So, what is the likelihood that this thing will suffer catastrophic failure and kill it's operator?

I've heard such bad things about Hesse, but would love to try one of these.



www.hessearms.com/HBR50%20Rifles.htm

--LS

Quoted: So, what is the likelihood that this thing will suffer catastrophic failure and kill it's operator?

I'm jumping the gun before someone knows better posts, so I may end up looking like a fool.

I don't believe anyone can give you an accurate statement of likelihood of failure. A handful of anectdote stories do not make real statistics.

Some people don't believe in statistics but I do, and it is possible to determine failure stats with analysis of a large number of units. Its done with alot of things, which is why in the military you conviniently are told how long spare parts are supposed to last before needing changing.

That of course wont happen to the Hesse Suici.. i mean 50BMG, so I think your best bet is to find an materials engineer friend and see if he can analyse it for problems.

Taken from their site;

"The HBR50 will accept SOME surplus ammunition but, due to the dimensional differences inherent in surplus ammunition, not all will fit."  

Whats up with that? I thougth all .50BMG ammo would fit.

I assume the surplus thing is a canned liability disclaimer.

Actually, if a BMG has a match chamber, some surplus won't fit due to the tighter dimensional tolerances of match ammo. In short, GI guns (like the M2) are designed to basically be blasters, while this rifle (supposedly)is more of a match grade rifle and is designed to only take well finished ammo. The disclamer has nothing to do with liability issues.

See Winston Wolfs posts. He has one and seems to like it. Hey, maybe Hesse got lucky this time...!

www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=6&f=3&t=290

I have bought this one from Joeken and got an 75mm ATN scope for it. http://www.joeken.com/50mainblack.jpg

Quoted: So, what is the likelihood that this thing will suffer catastrophic failure and kill it's operator? I've heard such bad things about Hesse, but would love to try one of these. www.hessearms.com/50BMG.JPG www.hessearms.com/HBR50%20Rifles.htm --LS

I understand the fit and finish machinework and assembly may not be as nice as a state arms gun but from a metalurgy point of view the reciever/chamber area is very similar thickness and material wise and the state test gun that was submitted for high pressure test loads handled six times the maximum amount it could see even on the high end, according to what I remember reading on the state arms site.

How much do the Hesse's sell for anyway ???

I've had a hot nut for a .50 for awhile now...

A .50 that looks like a deer rifle is even better yet...

how about $1199 www.joeken.com/50bmg.htm