I want to throw down up to $1200 dollars for a rifle, and I'm trying to decide what kind of gun I want. I want a rifle that will be accurate at long ranges and fire a big enough round for large game (7.62), but also be useful for home defence and target shooting. I'd also prefer one that wouldn't jam in the heat of the moment, and if it did jam, it would be easy to take apart and fix. That's the main reason I don't really want an AR-15. I was leaning towards a Galil, because it seems to be an excellent all around battle rifle, that won't be as nitpicky, but in the future I'd like to get an aimpoint or EOtech, as well as a nightvision scope, and it seems difficult to get a rail mounted on such a weapon while mantaining durabilty and accuracy. Any suggestions?
All-purpose Assault Rifle
- Thread starter Westley
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kcmarine
Member
Hm... not disputing your reason, but why not an AR?
gnut
Member
I can't wait to read all the replies...oooh
socom16?
Galil sounds good,
I like this project. Might have to come up with my own do all auto.
Does it have to be "assault"?
Or did you mean autoloading?
Are mags important?
To me they would be. You could load one for every type of situation.
socom16?
Galil sounds good,
I like this project. Might have to come up with my own do all auto.
Does it have to be "assault"?
Or did you mean autoloading?
Are mags important?
To me they would be. You could load one for every type of situation.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
You don't really want an assault rifle.
They are full-auto capable and against the law in many places. They are also very expensive & hard to find, since there have been no new ones legally made for civilian sale in the U.S. since 1986.
What you really want is an HDR (Homeland Defense Rifle) that looks like a real select-fire military assault rifle, but is only a semi-automatic.
rcmodel
They are full-auto capable and against the law in many places. They are also very expensive & hard to find, since there have been no new ones legally made for civilian sale in the U.S. since 1986.
What you really want is an HDR (Homeland Defense Rifle) that looks like a real select-fire military assault rifle, but is only a semi-automatic.
rcmodel
MinnMooney
Member
Lots of great choices out there including an AR-15 in one of the newer calibers (for ARs, anyway) like .243Win., 6.8SPC or 6.5 creedmoor.
armoredman
Member
vZ-58
Z-Michigan
Member
The "Galils" that are available under $1200 do not get good reviews. They are made from parts kits on apparently questionable receivers.
I think a FN-FAL would be a good option, and the STG-58 from DS Arms would be right around $1200. (Note: STG-58 is different from the more expensive SA-58; but both are great.)
Another good choice would be an AR-10 variant. The Armalite would be my pick and would be right around $1200. The DPMS is probably fine and is more like $900.
An AR-15 type in 6.8 SPC would be another option, but the ammo is super pricey.
I think a FN-FAL would be a good option, and the STG-58 from DS Arms would be right around $1200. (Note: STG-58 is different from the more expensive SA-58; but both are great.)
Another good choice would be an AR-10 variant. The Armalite would be my pick and would be right around $1200. The DPMS is probably fine and is more like $900.
An AR-15 type in 6.8 SPC would be another option, but the ammo is super pricey.
You didn't define what, for you long range and accurate would be so for reliability and practical, what about an FAL or for a lower cost a Saiga.
For the FAL can buy a replacement DSA Arms upper slide with a picatinny mount for optics mounting for about $80.
For the FAL can buy a replacement DSA Arms upper slide with a picatinny mount for optics mounting for about $80.
Kind of Blued
Member
I actually rather like that term. I'd be fine with the media adopting it too.
younganddumb
Member
m1a!
A lightly used SOCOM 16 plus the new muzzle device kit from SEI would be a great choice.
You could add an UltiMAK M8 rail and an Aimpoint Micro optic as funds permit.
Or you could go nuts and build a MK14 EBR!!
This one started out as a $400.00 Norinco receiver...
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You could add an UltiMAK M8 rail and an Aimpoint Micro optic as funds permit.
Or you could go nuts and build a MK14 EBR!!
This one started out as a $400.00 Norinco receiver...
.
Beren
Moderator Emeritus
Saiga 308. Save half your money, get a side-mount and you can mount various optics.
I may pick one up myself, prior to Obama's coronation.
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=112222207
If you want, you can invest more money and have it converted to a parts-count compliant pistol grip version, iirc.
I may pick one up myself, prior to Obama's coronation.
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=112222207
If you want, you can invest more money and have it converted to a parts-count compliant pistol grip version, iirc.
Domino
Member
The RFB is supposed to come out in December, pictured on top...
.308 Winchester, 18" barrel, takes FAL magazines, ambidextrious, and OAL is 26.5". Looks promising to me, but MSRP is ~$1,800.
.308 Winchester, 18" barrel, takes FAL magazines, ambidextrious, and OAL is 26.5". Looks promising to me, but MSRP is ~$1,800.
Sunray
Member
"...All-purpose Assault Rifle..." Defined as a rifle/carbine using the same calibre bullet as the PBI rifle in a shorter case and select fire. There have been exactly two 'assault rifles', ever. The Stg44 and the AK-47. Everything else is a battle rifle.
"...I'd be fine with the media adopting it..." Not scary enough.
"...like to get..." Buy an M1A and leave all the excess stuff off of it.
"...I'd be fine with the media adopting it..." Not scary enough.
"...like to get..." Buy an M1A and leave all the excess stuff off of it.
NonConformist
member
I disagree, all rifles in a big cartridge like .308 is a 'Battle Rifle'
Since the M-16 fires an intermediate cartridge Id classify it as an AW, same as the AR-70, SA80 series of rifles, DaeWoo K2 etc
not to be confused w/ an AR-15 which is a HDR or EBR
Since the M-16 fires an intermediate cartridge Id classify it as an AW, same as the AR-70, SA80 series of rifles, DaeWoo K2 etc
not to be confused w/ an AR-15 which is a HDR or EBR
Rampant_Colt
Member
what defines an "assault rifle" ?
"Assault rifle"
that's all...
"Assault rifle"
that's all...
I don't think it is possible to have both a big-game rifle and a home defense rifle in one, at least if you're talking about inside the home. Maybe a 12 gauge--great for inside and around the home, and for longer distances you could put a rifled barrel on it and shoot slugs. I know I wouldn't want to shoot any rifle caliber beginning with the number 3 inside my home. I've got a Mossberg 12 and a Saiga 308, and those take care of pretty much all my short and long range defensive needs. They serve similar purposes, but would be used in completely different situations. You could get them both for way under your $1200 budget.
Z-Michigan
Member
I think an 18" barreled .308 semiauto would fill both roles very well. Longer and its getting long for HD, shorter and its limiting your hunting range. But 18" is a great compromise, and is available (e.g. PTR-91, various FAL's, DPMS AR-10 type).
Personally I don't want to ever shoot even a .22 rimfire in my house. But it would be better than dying.
Overpenetration may be an issue depending on where you live and how your house is arranged. But it's an issue with almost anything worth using for HD. The best compromise is probably a shotgun with #4 buck, but I digress...
This would also be a very reasonable approach.
Actually, for $1200 you could get a good AK-type and a decent bolt-action hunting rifle; or a semiauto 12ga shotgun and a bolt-action hunting rifle; or a WASR, a 12ga shotgun, AND an OK bolt-action rifle. The VZ-58 or a high end AK type, by itself, would also be reasonable if your hunting is no bigger than deer and not much more than 100 yards range. Lots of options.
assault rifle
–noun 1. a military rifle capable of both automatic and semiautomatic fire, utilizing an intermediate-power cartridge.
2. a nonmilitary weapon modeled on the military assault rifle, usu. modified to allow only semiautomatic fire.
When I said Assault Rifle, I didn't mean I actually wanted full-auto, just that I wanted an Assault Rifle that would be a compact accurate, all-purpose semi-automatic that I could further mod later. How often do AR-15's jam?
–noun 1. a military rifle capable of both automatic and semiautomatic fire, utilizing an intermediate-power cartridge.
2. a nonmilitary weapon modeled on the military assault rifle, usu. modified to allow only semiautomatic fire.
When I said Assault Rifle, I didn't mean I actually wanted full-auto, just that I wanted an Assault Rifle that would be a compact accurate, all-purpose semi-automatic that I could further mod later. How often do AR-15's jam?
NWCP
Member
An HK91 clone. It would be nice to have the real deal, but HK91 prices have gone through the roof. The action is rock solid reliable they fire the .308 Winchester and are accurate. You could take most any North American game with one and still have one heck of a personal defense weapon. I've owned my HK91 for a few years now and really enjoy shooting it.
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