First Semi Rifle

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somethingbenign

somethingbenign

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Looking to get my first semi center fire rifle. The primary role for this piece will be defense with a potential for hunting/pest control. The twist is I don't want a pistol grip. Grew up shooting levers and bolts, while I can run a pistol grip fine they just don't feel right on long guns to me. Also as I've mentioned before my family is fairly anti-gun or at least not pro "modern sporting rifle." Something I can bring back to the family farm and not get asked to remove it would be great, almost happened when I got my first pistol.

With all that out of the way what is even out there? I checked locally for mini 14 on the clearance price but couldn't find one and for full price I'd want something else. Fightlite makes their SCR that I've seen guys put wood furniture on, this is my front runner. I'd go with a SKS but hoping to stay new or at least with some customer support still. M1A is heavier than I like as well. There has to be more than four options out there. Any experience with the above options?
 
An M1 carbine would be about ideal, but prices on the USGI guns are through the roof right now. Replicas can be had for $750 or so but the quality and reliability of those can be very iffy.

An SKS might be a little long for home defense, but it would get the job done. I'll just say: if you do buy one, don't ever worry about needing customer service for it, because nothing on that gun is ever going to break. They're the toughest semi-autos I've ever seen.
 
I second the Kel Tec SU16c. I keep eyeing them myself.

I also find it somewhat ironic your profile pic features a paintball gun with a pistol grip. Do your parents ban that from the family farm as well?
 
bassjam said:
I also find it somewhat ironic your profile pic features a paintball gun with a pistol grip. Do your parents ban that from the family farm as well?
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Not a firearm so it is treated differently. I'm more comfortable with the pistol grip in paintball because of how compact my play stance is. If I ever shoot a firearm with more recoil than a 22lr with my painball stance I'd loose half a dozen teeth.
 
Go with the Fightlite SCR, put a simple, featureless upper on it and get a couple of Magpul ultra compact 10 round mags.

You mentioned wood. It would be interesting to see this lower with a wood stock combined with an upper fitted with wood handguards.
 
entropy said:
Wait until you've moved out and can buy what you want without having to worry.
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I own my own house and live in a different state. I don't like the pistol grips, my family is just a secondary consideration I threw in with hope it would cut down the "just get an AR" comments I've seen elsewhere. Me saving up for what I'm sure will be a more expensive option is me buying what I want.
 
If this family farm is not your property, then it might be worthwhile showing them photos of the types of auto loading rifles you are interested in bringing there.

I remember one time years ago that I brought my SKS to an in-laws farm and the initial reaction was not good. They were used to traditional styled bolt action and lever rifles. They thought the 10 round magazine sticking out the bottom and the small upper handguard/gas tube were "evil" features. It didn't matter to them that it had a wood stock.
 
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somethingbenign said:
Fightlite makes their SCR that I've seen guys put wood furniture on, this is my front runner.
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MistWolf said:
Go with the Fightlite SCR, put a simple, featureless upper on it and get a couple of Magpul ultra compact 10 round mags.

You mentioned wood. It would be interesting to see this lower with a wood stock combined with an upper fitted with wood handguards.
Click to expand...

Those SCRs sure can morph an AR into something else, can't they? :)



Not my rifle, btw.
 
If my family doesn't want my guns around then they don't want me around either. I would just go shoot somewhere else. HOWEVER this does kind of seem like a great teachable moment for you to introduce scary black rifles to your family.
 
I dislike pistol grips on rifles as well, and I've owned a mini and liked it, but your right they are pricey.......so my next semi will probably be an SCR done up all pretty like. Side charger(if the bolt carrier will take it), .458 socom, that wood furniture looks nice. I'm sure it will be more affordable than a new mini :p
I still want to try a su-16 also, but nobody I've met has had one so I haven't gotten to shoot any.
 
I should clarify that my mom and step dad aren't the ones that have a problem with firearms, although my mom doesn't like the idea of her "little boy" using lethal force, but my step siblings are the problem. My step dad actually has a Mini 14 on the wall but nobody knows what it is capable of but him and I. My step siblings are the type that consider having firearms in the same home as a child abuse even if in a safe and will report it. My desire to put any real effort teaching them is few and far between not to mention a risk I'd rather not take. However it is very important to my mother, whom I greatly respect, that I keep in contact with my siblings.

I do really like the SKS but my hesitation is that a buddy just bought one off classic firearms and the one he got is riddled with problems. Last time I shot with him we couldn't get five rounds with out getting a failure to feed or some weird dead trigger. He thinks bubba got a hold of his at some point and tried a home trigger job.

That SU-16 is really appealing, seeing them in the $600 range. For that price I think I'd rather save up a little extra and get the SCR and get the modular benefits of the AR platform. My local range can order in a SCR for about $850 with no deflector, dust cover, or port for forward assist. They can get one with those features for $975. If I go with the SCR I'd like to try and fit the wood furniture and may switch out the upper with a ARAK. My very quick and dirty research suggests that the ARAK wouldn't need a buffer tube and would shorten the overall length but have no idea on quality or accuracy of that upper. If I get the upper then I can buy a standard lower to build a second AR but that would be a good chunk of time down the road. I think I'm talking myself into a SCR unless someone has something game changing.
 
I have not seen it brought up but there is also the BAR....a bit spendy.

Sad to say the black rifles have killed off most centerfire automatic rifles, not like there are tons to start with. Sporting guns tended to be bolt or lever guns even into the 50's when the "gun culture" really exploded....automatic rifles for sporting have always been on the more expensive side IMHO....I am sure there is one out there somewhere that I am forgetting....point is they seemed to be a step above the bolt rifles.

If you want new there are just not that many choices, I think the Ruger you hunted is a good choice but they are spendy when not on a special.

OLD ones are complicated, and not something I would suggest for a "first" centerfire rifle...thinks like the early winchesters in 351 and 401 as well as the remington automatics in their specific flavors, 30 and 35 remington...however 35 remington still exists...not strong but you can find it....those guns are very complicated, the remingtons have LOTS of parts inside....fun guns....I forgot they made the 61 in 300 savage so that is still a pretty popular flavor....the guns are amazing bits of history and a hoot to shoot, but do research to see if you want to dive into that deep end of the pool.

Some suggested a 30 carbine....I think that would be a great choice, not much more then a "normal" mini-14 and it is something that can stay in your family for years, and take care of it, you will sell it for what you paid for it.....unless the guberment takes it away from us.

I ramble again....let us know how you choose.
 
A good way to go would be to find a used Remington 7400 series. They are usually pretty cheap. Under $400. There are 10 round magazines for them also.

A lot more accurate than any Mini 14 ever made.
 
JONWILL said:
A good way to go would be to find a used Remington 7400 series. They are usually pretty cheap. Under $400. There are 10 round magazines for them also.

A lot more accurate than any Mini 14 ever made.
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Ive owned both, and id say they are about on par with the newer minis.
They are not known for being horribly reliable, but i think thats more to do with the magazines. The one i had did very well, except when the chamber had rust in it. It yanked the rim off a case now and then when that happened.
The 7400s also dont come in anything smaller than .243 (as far as i know), not real cheap, and they ware out with heavy use.
Id like to have a 7400 again (or a 7600), but they go for 600-750ish out here even used.
 
I thought of a few that I was going to mention earlier today, but I deleted it before I posted it because honestly after I thought about it I wouldn't recommend any of them.
 
I’d go with an M1 Garand from the CMP. Can fill all the roles you mentioned, nice classic look that is not offensive to anti-gun types. They are fun to shoot. Cheaper than some of the other options like an M1a or Bar, and much more fun and durable than something like a Remington semi-auto. Remington semi autos have a reputation of wearing themselves out easily with anything more than light use.
 
ScrapMetalSlug said:
I’d go with an M1 Garand from the CMP. Can fill all the roles you mentioned, nice classic look that is not offensive to anti-gun types. They are fun to shoot. Cheaper than some of the other options like an M1a or Bar, and much more fun and durable than something like a Remington semi-auto. Remington semi autos have a reputation of wearing themselves out easily with anything more than light use.
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I always forget about the CMP. Where are those located? I'd rather pick up in person if possible.
 
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