Best rifle/carbine for non-military non-LEO California citizen
- Thread starter Raystonn
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Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
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You're just not gonna beat the Robinson XCR, cali-version or no.
Rifleman 173
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If I were in California, I'd go for a combination of speed and/or accuracy because you're blocked from owning high capacity firearms. I would go for a good scoped rifle to give you the edge over most other shooters. Some of the things that I might consider or toy with would be:
1. A good Savage or Remington .308 bolt action rifle with a 10 X 40 scope mounted on it.
2. A scoped SMLE in British .303. They hold 10 rounds and they were a pretty decent sniper rifle for many, many years for the soldiers of the empire.
3. I might go with an SKS or AK type rifle with a forward mounted scope, sort of like Jeff Cooper's scout rifle concept, for accuracy and speed.
4. I would also consider moving across the border into Nevada if it were feasible. That way you could possibly commute to work and live in a place where you could legally own decent firearms.
1. A good Savage or Remington .308 bolt action rifle with a 10 X 40 scope mounted on it.
2. A scoped SMLE in British .303. They hold 10 rounds and they were a pretty decent sniper rifle for many, many years for the soldiers of the empire.
3. I might go with an SKS or AK type rifle with a forward mounted scope, sort of like Jeff Cooper's scout rifle concept, for accuracy and speed.
4. I would also consider moving across the border into Nevada if it were feasible. That way you could possibly commute to work and live in a place where you could legally own decent firearms.
If you want .223, then the Ruger Mini-14. Personally, I'd go with an M1A Scout. I've seen both readily available in California.
Squidward
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SKS.. easy to shoot and maintain; low in cost, utilitarian caliber and good out to 200 yards.
Mark K. C.
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I just bought the Sig556 (Friday) and am very pleased with it. It has their STH400 red dot sight on it and a swivel/ rotating bi-pod. There are some very cool features on it.
metalmachine
Member
M1A NM and socom 16
I had same thoughts last year. I picked up an M1A national match after a 6 month wait. Next I got the M1A socom 16. Both are great rifles. I like the irons on the socom 16 as long as you are not getting too far out.
I had same thoughts last year. I picked up an M1A national match after a 6 month wait. Next I got the M1A socom 16. Both are great rifles. I like the irons on the socom 16 as long as you are not getting too far out.
hank327
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Given the limitations of California's gun laws, I'd go with a M1 Garand or a M1A. I'd also consider a Lee-Enfield No 5 Mk1 "Jungle Carbine". Although a bolt action, it is extremely smooth and fast to manipulate and it hits hard.
the SKS is the ultimate CA-legal urban warrior.
reliable
10 round mag
stripper clip reloadable
the 7.62x39mm round will give you plenty of penetration against vehicles and is less abusive than the 7.62x51mm of the M1a...which would be my 2nd choice
reliable
10 round mag
stripper clip reloadable
the 7.62x39mm round will give you plenty of penetration against vehicles and is less abusive than the 7.62x51mm of the M1a...which would be my 2nd choice
windsor311
Member
Lever is a GREAT choice
Find a Winchester Trapper model in .357 or .44 Added benefit of the .357 is that you can shoot .38 ammo through it for a not-so-expensive day at the range. These little rifles have no kick to speak of and are very handy in tight quarters such as indoors.
Best thing you could do, take the suggestions you have heard here, ask friends or clum memebrs if you can shoot a couple rounds with the ones that seem like good options FOR YOU and then decide.
Take care and good luck with whatever you decide.
Find a Winchester Trapper model in .357 or .44 Added benefit of the .357 is that you can shoot .38 ammo through it for a not-so-expensive day at the range. These little rifles have no kick to speak of and are very handy in tight quarters such as indoors.
Best thing you could do, take the suggestions you have heard here, ask friends or clum memebrs if you can shoot a couple rounds with the ones that seem like good options FOR YOU and then decide.
Take care and good luck with whatever you decide.
Another vote for M1A. Accuracy, power, and CA legal (with the right muzzle)
Ruger mini-14 if you prefer 223 and accuracy is not important.
The Saiga gets good reviews from owners and is cheap.
The Keltec SU-16CA is another option. Some don't like them, but mine is reliable and uses standard M16 magazines, which are cheap and plentiful. For accuracy, it rivals the Mini-14 (i.e. not so great).
Ruger mini-14 if you prefer 223 and accuracy is not important.
The Saiga gets good reviews from owners and is cheap.
The Keltec SU-16CA is another option. Some don't like them, but mine is reliable and uses standard M16 magazines, which are cheap and plentiful. For accuracy, it rivals the Mini-14 (i.e. not so great).
FMJMIKE
Member
Get a NRA Special Edition Mini-14. You will get two high cap mags with it and they are easy to maintain. It will also shoot 5.56 X 45 or .223 ammo. Recoil will be fine for a person who shoots seldom. Good luck!!!
ryoushi
Member
Get an off list AR15 lower and build a good quality AR15. I'd keep the pistol grip and flash hider and any other "evil" features but I've chosen to use a Prince 50 bullet button to stay legal in Calif.
Then stock up on some good quality 10 Rd. mags and invest in some good training.
Then stock up on some good quality 10 Rd. mags and invest in some good training.
Z-Michigan
Member
I'm surprised to read all the responses that the Saiga is Kal legal. If that's true, that would be near the top of my list to recommend. They are AK's, just modified so they can be imported. They seem to be very well made, by AK standards.
Funderb
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sks is the cheapest and easiest.
taprackbang
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I agree with most of these guys about the M1A.
IMHO, I think that China poses the greatest threat of invasion just because of their sheer numbers.
I own a PTR 91F and I have really fell in love with it's brute ruggedness, accuracy, and simplicity. Some guys don't like it, but I have not had any probs with it. Stay away from Mini 14s. Mine was pretty sorry and the .223 is a sorry man-stopper at longer distances. Go with a .308!
I think the only issue in Calif is mag capacity, correct?
IMHO, I think that China poses the greatest threat of invasion just because of their sheer numbers.
I own a PTR 91F and I have really fell in love with it's brute ruggedness, accuracy, and simplicity. Some guys don't like it, but I have not had any probs with it. Stay away from Mini 14s. Mine was pretty sorry and the .223 is a sorry man-stopper at longer distances. Go with a .308!
I think the only issue in Calif is mag capacity, correct?
Check CalGuns.
That's just unrealistic. Be more concerned with what's actually happened in the last 50 years, civil unrest, crime after natural disaster.
That's just unrealistic. Be more concerned with what's actually happened in the last 50 years, civil unrest, crime after natural disaster.
jackdanson
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mini-14 or m1a. Depending whether you want .308 or .223.
I would agree about the m1 carbine, but I just finished reading a book by a guy in the bulge in WWII and he was less than impressed with its stopping power... I still want one though.
I would agree about the m1 carbine, but I just finished reading a book by a guy in the bulge in WWII and he was less than impressed with its stopping power... I still want one though.
Who knows what could happen over the next 20 years.. world war I was the "war to end all wars".
huntershooter
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Hard to beat a 30/30 lever gun for "non politically offensive".
Plentiful ammo at Walmart.
Damn sure wouldn't care to be center punched by one.
Actually, Jeff Cooper was an advocate of the '94 Winchester as a "patrol rifle" back in the day.
Plentiful ammo at Walmart.
Damn sure wouldn't care to be center punched by one.
Actually, Jeff Cooper was an advocate of the '94 Winchester as a "patrol rifle" back in the day.
Well the key part in the question is the part about living in California.
That limits your options by quite a bit.
With what you're left with (semi-auto rifles that don't have pistol grips or flash suppressors) the Springfield M1A or the M1 Garand would be about the best choices IMO.
That limits your options by quite a bit.
With what you're left with (semi-auto rifles that don't have pistol grips or flash suppressors) the Springfield M1A or the M1 Garand would be about the best choices IMO.
Lots of very good answers here on this.
For me to give an opinion, I would have to know what type of area and distances you would expect to be defending.
For close quarters, definitely a shotgun over anything else.
Out to 100 yards, SKS, Saiga, AK47 etc. in 7.62 x39. The lever gun options are also very good and I doubt you could ever get into any trouble with a ban on those classic western carbines and they are all good out to 100 yards or farther depending on the caliber. Matching calibers for a pistol and rifle make a lot of sense.
For my non-gun enthusiast, no gun experience friends who want something simple and easy to use for home protection, I recommend a 12 guage pump, a 357 revolver, and a lever 357 carbine.
If you have to defend yourself past 100 yards, and need firepower, then I would have to say the M1A is your best choice and that is what I use in conjuction with the SKS's for my rifle battery.
If you are on a budget but want a long distance cartridge and firepower for distance, then do not overlook the Saiga .308 AK47 variant. High quality, good accuracy, and you can buy 3 of them for the price of a basic M1A.
All of this said, if you look at home defense stats worldwide, most all home defense events take place within 20' or closer. The 12 gauge shotgun is going to be the most effective gun for most home defense scenarios and should be the first gun you buy and get proficient with. Its good out to 40-50 yards with Number 1 buckshot and 100 yards with accuracy with slugs and the right shotgun.
For me to give an opinion, I would have to know what type of area and distances you would expect to be defending.
For close quarters, definitely a shotgun over anything else.
Out to 100 yards, SKS, Saiga, AK47 etc. in 7.62 x39. The lever gun options are also very good and I doubt you could ever get into any trouble with a ban on those classic western carbines and they are all good out to 100 yards or farther depending on the caliber. Matching calibers for a pistol and rifle make a lot of sense.
For my non-gun enthusiast, no gun experience friends who want something simple and easy to use for home protection, I recommend a 12 guage pump, a 357 revolver, and a lever 357 carbine.
If you have to defend yourself past 100 yards, and need firepower, then I would have to say the M1A is your best choice and that is what I use in conjuction with the SKS's for my rifle battery.
If you are on a budget but want a long distance cartridge and firepower for distance, then do not overlook the Saiga .308 AK47 variant. High quality, good accuracy, and you can buy 3 of them for the price of a basic M1A.
All of this said, if you look at home defense stats worldwide, most all home defense events take place within 20' or closer. The 12 gauge shotgun is going to be the most effective gun for most home defense scenarios and should be the first gun you buy and get proficient with. Its good out to 40-50 yards with Number 1 buckshot and 100 yards with accuracy with slugs and the right shotgun.
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