I shot an AI today, and I liked it

748rpilot

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Mar 18, 2023
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Was at the rifle range today getting acquainted with my new KRG W3 chassis. While going to check/pull targets I see a guy that I seem to always see, who always has a green AI AT with him. This time I decided to stop and talk with him about his AI, he had nothing but good things to say; absolutely loves it. Buys new / different barrels for it and has been thinning the rifle herd because the barrel change system on it is so easy and reliable. Currently it's wearing a stainless barrel in 6 Creed.

Then he says, go check it out if you want, pick it up, see about it. Which of course I do, and I sit down at his bench to get behind it more or less fondle it. Next as I'm running the bolt he says, he'll why don't you shoot it? I got 5 ready to go right here.

This thing, man, I get it now. The bolt throw, the way it locks up, the way the bolt glides, the trigger. It was incredible, a massive step up from anything I've ever handled, save perhaps a TRG22. Far and away the nicest rifle I've ever actually shot.

I put 4 into a 1" circle at 200 yards, with someone else's rifle, someone else's scope, shooting with my wrong hand, with no rear bag. The gun just...lasered em out there.

So, I get it now. I've experienced how "the other half live" and experienced first hand part of the premium AI commands.
 
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Prepare yourself, OP.
 
AI is in the varsity... but also shoot a Sako TRG. The are in an RCH of each other in terms of being at the top of the game.

I eneded up being in the Priesthood of the TRG. But the AI was absolutely the equal and both are unreal in terms of being able to shoot holes in holes.

Get an AI. For sure. It will be epic. And like nothing else you ever shot. But try a TRG... because you might want to go all "Herr Bork Bork Bork Bork" Nordic Swedish/Finnish Chef and think about a -22 or -42 Sako.

I sorted of ended up in the Sako world by accident because I got an LE discount on a demo folder for great $$$ cheap c. 2008/9. But the AI was also at top of list. I still have my TRG Folder duty rifle and it is unreal repeatable. But if I had gone the AI route... I'd probably still have that and it would be unreal repeatable.

Awesome you got to try one. Now buy it. And you can look down on all the poors. Except us TRG Guys. We'll look down on the poors together. Because.... well... Tier One.

Sirhr
 
AI is in the varsity... but also shoot a Sako TRG. The are in an RCH of each other in terms of being at the top of the game.

I eneded up being in the Priesthood of the TRG. But the AI was absolutely the equal and both are unreal in terms of being able to shoot holes in holes.

Get an AI. For sure. It will be epic. And like nothing else you ever shot. But try a TRG... because you might want to go all "Herr Bork Bork Bork Bork" Nordic Swedish/Finnish Chef and think about a -22 or -42 Sako.

I sorted of ended up in the Sako world by accident because I got an LE discount on a demo folder for great $$$ cheap c. 2008/9. But the AI was also at top of list. I still have my TRG Folder duty rifle and it is unreal repeatable. But if I had gone the AI route... I'd probably still have that and it would be unreal repeatable.

Awesome you got to try one. Now buy it. And you can look down on all the poors. Except us TRG Guys. We'll look down on the poors together. Because.... well... Tier One.

Sirhr
TRG-22 is another rifle I'm really interested in. Aside from a used one at my LGS I've never seen one in the wild. But the first time I ran the bolt on that one, I knew it would live up to expectations.

EuroOptic currently has a tan/FDE folder TRG-22 for like $4400 and a TRG-22A1 in 260 for about the same. Either one was tempting, except that I shoot lefty. Maybe it doesn't matter all that much though. I'm not a professional and I don't compete so...

It would be nice to thumb my nose at the poors. And I've also heard AIs and TRGs make you taller and better looking, which I could also use a helping hand with.

Decisions, decisions....
Screenshot_20250831-164441_Chrome.jpg
 
TRG-22 is another rifle I'm really interested in. Aside from a used one at my LGS I've never seen one in the wild. But the first time I ran the bolt on that one, I knew it would live up to expectations.

EuroOptic currently has a tan/FDE folder TRG-22 for like $4400 and a TRG-22A1 in 260 for about the same. Either one was tempting, except that I shoot lefty. Maybe it doesn't matter all that much though. I'm not a professional and I don't compete so...

It would be nice to thumb my nose at the poors. And I've also heard AIs and TRGs make you taller and better looking, which I could also use a helping hand with.

Decisions, decisions....
View attachment 8757950


I'll be brutally honest.. both rifles are so far advanced that 99.999 percent of shooters cannot tell the difference on the range. The AI is out of this world. The TRG is out of this world... with a Swedish Chef Accent.

With greatest respect... you probably cannot shoot better than either. I will be honest and say that I can't shoot better than either. So take your pick. The TRG or the AI. This is sort of Sophie's Choice because either one will out shoot you. I guarantee either one will outshoot me. But these are the two guns against which all are measurec. And which will do better thanalmost every shooter.

I'd love an AI someday. Just to have one. But my TRG as a duty rifle was beyond perfect. An AI would have been beyond perfect, too.

Sirhr
 
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I'll be brutally honest.. both rifles are so far advanced that 99.999 percent of shooters cannot tell the difference on the range. The AI is out of this world. The TRG is out of this world... with a Swedish Chef Accent.

With greatest respect... you probably cannot shoot better than either. I will be honest and say that I can't shoot better than either. So take your pick. The TRG or the AI. This is sort of Sophie's Choice because either one will out shoot you. I guarantee either one will outshoot me. But these are the two guns against which all are measurec. And which will do better thanalmost every shooter.

I'd love an AI someday. Just to have one. But my TRG as a duty rifle was beyond perfect. An AI would have been beyond perfect, too.

Sirhr
Oh absolutely, it would 100% be an ego purchase. My current precision rifle ability is more like this
41dd1rwgZyL.jpg

I think if AINA saw me group one of their rifles, they'd ask for it back.

There's something about the build quality and standard of these rifles that appeals to me. In a world where most things are disposable, it's endearing to see some companies who refuse to do anything less than uphold the standard.

What's that HK slogan? "In a world of compromise, some don't."
 
Oh absolutely, it would 100% be an ego purchase. My current precision rifle ability is more like this
View attachment 8757972
I think if AINA saw me group one of their rifles, they'd ask for it back.

There's something about the build quality and standard of these rifles that appeals to me. In a world where most things are disposable, it's endearing to see some companies who refuse to do anything less than uphold the standard.

What's that HK slogan? "In a world of compromise, some don't."
Don't underrate yourself...

Once you get a rifle that will far out-shoot you... you will improve your skills and catch up fast.

Either the TRG or The AI. These will remove your excuses and improve your game immeasurably!

Sirhr
 
Isn’t AI british?
Don't under-rate them because they are from an island full of emasculated poncey public school over-cooked Beef-wellinigton-sucking Oxford twat waffles (I was Cambridge... where we ate blistering hot curry while inventing shit in a snug... so fuck the Liberal-arts-degrees-archaeology-sociology-studyinig-types of Bodlein-worshipping Oxford fags).

Those rifles are in the top .0001 percent in the world.

Diss them at your peril!

Sirhr
 
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You should buy one. They seem to hold their value. Bought my first in 2014, and take it prairie dog shooting a few times a year. Prior I always took a backup rifle, don't anymore - never had an issue (other than running out of ammo, you won't find BR or dasher ammo at the store). You need a can and a good scope -so there's another 4K But remember, die with zero. Been watching Impact Shooting (Peter/Youtube) Thought about building a nice 18-20" custom, but the AI is smooth and foolproof. Their lower priced MK3's are nice (not quick change, need a vise and action tool), but lower entry cost., take the same barrels.
 
The
Don't under-rate them because they are from an island full of emasculated poncey public school over-cooked Beef-wellinigton-sucking Oxford twat waffles (I was Cambridge... where we ate blistering hot curry while inventing shit in a snug... so fuck the Liberal-arts-degrees-archaeology-sociology-studyinig-types of Bodlein-worshipping Oxford fags).

Those rifles are in the top .0001 percent in the world.

Diss them at your peril!

Sirhr
point is he was getting a freedom boner, for Britain
 
Yeaaa, I'm going to need AI/TRG pics first. Excuse my saying, but you're one of the Bear Pit's less trustworthy members.

He is solid… don’t let the posts referencing gay midget porn and Velcro sneakers put you off. He is good people.

We even go to the same synagogue!

;-)

Sirhr

PS. I made that up. He is not into midget porn!
 
Not my auction


Hands down- the cheapest thing I buy is a gun. I have bought and sold glass. Chasing what I wanted or needed.

Ammo is a consumable. Literally burning money

Buy a solid rifle and it's the last thing I worry about losing money on.....


Some spend $3k-$5k on ammo annually


Decades ago I starting playing with the .50

Starting power charge was 200-225 grains based upon the projectile.

It's the same with the other big rounds - expensive to shoot.


So buy a gun you like and enjoy it
 
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I’d love a new TRG but they are pricey and I don’t think even the new ones have the quick barrel change system like AI does and imo is where Sako is falling behind AI. The Sako model, forget what it’s called, that’s like $12,000 does I think but I can buy 2 AIs for that kind of money and I can’t justify a Sako at that point over an AI.
 
You should buy one. They seem to hold their value.

Once upon a time, they held their value. But nowadays, if you buy the most recent model at MAP, you just have to wait until the next one comes out at SHOT and suddenly Mile High or Euro Optic has your model on clearance for 30-40% of what you paid. Now you've got the double-whammy of having an "obsolete" rifle (not really, but it's no longer the latest and greatest) and potential buyers have the leverage of "well I can buy the same thing new from vendor X at price Y" so now yours is only worth half of what you paid.

If this is a one-time buy and you plan on keeping it for the rest of your life, none of this should be a concern - pay full price and enjoy one of the finest firearms available. But chronic flippers needs to be aware and shop for bargains.
 
Perhaps I'll reasses after my class at the end of the month. I'll also have to see about getting access to a 600 yard range.

I've been planning on buying a Beretta 687 Joel Etchen Signature Series for trap and upland birds. My rifle range is limited to 200 yards whereas the trap range has 5 stand, trap singles and doubles and skeet, plus the hunting opportunities.

I dunno, we'll see.