UZI or M16

[RWBlue]

I have been thinking about getting into the full auto world on an off since 1986, but I was too young and too poor. If I continue to save, I "may" be able to afford a one this next year.

My question for the group is two fold.
1.Is full auto worth the money?
2.Is it worth waiting a longer time, saving more money to get an M16 vs the UZI?

I have an AR. I love to shoot it. Plinking and longer range target shooting.
I have never shot an UZI. I held a full auto UZI a couple years ago. It felt heavy.

[Cortland]

Is full auto worth the money?
Good God, no! Everything thing is ridiculously expensive, you'll end up buying ammo by the pallet load, there's all kinds of paperwork to go through to buy and even transport the gun, it can be difficult to find a place to shoot them, and they're noisy. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it! A friend of mine says full-autos are like mistresses: very expensive, ultimately useless, but a whole lot of fun.

You need to decide what kind of M16 or Uzi you're looking for. On the Uzi front there are registered receiver guns and registered bolt guns. On the M16 front there are registered receivers (RRs), drop-in auto sears (DIASs), and registered lightning links (RLLs). Listed in order of desireability.

Both guns are great because of all the conversion options. With a registered receiver Uzi you can do 9mm, 22, 45, 10mm, .40S&W, etc. and the Uzi is ideal for mounting a suppressor.

The M16 is even more versatile in terms of conversions and uppers: .22LR, 9mm, 223, etc. There's a belt-fed .22LR upper coming out for the M16. There's also a belt-fed .223 upper that's not actually ever coming out. There's even an MG34 upper.

But ultimately they're two very different guns and you'll have to decide which one appeals to you most. I recently bought an Uzi. Could've bought a RLL but I'm glad I went with the Uzi. More money left over for conversion kits, suppressors, ammo, accessories, etc. etc. etc. Uzis are heavy, but that's also one of the reasons they're so controllable.


Is it worth waiting a longer time, saving more money to get an M16 vs the UZI?
Can you save faster than the prices increase? If you really want an assault rifle in .223 but can't afford an M16, take a look at an FNC or AC556.

Check out subguns.com and sturmgewehr.com to get a feel for current prices. Uzitalk.com is an awesome resource for Uzi info.

[RenegadeGlocker]

Originally posted by RWBlue

1.Is full auto worth the money?


No. You have to love it. Like buying a classic Mustang or antique piano. You are paying way too much, but if that is what you love it is worth every penny.

Originally posted by RWBlue

2.Is it worth waiting a longer time, saving more money to get an M16 vs the UZI?

You have been waiting since 1986, I say buy what you can afford right now. If you have more money later, sell gun #1 and use proceeds and new money to buy gun #2 later.

[kyle the first]

Both are considered "Blue Blazers" in the NFA world. You will eventually want both as they are totally different guns. Both are available in good quantities. I'd probably start with the Uzi. I'd recommend a Vector/Group Industries fullsize registered receiver. Easy to change calibers. Can be bought for about $6k. The M16 is going to run $10k+.

An alternative to the Uzi if you want something that is even cooler looking is the Sterling. John Andrewski built guns using DLO tubes are excellent guns. $6.5k to $7k. 9mm only and difficult/impossible to suppress. Spare parts kits have dried up so thats's another negative but the guns are an absolute dream to shoot.

I would not consider a FNC. For only $3k more you can get into a M16. Replacement parts (barrels, firing pins, etc...) for the FNC are the problem.

HTH!

[r2kba]

I would NOT buy the MG I have now. A mac which I paid 1295$ for a few years ago gets 3400$ now. There is just NO way. I'll never own another MG, but can's I will keep buying.

[RWBlue]

I should note I graduated high school in 89. I had money, but my dad thought I should go to college.

I see a MG in the spring after I get the tax return. The slush fund will wait.

[Kenneth Lew]

1.Is full auto worth the money?

That is a relative question which you can only answer yourself. That really depends on what you can afford and desire. Right now, the guns are relegated to just status symbols. Nothing more, nothing less.

2.Is it worth waiting a longer time, saving more money to get an M16 vs the UZI?

Can you save money in a quick hurry. If you can save $3,000 quickly over the price of a standard Uzi ($6,000) within the next month or so, you will be able to get into a M16. M16 prices are very soft right now. With the upcoming winter, gas prices, people getting tired of those guns, interest changes, you will find some deals out there. I just found a NIB original Mac-10 with matching suppressor for $2,000.

[BlackBelt]

"The machine gun business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs. There is also a negative side..."

When I bought my first few MG's, I was really into it. Now I don't ever shoot any of them anymore, and I just sell one here and there when I want to buy something non-gun related. Is it worth it to me? I wouldn't do it again. But I've 'been there done that', so if I hadn't ever taken the full-auto plunge I might feel differently. Ultimately if it's something you feel you really want to do, I say go for it. The worst that could happen is that you shoot the snot out of whatever you buy, and then you sell it for more than you paid for it.
Uzi's and M16's...they are 2 totally different animals and you can't really make comparisons between them. I personally didn't care that much for the UZI's. For a bullet hose toy I'd rather have a MAC than an UZI, because the MAC is half the price of the UZI and has a lot more accessories available. As for the 16's, I've had mixed reviews on different ones. A few ran flawlessly, and a LOT had been tinkered with to the point that it affected reliability. I personally have not seen a caliber change kit in a M16 that ran flawlessly, although I'm sure they exist somewhere.

Just my opinion...

[Kenneth Lew]

I personally have not seen a caliber change kit in a M16 that ran flawlessly, although I'm sure they exist somewhere.

Amen to that

[Bolt_Overide]

Uzi will be a bit cheaper to shoot, but there is more you can do with an m16 as far as available toys for it. Parts are abundant for both, m16 costs more, uzi is going up in price by a higher % per year. I think in all honesty it just comes down to what you want...

[JWP]

fun YES expensive YES worth it MAYBE

i have both and shoot the uzi more as i have 22/9/45/10mm kits while the 16 is 223/9mm

more people shoot the uzi with 22 or 9mm when i have newbies shoot

mostly newbies shoot the 16 with 9mm

i shoot a lot and have burned gas tubes in the 16 with betac dumps - uzi has been bulletproof [vector full size]

so what does it mean? i "like" to shoot them sop i'm happy, rent a couple and see for yourself

[John@JCDLESales]

And pretty soon you'll be "On The Streets Trying To Score Ammo". Then You'll be "Stickin A Belt Fed In Your Arm" and going to 12 step meetings only to have a relapse.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/MP5Guy/Ammo5500.jpg

[Glockdude1]

[i]Both guns are great because of all the conversion options. With a registered receiver Uzi you can do 9mm, 22, 45, 10mm, .40S&W, etc.[/B]

Don't let the "9mm, .22, .45" conversion options confuse you. You can fire all these caliber conversions without any extra paperwork in semi's and full auto's. Once you have a registered class 3, full auto is full auto. I say go with the uzi. Plenty of spare parts and doing a barrel change on a uzi takes maybe a few seconds longer than changing a magazine.

;N

[Lester Long]

Originally posted by kyle the first
I would not consider a FNC. For only $3k more you can get into a M16. Replacement parts (barrels, firing pins, etc...) for the FNC are the problem.

HTH! Ignorance is a bigger problem. Not much can or will go wrong with an FNC. Much more robust than the M16 family.

[JWP]

fnc do break firing pins way more often than m16, m16 breaks gas tubes and gas tubes are easily available though changing can be a major PITA

uzi beats both on cost/lifespan

[Lester Long]

Originally posted by JWP
fnc do break firing pins way more often than m16, m16 breaks gas tubes and gas tubes are easily available though changing can be a major PITAYou are obviously not very familiar with the FNC. The firing pin breakage "issue" is more rumor than fact. Even so, firing pins are fairly common, relatively inexpensive and easy to replace. A total non-issue.

[John@JCDLESales]

Of the 3 FNC's I owned not one broke a Firing Pin. I always had 2 replacements on hand but NEVER Needed them. Definately more robust than a 16 and flip the gas regulator over to Dirty Gun if you get a Hicup and it will continue to run. Can't do that with a 16. And I do have 16's so I'm not prejudice.

John