Phantom Captain

Oh and it makes it just that much more satisfying when you do win! Tactics, tactics, tactics and PATIENCE. I love playing with the Soviets for all these reasons.

Agreed! Looking fantastic. This view shows off the pattern even better, and as I said before, it's spot on! Looking forward to these! I'm still right in the middle of the German campaign and will use these to finish once you're done.

Are you going to or can you add the flag patch to the arms? Oh, and meant to ask, what is the pattern you posted above? Tropical or something? I don't think I've seen that color combination before.

I think it looks great! The pattern and colors are spot on. I'm looking at my own set and comparing and you pretty much nailed it! Can't wait to get these!

I would like to see that and would use it also!

I do reload .30-06 and .45acp, been thinking about picking up dies and brass to start reloading 8mm and .303 british too. I also reload black powder .45 colt and .45-70. I love re-loading, find it really relaxing, and quite an enjoyable hobby. I'm sure there are dies for 7.92x33mm. I think I've even heard that you can cut down a 7.62x39mm case and use it. I would have to look that one up though but am pretty sure it's been done and it works. You'ld probably only be able to load the brass about 5-6 times before it starts stretching out too much. Pistol brass is more but rifle pressures just get too high. Black powder rounds are very light pressures so the reloads are definitely more than modern.

Yeah, $26 for 40 is NOT .22 cheap. I get 5.45x39mm for my AK-74 at $139 for 1060 of them. 7.62x39mm I've been picking up for $3.79 per 20. So no, not cheap at all.

LOL, yeah, I was so excited I was typing fast. Fixed now. As an aside, I have applied for my ATF Tax Stamp for making an SBR and can finally chop my Thompson barrel to correct WWII length once the stamp goes through. Woot! I'm not keen on the importation laws of firearms from Germany but I'm thinking it's most likely not easy or even possible in regards to transferring ownership and shipping here without actually going over the pond, buying it and bringing it in personally.

Check this out! http://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/historical-stg-44-in-22lr-rimfire-coming-from-ati/ Coming summer, 2012. Yeah I know it's a .22 but you tell me where you can get 7.92x33mm Kurz ammo?? :eek: Here's something tangible and actually, dare I say, affordable? Do you all realize how much a real Stg 44 costs?!! Pretty cool so I thought I would share it. Actually there is absolutely nothing practical about it in any way (other than the fact .22 ammo is dirt cheap) but that may not stop me from adding one to my collection anyway.

Thanks snake_eye! Happy New Year to you too! Does this mean it's released and uploaded?? I'm off work today and would love to get a start on this one. I'm a WEGO player so a three hour battle will ultimately take me a couple weeks to get through but I am looking forward to getting into it. All that time means I should be able to be very patient moving.

Excellent!! Thank you! Can't wait! I'll download it and play it as soon as it's available!

Still here, browsing everyday! I have all the modules and play CMSF far more than CMBN. So, yeah, i'd be down for new scenarios to kick around.

Oh oh oh!!! Thank you!!! I'll play it this weekend!! Perfect timing, four day weekend (well three actually considering I'll not have time to play Thursay) plenty of left-overs, wine and beer stocks are mighty full to bursting. I'm planning it already.

Playing so many different campaigns in so many iterations of this game can really backlog you! I play everything WEGO and usually only a couple turns a day or so unless it's the weekend. CM is pretty much the only thing I play anymore and I still feel like I never get enough time for it. I put off playing NATO til the patch fixes came out as it wasn't even worth it without the Germans having their panzerfausts. In the meantime, of course, CMBN came out, as well as me getting deeply immersed in Afghanistan. I'm still slogging through the Brit campaign and started a couple of the player created Marine and SBCT and HBCT campaigns. So, finally, I've jumped back into NATO and am playing the Germans first. What can I say, I love em! I'm on mission three and doing well so far. I really like the German TO&E and LOVE the Marder. The campaign has been interesting too, granted I'm only on mission 3, but I'm loving the large maps and the plethora of time to be patient with. Good stuff!!

I want these!!! Any idea of ETA??

I love CMA. In fact it might be my favorite of all. So, yes, I'm still playing. What kind of battle are you looking to play? QB? There aren't a ton of scenarios out there for H2H in this theater.

The Marines certainly can light it up. They are fun to play for sure! I have to say though that I completely love the German Marders. That 20mm autocannon can certainly get the job done in so many different situations.

Ok, finally got around to playing and finishing this one! Sheesh, Stagler, you make some brutal missions!! I felt like I was roughly handled and really thought I was going to end this one with a humbling defeat. Surprisingly it was a Soviet victory but it sure didn't feel that way. SPOILER................................... I wound up with like 7 KIA, 5 WIA, 3 vehicles destroyed and another 3-4 immobilized and barely hanging on. My poor infantry were decimated. 2 of the six trucks were knocked out, 1 was abandoned but still running. I did manage to subdue all the Mujahideen and they surrendered before time ran out giving me the victory. I had tried to rush the first 3 trucks to the exit zone but they were ambushed before arriving. I hadn't even started moving the 2nd group of three to the zone before the surrender so I gained a victory by default. Thank the gods of war for T-62s. I managed to knock out the strong points using basically a blunt tank rush. It was the only thing I really had in my pocket. Leave one group of IFVs at the first strongpoint, after it had been finally knocked out due to the sacrifices of my rifle platoon, and a couple tanks in overwatch (basically because they were already immobilized by those dame Gustavs) and rush the other tank groups up close to hammer aways from the flanks of the trenchlines. Just brutal.

Another idea I was thinking of is trying to clear out a Mujahideen militia group in the mountains that are causing havoc with hit and run missions. The goal being to discover the Muj hideout and base and ultimately to destroy the group as a combat capable force. This could be achieved either through attrition or by taking out Muj resources. As the campaign advances and the Soviets get closer the Muj defenses get more complicated and deeper. Making the wrong choice in directions could bypass the strongpoint and maybe lead into traps. Using the clues of how the Muj defenses are laid out could ultimately lead the Soviets to the fortress/base/hideout. Maybe something along those lines? I may be a little convoluted in my description so can clarify more if need be. I was thinking of something along the lines of making choices on which way to go like the Devils' Descent campaign or those Shock Force campaigns where choosing one direction or another drastically changes the outcome?

Likely a wise decision! Unless of course, you are looking to join Combat Team Alpha.

Awesome. This was so much fun and I'm honestly sad it's over. Please make more like this!!

Oh don't worry!! I'll play it!!

If you are going to get one I highly suggest getting a 74 over the 47. Just a whole different rifle with the smaller faster cartridge and the muzzle brake gives them almost zero recoil. It's a surprisingly accurate round, pretty much comparable to the 5.56mm under 150 yards, IMHO. People who say AKs are inaccurate pieces of junk have never handled or shot a 74. Of all my collection it's absolutely my favorite rifle.

Here is the 74 with my milled receiver 1960 Polish AK-47 7.62x39mm. The old and the new.

Here's a bit of my collection that fits in with the topic at hand... This is my much loved Waffen Werks Bulgarian AK-74 5.45x39mm with plum furniture. bayonet is East German, hat is Soviet-Afghanistan war surplus as is the canteen. Camo jacket is modern Russian Flora pattern. 12 mags, 8 are Russian plum and 4 are Bulgarian black. The two mag pouches on the floor are Russian surplus and the one on top of the ammo crates is Bulgarian surplus. Plus....just a wee bit of ammo. :eek: Without the bayonet attached...