This post is just for fun. A new rifle always excites me when I first get it and start to shoot it, then the novelty generally fades and I sell it and move on to something else.
The Hakim is the current apple of my rifle eye. I've had some random thoughts on it and since there are more people here familiar with the Hakim than anywhere this side of the Old Campaigner's Home in Cairo, I thought I'd post and solicit random feedback.
My thoughts are currently running along the lines of a debate on the merits of the Hakim vs. other battle rifles. Let's move it toward the scenario of a "home defense semi-auto rifle in an emergency, that is used for shooting enjoyment in peaceful times, points pro and con, subject: the Egyptian Hakim."
I'll frame it as the Hakim vs. the various .223 variants (Bushmaster AR-type rifles).
Current ammo availability: I think the Hakim wins here. I keep hearing of .223 shortages/high prices, while no such problem has yet come into the 8mm Mauser market. Romy ammo is currently available for about $100/340 rounds, shipped. Plenty good for the Hakim. Shoot all you want and head to the 'net for more, at a reasonable price.
Ammo effectiveness on target: Again, I think the Hakim wins, GIVEN A HIT (more to come on that). The 8mm mauser bullets out there are 150 grains and up, and are moving at a fair clip. The .223 bullets are much smaller, and have been said to "pencil" the target, passing through with little immediate effect. A big 8mm 198gr is going to put a zombie down for the count.
Ammo weight for carrying: An obvious mark AGAINST the Hakim. Bigger/and heavier rounds make for heavier carrying and/or less ammo being carried.
Accuracy: In my experience, the worst mark against the Hakim. Mine don't seem able to shoot anything near MOA, while with an AR the shooter gets all the accuracy he could reasonably want in a battle rifle. Personally, this is my biggest gripe about the Hakim so far.
Rifle portability: again, the Hakim loses. It's long and heavy, much more so than the AR variants. Harder to pack, harder to conceal, no collapsible stock, and the ammo weighs more.
Field stripping process. The Hakim is very easy to field strip and clean, but so is the AR. I think it's about even here.
Current cost of rifle: maybe the biggest current advantage of the Hakim. I saw a Bushmaster AR today, basic model, listed at $1099. The Hakim costs about $400, maybe less. That is a new AR vs. a used Hakim, but the Hakim is going to be way cheaper.
Ability for a less-proficient shooter to put rounds on the target: has to favor the AR...lower recoil and better sight system. More ergonomic as well.
Availability of parts: not as much as a runaway advantage for the AR's as you'd think. I've bought some replacement parts for the Hakim lately and they're reasonably priced and fairly available. Probably favors the AR, but, not to the point of making the Hakim a loser in the debate. JB here on gunboards stocks the most needed parts for the Hakim.
Aftermarket add-ons: the Hakim's a big loser, here: unless you count a Chi-com jerry-rigged peep-sight as an accessory, you aren't going to find much. AR add-ons are endless. I guess you could tape a Surefire to your Hakim with duct tape, but.....that's taking liberty with the concept of the add-on. FORGET about putting a scope on it, unless you are the ultimate gunsmith, in my opinion.
Cool factor: well, beauty and "coolness" (admittedly a moronic and totally unimportant category in a battle rifle debate) are in the eye of the beholder, but, my vote goes to the Hakim. It's big, it's long, it's loud, and everybody at the range asks "WTH is THAT!!??" Whether they're asking because they think it's cool, or because it's so loud it ruins their day at the range, I couldn't say. I vote the Hakim a winner in the "coolness" category.
Fun factor: Again, I have to vote for the Hakim here. I've shot plenty of .223, and while I like the round, I could not in honesty say it turns me on. The Hakim, whanging those big 8mm 198's down range, is loud, proud, and a lot of FUN!!! BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM!!!!!!!! Big noise, light recoil, and kicks that brass forward and WAY out there in front of you. Puts nice big holes in the target. And creates a nice big dust cloud in the dirt bank behind the target. Lots and lots of fun.
Reliability: Hmm...I've had jams with both, but I've never had a jam I couldn't easily remedy right in the field with an AR. With my new Hakim, I had to come get help at the Middle Eastern Forum. I probably could've fixed that at the range if I knew what I was doing, though. Both have parts that can wear out/break. Probably a push, in my book.
So: after typing up my internal debate here, my take, purely personal, is this: If you really need a battle rifle, for serious reasons, get an AR variant. If you've got to clean the zombies off of your front lawn, defend your turf, shoot it out with bad guys, or whatever your personal "bad times" scenario is, you probably want a rifle that is ultimately reliable, pretty accurate, and that you can carry a lot of ammo and magazines for. That would be the AR. Although, I'd add a caveat here: if you've got zombies on your lawn, those would be close shots and accuracy would probably then be less of a factor than big holes would be, and the Hakim wins there.
But in peaceful, "fun only" shooting, the Hakim clearly wins: easy availability of cheap ammo, novelty, big noise, "heavy firepower" feeling, and overall chic take the day in favor of the Hakim when nothing serious is on the line.
And there, you have it: a totally unneeded post with no redeeming quality whatsoever, other than that it gives me a chance to randomly post my musings on a cool new rifle, while babysitting my newborn who sleeps peacefully (for a change) as my wife enjoys her first "girls night out" since having our baby three months ago. Come home quick, Hon, before I subject this board to another ridiculous rambling post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seriously, I'd enjoy any observations or postings of points I missed, of which I'm sure there are many. I actually really like this rifle, and am debating buying a couple more to be able to have one in my vehicle, and to have one for replacement parts. Specifically, any thoughts on improving the Hakim's accuracy would be very welcome. Mine's abominable. 8mmFan
The Hakim is the current apple of my rifle eye. I've had some random thoughts on it and since there are more people here familiar with the Hakim than anywhere this side of the Old Campaigner's Home in Cairo, I thought I'd post and solicit random feedback.
My thoughts are currently running along the lines of a debate on the merits of the Hakim vs. other battle rifles. Let's move it toward the scenario of a "home defense semi-auto rifle in an emergency, that is used for shooting enjoyment in peaceful times, points pro and con, subject: the Egyptian Hakim."
I'll frame it as the Hakim vs. the various .223 variants (Bushmaster AR-type rifles).
Current ammo availability: I think the Hakim wins here. I keep hearing of .223 shortages/high prices, while no such problem has yet come into the 8mm Mauser market. Romy ammo is currently available for about $100/340 rounds, shipped. Plenty good for the Hakim. Shoot all you want and head to the 'net for more, at a reasonable price.
Ammo effectiveness on target: Again, I think the Hakim wins, GIVEN A HIT (more to come on that). The 8mm mauser bullets out there are 150 grains and up, and are moving at a fair clip. The .223 bullets are much smaller, and have been said to "pencil" the target, passing through with little immediate effect. A big 8mm 198gr is going to put a zombie down for the count.
Ammo weight for carrying: An obvious mark AGAINST the Hakim. Bigger/and heavier rounds make for heavier carrying and/or less ammo being carried.
Accuracy: In my experience, the worst mark against the Hakim. Mine don't seem able to shoot anything near MOA, while with an AR the shooter gets all the accuracy he could reasonably want in a battle rifle. Personally, this is my biggest gripe about the Hakim so far.
Rifle portability: again, the Hakim loses. It's long and heavy, much more so than the AR variants. Harder to pack, harder to conceal, no collapsible stock, and the ammo weighs more.
Field stripping process. The Hakim is very easy to field strip and clean, but so is the AR. I think it's about even here.
Current cost of rifle: maybe the biggest current advantage of the Hakim. I saw a Bushmaster AR today, basic model, listed at $1099. The Hakim costs about $400, maybe less. That is a new AR vs. a used Hakim, but the Hakim is going to be way cheaper.
Ability for a less-proficient shooter to put rounds on the target: has to favor the AR...lower recoil and better sight system. More ergonomic as well.
Availability of parts: not as much as a runaway advantage for the AR's as you'd think. I've bought some replacement parts for the Hakim lately and they're reasonably priced and fairly available. Probably favors the AR, but, not to the point of making the Hakim a loser in the debate. JB here on gunboards stocks the most needed parts for the Hakim.
Aftermarket add-ons: the Hakim's a big loser, here: unless you count a Chi-com jerry-rigged peep-sight as an accessory, you aren't going to find much. AR add-ons are endless. I guess you could tape a Surefire to your Hakim with duct tape, but.....that's taking liberty with the concept of the add-on. FORGET about putting a scope on it, unless you are the ultimate gunsmith, in my opinion.
Cool factor: well, beauty and "coolness" (admittedly a moronic and totally unimportant category in a battle rifle debate) are in the eye of the beholder, but, my vote goes to the Hakim. It's big, it's long, it's loud, and everybody at the range asks "WTH is THAT!!??" Whether they're asking because they think it's cool, or because it's so loud it ruins their day at the range, I couldn't say. I vote the Hakim a winner in the "coolness" category.
Fun factor: Again, I have to vote for the Hakim here. I've shot plenty of .223, and while I like the round, I could not in honesty say it turns me on. The Hakim, whanging those big 8mm 198's down range, is loud, proud, and a lot of FUN!!! BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM!!!!!!!! Big noise, light recoil, and kicks that brass forward and WAY out there in front of you. Puts nice big holes in the target. And creates a nice big dust cloud in the dirt bank behind the target. Lots and lots of fun.
Reliability: Hmm...I've had jams with both, but I've never had a jam I couldn't easily remedy right in the field with an AR. With my new Hakim, I had to come get help at the Middle Eastern Forum. I probably could've fixed that at the range if I knew what I was doing, though. Both have parts that can wear out/break. Probably a push, in my book.
So: after typing up my internal debate here, my take, purely personal, is this: If you really need a battle rifle, for serious reasons, get an AR variant. If you've got to clean the zombies off of your front lawn, defend your turf, shoot it out with bad guys, or whatever your personal "bad times" scenario is, you probably want a rifle that is ultimately reliable, pretty accurate, and that you can carry a lot of ammo and magazines for. That would be the AR. Although, I'd add a caveat here: if you've got zombies on your lawn, those would be close shots and accuracy would probably then be less of a factor than big holes would be, and the Hakim wins there.
But in peaceful, "fun only" shooting, the Hakim clearly wins: easy availability of cheap ammo, novelty, big noise, "heavy firepower" feeling, and overall chic take the day in favor of the Hakim when nothing serious is on the line.
And there, you have it: a totally unneeded post with no redeeming quality whatsoever, other than that it gives me a chance to randomly post my musings on a cool new rifle, while babysitting my newborn who sleeps peacefully (for a change) as my wife enjoys her first "girls night out" since having our baby three months ago. Come home quick, Hon, before I subject this board to another ridiculous rambling post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seriously, I'd enjoy any observations or postings of points I missed, of which I'm sure there are many. I actually really like this rifle, and am debating buying a couple more to be able to have one in my vehicle, and to have one for replacement parts. Specifically, any thoughts on improving the Hakim's accuracy would be very welcome. Mine's abominable. 8mmFan