[Nightcrawler]

A friend of mine has expressed interest in getting a semiauto rifle. She is a very petite young woman, so anything especially heavy is out. (About 6 or 7lbs tops, I'd think.)

Recoil doesn't bother her as much as weight does.

Oh, and before all of the AR-15 guys come out, there's a problem. 1) She dislikes pistol grip rifles, and doesn't want one. 2) She's going to be going to grad school in MA, and I don't think ARs are legal there in any case.

I'm thinking either an M1 Carbine, a Mini-14, or a Saiga. The Saiga would probably be her best bet; it isn't as light as the other two, but costs less than half the price of a Mini-14. I dont think 20 and 30 round mags are even an option in MA, so it doesn't really matter.

But are the Saigas legal in MA? If not, she'll probably have to go with the Mini-14 or Carbine.

(Now, she already has a lever rifle, a .357 Winchester Trapper, which despite the God Awful trigger she loves. She's now interested in a semiauto, and/or a bolt gun. I'm interested in what lightweight bolt guns are available as well.)

[Peetmoss]

Walmart in my area has a Mini 14 for 439 bucks not to bad. And seeing you mention bolt guns also may I suggest if that is an option you look into the Savage. You can get most of there package guns for less then 400. They come with a bore sighted cheap 3x9 scope and a sling. I bought one of there 30-06 package guns for 349 with a synthetic stock and detachable box magazine. Heck and you already stated that she likes guns with crappy triggers so the Savage should be a winnner hands down :D

[Peetmoss]

I just looked up some MA gun laws and it appears that large capacity amunition feeding devieces are legal in MA with the FID. It also appears your friend needs a FID for possesion of any firearms in MA. Check out these links
http://www.nraila.org/GunLaws.asp?FormMode=Detail&R=MA
http://www.geocities.com/darbabi/
http://www.gunlaws.com/links/linksma.htm
MA seems worse then NY :cuss:

[Nightcrawler]

She's not moving there until June, and I gave her the heads up on all of this.

Still, maybe she won't go there. But there aren't any good grad schools for physics students in any of the other states in the area, she checked (MA was her last choice, not just because of the gun laws).

[WYO]

It seems to me that it is hard to make a suggestion without knowing what she wants it for. An M1 carbine would make a fine plinker, as would one of those Marlin camp carbines. If she wants a close range deer gun, then maybe she should consider a Ruger .44 mag auto. If she needs more in the caliber department, then maybe she should think of a bolt gun. A Reminton 700 Youth Model or Model 7 would give her a decent range of calibers to choose from in a lightweight range.

[rugerfreak]

How about a Remington 7400 in .243----about as PC as a semi-auto can get.

[CaesarI]

In the way of Bolt Guns, I've become enamored with the Kimber 84M
5lbs 10oz. in a Controlled Round Feed weapon. Short action only. Can be had for $800

In the way of semi-auto's, I'm on the M1 Carbine bandwagon. I had the opportunity to handle one of those darlings over Christmas. Doesn't weigh a darned thing! With proper ammo (http://64.177.53.248/ubb/Forum78/HTML/000084.html), it as effective as a .223 AND it isn't an "evil black gun" mega bonus points for MA folks.

-Morgan

[Destructo6]

How about a HK SL6? It's .223, can accept only 4 and 10-rnd mags, and is pretty traditional looking.

http://www.hkpro.com/sl6.jpg

The drawbacks I see are that she may find it difficult to cock and the price may be high. Prices vary wildly from around $500 to over $1,000.

[goon]

Maybe an SKS?
They are generally pretty cheap, reliable, and they lack a pistol grip.
I have one on my wish list.:D

[Nightcrawler]

SKS was too heavy for her last time she shot one.

She's improved strength wise, though. Maybe she'd like one.

[Swamp Yankee]

Have to be a rifle caliber?
How about one of the Ruger PC9 or PC 40 carbines? Definately light, cheap to feed and still pretty easy to get 15 round mags, though their price has increased.
Take Care