What Rifle Should I Buy?

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Fisherman12

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I've owned a lot of pistols, shotguns, a 10/22, and a couple of bolt actions, but I really want to get a good self defense rifle. Something reliable, powerful (enough to stop someone with as few shots as possible but still good for in the home), long lasting, and has withstood the test of time in battle.

I've looked at AR15's, AK's, SKS, and a couple of others. I'm just not sure what to pick. Cost isn't the issue, but I'm not interested in these new all polymer rifles. I want, preferably, steel.

I will say this: I'm a little prejudiced against the AR. I've never really liked 5.56 and thought it was too small, and I don't like the design of the weapon overall.
 
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I think AK-47s are great first SD rifles because of their low cost and simplicity. Many of my fellow americans may think of me weird but i prefer the ak over the ar-15 rifle. I just have to have a collapsable stock because i dont have short russian arms.
 
Hmmm...a self defense rifle? Conundrum indeed.

If, as you say, cost is a non issue then me being you, you'd have an Arsenal SGL21.

It's sounds, though, like you have your bases covered for SD in the home, with pistols and shotguns. But, you'll not be undergunned with a good AK.:)
 
If, as you say, cost is a non issue then me being you, you'd have an Arsenal SGL21.
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Is the AK47 good for self defense? I heard the round just bores straight through and doesn't do much damage and isn't going fast enough for it's caliber
 
I have a Yugo Mdl 59/66 SKS...the one with all the grenade launcher stuff. I find it to be 'minute-of-bad-guy' accurate and reliable. The 7.62x39 round has enough power to do the job.

I can reload it using 10-round stripper clips almost as fast as my US Rifle Cal .30 M1 Popularly Know As "The Garand" with the 8-round en-bloc clips.

Now, when I can get some of the grenade-launcher blanks and dummy grenades, we can play "Yard Darts" { GRIN! }
 
Fisherman12 said:
Is the AK47 good for self defense? I heard the round just bores straight through and doesn't do much damage and isn't going fast enough for it's caliber
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You have the benefit of aftermarket fare, not just FMJ milsurp. Exposed lead, hollow points, or ballistic tips can be had in x39. The round is going plenty fast enough.

Another suggestion is an M1 carbine.
 
The 5.45 round is devastating in the AK74. The round has a hollow cavity in the FMJ bullet that retains it's shape right before it hits the target. I didn't know that it was a dangerous round up until the other day. But for most people, an AR-15 with a flashlight attachment would suffice as a SD weapon. And you said the 5.56 would be too small? Clearly you have not read 5.56 ballistics tables and understood the energy the 5.56 delivers. It is still less than the 7.62x39 but is much more accurate and stable. Just my opinion.

I keep a SR9c and Glock 36 in my nightstand. I trust them both with my life.
 
I agree that the 30 Carbine would be a dandy home defense weapon. The only downside, I feel the WWII rifles should not be used for self defense role, but kept, and shot, for their historic value. But my opinion and five bucks will get you a Starbucks coffee.

Unfortunately, post war consumer M1 Carbines can be hit or miss. I here that the Kahr models are better. I will find out in the near future. i would like to get the Kahr paratrooper model.

A 30 M1 Carbine is fun too shoot though.

As an alternate, look at the 300 BLK in an AR platform. Performance is better than 30 Carbine and on par or better than 7.62x39.

In general, the AR platform is can be very accurate and there are lots of tacti-cool pieces on the market.

Except for the barrel, all the parts, including magazines, on a 300 BLK are 223 Rem standard so parts are readily available.

It is un to do the research. Good luck with your research.
 
cfullgraf said:
I agree that the 30 Carbine would be a dandy home defense weapon. The only downside, I feel the WWII rifles should not be used for self defense role, but kept, and shot, for their historic value. But my opinion and five bucks will get you a Starbucks coffee.

Unfortunately, post war consumer M1 Carbines can be hit or miss. I here that the Kahr models are better. I will find out in the near future. i would like to get the Kahr paratrooper model.

A 30 M1 Carbine is fun too shoot though.

As an alternate, look at the 300 BLK in an AR platform. Performance is better than 30 Carbine and on par or better than 7.62x39.

In general, the AR platform is can be very accurate and there are lots of tacti-cool pieces on the market.

Except for the barrel, all the parts, including magazines, on a 300 BLK are 223 Rem standard so parts are readily available.

It is un to do the research. Good luck with your research.
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Let me reiterate: any M1 carbine. Find one with a bayo lug, it's not WW2. There'd be your perfect HD rifle.
 
I like an SKS. It's inexpensive and reliable, especially if you keep the fixed 10 rd magazine.

You can buy premium ammo and it'll perform superbly.

In an EPR role (emergency preparedness rifle) you can stock up on cheap ($5/20 rds) Tula FMJ ammo from Walmart and be able to engage bad guys in cars, if necessary. To achieve the same capability with 5.56x45mm you have to spend $1 or more per cartridge.

I prefer a Norinco SKS paratrooper model. It handles and points like an M1 Carbine.
 
Fal .308. ;)

Really the 5.56 is more than capable of putting a man down effectively. A few rounds center mass and hes done. If you dont want an ar15, there is always a Sig, Scar L, Aug, HK.
 
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for HD in city or suburbs, I think .223 is the way to go. It has enough stopping power and less chance of overpenetration if you use the lighter bullets.
I happen to be fond of the .30 AK round, but unless I thought I had a high probability in my HD role to shoot thru car doors, etc., they are just slightly too much bullet. Trailer walls are even thinner than house walls!

Too many brands and models in ARs, and I haven`t touched one since Vietnam, so I will stick with my Mini14. Incidently, my mini14 has factory 20 round mags and I can live with the fact that it is not a target rifle..

The type of AKs being imported are risky on the QC end and the remanufactured ones are pricy. A good slightly used SKS that has had the bolt cleaned properly and the gas ports inspected would be my ``to go`` choice if I were to have to leave the city on short notice.
 
Here is another link http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=670690
I don't know if the 5.56 in military issue turns you off or is it just the caliber in general but I can't think of a better combination for a home defense rifle than a carbine length AR and some ammo that will come apart reliably in an attacker or your walls.
There are many tests done that show the bullets passing through less than pistol or shotgun rounds but if you have seen a Ballistic tip perform on flesh it will make you a believer.
 
Fisherman12 said:
I've owned a lot of pistols, shotguns, a 10/22, and a couple of bolt actions, but I really want to get a good self defense rifle. Something reliable, powerful (enough to stop someone with as few shots as possible but still good for in the home), long lasting, and has withstood the test of time in battle.

I've looked at AR15's, AK's, SKS, and a couple of others. I'm just not sure what to pick. Cost isn't the issue, but I'm not interested in these new all polymer rifles. I want, preferably, steel.

I will say this: I'm a little prejudiced against the AR. I've never really liked 5.56 and thought it was too small, and I don't like the design of the weapon overall.
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Another suggestion: a pistol caliber carbine. Hi Point, CX4, Just Right, MechTech upper for a Glock or 1911 to name a few. These would be dandy HD weapons too.
 
Self defense/home rifle..........AK. Are you expecting a full blown fire fight ?
If your thinking of that type of weapon. Get the "big" clip, what ever that is.
Might just as well go all the way.
 
I'm a little prejudiced against the AR. I've never really liked 5.56 and thought it was too small, and I don't like the design of the weapon overall.
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I hear you on the design; it's not my favorite, either. However, I don't think you should discount the 5.56. At close range, it's just as good as anything at stopping people. The super light recoil better enables multiple shots, surely closing the gap (if there is any) between it and others. But like you said, the design is very strange. You should try looking into one of those Saiga AKs chambered in 5.56... Well, now I'm wondering if it's 5.56 or 5.45... Maybe both? :confused:
 
If you like an M1 you can get a brand new one through CMP. They are not cheap. Last price I saw was over $1500 plus shipping. But it is a brand new Springfield Armory M1. If you don't want to spend that much you can get a TG International FEG AMD-65 7.62x39 AK Variant It is a brand new AK made by FEG.

I don't blame you for wanting to pass on an AR. Just because it has a great ballistic chart doesn't mean the cartridge can apply the energy. I have heard way to many horror stories from veterans returning from combat. I didn't like the M16A1 rifle issued to troops when I served. A 60gr bullet isn't very comforting. A .308 or anything with a decent sized bullet would have given me much more confidence in my weapon. The .308 would eliminate the need to have so many different cartridges as well. The M60 shoots a .308.
 
If you like an M1 you can get a brand new one through CMP. They are not cheap. Last price I saw was over $1500 plus shipping. But it is a brand new Springfield Armory M1. If you don't want to spend that much you can get a TG International FEG AMD-65 7.62x39 AK Variant It is a brand new AK made by FEG.

I don't blame you for wanting to pass on an AR. Just because it has a great ballistic chart doesn't mean the cartridge can apply the energy. I have heard way to many horror stories from veterans returning from combat. I didn't like the M16A1 rifle issued to troops when I served. A 60gr bullet isn't very comforting. A .308 or anything with a decent sized bullet would have given me much more confidence in my weapon. The .308 would eliminate the need to have so many different cartridges as well. The M60 shoots a .308.
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As far as the M1, are you talking about the Garand? It's certainly powerful, but would that be practical for home defense?

And yes, I've heard too many horror stories about the M16 and 5.56 too. My brother in Afghanistan, my uncle in Vietnam, and plastic and aluminum doesn't appeal to me. I like blued (or park'd) steel, wood, and a .30 cal or bigger.
 
Power in a small package...

Have you considered the Mosin-Nagant M38, M44 or Chinese T53? These rifles are incredibly simple and rugged and the 7.62x54R cartridge is on par with a .308 Winchester or Springfield .30-06. I have a Mosin-Nagant 1891/30 (longer version) and I love shooting it. It's dependable, easy to clean, well balanced and easy to shoot. Anyone taking a direct hit from the 7.62x54R will be out of the picture! Your choice.. :)
 
Something reliable, powerful (enough to stop someone with as few shots as possible but still good for in the home), long lasting, and has withstood the test of time in battle.
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In the home is a worthwhile consideration and to some so is the automobile, I would encourage you to research the lengths of some of your choices as well as the loaded weight and see if that is compatible with your requirements.
 
Sorry, but I must be the devils advocate here. I see no better home defense than a short barreled shot gun loaded with 00 buck,and a 9mm loaded with 17 rounds. I don,t see the need for a bullit that's travels3200 per second in the house.
 
mickeyblueyes said:
Sorry, but I must be the devils advocate here. I see no better home defense than a short barreled shot gun loaded with 00 buck,and a 9mm loaded with 17 rounds. I don,t see the need for a bullit that's travels3200 per second in the house.
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Thank the Lord you said it so I wouldn't feel compelled.
 
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