Considering a GSG 16, should I consider something else?

[clawmarks]

Hi everyone,

I own a 9mm for home defense and as CCW, and a 0.22 pistol for additional cheap practice and fun.

I'm considering to purchase a GSG 16 mainly for recreational purpose, I was considering a 9mm PDW (EP9, FX-9, Stirbog) at first since they are so much cooler and a lot more functional, but then realized that I'm mainly attracted to the range aspect and not the actual home defense purpose, and that running those PDWs in the range will be a lot more expensive due to the ammo costs.

Enters the GSG 16. It looks like a fun gun to shoot, it costs x5 times less to operate, seems reliable (according to the reviews I've been reading), and quite cheap to buy.

Any insights about the whole situation? Anything I'm missing? Let me know if you think of better alternatives, and you're more than welcome to share your experience about this kind of decision.

Cheers

 

[cvgunman]

We had a GSG MP5 clone in 22 that was a rental gun. The thing ran flawless and only gave up after many 10's of thousands of rounds. I'd say GTG on this one.

 

[Glenn B]

9mm CCW, 0.22, GSG 16, 9mm PDW (EP9, FX-9, Stirbog) whatsyamacallit. I wish I had a bit more of a clue as to what you were talking about beyond the 9mm CCW.

 

[Glenn B]

Oh, and hi, only noticed you were new to the forum.

 

[clawmarks]

9mm CCW, 0.22, GSG 16, 9mm PDW (EP9, FX-9, Stirbog) whatsyamacallit. I wish I had a bit more of a clue as to what you were talking about beyond the 9mm CCW.

oops :E

Personal Defense Weapons (PDWs) are, usually, 9mm "pistols" that look more like rifles (or perhaps, some sort of a hybrid in between).
Initially, I considered getting one of the PDW options, e.g. Stribog or Extar EP9, but I realized that -realistically speaking - I don't really want it for its function, but more for the fun aspect of shooting it in the range. Hence, I want it because it looks like a fun 'toy' to play with in the range, which is very different than my rational to purchase the 9mm pistol for home defense / concealed carry.

The GSG 16 looks somewhat similar to the aforementioned PDWs, but it got a tiny 0.22 caliber, and is quite cheaper both for purchase and operation(ammo) - so even though it doesn't have the same appeal for me, it's correlates better with the actual usage I'll apply ("range toy").

I decided to pull the trigger on the GSG 16, let's see how it'll perform once I get it.

Sorry if my original message was a bit unclear / all over the place (:

 

[baboon]

Aint all GSG's pot metal guns?

 

[pronstar]

Aint all GSG's pot metal guns?

Pretty much.

I will say that my GSG-5 (MP5 clone) has been extremely reliable in spite of this.


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[baboon]

Pretty much.

I will say that my GSG-5 (MP5 clone) has been extremely reliable in spite of this.


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I have one as well, that was a bonus one year on the seasonal job. I also read if you take it apart your screwed.

 

[PinnedandRecessed]

I have one as well, that was a bonus one year on the seasonal job. I also read if you take it apart your screwed.

True. I had one of the early GSG Mp5 clones (before they were sued by HK). It had issues. Quickly got rid of it and bought the HK licensed Walther. The Walther has been great. It's unfortunate they don't make them any more.

 

[clawmarks]

So...
While waiting for my gsg 16 to arrive (it got shipped earlier this week), I got a glance of a Stribog deal that was WAYYYY too good for me to pass.

So I bought it too.

Please don't tell my wife

 

[majormadmax]

Have an early GSG-5 Gen II and a GSG-522, as well as one of their 1911-22s. Never had any problems with any of them.

I would never use a .22 as a self-defense weapon unless there were absolutely no other options, but as shooters and range plinkers, they are a ton of fun!

I say go for it!

 

[clawmarks]

Received the gsg 16 today.
Installed a cheap foregrip and red dot, since it's a range toy I might as well give it some props.
Removed the excessive picatinny rails from the sides and top, to make it look and feel a tidy bit better.

It looks like business but feels like a toy, I'm curious regarding how will it be in the range.

 

[HKShooter65]

Give us a range report.

Toy or not toy.....the 95% of what matters is whether or not it reliably cycles and functions with a variety of ammo.

Some 22lr firearms are crazy-reliable with anything you feed them. Others less-so.

 

[tonelar]

Give us a range report.

Toy or not toy.....the 95% of what matters is whether or not it reliably cycles and functions with a variety of ammo.

Some 22lr firearms are crazy-reliable with anything you feed them. Others less-so.

My experience with them is with their Stg and (early) Mp5 clone. Both feed pretty much any 22lr. So, they’re a couple of the least picky 22s I have.

 

[pronstar]

I’d love to SBR my GSG-MP5 and put a real can on it.

Might be cheaper to sell it and buy a pistol...then put a can on it.

Decisions, decisions...




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[baboon]

I’d love to SBR my GSG-MP5 and put a real can on it.

Might be cheaper to sell it and buy a pistol...then put a can on it.

Decisions, decisions...




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You have an AR-15 don't you? A CMMG .22 upper(I assembled mine with a 7.5 inch barrel) with a can & a Fostech Gen II Trigger is way fun.

 

[Charlie]

Never sell a gun. Only buy!

 

[pronstar]

You have an AR-15 don't you? A CMMG .22 upper(I assembled mine with a 7.5 inch barrel) with a can & a Fostech Gen II Trigger is way fun.

I’ve considered it...I’ve read the accuracy isn’t that great, while my GSG is surprisingly accurate.

How’s the accuracy of yours?


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[baboon]

I’ve considered it...I’ve read the accuracy isn’t that great, while my GSG is surprisingly accurate.

How’s the accuracy of yours?

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I'm very happy with it! I was wrong it's a 9" barrel. They make longer barrels in 16, 17 & 20 inch with different profiles.https://cmmginc.com/product-category/barrels/?orderby=popularity&filter_caliber=22lr.

 

[clawmarks]

Back from the range, first impressions: This thing is hilarious!
It got 0 recoil, and by 0 I mean 0, you get no feedback in the shoulder when you fire, lol.
I've mounted a cheap foregrip and red-dot, and it's quite accurate, super easy to stay on target (due to that 0 recoil), and can shoot really fast. I had no failure to feed even though I'm using some cheap .22 target ammo, but then again the range got closed early so I only had about 100 rounds or so.

It's a really fun plinker gun, for the price I got it (less than $300) it feels like a no-brainer. Gonna order me some couple of extra mags since it shreds through the ammo so frickin fast...

It was also interesting to alternate between the GSG-16 and my Stribog, the Stribog felt like "easy mode" to begin with, but at least it got some kick to it... That GSG-16 feels more like a laser gun than an actual firearm.