Any Advice for a SHTF Rifle Under $1500?

[sundance43.5]

Let me start by saying that I am not a fan of AR-15's and I do not intend to buy an AR style weapon, perhaps until the Massada(sp?) comes out, if ever.

I am looking for suggestions for a carbine length gun. Caliber is not important. I would like it to be accurate and ultra-reliable. I think I have ruled out an AK, as I could buy one anytime. I am looking more for a "flagship" type rifle. $1500 might not get me there, but it should get me close.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[FireArmFan]

Well if you're not interested in an AR-15 or AK I suggest something along the lines of an FN FAL or an M1A. Should fill most needs for any SHTF scenario.

EDIT: Just reread your post and noticed you're looking for a carbine length. The M1A does come in a 16" barrel. But I'm not positive about the FAL off the top of my head.

 

[HK G3]

See my name

 

[possum]

i aslo agree with the advise of the
m1a the scout model is a great eneral purpose gun and will serve you well in urban, and even medium range shooting, accurate enough to hit targets farther out that you would most likly would need too for shtf, but it is there.

if you want to get even smaller get the m1a socom with the 16 barrel, good for urban, cqb and midium range shots, which for you i think the socom would serve you the best.

 

[The Swede]

No AR or AK? M1A for sure. I'm not sure I'd want the FAL for SHTF.

 

[takhtakaal]

No ARs, no AKs, only carbine length, $1,500 or less. You don't need help, you need affirmation of your choice, or better yet, what you're not choosing.

Buy a SOCOM, be happy, but don't be surprised when the ammo bill bites more than your butt off.

 

[Sunray]

"...not sure I'd want the FAL for SHTF..." That's because of all the crappy, unreliable, parts built rifles(Century, et al) seen Stateside. A real FAL and a real AK have seen more real combat than any other rifle in the last 50 + years. There are no other milsurp rifles that have. Including a real M16 or M14.
AR15's and M1A's are commercial copies of battle rifles.
sundance43.5, if you want a real battle rifle for if and when, you'll go to the CMP, jump the hoops, and buy an M1 rifle(good for hunting any game) and an M1 Carbine(the perfect patrol firearm). You're budget will buy both and a case of ammo for each. Ok, it'd be $191.95 over budget with shipping.
"...as I could buy one anytime..." Not if the excrement has hit the fan. Ammo would not be readily available either. .30-06 and .30 carbine is everywhere.

 

[iamkris]

There's been a lot written in this forum about the topic. A search on FAL vs G3 or M1A vs FAL would give you hours of reading.

Here's my synopsis of your choices, all based on the 16" or 18" barrel length you want:

M1A
Pro

• reliable design
• full power cartridge
• very comfortable (for most) stock
• can be quite accurate
• great sights
• safety is convenient location in trigger guard

Con

• scope mounting is awkward over the receiver
• field stripping has lots of part/not straightforward
• can't be cleaned from chamber side with a rod
• expensive mags

FAL
Pro

• reliable design
• full power cartridge
• extremely good ergonomics
• cheap mags
• extraordinarily easy to break down, field strip, clean
• adjustable gas system

Con

• Sights are adequate but better A2 style sights exist
• Triggers not known to be great but they can be improved

HK91/G3/PTR91
Pro

• reliable design
• full power cartridge
• cheap mags
• somewhat easy to break down, field strip, clean

Con

• Sights are adequate
• No bolt hold open
• Abysmal ergonomics - safety selector is near impossible to reach, cocking handle is in terrible place, mag release is hard to reach
• Triggers are absolutely horrible but they can be improved

Also, I used to "hate" the AR15...thought it was the worst thing out there. So I bought one to confirm to myself how awful it was. Now I own 5 of them. I wouldn't overlook the AR, possibly in 6.8 SPC or 6.5 Grendel...althougth those aren't exactly SHTF cartridges because of their availability.

"...not sure I'd want the FAL for SHTF..."

That is one of the most ridiculous statements I've ever heard. If you buy quality like DSA, Enterprise or one of the gunsmith built kits, you'll see the legendary reliability this platform has.

 

[JoeLad]

Nice FALs you have there Kris.

I recommend the FAL also. It's tough to beat a 16" barrel with an adjustable gas system. 7.62 will handle all two legged threats in SHTF.
Now there's also railed handgaurds, railed receiver covers, and differing folding stocks for them. Everything to make it "tacticool".

 

[H2O MAN]

sundance43.5

I am looking for suggestions for a carbine length gun. Caliber is not important.
I would like it to be accurate and ultra-reliable.

You may end up spending a bit more than $1500, but a modernized
18.0" MK14 will give you match grade accuracy and AK reliability.

This is my ultra-reliable MOA MK14 14 SEI Mod 1 with a 25 round mag from CMI.

 

[moooose102]

no black guns, i thought that is what they were made for. well, 1) you may want to consider a combat shot gun. @) if you are set on a semi-auto rifle, that is not a military style, you may have to consider something like a bar, or remington 7400. i believe thay have carbine length models. both of these have sporting sized magazines, however, you may be able to have somebody make you a large capacity clip for one, if they are not available. but to be honest, if you want a weapon designed for the task at hand, it really is a little black gun. for the longest time, i was not a particular fan either, but they kind of grow on you after a while. now the only thing keeping me from owning one is $$$$. i perosonally like the bushmaster 450's. everything you could love about a black gun, but with MORE POWER! AUGH, OH,OH,OH OHHHH, as tim the tool man would say. lol.

 

[Art Eatman]

I think I'd get a decent AK critter and spend the money on ammo and practice. Get good and familiar with the critter. And spend some time thinking about one's own probable scenario(s), since those will be for-sure "different strokes for different folks".

 

[MassMark]

M1A Scout....Plain and simple.

 

[LoadedDrum]

XCR now or the ACR when it comes out assuming Bushmaster holds to Magpul's target price. I would say the SCAR but FN has yet to produce a new rifle that doesn't hover in the $1800-$2200 range.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Here in Arkansas, the stuff has hit the fan.

A tornado hit our county seat, destroying the hospital, ambulance service and other facilities (this tornado was on the ground for 123 miles -- a record for this state -- and did enormous damage.)

The county was without power for a week -- and for the first day or so, isolated by trees and power lines across highways.

Then a snowstorm knocked out power for 3 days.

And then we had the mother of all floods. As of Thursday, it was still raining, and the White River was expected to crest 40 feet over flood stage.

In a situation like this, any rifle would do -- what is really needed is generators, Coleman lanterns, camp stoves, wood stoves for heat, canned goods, and good neighbors.

 

[H2O MAN]

MassMark M1A Scout....Plain and simple.

That's an excellent place to start.

 

[MIL-DOT]

If the criteria is "SHTF" and "under $1500", then i think you need to reconsider the AK. For a SHTF type weapon, they're almost impossible to beat : VERY economical,both rifle and ammo, ultra-reliable, cheap,plentiful magazines, very easy for a novice to learn to use and clean, accurate enough for most realistic applications, high rate of fire and reasonably powerful round.
But when you said you've ruled put AK's and AR's, but want a "flagship", that sounds to me like it's not really a SHTF rifle you're looking for.

 

[H2O MAN]

AK

MIL-DOT If the criteria is "SHTF" and "under $1500", then i think you need to reconsider the AK.

For a SHTF type weapon, they're almost impossible to beat : VERY economical,both rifle and ammo, ultra-reliable, cheap,plentiful magazines,
very easy for a novice to learn to use and clean, accurate enough for most realistic applications, high rate of fire and reasonably powerful round.

Good point MIL-DOT !!

I'm currently working on a modernized type 56SHTF AK, here is a sneak peak ~

A 75 round drum combined with a co witnessing Aimpoint Micro T-1 should do the trick.

 

[rgs1975]

You could probably find a really nice Chinese Paraptrooper SKS carbine for well under $500.

 

[Wolfgang2000]

A FAL paratrooper or scout rifle.

The FAL is as about as reliable as it gets. Spare parts and mags abound. Most don't know this, but the USA is the second or third largest producer of the FAL.

Lets not forget the 308 rules.

I have a Enterprise Scout. It's very handy in the woods, easy to carry, and more than accurate enough for a "issue" grade rifle.

 

[yhtomit]

How about a Saiga?

.... And then another one.

And then another one.

And then another one.

And some cleaning supplies.

And some ammo to practice with, and a few sighting-in targets.

And (if necessary) at least some contribution to a nice dinner out with any relevant members of the requisite appropriations committee.

timothy

 

[Seafarer12]

Half a dozen Nagants and a couple thousand rounds of ammo.

 

[cluttonfred]

I'll jump in with a dissenting voice, just for the heck of it. For me, SHTF implies civil unrest and situations in which you would likely want to draw less attention to yourself, not more. The FAL, much as I'd love to own one, M1A, etc. all scream evil black rifle and are very likely to attract unwanted attention.

I think the smart money is one discretion, so here are a few other ideas in appropriate calibers and reasonably short barrels:

Remington 750 carbine (semi-auto, .308 or .30-06, 18 1/2" barrel)
Remington 7600 carbine (pump, .30-06, 18 1/2 barrel)
Remington 7600 Ranch Carbine (pump, .223, AR-15 mags, 18 1/2 barrel)
Ruger Mini-14 (.223, 16 or 18 1/2" barrel) or Mini 30 (7.62x39, 18 1/2)

or maybe ten nice Mosin Nagant M44s, five SKS carbines or four Saigas, plenty of clips/mags and a case or two of ammo, so you can arm yourself, your family and the neighbors that you like, now THAT's the real deal in SHTF preparedness. ;-)

 

[serrano]

What about a lever action? Marlin 336, Marlin 1895, etc. + lots of ammo.