[chaim]

I don't have a very big gun budget. Right now I'm trying to fill several niches so instead of buying one great $1000 gun my priorities are more in line with buying two decent $500 guns. So, while I am considering one M1A or Bushmaster AR by summer, one or two of these are more likely. So instead of saying "save for something better" I really do want to know what you guys think of these options.

If you had only $500-600 to spend on a rifle which of these would you go with? What are some of the pros and cons of each?

-Mini-14. Yes, I know they aren't the most accurate guns out there, but they are acceptable for plinking and a general purpose rifle at a modest cost (esp. if I find one used). They are supposed to be nearly 100% reliable which is no small thing and they use inexpensive .223/5.56 ammo. Another plus is that I already have one hi-cap for it. Even though I don't have a gun in this chambering yet I do have a few hundred rounds I bought in anticipation of getting a .223/5.56 rifle soon.

-Mini-14 with plastic furniture and a stainless barrel and action. See above for most of my comments, it is about $100 more.

-Mini-30 with plastic furniture and stainless barrel and action. Same as Mini-14 stainless/polymer but the 7.61x39 ammo may be even cheaper and I already have a rifle chambered in it and have tons of ammo for it (though no hi-cap mags).

-Century Arms AR-15. From most of what I've heard online they are ok, but a bit hit and miss on reliability.

-Century Arms FN-FAL (British) with the military style stock and flash suppressor. These are supposed to be good guns and very reliable and accurate. Ammo is a bit expensive though.

-Century Arms like above but a Sporter (thumbhole stock, no flash suppressor) for about $70 less than above.

[Quintin Likely]

Mini-14s: Finding decent magazines seems to be the big problem for Mini-14s. Original, high cap Ruger magazines aren't cheap.

Century Arms: Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Century puts their guns together to mil-specs? Might make finding parts kinda weird, some parts won't interchange. (Not sure)

If *I* had $500 to spend on a rifle, what would I get? A used Savage heavy barrel bolt gun, in .223 or .308, and a cheapy Tasco or something to get me by 'till I could afford something better.

[chaim]

Oh, I forgot to add:

CETME: relatively inexpensive and reliable .308 military type rifle. It is basically the Spanish version of the HK G3.

AK: Cheap, uses the same 7.61x39 ammo as my SKS., unbreakable, 100% reliable, easily available and relatively cheap mags, etc.

[chaim]

If *I* had $500 to spend on a rifle, what would I get? A used Savage heavy barrel bolt gun, in .223 or .308, and a cheapy Tasco or something to get me by 'till I could afford something better I probably will be getting a bolt rifle in the next year as well but I am also thinking about a semi-auto "Homeland Defense" type rifle as well. I'll probably start with a mil-surplus Mosin-Nagant and/or Mauser since they are cheap and I don't have a bolt rifle yet so I don't know if I'll really like it. After that a Savage is one of my first choices (well, I'm thinking about all the biggies still- Savage, Ruger, Remington both in the 700 or the 710, Winchester, Browning, etc.). I'll also probably get a Remington 7400, a semi in a bolt caliber (either .270 or 30-06) in the next year or two.

But for now I'm looking for opinions on these specific rifles.

[SodaPop]

Get a Mini 14 for under $400 and get PMI mags for it. Otherwise you will probable need to replace the followers on any aftermarket mag you get. I fixed 4 USA 30rd mags and haven't had any of them jam in over 3000rds

Otherwise get an AK. But most of the AK's I see under $400 look like crap.

I went all the way and got a DSarm FAL and never looked back.

If I ever got an AK I'd probable spend the money for a higher end one.

[LevelHead]

What is the proposed purpose for this rifle?

Of all the ones you've listed a Cetme is the only one that grabs me.

Personally I go for quality for my dollar, so I'd get a Savage bolt gun. I'd be willing to bet you could get a used Savage and a Tasco Super Sniper for around that price if you looked hard enough.

Again - depends on your needs. If you're strictly talking semi-auto battle/assault rifle, then I'd say scour the boards and get a good used FN/FAL type or AK. If you're getting a Bushmaster you may also consider getting a different upper for it - maybe a pistol caliber. They're fun to shoot and you can shoot them at most indoor ranges too!

[chaim]

What is the proposed purpose for this rifle? Just for fun. I don't do any competition shooting, I want to wait until I'm a better shot (I've only been shooting for just over 2 years). I don't hunt and I don't wish to (I keep kosher and a animal that was shot to kill it can't be kosher and I don't have any desire to hunt for sport only).

Basically, I want something that I'll enjoy, that is relatively inexpensive to shoot (so in a few years I can get good enough to truely justify the $1000+ M1Garand, M1A or Bushmaster AR and start to shoot competitively), reasonably accurate (I don't need 1 or 2 MOA but I do want to be able to hit a reasonable sized target at 100-200yds), and fairly reliable. A gun that could be used for self defense if in a bad situation is a definate plus. Basically, a general use gun. Oh, I already have a few .22 rifles (Ruger 10/22, Marlin 60 and a Remington 581 bolt rifle) so there is no need for anyone to tell me to get a .22 (for the cheap practice part of my wish list).

Again, I'm only looking for ideas on these particular guns here (though I did leave out one more, the M1Carbine, oh well). For a bolt gun I'll probably start with an inexpensive military surplus, something cheap I can use to see how I actually like centerfire bolt rifles before I spend any more than that on bolt rifles (since I really don't like my .22lr bolt rifle much). Since often times we're talking under $100 for those (and for a MN or Mauser certainly not much more) I'll be buying one quite soon, probably as soon as the weather warms up a little.

[Artful]

I probably will be getting a bolt rifle in the next year as well but I am also thinking about a semi-auto "Homeland Defense" type rifle as well.

I'd say to examine the shooting supplies/ranges you are expecting to use it in.
Caliber should be Miltary if looking for cheap surplus ammo (9mmx19/.223/.308/8x57/5.56x39/7.62x39)

As you are looking for Semi-Auto you have to consider Legalities (planing to move to Kalifornica?) and ranges (inner City street/house to house - Suburbia with golf courses & longer ranges - Rural - anywhere up to 1000 yds).
Backstops (lots of innocents protected by only sheetrock, to no innocents/cattle only with miles of forest to stop the bullet)

My advise is rent/borrow/beg to try what your interested in and then purchase - You might come to consider a semi-auto 12 ga for "home defense" . Or might consider Building your own AR for parts in $500 (If I can do it anyone can).

[six 4 sure]

FWIW if I had $500 to spend on a "fun gun" I'd go with a Norinco NHM-91. It's more or less a AK, it has a thumb hole stock, not a pistol grip, but takes AK mags. The only reason I got rid of mine was after buying a pre-ban Hbar, I didn't think I needed it.

It was fun to shoot. My only complaint was that it didn't like to shoot cheap hollow point ammo. However, never had any problems with FMJ.

If ammo cost is an issue, I'd stick with an AK type. The ammo tends to be cheaper than .308.

Forgot, the NHM-91's tend to run around $450

Six

[agony]

With your above criteria, I'd also go with an AK variant. The Chinese MAK-90s are great little rifles. Slap in the mandatory parts and you've got a decent pistol-gripped Homeland Defense rifle for less than 500 smackers. I also like the SAR-1, but a lot of folks complain about how cruddy they look....plus there's some debate about the current crop of SARs being milled-out 10-rounders. AK mags are still very reasonably priced.

The mini-14 is a decent little rifle too, but good mags come at a premium price.

[chaim]

A lot of AK suggestions seem to be cropping up. OK, how hard is it to find and how good are the 20rnd mags? Most of the high-caps I see advertised are 30rnds but I live in MD where the powers that be have decided that us lowly citizens can't be trusted with more than 20. So buying 30 rnd mags (if I could get someone to ship them to me) could get me in BIG trouble.

As far as Mini mags, no real issue I guess. I do have one 20rnd Mini-14 mag that I bought a year and a half ago when I figured I'd buy a Mini before long so I do have one that the dealer (who I've found to be trustworthy) told me was tested out and worked and I am willing to buy 10 rounders if I have to while trying to find a few reliable 20 rounders.

[Kahr carrier]

AK and Mini-14 good choices.:)

[Dave Markowitz]

Of the guns you mentioned, I'd look for an older, used, but in VG+ condition Mini-14 and get PMI mags for it. From what I've read online the older Mini-14s seem to have been better made.

Another good option would be an AK. Cheap, reliable as the Sun coming up every morning, mags are cheap, and the ammo is cheap. Did I mention they're cheap? :)

You might also look at a Saiga sporter. They are available in .223, 7.62x39, and .308. Out of the box they do not accept mags holding more than 10 rounds, but they are AK-derived, and the .223s seem to be pretty accurate from what I've read.

FWIW, I have a 182-series Mini-14 and 2 AKs: a SAR-1 and a Saiga converted to AK-103 format. I like all of them but haven't had the chance to funtion test the Mini since replacing the gas port bushing.

[ReadyontheRight]

My $0.02. I know you're asking about other guns, but these two may be cheaper than you think:

$400 M1 Garand - Danish w/ VAR barrel at www.odcmp.com Get them while they're still around. Also have $500 USGI Garands.

$699 Bushmaster AR at www.aimsurplus.com here (http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Bushmaster_Rifles.html)

Plus shipping and FFL charges (no FFL charges for CMP).

[sixgun_symphony]

http://www.savagearms.com/images/centerfire/package/10110GXP3.jpg
Savage package deal (http://www.savagearms.com/centerfire/package/110gxp3.htm)

The Savage package deal : Rifle comes with leather sling and a 3-9x40mm scope

[SteyrAUG]

Never, never, never buy anything Century Arms.

If it is $2.85 but built by Century Arms (CAI) invest in a slurpee from 7-11 instead. I'm not terribly crazy about the Mini14/30s but at least Rugers are real firearms.

Got $5-600 burning a hole in your pocket best buy currently is probably a Arsenal USA AK47 SSR-56 (Get the blond wood). Or if AKs just ain't your thing best "budget" AR15 in that range is the Cavalry Arms Cav-15 ($650.00).

[Mike Irwin]

How about one of those Romanian AKs in .223 that have been coming in lately?

I've heard fairly good things about them.

[SteyrAUG]

An AK in .223?!?

What kind of heresey is this.

Next you'll be suggesting a AR15 in 7.62x39.

[MarineTech]

Another option you might want to consider is the Armalite AR180B. It's in your price range and it will accept the M16/AR15 magazines.

[Soap]

The FAL with the flash hider = felony if its not a pre-ban.

[Wilhelm]

I have owned 2 Mini-14's and loved both of them. I think they are great guns and very plentiful.



Wilhelm

[LeadPumper]

On the following in Maryland:

AK's are here, and in various types and flavors. Highly recommended are the Vepr's both in .223 and 7.62X39. The Gun Rack has (had) both in stock last time I was there. Also available are the Saiga Sporters (White Marsh Arms has these I believe). Quality and accuracy are unknown.

You have an SKS (I assume from your post) so ammo sharing can save money. If you want something in a different caliber, it will cost you.

MINI 14/30- Not impossible to find here, but rare (and expensive), good mags hard to find and not all companies will ship magazines to Maryland. (even 20 rounders, I've tried!)

Century- Nothing good to report on anything I've yet handled at a show. If you value your money, spend it elsewhere unless you like to spend time smithing your rifles.

Cetme- Hit or miss. Seen some good ones, seen some real dogs. May require smithing to function properly.

Used Bolt guns are a good bargain and widly available, and in many calibers. I have a Savage 10FP .308 24" free floated heavy barrel with Harris ultralight bipod and Bushnell 3-9X40 sportview.

An M1 carbine is an excellent plinker with inexpensive ammo and can be used in most indoor ranges. (if you vist them)

Remember what you paid for this opinion, its worth it.

-LeadPumper

[Hazwaste]

I'd get a Vepr in either 7.62x39 or .308. Would work good for both "fun" type shooting or for hunting. It would also make an excellent HDR.

[wun_8_seven]

i agree with the ar 180b, paid $500 otd for mine and 2000 rounds later still doin great. 187

[modifiedbrowning]

How about an Olympic Arms "Plinker" AR-15? $599.00.