If I were going to choose the best based on reliability (at least in my experience), I'd choose an AK/SKS. For class and history, I'd choose a Garand/M1 Carbine (I should note I've never had reliability issues with my carbines, and I haven't yet shot my Garand to know).
best semi auto rifle ever built?
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justashooter in pa
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FN/FAL by a mile. rugged, reliable, ergonomically sound, suitable cartridge for anything that walks the earth.
Well, according to the original date of the first real AR-15/M-16 that was developed for the DOD it was 52 years ago. It may have not been completed, or bugs worked out, but its been around a long time. Its been in use by more professional soldiers willingly, and sucessfully for longer than any rifle. Id say the AK-47 and its variants are a close second, but made for a bit different purpose and set of tactics.
So, Id say the AR/M-16 platform is the best for a load of reasons more than any other rifle.
So, Id say the AR/M-16 platform is the best for a load of reasons more than any other rifle.
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Oh, another "What's the best" debate.
The answer to the original question is simple. There is no straight answer. Unfortunately, guns, like sports teams, have their loyal fans who will never budge no matter what anyone says, often resorting to highly detail issues to support their general opinion. Not to say that the points made are not real and valid, but when you look at the big picture, they prove to be less defining then wished.
Let's have a look at some of the guns that are often held as the best.
M-1 Garand
The M-1 Garand is a large and powerful rifle that isn't as heavy or hard kicking as it's reputation suggests, but most of it's reputation about the business end is underrated.
It only holds 8 rounds but it reloads extremely fast and ammo is held in a small clip rather then a large magazine, making it easier to haul large amounts of ammo around on you. It can handle more pressure then any other battle rifle ever, accuracy is great, the cartridge is a powerful "one hiter quiter" and it handles very well.
However, it's still a heavy gun and quite large. Recoil climbs allot and is off-center which makes it hard to stay on target compared to newer guns like the M-16. A gun that is so large that it's intimidating to look at is a gun that is too large for a variety of functions, CQB being the most obvious. In short, the M-14 replaced it for a good reason, yet it remained in service along side the M-14 for a good reason.
M-14 Another gun that is far lighter and easier to haul around then it is made out to be. If I were a soldier in Viet Nam, this is the gun I would have wanted to carry. The Scout model FEELS about the same as the AR-15 in terms of weight, though I have never actually weighed the two. The M-14 is an extremely reliable gun yet extremely accurate as well, and one of the better handling rifles ever made. It fires the 7.62 NATO/.308 round, which is legendary for it's versatility.
AK-47/AK-74. This gun is both underrated AND overrated. It was built around reliability. Accuracy is good, but reliability and firepower are the main advantages. It can take a ton of beating without failure and kill just about any land animal on earth with reasonable accuracy. Those features alone make the Kalashnikov type rifle one of the best "doomsday" survival rifles in the world.
However, the AK is not without faults. It has a shorter accurate range then Most of it's rivals and it's stability is not that great. The AK-74 fixes allot of the issues with the original 1947 pattern, but not all of them.
AR-15. This gun was literally designed around stability, so it's ease of handling and accuracy are almost second to none. Only some of the newer battle rifles rival it. It's firepower is also highly underrated. Those who know ballistics know that energy is an incredibly important factor, and a .22 caliber bullet moving at over 3000fps is nothing to take lightly. On top of that, some of the loads that get in the 3000fps ballpark in full size rifles get up to 80gr and maybe even higher. That is serious firepower with some serious range potential. When you see those numbers, it's no wonder that the M-16 has been known to take on and defeat M-14s in 1000 yard iron sight matches.
As with all guns, the AR-15 is not without shortcomings. Though reliability is far better then it's reputation suggests, it is still nothing special in this department. In fact, it's reliability is average at best. Although it's smaller caliber may be sufficient for the human beings and medium game that it was designed for, it may prove to be less suitable and effective against larger and more dangerous game then it's rival, the AK.
On a personal level, when I think of best rifle, I think of what would I want to have with me in an war time survival situation, considering what my circumstances might be like in real life. With countless factors considered, I think it would be a close call between the AK-74, M-14 Scout and FAL, ammo availability being one of the most important factors.
The likely case of an SHTF situation on American soil is either war with Russia or a revolt. If there is a revolt, it's hard to say what will be most common. .223 and .308 will probably get sucked up allot and suddenly appear in short supply, but .308 probably wont get it as bad as .223. The exact same will be true if Russia were to invade. However, if they did, the ammo that will be up for grabs is what the Russians bring with them, and that will be 5.45x39.
The answer to the original question is simple. There is no straight answer. Unfortunately, guns, like sports teams, have their loyal fans who will never budge no matter what anyone says, often resorting to highly detail issues to support their general opinion. Not to say that the points made are not real and valid, but when you look at the big picture, they prove to be less defining then wished.
Let's have a look at some of the guns that are often held as the best.
M-1 Garand
The M-1 Garand is a large and powerful rifle that isn't as heavy or hard kicking as it's reputation suggests, but most of it's reputation about the business end is underrated.
It only holds 8 rounds but it reloads extremely fast and ammo is held in a small clip rather then a large magazine, making it easier to haul large amounts of ammo around on you. It can handle more pressure then any other battle rifle ever, accuracy is great, the cartridge is a powerful "one hiter quiter" and it handles very well.
However, it's still a heavy gun and quite large. Recoil climbs allot and is off-center which makes it hard to stay on target compared to newer guns like the M-16. A gun that is so large that it's intimidating to look at is a gun that is too large for a variety of functions, CQB being the most obvious. In short, the M-14 replaced it for a good reason, yet it remained in service along side the M-14 for a good reason.
M-14 Another gun that is far lighter and easier to haul around then it is made out to be. If I were a soldier in Viet Nam, this is the gun I would have wanted to carry. The Scout model FEELS about the same as the AR-15 in terms of weight, though I have never actually weighed the two. The M-14 is an extremely reliable gun yet extremely accurate as well, and one of the better handling rifles ever made. It fires the 7.62 NATO/.308 round, which is legendary for it's versatility.
AK-47/AK-74. This gun is both underrated AND overrated. It was built around reliability. Accuracy is good, but reliability and firepower are the main advantages. It can take a ton of beating without failure and kill just about any land animal on earth with reasonable accuracy. Those features alone make the Kalashnikov type rifle one of the best "doomsday" survival rifles in the world.
However, the AK is not without faults. It has a shorter accurate range then Most of it's rivals and it's stability is not that great. The AK-74 fixes allot of the issues with the original 1947 pattern, but not all of them.
AR-15. This gun was literally designed around stability, so it's ease of handling and accuracy are almost second to none. Only some of the newer battle rifles rival it. It's firepower is also highly underrated. Those who know ballistics know that energy is an incredibly important factor, and a .22 caliber bullet moving at over 3000fps is nothing to take lightly. On top of that, some of the loads that get in the 3000fps ballpark in full size rifles get up to 80gr and maybe even higher. That is serious firepower with some serious range potential. When you see those numbers, it's no wonder that the M-16 has been known to take on and defeat M-14s in 1000 yard iron sight matches.
As with all guns, the AR-15 is not without shortcomings. Though reliability is far better then it's reputation suggests, it is still nothing special in this department. In fact, it's reliability is average at best. Although it's smaller caliber may be sufficient for the human beings and medium game that it was designed for, it may prove to be less suitable and effective against larger and more dangerous game then it's rival, the AK.
On a personal level, when I think of best rifle, I think of what would I want to have with me in an war time survival situation, considering what my circumstances might be like in real life. With countless factors considered, I think it would be a close call between the AK-74, M-14 Scout and FAL, ammo availability being one of the most important factors.
The likely case of an SHTF situation on American soil is either war with Russia or a revolt. If there is a revolt, it's hard to say what will be most common. .223 and .308 will probably get sucked up allot and suddenly appear in short supply, but .308 probably wont get it as bad as .223. The exact same will be true if Russia were to invade. However, if they did, the ammo that will be up for grabs is what the Russians bring with them, and that will be 5.45x39.
Silverado6x6
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Traditionally and I mean not in a Hollywood fashion superior technology can be defeated with quantity which in itself is a quality. In a s such as a "what if" and we actually had to go against ray guns then there is always a way to defeat that with simple measures, most lasers will not work in a fogged environment or around mylar chaff, or mirrored surfaces. And of course there is bio weapons.
I think we are reaching a crescendo in firearms technology that will take us beyond traditional gunpowder cartridges, already we now have projectiles with time in flight impact fuses and it won't be long before civilian products are available. Imagine a 12 gauge shotgun with an air burst feature like a mini flak gun.
And there is now a proven man portable laser rifle being field tested, soon a railgun, so its realistic to say its absolutely possible to make an astounding leap in firearms improvements in a few years, look at how computers evolved in just a few years.
With a nationwide demand for ammo so severe that police departments are restricting the use of practice time and a year or more back order in primers its going to demand that the mother of necessity give birth to alternative means. A wise investor should pay more attention to new ideas.
I think we are reaching a crescendo in firearms technology that will take us beyond traditional gunpowder cartridges, already we now have projectiles with time in flight impact fuses and it won't be long before civilian products are available. Imagine a 12 gauge shotgun with an air burst feature like a mini flak gun.
And there is now a proven man portable laser rifle being field tested, soon a railgun, so its realistic to say its absolutely possible to make an astounding leap in firearms improvements in a few years, look at how computers evolved in just a few years.
With a nationwide demand for ammo so severe that police departments are restricting the use of practice time and a year or more back order in primers its going to demand that the mother of necessity give birth to alternative means. A wise investor should pay more attention to new ideas.
stubbicatt
Member
True. But if you just pour water on the aliens they burst into flames, or melt. I saw it once in a Mel Gibson movie, so it has to be true. Therefore a semi automatic water pistol is just the thing.
Deutsche Schuetzen
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+With 20+ years as a combat Marine I have seen and tested and been shot at (and once by) a good many rifles for what it is worth. I personally believe that the M-14 took a great battle rifle and made it a little better *M-14:Accuracy A+ /Reliability A+/Maintainance A+/Ergonomics ,trigger and sightsA+/Stopping power A+/ Ability to shoot through obstacles A+. I got to test a Spesnaz AK-74 extensively and found this to be an excellent weapon;much more accurate than the AK-47 and the 5.45x39 round against people (not through obstacles) was better than the 7.62x39 *AK-74 Reliability A+/ Accuracy B (AK-47-D)Maintanance A/ Ergonomics C-/ Stopping power B+/Obstacle penetration D (AK-47 B-) *The M-16 ;While it has come a long way the M-16 still has major issues .While it is somewhat adaquite in a perfect environment as conditions worsen so does reliability.In the Desert after a sandstorm the M-16 becomes useless .The weapon must be detail stripped and cleaned.In Arctic conditions sub freezing temperatures render the Stoner type gas system almost useless .If a Marine or Soldier is in extended combat and cant clean his rifle problems will begin to happen.*M16 ;Reliability D/Maintanance D /Accuracy of the average M-16 B+ /ergonomics B/ Stopping power B /Obstacle penetration C- *H&K G3 A very reliable weapon that must have the roller assembly set up correctly for it to function properly.They are very reliable and accurate when as such.In Norway these weapons would work even in the most bitter cold arctic conditions. * H&K G3: Accuracy A/Reliability B+/Maintainance B /Ergonomics C /I prefer the H&k93 in .223 to the G-3 (91) as it is a little less bulky and mostly because the H&K type stock can beat you up if you are a large person when shooting a 7.62 as the butt stock is a little short
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Patriot2112
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Very subjective indeed... I own an AK, Mini 14, and an AR. My father has a Garand that I shoot all the time. If I could only keep one it would be the AR. Absolutely love the accuracy, dependability and flexibility of the platform.
Smoothone566
Member
If you can find them on e-bay, the 10/22 came in a factory 22" barrel, like the one I have on my 10/22. I aslo, think the factory barrels are lightweight enough. I am sure you can find a bull barrel that is lighter in weight than the factory in 20" if you want a little shorter barrel.
rustysragsinc
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M1A!!!!
GunsBeerFreedom
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FS2000.
/thread.
/thread.
Voland
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ImARugerFan
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10/22!
Birddog1911
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