Help! I want to get a rifle before potential bans go into effect and am clueless

To best recommend you a rifle a set of critera you expect it to fill would be helpful, because a different rifle would be ideal for room clearance instead of 500 yard shot.

What are the 4 or 5 main models/styles of tactical rifle (m16, m14, m4, ak, etc.)?

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That said the main contenders are AR15s, AR10s, AKs, FALs, M14/M1A's.

The AR15 fires the 5.56mm round and comes in a lot of configurations A1-A4 the M16 and M4s are what the rifle is based off of.

The AR10 fires the 7.62x51 and is almost the same weapon as the AR15 except for a larger Magazine Well and champer to except the larger round

The AK-47 fires the 7.62x39mm round and does not have as many configurations.

The AK-74 fires the 5.45x39 and is based on the AK-47.

The FAL fires the 7.62x51 round

The M14/M1a fires the 7.62x51 the M1a is made by Springfield Armory and is one of the closest rifles you can buy to the M14

I will admit I do not know much about the AK Series or the FALs and the M14s but I will say only what I think I know

What are the main benefits/differences in these different type of rifles?

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The AR15 is an accurate rifle with little recoil and has a lot of configuartions and accesories available, this rifle has some issues with reliability if the shooter does not do its part. It is available in either a Direct Impingement or Piston Operated System

AK Series ( 47 and 74 ) is a decently accurate rifle out to about 150 yards depending on the shooter, and in most cases in considered very reliable it is operated by a piston system.

The FAL is decently accurate and reliable weapon but it is kind of heavy ( Do Not take this for the definitive answer as I know very little about the FAL )

The M14/M1a is a decently accurate and reliable weapon but is considered kind of heavy and just an updated version of the M1 Garand ( Do Not take this for the definitive answer as I know very little about the M14/M1a )

Where is a good place to shop for these rifles? (I use bud's for most of my handgun purchases)

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Most gunshops sell this weapons along with most online gun stores

Which ones are most likely to be effected/severely neutered by a ban?

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As far as the effects of a ban I really do not know at this point it is just speculation so there are a lot of ideas of what might be out there

I will wait to recommend a rifle or a manufacterer before I know what your requirements for the weapon will be

I hope this helps

If you are worried about bans, you should be voting, and getting active in your local politics.

Because the next ban isn't going to just be about a few cosmetic features, and quite possibly won't include grandfathering... They'll just say "turn it in."

If you are dead set on spending a thousand dollars on an effective rifle, get a Savage 10FP, a decent scope, and a straight-line handloading kit.

Help! I want to get a rifle before potential bans go into effect and am clueless

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Go down to your gun monger, get a WASR-10, and call it good.

You've got a lot of research to do, but be sure to consider all of these:

1. "Standard" AR15 (or "M4gery") type, in its many, many, MANY different forms from a myriad of makers When in doubt, go for this one. They can be had in many many calibers, but most opt for the original, 5.56x45mm.

2. Gas piston AR15 type. Everyone and their dog and their grandma's dog now also has a gas piston rifle (or upper than can be mated to any AR15 lower, except Colt).

3. Kalashnikov / AK47 / AK74 type. Can be had in several calibers, but most common is 7.62x39mm. Several makes to choose from

4. Saiga (also a Kalashnikov design), but comes in several sizes and calibers, including 5.56x45mm, 7.62x39mm, .308 Win, 12 ga, 20 ga, .410 bore.

5. Kel Tec SU-16

6. Robinson XCR. Can be had in 5.56x45mm, 7.62x39mm, and supposedly very soon, 6.8 SPC and 6.5 Grendel

7. Daewoo K1/K2/DR100/DR200/DR300

8. AR 180B

9. the "Steyr" AUG, now made by Microtech

10. (used only) Bushmaster M17 Bullpup

11. FN FS F2000 bullpup

12. FN SCAR (if it becomes actually available - it's supposed to)

13. M14 type: The Springfield "M1A" or a Polytech or Norinco M14 type.

14. AR10 type. Several makers in many calibers. Larger version of AR15.

15. PTR 91 (which is a G3 or HK91 type), from JLD Enterprises

16. Spanish CETME (also more or less a G3 or HK91 type)

17. FN FAL type (or STG 58 type). Several calibers and makes to choose from. DSA (DS Arms) is the pinnacle of FAL makers.

18. A Galil / Golani (an improved AK47 type)

19. FN P90, firing a varmint round. Cool, but I'd definitely pass on this one.

20. A semi-auto milsurp of some flavor like a Hakim, Rasheed, SKS, VZ 52, AG42, FN 49, Garand, etc.

21. There are some other HK clones which copy the HK MP5 and others - I'm not really up to speed on these.

22. There are also other "evil-looking" pistol caliber carbines, like AR15s in 9mm, .45 acp, etc., Beretta Storm, Mech-Tech, and others.

[I'm sure I've probably left out a couple of really expensive choices, like a true HK91, the Stoner SR-25, and the Valmet....]

If it was me, I'd go with #1 or #6 if wanting a gun firing an "intermediate round", particularly #6. If you go with #6, then that will eliminate you having to make anywhere from a few dozen to a few hundred choices as you will if going with #1. A basic AK (#3) is also never a bad choice, if you don't have one, and a lot cheaper, but it wouldn't be my first choice.

I'd go with #14, #15, or #17 if wanting a rifle shooting a "full-powered" round, preferably #14 from DPMS.

No, I'm not going to mention the vaporware that are the ACR/Masada & Kel-Tec RFB, nor will I mention, except in passing, the $600 fence post that is the Mini 14/Mini 30.

What are the 4 or 5 main models/styles of tactical rifle (m16, m14, m4, ak, etc.)?

In general parlance a "tactical" rifle would be a semi-automatic rifle firing an intermediate cartridge such as the 5.56 or 7.62x39.

The M1A, FAL and AR-10 rifles firing the 7.62x51 (also called .308 or 7.62 NATO) are generally called "battle" rifles

"Tactical" can also be used to mean something black, scary looking and with about 5 pounds of extraneous stuff hanging off it such as lights, lasers, scopes and fuzzy dice.

What are the main benefits/differences in these different type of rifles?

The "Tactical" rifle has good, 2 legged varmint knock down out to about 200 metres and lower recoil, is cheaper to shoot and typically have lots and lots or accessories and after market doo-dads available. Magazines go up to 100 rounds in capacity.
Some of the rifles (AR platform mostly) can have excellent accuracy for target shooting out to 600+ metres.

The "Battle" rifle is heavier and shoots a larger and more expensive cartridge but can do knock down at 600 odd metres. The rifle has noticeably more recoil and generally comes with a 20 round magazine. These weapons do not tend to having tack driving accuracy although you pay more money and you get more for it. The AR-10 platform is generally the more accurate out of the box and without tweaking.

Where is a good place to shop for these rifles? (I use bud's for most of my handgun purchases)

These rifles are a commodity and any respectable on line or local source will either carry or will order any of them for you.

Which ones are most likely to be effected/severely neutered by a ban?

The "scarier" it looks the more likely a cosmetic features ban would affect it. Difficult to say as politicians are going to focus on the economy this cycle and Heller has put a substantial constitutional crimp in possible ban plans.

What rifle makers offer the best value for quality product? Not cheap, but not overdone. Using pistols as a comparison, not as low as Taurus, but not as high as HK.

As with anything, you pays your money you gets your choice.
Assuming your state doesn't have AK style bans, you can get say a Saiga as a cheap and cheerful starter or a cheap AR-15. In fact you can get a good quality AR-15 relatively cheaply by building it yourself from components.
AR manufacturers, DPMS, Armalite, Bushmaster, Olympic, Rock River

Weapons that are likely to be banned are the variety I call "k" rifles. If you look at the weapon from the side with the stock down and barrel up they look like a lower case k. Recent bans outlaw pistol grips, detatchable magazines, barrel shrouds, and bayonets.
As much as I don't like to recommend AR-15's they really are a great starting point. If you only plan on having one to have one a low priced AK might float your boat. The g3, cetme, fal, m14 are superior weapons but they are expensive to shoot, have a lot of recoil comparably and typically cost more.
Depending on the laws of your locale an "assault rifle" may already be banned or the capacity of the magazine may be restricted. If they aren't grab an AR from DPMS or Stag arms (personal favorite). Then start stockpiling ammo because that could be banned next!

Some great suggestions......by the way it is possible to both be politically active in fighting a future ban, and ALSO buy a few in case one is drafted.

Some people on this board act as if you can't do both.

Study the lists on this thread, and pick one (or more) that you like.

Don't get caught up in the "which one is better" mentality as they are all very good. All of the previously listed rifles are well designed, and used leos, militarys, sport shooters, and hunters around the world.

No, do NOT shy away from the AR15! They are ubiquitous, and therefore any gunsmith worth two bits can work on them and parts are plentiful and accessories are highly available and highly interchangeable. As someone said, all these choices are good (except Century builds ), so don't worry about which one is best. But don't shy away from an AR15. There's been so many makers making so many of them for so many years that the quality is way up there, due to the fierce competition, and the value is up there, too, even though they are a bit on the expensive side. They are in no way unreliable - don't believe that nonsense for a minute.

But if you just want to get the best and be done with it, you'll get a Robinson XCR (in my opinion, which others will disagree with). But it's the culmination of all the best designs put together. It has the guts of an AK and the ergos of an AR and the adjustable gas system of the FAL & 556, and the modularity & quick-change features of the XCR (i.e. the modularity of nothing else - except for the FN SCAR & vaporware Masada), and has BOTH a non-reciprocating bolt AND two-way bolt control (when engaged). However, you're not gonna get one for $1,200, so I guess that idea is blown.

No, do NOT shy away from the AR15!

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The way it was explaned to me was the ar is designed to be taken apart by a complete idiot, and put back togher properly. That has been proven. The ar is the only gun i know of that can swap calibers with the push of two pins. the ammo is a good bit cheaper, lower recoil, ect... Oh, and unless you are going to use it fully auto or you are going into a combat zone, the ar is plenty reliable in standard form. i have a piston ar and it is better than the perfect gun (for me at least)

Hope this helps

Stag arms, RRA, S&W MP, I think Charles Daily has some in that price range, Bushmaster, ect... Just choose the one with the features you want, and buy it. Oh, and forget the 6.8/6.5 hype for now, just start with a 5.56, than go with another upper.

You can get a LOT of AR for $1,200. Just get any old complete lower (Stag, RRA, Bushmaster, doesn't matter), and then add upper of your choice - there's a bazillion choices. White Oak Armament makes some good / good-value uppers for starters.

there's a bazillion choices

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THAT, my friend, is why i love the ar. But yeah, unless you want a fancy, top of the line ar, $1,200 will get you a kick but one...

you can get a good (new) ar pre built for $800 to $900 if you look. A used one will be less. don't buy a userd one unless you can see it though first. finding a RRA ar at a big sporting goods store shouldn't be a big problem. Hope you find what you want.

IIRC, Buds doesn't do the financing for 'black rifles'. Could be some other promotion thing, though. (Edit Just checked, Bud's says no financing on the stuff in the 'Bud's Black Rifles' section)

If you're looking to build, options are good. You can get a stripped lower from about a million places. Bud's has Doublestars available for like $100, Anvil Arms is the same price but you can get it laser engraved as well for no extra cost. Plenty of other options as well. Then go seek out the rest of your parts, since you can have everything else shipped to your home. Del-Ton has a good rep, and good prices. About $465 for a basic kit, you can add options on there as well, i.e.; different gas blocks, detachable sights, chrome-lined barrel, grips, handguards...lots o stuff.
So that'd run you about $565 for basic, add on rear sights, shipping, and transfer fee for the lower, and you're at $650-700. Given your budget, you know have a usable rifle, and plenty left for mags, ammo, optics, later upgrades if you find you want them, etc.

I'm considering a Del-Ton build myself. Doublestar lower from Bud's, mid-length 16" kit from Del-Ton, rear sight from..somewhere. Haven't decided yet though, since I'm also considering a 20" Saiga .223, or a Yugo M70 underfolding AK(leaning most heavily this way). Not worried about the election really, but it's time I acquired a good semi-auto fungun.

Jordan85, I was in the same position you are about 1 year ago - I'm a graduate student, so piles of cash do not exist in my world. Here is what I did:

7.62x39 Saiga - $265 + Conversion parts $125 + mags +$25
.223 Skeleton Stock Saiga - $280
Del-Ton midlength kit - $480 shipped + $99 stripped Doublestar lower

I now have 3 reliable, affordable, and "evil" rifles ahead of the election. Building the AR was easy, the saiga conversion was a bit trickier but the great folks at the saiga-12 forum have all the info you will need.

Good luck.

I should add that the prices on the Saigas have gone up somewhat. Check centerfire....

*chimes in*

if the liberals have half a collective brain, then the majority should leave guns alone in all aspects. Lots of things are in our favors. Not saying that we're safe from an AWB, but it looks unlikely for now. Buy what you want and don't worry about it. Write your politicians and tell them how you feel so that one WON'T happen later.

as for choices:

WASR-10 AK (Romanian bottom-line AK - ~$430)
AES-10B (really neat 'RPD-style' AK - (~$430)
Yugolavian M70AB1 or M70AB2 (best surplus on the market, but now hard to find. AB1 = fixed stock, AB2 = underfolder - ~$500-600)
Converted Saiga in the caliber of your choice (best cost-for-quality on the market - ~$370 for the rifle, then whatever it costs you in parts to convert it)
Arsenal Bulgarian/SLR series AK (top dog in quality and finish - $1000+)

ARs:

buy lowers if you want to beat a ban (and hope that they'll still allow assembling and transfer), because for the cost of one AK, you can get five lowers that are technically considered individual firearms, even if not assembled as such.

a good AR build to consider is to either build it yourself via lots of auctioning (and persistence...and patience), or go the easy route and grab a Del-Ton kit. Del-Ton sells what can be used to build a mid-level rifle for the entry-level price. It's really hard to beat for the money.

FAL/G3/CETME:

Century sells really inexpensive CETME/G3 models, but with that low cost comes many, many, many, MANY bad reviews. From my research...headspacing issues, PoS weld jobs, broken and bent pins, crimped bolts, and either overstretched or shrunken/bad-fitting receivers make these guns a potential waste of money. You really gotta know that rifle in and out to make sure you don't get a bad one, but I really can't tell you what to look for. I'm glad I found out, because I was thinking on getting one. Now, I've changed my mind. DSA is probably your best bet, but they are expensive. But, you usually will end up with a working rifle most of the time from them.

Short answer (lots of good long ones above):

Major brand (Colt, Armalite, Bushmaster, DPMS) AR15 "M4gery", 16" barrel.
2000 rounds of M855-type ammo. (Leave 1000 in the sealed case; use & replace other as needed for training.)

Much discussion may be had over alternatives, but that will serve you well. If money is an issue, used goods are fine (spending less than that needlessly compromises).

Saiga-12 shotgun. Even if there's no new ban, I still can't believe the BATFE hasn't decided to cut off the supply of these for some reason or another.

It's a mag-fed twelve-gauge shotgun based on an AK. What's not to love?

Century sells really inexpensive CETME/G3 models

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Not so really inexpensive any more, the days of the $329 Black Widow are long gone

These days the best buys are the people selling used PTR-91s from the ban era days who don't realize how much the price has gone up.

if the liberals have half a collective brain, then the majority should leave guns alone in all aspects.

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And if I had a winning lotto number, I could leave work right now, never to return.