Need a semi-auto rifle.....

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Big D

Big D

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Hey yall. I am contemplating purchasing a semi-auto rifle as I do not have a suitable defense rifle other than a .30-30, of which ammo is costly. I have about $1000 to play with, and I hope to purchase rifle, ammo, and maybe mags with that. I have found several options available to me for that price range. I have found the Olympic A1 Carbine (AR15 type) for $599, with 1000rnd case of Wolf ammo for $219. This leaves about $100-150 for mags. I have also found an IAC AK for $579, 1000rnd case of Wolf for same price ($219), and this leaves a little more dough for mags and such. I do not plan to purchase optics, as my plan for this rifle is bare bones, survival/defensive rifle. The last choice I have been eye-balling is a Norinco or Russian SKS, which would put me at about $300-500 and leave even more dough for ammo, etc.

I think it is important to note that I am also in law enforcement, hence my agency and most others carry .223/5.56 rifles and carbines, this ammunition compatibility. Any takes/opinions would be greatly appreciated.
 
skip the SKS. AR-15's are your best option. Olympics are decent guns and work as good as anything but have no resale value. Get a Smith M&P 15. Flat top uppers are going to give you the most flexibility with accessories and you can add detachable carry handle or open sights. Wolf ammo works but focus your budget on getting more rifle with your available cash, you can always stockpile ammo later.
 
I wouldnt go with an Olympic, of the AR15's, after personal use with one, i would call it bottom lower tier. If you want a good AR and dont want to fork out the $$$ for a Colt, BCM, Daniel Defense... Look into S&W, Rock River, LMT or Stag and maybe Bushmaster. These companies produce excellent weapons for the price.
 
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I'd choose the AR platform over the Ak's. I've shot a Rock River mid-length carbine over the last 4 years. It has the removable upper and folding front sight. 2 stage match trigger like I had on my Colt HBAR that I shot Service Rifle with for 13 years. Haven't had any reliability problems with it. Maybe the S&W will be as good...they have a lifetime warranty!!

Passed the HBAR on to G-son to try and wear the barrel out at Camp Perry over the next few years.
 
Just better bang for the buck available . It's not the consistency or so much the quality of their product as it is the pricing for what you get . That said I owned a .45 upper for some time and had no complaints but then again this was more of a long pistol , with forearm , and stock , and 1.5x optics ...

Now the one Oly "rifle" that I tried to sort out neither I or the owner was happy . Off to GB it went and he is more than happy with the Bushmaster he now owns .

The difference is , in my opinion , the Bushmaster responded to anything we did in the way of adjustment and the Oly usually ignored us .

~kop
 
I had multiple fte problems with my oly. I would run a test where i would dump 3 mags, chamber a round, let it cool then shoot it. FTE. Now I know that this isnt going to happen on a daily basis, but I need to know that it is going to function flawlessly everytime. Now i get FTE's with my Colt and my DD upper/barrel and Spikes BCG, but no where near the rate of an oly.

It all really about what you want though. If you do pick up the oly, Look into replacing the BCG with something of top quality that has been HPT and MPI inspected. Spikes, BCM, and FailZero all make excellent BCG's
 
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+1 on a Smith & Wesson M&P15. If you can get your hands on one, the Sport model is selling well and lots of folks are enjoying them. With there price, you'll have plenty left over for ammo, a cleaning kit, and some quality P-Mags (magazines).
 
^ I stopped at mom & pop gun store the other day to see if they sold the ruger mini-14 and if they would pricematch. He told me that they cannot keep them in stock, and they are mostly being shipped there, from buds gun shop, etc., and he was just the FFL. So I ended up getting mine at walmart. Walmart guy said they were selling quick as well. I have an inkling this may be due to the 2012 armageddon-ites and the "doomsday preppers"
 
Lee D said:
id buy a Mini14 before id EVER spend 600 on an Olympic
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But, I would go with the Mini-30. Same price rifle and basically the cheapest ammo out there for centerfire rifle. I think the 7.62x39 mm round is inherently a better SD/HD round, being slower moving and twice as massive. But no slouch at 2400 fps. I think the Mini-30 tactical (16.1" barrel with flash hider) that I have handles quickly and smoothly - it gets a lot of admiring comments and looks at the range.

However, other posters above were noting the shortage of Mini-14s. I think Mini-30s may be even harder to reel in. This makes me think others agree with my perception of value.
 
For defensive use my preference is a quality mil spec or better AR, then a decent AK. I would skip low end ARs, this includes Olympic. It has also been the lower end ARs that I see choking on steel case ammo. Having 1k of ammo isn't much use if your gun won't run it.

I'd look at an AR from someone like PSA or BCM. A PSA upper can be had for 450. A lower can be put together for 200 or less if one shops around. That leaves some money to buy some Pmags and ammo.

I'd rather have a converted Saiga than a Mini 30. The saiga is cheaper, simpler, better/cheaper magazines, and mags and parts are much more widely available. Non of this is to say there is anything wrong with the mini but I think one gets more gun dollar for dollar with the saiga.

However, other posters above were noting the shortage of Mini-14s. I think Mini-30s may be even harder to reel in. This makes me think others agree with my perception of value.
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That or not as many are produced and/or stocked because they do not sale as well.
 
You won't have any trouble finding a quality AR for under $1,000.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...8336/Bushmaster+AZ-C1516M4FT+223+16+FLAT+30RD

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...oducts_id/53496/S&W+M&P+15OR+.223+Carbine+16"

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/.../DPMS+RFA2L16+PTHR+LT16+223+COLLAPSIBLE+STOCK

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/.../411545226/STAG+ARMS+SA2+Right+Hand+223+16+A3

I've had good luck with both Stag and DPMS for around $600. Either would be a far, far better choice than the Mini-14.

You can walk into most Walmarts now and buy an AR for less money than the Ruger and come out with a far better gun.

I have well under $1,000 in my Rock River with 20" target barrel and match trigger. My Stag and DPMS AR's were $650 OTD. That price included the rifle, a telescoping stock, picatinney rail, hard case, cleaning kit, flash hider, two 30 round magazines and sales tax.

A Mini-14 will be right at $600. By the time you pay for all the accessories and pay sales tax you will be just under $900. Ruger magazines alone are $30-$50 each depending on the source and capacity. You can pick up the best AR magazines made for $15 and can often find them for as little as $10 each.

I know a Stag or DPMS isn't a Colt, but they are a lot closer than a Ruger.
 
I had to do a double take at post #3 regarding putting LMT in the same category as the other mentioned manufacturers. The most basic entry level AR they build is in the $1200 range with prices moving up to $2000-$3000 very quickly. I have seldom seen used ones for sale, but may be looking in the wrong places. But then again I wouldn't sell my CQB/MRP platforms either.
Not being critical but IMHO opinion LMT is in the category of Noveske, DD, etc.
Just sayin', and as alluded to above, I am biased:D.......
 
Saiga rifle, 7.62x39 with 16" barrel. A genuine Russian Izmash factory 100 series Kalashnikov for about $350 new.
 
Jim beat me to it re the gross mis-categorization of LMT quality.

I have one of the more expensive PSA (Palmetto State Armory) rifles (20" A3 rifle with a detachable carry handle). Built it from their rifle kit on one of their lowers. I then added one of the more expensive (and THE best) aftermarket triggers in the form of a Giessele Hi-Speed Service Rifle. Add 5 mags of your choice and it's still less than $1k. It shoots well. You can build one of their carbine kits for a good bit less and you certainly don't have to do the trigger upgrade or go to that extreme with it. That would save $280 right there.
 
IAC AK for $579
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I would avoid these. I had one that gave me fits. It finally ran right after multiple trips to the gun store and finally the factory, but that was after I fixed numerous problems myself. You're better off with a wasr or you could just wait for a good deal on an ak from a reputable builder. I found an InRange built Hungarian AMM for $600, which is a hell of a better gun than the IAC. Even it needed a little filing on the mag catch to run 100% reliably, though.
 
I have a mini-30, which I love. It's an older one that I found used for $500 OTD. I've changed the hammer & recoil springs, added recoil buffers and a flash hider. Accuracy is very good.

The downside, however, is the mini's are harder to find (new or used), magazines are harder to find (locally) and more expensive. Sometimes, it's hard to find ammo. I can get the Tula from W-M, but sometimes have to go to more then one location. Finding HP/SP is even harder, I usually have to drive up to 50 miles to find it.

I personally prefer the way the mini handles to the AR. If you like the AR, you'll have more options finding a rifle you like, in your price range. You'll have far more options regarding mags and ammo. And you can modify the AR in so many ways (although you can do alot with the mini as well).

The SKS is fine if you don't plan to modify it. Adding optics can be frustrating or expensive. They are very fun range guns and accurate enough.

Heck, your 30-30 is a fine HD rifle, you could stick with that and buy a lot of ammo (or start reloading) for 1K.
 
Ruger FACTORY mini14 mags at Scheels sporting goods....27.99
id sooner spend 30 on a mag I KNOW will work and will last forever vs the ARs that can be picky as to which mags they prefer. i have Ruger mags i bought in '94 that are still as reliable as they were the day i bought em.

i own both, ARs (DD) and a couple Minis, and when the di AR (cant speak for the piston op models) is down for the day needing cleaned, the Garand design will keep on shoothing until the sun goes down. something to be said for a gun like that.
 
and i wont argue the Mini 30, its a great gun that Ruger does offer 20 rd mags for....its simply a matter of ammo for me. i have several .223s and reload alotta ammo for them, so the Mini 14 is my preference.
 
Lee D said:
i own both, ARs (DD) and a couple Minis, and when the di AR (cant speak for the piston op models) is down for the day needing cleaned, the Garand design will keep on shoothing until the sun goes down. something to be said for a gun like that.
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It takes you all day to clean an AR?
 
no it doesnt, but i dont bring alotta unnecessary stuff with me when i shoot. between long guns, handguns, LOTS of ammo, targets, ears eyes and binocs, i am usually loaded down. my daughters tag along and love to shoot, not watch dad clean a gun. ;) i clean when i get home.

my point was that the Mini will run dirty longer than an AR will.
 
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