Comparrison: Which do you think is best?

[nawbeman]

Hello, I'm a first time gun buyer and I'm looking for people opinions on rifles, specifically a semi-automatic with a .223 round. I've done a bit of research into what I like and have come across three rifles which I cannot decide between.

-The AR-15

-The KEL-TEC SU-16

-Smith & Wesson M&P 15

I would really like peoples opinions on these three guns, which is the best, most affordable, most reliable, etc. AND, if you guys know of a better rifle, I would love to hear what think. Thanks everybody.

 

[husker]

IMO the kel tec is junk & the 1 i have shot jams all the time & i would go with a Ruger Mini 14 for that kinda money.
As for the other two? I own a Colt AR-15 & its a great rifle. Will not eat steal cased ammo though. but other colts will.
& i have zero experience with the M&P 15.
The Mini 14 will eat anything & for plinking & the occasional coyote its a good rifle for the beginner.

 

[nawbeman]

so the Ruger Mini 14 is your pick, what is the ranger like? weight? and what should I be looking to spend for a decent rifle (what's too much to spend?)

 

[husker]

i would pick it over the kel tec But not over the AR-15 platforms you can find them for $500.00 on up. Lots of mods for the Mini as well. But by know means are they an AR platform. They are a scaled down M14
http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/index.php
this site will tell you all you will ever want to know about the ruger mini 14

 

[C-grunt]

Whats your budget and whats the intended use?

By the way, the Smith and Wesson M&P 15 is an AR-15.

 

[52grain]

The Garand is an excellent rifle and you should definitely get one soon, but they are not good first guns. Unless you have significant experience with other people's guns, I would suggest one of the many excellent .22s on the market. Ammo is cheap and widely available so you will be able afford to practice.

What kind of shooting do you plan to do?

 

[ColeK]

I would go with the AR platfourm in a S&W or Ruger.

 

[TonyAngel]

ARs are a lot of fun, but it is one of those things where you get what you pay for and there are a lot of cheap alternatives. I'd only suggest that you stick to the name brands. Rock River, Bushmaster, Spike's Tactical, Bravo Company, etc. If you get an AR or any .223, learn the maintenance on the rifle. What's proper and what's not. As with any high capacity, semi-auto rifle, they will see much more use than a bolt, pump or lever action, which means faster wear and tear. There are parts on the AR that will wear and will have to be replaced fairly regularly.

If this is your first firearm, I'd say get a good .22 bolt or lever action. They are easy to shoot, easy to take care of and relatively inexpensive. Don't let the small caliber keep you away. The biggest part of becoming a good shot is practice and you won't be getting much of it if you have to feed your AR to do it.

I always take a .22 to the range with me and put a couple hundred rounds through it. It's just good practice. I have a little Ruger 10/22 that I put a green mountain barrel on and I shoot at clay pigeons at 100 yards with it.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

They are a scaled down M14

Blasphemy!

How dare you compare some closet liberal anti Communist sympathizer's abomination of a semi-automatic carbine to America's last great battle rifle! The gas system of the Mini-14 isn't anything like the M14's. Maybe that is how Ruger turned a rifle design known for reliability and accuracy got into a carbine known for its lack of both. Okay, so most Minis are at least reliable and today they are doing better in the accuracy department. Big deal. For that price, you're still better off getting 3 decent condition SKSs, an AR-15, or better yet, saving for a real rifle and getting an M1A.

 

[Maverick223]

Amongst your choices, I would opt for an AR-15 (to include the S&W) I suppose, but without those constraints I decided upon the Bushmaster M17S, though it is not the perfect carbine for everyone. Barring that I would choose a AR-180, Daewoo, or RobArms XCR...all of the aforementioned have better traits than the AR-15 or the KelTec IMO.

 

[OrangePwrx9]

.223 Saiga

Save the money for ammo.

 

[husker]

GEEZZZZZZ MTMilitiaman
& i was worried some one would get their feathers ruffled cause i called the Kel tech JUNK!
Bills dead now. Let it go!!!

 

[nawbeman]

I'm looking to spend $500-700, and I just plan on plinking and target shooting.
These are some great responses guys, thanks for the input.

 

[husker]

if you do decide on a ruger get a new 580 style!! way better barrel on them & its in your price range easy

 

[benEzra]

Given your budget, I'd say shop around and find a S&W M&P-15 (which is a flavor of AR-15). It is a good mid-grade AR, not top of the line but a better gun all-around than the Kel-Tec, and roughly the same price as a new mini-14 AFAIK. If you prefer the cowboy-style look of the mini-14, certainly check them out, but avoid pre-580 series mini's as the accuracy was very inconsistent. I used to own a 188-series mini-14 Ranch Rifle, and eventually sold it to buy an AR because the accuracy was abysmal.

The Kel-Tec excels as a super-lightweight, compactly-storable carbine for camping, hiking, boating, or self-defense in a pinch when you don't want to (or aren't able to) carry something bulkier and heavier. But the AR is more accurate and more durable, and more easily customizable.