haven't put it on a scale, but my guess is that it approaches 20 pounds. When you pick it up, you know you are holding a substantial weapon. Range report to follow when I get the chance to shoot it. (This is Part 2 of my brief review of the Ohio Ordnance BAR in .30-06.) When reviewing this rifle, the same word keeps coming up: "impressive." I fired two loads though it (before the thunderstorm caused me to turn in for the day): Talon Black Tip Reloads, and Lake City 1968. The Talon loads functioned prefectly, but with the Lake City 68, I had to open the Gas Regulator up to the middle-sized hole to ensure complete reliablility in ejection. ( I had some similar problems with this ammo with my Garand, which functioned better after some grease was introduced.) The rifle shot about 2" to the left and 2" high at 50 yards, which would probably make it right on at 100 yards, after correcting for windage. I didn't get a chance to shoot it at 100 yards, mainly due to the storm coming in. One three-shot group measured about one inch from edge to edge at fifty yards. This is with iron sights. Due to the gun's weight (~20lbs), recoil was quite managable. The bipod made for some very convenient shooting. Overall, this gun is very impressive (figures I'd use the word again). So is the price. But if you have the money, and you like military-heritage firearms, the Ohio Ordnance BAR is for you. I'm told that Ohio Ordnance doesn't have any BARs in stock right now, and they don't who know when they will make up more. But, there are some out there. So, if you're in the market for an Ohio Ordnance BAR, and you see one for sale and have the money, don't wait. Buy it. You might not get another chance, and you will definitely not be disappointed. If you have any more questions about the 1919SLR, please feel free to e-mail or IM me.  |
I have one...well, technically it's my father's, but we all know how that works  The only problems we've had were light primer strikes. It was apparently tuned for commercial ammo, not the mil surplus we were shooting in it... Fixing that is just sending off the trigger group to be adjusted. Other than that...it's heavy, but it has negligable recoil. It's accurate as all get-out. Mags and other accessories are pretty cheap for it because they've been out and around for decades. It's a little involved as far as stripping it goes; it takes some time to get used to how it comes apart and goes back together. You WILL ding yourself the first couple of times you take it down and clean it; expect it and have the bandaids ready. But, like I said, once you get used to it, it's not a problem. If you can get together the scratch for one, I highly recommend it. |
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I found another (much better than mine) article on the Semi-Auto BAR RIGHT HERE. |
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