I got about 600 smackers...

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thisismygun

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I'm sure you get these every 2 1/2 hours, if you still have the patience, I'll appreciate it.

- I'm a rifle newbie. I share a .45 with my father while hes here, but it is essentially his. (I don't get to shoot often).
- I know around $600 will certainly get me a wasr, but I've seen too many people deem this a "truck gun". Doesn't sound too great, theres no way I'm getting a Bushmaster, but I want something I'll have 100% confidence in (Not sure about higher-up aks to speak of them).
- I used to look into AKs because of the price range, but I have seen a few ARs go for around that (atlanticfirearms).


- Essentially, I'd like to know the direction to go where I'd find a good buy. Like I said, I've been looking at Atlantic Firearms as a start and have seen a few in my price range, but I know very little of them, and the last thing I want is a PoS or something I'll need an expert to figure out.
ARs page
Example, this GI Carbine AR15 or this DPMS AR15. They're attractive prices, but if they're a PoS or someone has bad experience with it, I'd love to know before putting money down.

AKs page
I'm sure plenty of AK heads can vouch which one is worth my dollar. I know a little more about AKs than ARs, but nothing beats hands-on.

If you have any recommendations/personal experience, I welcome it obviously. I listed AF just as a starting place, if you know a better site/better deal, fire away.
 
Hey there, for six hundred you can get a dam good deal.

I own 2 ARs - a Bushmaster and a Rock River, I love both and feel like I need another. I want a Beater or 'Truck Gun' since those 2 were paid for in the 1000.00s range. I am also looking at an Olympic from Atlanticfirearms for the price. Under 700.00 will do for this gun. From what others have told me, Olympic makes good rifles, maybe not as good as Colt ,DPMS, or Bushmaster. That's good enough though, they are more complicted than an AK, do to the parts. Though parts seem like they will be easier to find after next yr for the AR.(If the Libs get their way.)

On the other hand I have a WASR, bought it in 2002, and paid 300.00 for it. Ammo is cheaper and it gets shot more, it isn't as accurate as the ARs, but it would be the 1st gun I would go to if my life and family depended on it. It shoots all the time and never gives me trouble. I hunt with it and it never fails.

The ARs have to be cared for like a high maintenance woman - they have to be cleaned alot more to work properly. The AKs can go days or months with out cleaning. They can be abused and mistreated, so its up to the user on which one you need. For me I needed both or all I can afford cause I love them all. They are my hobby like some love cars. So with that in mind what do you want to do with the rifle - Hunt, plink, or display. Both will do all, AK or AR. Good Luck... Cause I feel there is no easy answer. Sorry man.
 
At $600, you are right on the cusp of being able to get a nice AR15-type rifle in many flavors.

Decide what you really want, and beg-borrow-steal whatever is the difference to get you to where you want to be. Time is short. The market is in your favor.
 
Thanks for the post Chopmeat.

I'm taking a look at this rifle, AK MD 75

I've read somewhere that its just another "crappy inaccurate wasr", but then you'll hear every once in a while that they are great guns that get overlooked. I'm looking at this one because it has a scope rail and kvar furniture (easier to clean/handles heat well - or so I heard).

@ W.E.G.

Yea I realize I'm close to AR range, but is it something I really want in a bad situation? As Chopmeat says, he would go for his ak in a panic.

I'm not really looking to start a hobby, as it doesn't seem like the economy is going to allow such a thing. I want a first and last rifle. If there is time in the future, I'd go for the counterpart to whichever I don't plan on buying immediately.
 
Despite the Colt Cults following and loathing of anything not a Colt. My Bushmaster has been 100% reliable and has made it through several classes. STAG is a decent brand as is DPMS
 
why not a bolt gun or shotgun to start but seems like your in the possition of jordan85 he has the thread about a potetial ban gun go read there then come back
 
If I could only have one, it would be the AR, without question.

The AR is highly reliable, despite the hysteria and hype you hear pushed around the internet.

Most importantly, just about any AR is considerably more accurate right out of the box than the most highly "tuned" Kalshnikov (if the word "tuned" can even be used in the same sentence with AK-47).

Yet, if all you are interested in is a rifle that shoots minute of door-panel at 50 yards, even the cheapest AK will accomplish that with good reliability.
 
@nonconformist

What is the difference between DPMS and say Bushmaster or Olympic Arms (if you have exp. with OA)?

@ younganddumb

Yeah I looked there, but alot of people are pushing Robinsons that go for thousands. I'm really on a budget, thats why I added a source so I could have some more concise path and so I can see visually what I'm getting vs. what isn't good.

@ W.E.G.

That is where I get some anxiety, 50 yard door panels is great, but theres no guarantee you'll always be in that situation. Thats what tempts me about ARs. The whole "cleaning" thing makes them seem like I can only fire 1 mag before I need to bathe it in holy water, and that 1 floating atom can jam the whole thing, but you get my drift.
 
Mini-14 is an all new animule

Ruger keeps on keeping on by superior designing and manufacturing. The newest offering regards the 6.8mm SPC caliber. Intriguing in nature, the new Mini bests the .223 Remington (5.56mm) and the 7.62mm x 39mm Russian offerings in blatant power. New Minis are claimed to more accurate than ever before. Considering I'm considering one myself, I've done some studies. Although I already own a super-accurate Ruger Model 77 Mark II .223 Remington, I'm willing to try something new. The 6.8mm SPC seems a valid breath of fresh air. Since I strictly reload and/or handload, one should know I'll press the edge of maximum performance. Still contemplating, since a 6.8mm SPC cannot be made to equal the sheer power of my .243 Winchester loads. cliffy
 
The "finicky, has to be cleaned all the time" rap on the AR is mostly bs. I got a bushy for less than $800 new and it is incredibly reliable. I did not clean it when I bought it, put 1000 rounds of everything from black hills to wolf to silver bear to lake city through it, not one hiccup. (I finally did clean it, out of guilt) If its your only firearm, you'll have as much fun taking it apart and learning about it as you will shooting it. I can't say anything bad about AK's but I would rather have the AR. My buddy bought a Stag for $700, your close to that.
 
An AR is not a big challenge to build. I built mine for a tick over $600. Receiver from a local gun shop. Everything else in a kit from an online place. The receiver local was as cheap as an online buy + shipping (and I get my FFL transfers for free). It is mine, I built (half) of it, and it shoots great.

I have an AK too. My AK is a favorite because I can shoot it every range trip. Shooting at paper is not so fun as it is not terribly accurate. Shooting at pumpkins is fun (but clean up is a pain).

The AR, while not on par with the finest target guns, holds it own.

I say you need to define your purpose first, then choose. If it were my six bills, I'm building an AR.
 
Hey Cliffy, does the new mini-14 lock up when it heats up, my old one does - it's a 98' though.

A cop buddy of mine says the older model has a heat restrictor in it that locks the bolt shut. I have emailed Ruger on this a couple times and they have never answered me on this. They have put a bad taste in my mouth. The other Rugers I have work with no problem, but that dam mini-14, I have to wait till the next day and knock it open with a hammer and block of wood. Any one know about this and if or how to get this so called restrictor out.
 
I'm no handy man, I'd rather have something prebuilt for starts.

@ paintballdude902

Interesting. I've heard things about CAI, but he put in a good word there. Good find, I'll consider it.
 
Just remember that accuracy is relative. For the Soviet army, the minimum standard of accuracy for a Kalashnikov rifle fired from a supported position was approximately 6 MOA (in practice, most AK rifles can manage 3 or 4 MOA without much trouble). That sounds terrible next to an AR-15 which should theoretically group closer to 1 or 2 MOA.

However, consider this: at 100 yards, a lateral variation of 3" in any given direction (~6 MOA) is approximately 0.0083% of the distance traveled. Gives you a whole new perspective on accuracy. :)

Whether you choose an AK or an AR, I expect you'll have fun with it - they're both just pretty damn cool to hold and shoot. I don't know any legitimate shooting enthusiasts who don't have some degree of respect for BOTH designs. For what it's worth: a lot of people rag on the WASR, but I just bought one a few weeks ago and I absolutely love it. It's solid, reliable, and shoots well. Not at all the "junk gun" I had been told by some to expect. Classic Arms is selling them for $350 right now - that's undoubtedly the price to beat.
 
I have had both AKs and an AR and like them both. I really like my AR! When I first bought it I had no idea if I would like it or not. There great guns for shooting and a bit more accurate than AKs.

Whichever you choose I'm sure you will have a good time shooting! For around $600 you can get a quality AK and pretty much decent AR.

Here's an AR to consider it a Del-Ton, I've heard good things about them.

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Del-Ton_DTI-15_5.56_Carbine.html
 
Honestly, if I were you, I would go with the WASR. Then, you'll have the remaining $250 for a couple of spare magazines and 1,000 rounds of 7.62. Looking at the current political climate, I foresee that AK's will be the first guns to get banned if it ever does come to that. A few years down the line, you'll be kicking yourself for not getting at least one.

For $600, you can get yourself an base-level AR but you won't have money for ammo or magazines. The AK seems like the more prudent choice. I mean, who doesn't want an AK? They're so darn awesome.
 
I agree with Picard-go for the AK. You need to figure in the accessories and ammo. Just as a bomb shelter is no good without a can opener, a rifle is no good without ammo. :) Unfortunately if any gun control bill passes, it will likely include both an AK and an AR-so either way, you should buy now. Classic has some good prices-have fun!
 
I had a WASR about 5-6 years ago and it was a decent rifle. I had trouble with the supplied mag not wanting to come out, but I bought new mags and the problem went away. It wasnt the most accurate rifle, but I could hit a sihlouette at 200 yards without much effort.

I have owned a couple ARs and while they are more accurate and ergonomic, I still think my old AK was more fun to shoot.
 
Have you looked into getting a Saiga 7.62x39 and converting it? That should be within your price range and the Saiga's the best in the market. They're made in the same factory as the Russian Military AK's.
 
thisismygun-

I dont have any first hand experience w/ Oly, though its supposedly a decent brand with DPMS and STAG be next up in quality terms.
 
I'm no handyman, while I know the saiga is better quality, I have neither the know-how or the means of converting it. Not sure if my "local" range will do it, but I can bet they'll charge a grip for it.
 
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