What would you do?

Bobson · Jan 7, 2013

Curious what other members would do if they were in my shoes. Like some others, I've put off the purchase of a semi-auto rifle (AR15, AK47, whatever floats your boat), always planning to get one "soon". Well soon never came, unfortunately. Now I'm concerned I missed my chance.

Currently I own a 12ga pump shotgun, a Glock 19, and a 22LR rifle.

Honestly I have very, very little concern that I'll ever need a rifle for any sort of legit combat. I just want some sort of semi-auto rifle if at all possible - whether an AR, AK, or M1A. Here's the thing. I haven't seen a single semi rifle of any of the above three variants in any gun shop I've visited in the last two weeks or so. In my last two visits to shops (Cabela's and Bass Pro), I haven't seen a single lever action rifle either.

In another week or so, I'll be able to buy my last rifle for the next few years (starting law school soon). Should I spend that money and buy a bolt action rifle I've had my eyes on, or save it and hope the AWB doesn't pass, and buy an AR then? I expect it to pass, for what that's worth. But if lever rifles are starting to sell out too, who's to say bolt rifles won't? And who knows how long it will be before we get a final word on whether or not Feinstein's bill is passed?

What would you do? Save it and hope I can buy an AR in six+ months (if the bill passes, I can always get a bolt rifle later), or buy a bolt rifle and just enjoy that (if the bill doesn't pass, I can always buy an AR later... I can't buy one now either way)?

justice06rr · Jan 8, 2013

Quick question, do you prefer the AR15 or AK?

Both are kind of hard to find right now, but AK's will be cheaper if you find them and ammo will be more available too. If you look around some pawn shops, you may even find a used AK for less than $1k. AR's are way overpriced right now and you can't even find magazines and ammo for it.

My suggestion, buy the semi-auto rifle of your choice for now. I don't see bolt actions going away or going up too much in price, and they will still be available in stores in the near future. I would even suggest looking into a Mosin Nagant rifle as they are fairly priced between $100-200 and ammo is cheap if you have a little extra money to spare after buying the semiauto. You can learn and practice on that until you buy your dream bolt action.

gspn · Jan 8, 2013

If you want an AR, and you expect the bill to pass then you get online and buy an AR now. You know that you will be paying a premium...but if it's now or never then, as they say...it is what it is.

Buying a bolt gun now won't scratch your AR itch.

You also have to know that if you buy at a panic driven premium now...and the bill doesn't pass...then you will have paid about twice as much as you should have for the gun...but again...it is what it is.

Njal Thorgeirsson · Jan 8, 2013

It may be a while before AR's are readily available at reasonable prices.

Unless burning up a lot of ammo for plinking and such is your thing, you will probably get more use out of a good bolt gun than an AR anyways. Yeah they're cool and fun and all that, but they usually aren't the absolute most useful of weapons, with the exception of angering the antis, plinking, and maybe varminting (of which many bolt guns excel at). You will get plenty of good use out of a quality bolt gun- from hunting to paper punching and more- not to mention that no gun collection is complete without one (in my opinion). If you really narrow it down to that one perfect bolt gun you know you can't go wrong with, you will probably never regret that purchase.

If you buy an AR because of the craze and you don't really truly want or have a use for one, you might regret your purchase.

I'd get a really fine bolt gun, and wait for all this AR stuff to simmer down one way or another.

Bobson · Jan 8, 2013

Quick question, do you prefer the AR15 or AK?*

I prefer the AK, if it was the Arsenal SGL21. Otherwise, an AR. This isnt the time to be picky, I know; but I'd rather go without than settle for something less.

Bobson · Jan 8, 2013

Njal Thorgeirsson said:
Unless burning up a lot of ammo for plinking and such is your thing, you will probably get more use out of a good bolt gun than an AR anyways. Yeah they're cool and fun and all that, but they usually aren't the absolute most useful of weapons, with the exception of angering the antis, plinking, and maybe varminting (of which many bolt guns excel at). You will get plenty of good use out of a quality bolt gun- from hunting to paper punching and more- not to mention that no gun collection is complete without one (in my opinion). If you really narrow it down to that one perfect bolt gun you know you can't go wrong with, you will probably never regret that purchase.

That's really good advice... I was actually thinking earlier today that if I already had a centerfire rifle (either the bolt or semi), I'd spend this money on a reloading setup instead of another gun.

What about the M1A? Have the prices for those raised too? Does anybody know of an online shop that still has them? If I can find one reasonably priced, I'll probably pick one up, as it has become one of my must buy rifles - even moreso than an AR or AK. But if I can't find one inside my budget, oh well... I'll get the bolt rifle and hope another opportunity for the M1A comes up in the future.

MISTERBADGER · Jan 8, 2013

you can still purchase several different AR rifles at wal mart if you are lucky enough to be there when they arrive at the store. they had sigs a colt and I think a smith and wesson.

MISTERBADGER · Jan 8, 2013

You can still pick an AR up at wal mart if you are lucky enough to be there when they arrive at the store. They had a couple of sigs a colt and Think the other one was a smith and wesson.

Swampman · Jan 8, 2013

Like you I haven't seen any of the weapons you mentioned in gun stores lately, but I went to a gun show last Saturday and there must have been 500 guys wandering through with AKs, ARs, PSLs and Saiga 12s (not a single M1a however) slung over their shoulders with "for sale" signs hanging on 'em. There were also a LOT of ARs and a few AKs on dealers tables.
Pretty much everything I saw was priced at least double what it was a month ago, but I didn't see a single sale made.

Were I in your position and really wanted an AK or AR, I think I'd wait a bit for sanity to return.
But then I don't think another AWB is quite as likely as you do.

If you really believe that you won't ever have to use the weapon "socially", I'd seriously think about what Njal Thorgeirsson said. For most of the tasks that a rifle is used for a good bolt action is probably more practical than an AK or AR.

If you want the best of both worlds, pick up a CMP Garand. It may not be as trendy as an AR or AK, but it's better made and the 30-06 caliber makes it useful for just about anything you want a rifle to do.
Best of all a service grade rifle is still only $625 and the ammo is under $100 for 200 rounds (plus shipping on both). And they're available NOW.

MISTERBADGER · Jan 8, 2013

You can still pick an AR up at wal mart if you are lucky enough to be there when they arrive at the store. They had a couple of sigs a colt and Think the other one was a smith and wesson

ugaarguy · Jan 8, 2013

If you can snag one at Wally world or one of the other big box places at a reasonable price I'd go for it. Otherwise, I'd wait for the panic to die down, and hunt for a bargain this summer.

Worst case scenario is that even if a ban passes Mini-14s, M1As, and Kel-Tec SU-16 carbines, all without flash hiders / threaded bbls, will very likely still be available with 10 round mags. With that in mind I wouldn't buy at panic prices.

justice06rr · Jan 8, 2013

Bobson, do you have $1400+ to buy an AK or AR?

If not, then get that bolt action rifle instead. We cannot tell you if you can still buy AR/AK's in the future, which is why I'm telling you to get one now if you can afford it.

No, now is not the time to be picky unless you have the dough to back it up.

justice06rr · Jan 8, 2013

Just for curiosity, what is the bolt action you had your eyes on?

Swampman · Jan 8, 2013

Bobson:
I saw your post about actually preferring the M1a after I made my initial post. I own both an M1a and a couple of Garands, the Garand really doesn't give up much to the M1a performance wise and with magazine availability being what it is the Garand looks better and better.
For $80 you can get 100 8 round en bloc clips that'll hold 800 rounds of ammo ready to fire. Even if you COULD find enough M1a mags to hold 800 rounds, they'd cost as much as the down payment on a new Mercedes.
If you're set on .308/7.62x51, the CMP Special is available in that chambering and with a brand new Criterion barrel is still priced under a grand.

Bobson · Jan 8, 2013

justice06rr said:
Just for curiosity, what is the bolt action you had your eyes on?

The Winchester M70 Extreme Weather. I had one and loved it, but needed to sell it around six months ago. Even as I sold it, I had plans to replace it with a new rifle of the same model down the road.

@ Swampman, I'm going to look into the Garand. That does sound like a decent route to take.

Isaac-1 · Jan 8, 2013

While I would not say that there are many deals to be found on AR's at the moment, I do think we are seeing signs of some sanity coming back to the market when you look at Gun Broker, etc. It may just be momentary until someone fans the flames again, or it may be those that would panic buy are running out of money. Watching the prices on recently closed GB auctions over the last 2 or 3 days and I have spotted a few gems mixed in with the garbage, particularly in the models that before the craze were retailing in the $1,100 - $1,500 range from the less well known companies. I have yet to spot any that have sold at their pre-craze prices, but have spotted some that came very close ($1,300 for a gun that was selling for $1,150-$1,200 a month ago). Maybe many of the panic buyers can't distinguish these from the low end Bushmaster Carbons which are also selling in this range. There are also many that are going off on GB that are not meeting the reserve prices, if that keeps up people will likely start lowering the reserves to more sane levels.

Ike

p.s take a look at prices on GB for Anderson guns, note they sell parts so some listing will be project guns built from Anderson parts others will be their AM-15 family of AR platform factory built guns. I have one that I bought just as the craze started at pre-craze pricing and am very happy with its build quality.

1911 guy · Jan 8, 2013

Tough one.

If you really have the itch, I'd say sit tight on the money and keep your eye out for a good deal on an AR. Or start finding parts in stock and build one, worst case scenario. Getting a lower will be an issue, though. Probably as much or more than getting a complete rifle.

If it's simply a "gotta have a semiauto centerfire" thing, the CMP Garands might be your ticket. Or an SKS. I wouldn't pay the premium for an AK right now. Of course it it's just a mild itch, I wouldn't pay the premium for an AR, either.

In short, I'd hold off on replacing the bolt gun simply because they are far more available now than autoloaders. If you pop the cash on it, you'll find someone dumping an AR the next day and wish you still had the money.

Davek1977 · Jan 8, 2013

I personally would wait. I do not expect the bill to pass, and have a gut feeling in 6 months or so, most of whats happening today will just be a bad memory. Bolt guns, lever guns, etc will surely be available at least fore the foreseeable future, so waiting won't hurt anything on that front.

gunNoob · Jan 8, 2013

Get an AK. They are sexy

tarosean · Jan 8, 2013

Id wait it out instead of paying panic prices... Its not like they will slam a law through congress in a day or two if you get that desperate then pa the premium.

orrr just order a premium one for about the same money and bide your time..

Boattale · Jan 8, 2013

I got my fill of AR in the USMC. Bolt rifles are a lot more interesting and real world useful in my considered opinion.

targetshooter22 · Jan 8, 2013

+1 on the nice bolt gun. For the money it takes to get an AR, or even an AK, you are close to or over the cost of a really nice bolt gun. Put a peep on it for that military feel if you need to, otherwise revel in a cool stick shift when the rest of the pack wants to drive an (semi)automatic.

Rem 700, Win M70, CZ 550, Tikka T3, Savage 110, all will give you countless years of good times...

JustinJ · Jan 8, 2013

A ban of bolt guns is extremely unlikely. If an AR is on your bucket list and you have the funds to acquire i'd get on a list ASAP, just in case.

Cosmoline · Jan 8, 2013

I would wait on the AR until the panic subsides and you can get one for a reasonable price again. I do not expect a revived AWB to pass, let alone a strengthened one. In the mean time you can find some reasonable or even good deals on bolt actions. Can't go wrong with a Ruger No. 1 or a CZ 550 as a high powered long gun.\

The Garand is also a nice idea. I've seen some for very reasonable prices around here. They don't seem to be under threat of ban in the zeitgeist. The only caveat is they are somewhat restricted in ammo choices.

brnmw · Jan 8, 2013

I prefer the AK, if it was the Arsenal SGL21. Otherwise, an AR. This isnt the time to be picky, I know; but I'd rather go without than settle for something less.

Than get the AK... However, That is very hard even for me to tell you what I think you should do. If you have the money now and it is not likely you will have this money later to spend it on the AK/AR of "YOUR" choice when all the madness is over and hopefully you still will be able to buy an AK/AR of your choosing. Than I would say get the Bolt-gun now while you have the money to spend on it and worry about the other later if possible. If you can be patient and wait out the madness and see what is available once all the gun mftr. companies have caught up with demand than wait. It really all boils down to your patience and or ability to hang on to the money, chances are the bolt-gun's will not be affected so that will remain an option down the road if you wait.

What would you do?

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