Consultation on My Future Rifle Needs

How Should I Build My Suburban Rifle Collection?

  • .22, then SKS, then M1A

    Votes: 17 18.9%

  • Get the SKS now!

    Votes: 16 17.8%

  • Get the M1A now!

    Votes: 20 22.2%

  • Buy everything, then hoard them while practicing on the .22

    Votes: 37 41.1%
  • Total voters
    90
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I voted for the 22 lr first. That was because I took the poll question at face value. You have an amazing amount of gun knowledge for a noobie who doesn't know how to shoot a 22. Given your extensive research and comprehensive understanding of reticle subtension related to human anatomy, I would recommend that you buy everything at once. Please be sure to include safety related items such as hearing protection, glasses, armored vest, etc.
You may also want to check the Warrior Talk forum.
 
The only problem with getting all this great advice is that the many different camps all make very compelling cases.

Hello, Draven! I've actually fired 10 rounds out of an SKS. It didn't feel uncomfortable, probably because ALL rifles feel uncomfortable to me. I was just shooting to feel it out, so I'd need to get another crack at it for serious study.

Truth is, I'd be far more interested in shooting your M1 Carbine, since I've never fired one before. I'd even spring for the ammo...

Yeah, I have some money to play with, but the reason I still have it is that I'm actually pretty tight-fisted. I'm using a 4-year-old computer, my XM in my car still has wires everywhere, my cellphone makes a rattling noise, and I just ganked a ton of free music from my family so that I won't have to buy a new CD for the next 5 years.

See, now, thanks to you people, every major outlay of cash makes my brain's tickertape go "That was gun money you just threw away, soldier..." Even a CD costs the same as a 50 box of .45 ACP Ball.

I'm leaning towards getting all of them, but in a certain order:

The .22 and the SKS would be close together, and the M1A would be in the distance.

I really like the suggestion that the .22 should serve as the warmup to the SKS, in that after a short-but-intensive period of shooting the .22 exclusively, I would start taking both to the range and "warming up" with the .22. Before I bought my .45, I did several weeks of pure .22 pistol shooting, so it's a training pattern I find fairly comfortable.

If anyone here has a CZ 513, can they tell me about the fixed sights on the weapon? Does having fixed sights eliminate a key part of rifle discipline?
 
Well, sure. Come to the THR shoot or something... my sight works now, so it shoots well.

Instead of am M-1A, I'm slowly building a FAL... but you heard that elsewhere.

Oh, I have a Marlin model 60 you can fire away on too.
 
Buy the .22 and the .308

If it were me, I'd get a .22 bolt gun and the M1A now. With a shotgun and M-14, the SKS will be an incidental thing. Not necessary so you can pick it up at economic leisure. The shotgun and Rifle will cover your stated bases, the .22 will cover you for cheap practice. I use an AR and .308 bolt rifle often, but go to the .22 bolt action more often to stay sharp.
 
Another vote for .22 and M1A. I'd skip the SKS. The M1A is the rifle you want. The .22 is great for plinking and trigger time. Eventually get an SKS if surplus rifles float your boat. But I don't see any value to the SKS as a stepping stone from .22 to .308.
 
Did someone ask a question, post a poll, and expect an opinion...?:D
Alrighty, then!

If you can afford to get it all NOW, here's what I think about it...
The choices are pretty good, but I'd change a couple of them for couple of reasons.
First, I like to have the 'safety' in the same position if at all possible. This would make the 870 backwards from your other choices.
Second, the SKS is a good choice and a very serviceable rifle, but you've indicated you want an M1A in .308.
So, based on that, I've picked a couple of different guns to put into your list that would enhance the way your choices work in concert with each other.
Here's what they are and why I gave my opinion on them.
I hope you get it ALL!!!:evil:


1. Ruger 10/22 .22LR
Good to have a .22 rifle.
Many options to alter it to suit your taste or fit into the 'look' you want with other guns in your collection.
Safety at the front of the triggerguard.

2. Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle .223/5.56x45 NATO
Ammo is reasonbly cheap and effective and common.
It's like a LITTLE M1A, literally designed that way.
Accurate 'enough' and reliable magazines are available.
Scopable, if needed.
Safety at the front of the triggerguard.

3. M1A .308
Ammo is reasonbly cheap and effective and common.
It's like a BIG MINI-14.
Safety at the front of the triggerguard.

4. Winchester 1300 12-gauge pump SHOTGUN
Relatively inexpensive.
Has a 'speed-pump' feature.
Safety at the front of the triggerguard.

If I were to choose only 2 of the above to start with, it'd be difficult.
Probably the .22 & .308 would be most useful for survival purposes.
For Civil Unrest, the .223 & 12-ga. would be my choices.
That's why I said get it ALL if you have the means, and keep it all familiar to make it easier to transition from one to the other.
Good Luck. Have fun shopping!
 
Get the LRB M14 and a CZ 22 L.R..Order the 25m target and "Fred's guide to becoming a Rifleman http://www.fredsm14stocks.com/catalog/acc.asp
Get the Jim Owens series on book or video http://www.jarheadtop.com/
Buy ammo and go to work.As far as shotguns,my personal favorite is a pre-1975 Ithaca 37 Featherlite 8 shot with 20 in barrel.Forged steel and walnut yet lighter than most modern riot guns.Glassy smooth and stone reliable with real old school craftsmanship readily apparent.Pre1975 because there was no trigger disconnect.Just hold the trigger back and work the pump to light'em up.
 
Ideally, it would mount something like the ACOG, which can do close-in battle as well as long range. The reason I was attracted to the ACOG was that it mixes a red chevron for quick-acquisition, plus it has a ranging system based on the width of the torso, rather than by using an assumed six-foot height.

As to how it should be mounted, I'd do whatever's best.

So, why is the ARMS mount no good?
 
I love the ACOG, and would like to put one on my FAL, but the ones calibrated for .308 that have fiber optic lighting are rather expensive...

Keep in mind, not all ACOGs have the chevron sight.
 
Get a 22lr (whichever you want), then a LRB 18in bush-type rifle, and take at least one rifle class at a good school. ThunderRanch Oregon will not discriminate if you don't have a Ar15, and teach you all you need to know . There are other schools, but some are more geared for Ars than others. Also, Fred's has good stuff to DIY. A shotgun and a M14 will cover your bases, so a SKS is not necessary -use that money for more ammo.
 
Doctor Suarez said:
Ideally, it would mount something like the ACOG, which can do close-in battle as well as long range. The reason I was attracted to the ACOG was that it mixes a red chevron for quick-acquisition, plus it has a ranging system based on the width of the torso, rather than by using an assumed six-foot height.

As to how it should be mounted, I'd do whatever's best.

So, why is the ARMS mount no good?
Click to expand...

Check out the Leupold MK4 MR/T with the SPR reticle.http://www.leupold.com/products/tactical_products/new_products2.htm
It will handle near any situation and has several methods of range estimation as well as an illuminated circle for shots under 300 yds.Go to the above link and click on SPR under the Download PDF spec sheet banner.SOME rifles have issues with the ARMS mount with ejected casings bouncing back into the rifle,causing jams.The Smith and the Sadlak mount are chamfered underneath specifically to address this issue.
 
I voted M1A first, use the money you saved by skipping the SKS and .22 to purchase 3 or 4 cases of South African, Port, or Aussie surplus.

I've got all three rifles (a couple copies of each, actually) and I can't picture ANY "social situation" where I'd rather have an SKS or .22. The M1A is far more accurate and effective at any range, and with the limited availability of 7.62x39 these days, surplus 7.62 NATO is almost as easy (not necessarily cheaper) to get.

Plus, if you go up to Angeles range, on any given day you'll be one of about 3 guys with an M1A. If you're friendly, you can shoot all kinds of rifles (personally, I shot Garands, AK's, a Steyr Scount once, and Some Crazy Double Rifle in .416 Something or other) in exchange for a few rounds out of your M1A. ;)

S/F

Farnham
 
Egad, is that Leupold scope really $1,600??? I was getting squishy over the ACOG's $1,100 price tag. Good LORD.

Of course, I can always add the scope mount later. So I guess we'll see how things shake out financially.

Also, after some research, I've decided against the CZ 513, given that the 452 Military Trainer is only 40 dollars more, and has the adjustable match sights.
 
i would skip the 22.

and just go strait to the small caliber stuff, like a mini-14 or sks. i would then get an m-1a and then mabey a bolt hunting rifle.
 
The leupold sells for about 850.Midway USA carries them but their currently on back order. 1,600 is Manufacturers suggested retail price which is always much higher so that the retailer put it "on sale" for x amount below MSRP and you think it's a steal while the dealer still get's to make a tidy profit.
 
Just a little update:

Bought the Remmy 870 and the CZ 452 Mil Trainer. But thanks to a massive cold, all-week writing with my partner, and gathering RKBA signatures at gun shows, I haven't had a chance to shoot either yet!

Still, I've handled and stripped the CZ already, and I'm blown away by the quality, comfort, and old-world beauty of this rifle. Even the "cheap" wood stock is gorgeous.

Coloring my decision overall is the fact that I can't buy ammo on the internet in Los Angeles. Though, as a most pleasant surprise, the local Turner's carries SA .308. If they're charging something reasonable for it, then my mind might be made up. (They also have Wolf 7.62 Russkie, but I haven't done a cost comparison yet.)

I'll go over there today and check out their milsurp prices. If they're good, I'll start buying ammo even though I don't have the rifle yet.

So, I guess the overall decision is .22, M1A, then SKS or other mid-caliber rifle if I feel like it.

I think what I will do is practice the .22 at every opportunity, then, once I own both, use the .22 as a warm-up at Angeles before switching to the M1A.

Also, I ordered the Fred's guide and target set. I don't suppose there's any reason why I can't start shooting that with a .22, is there?

Thanks, guys!
 
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