Best value military style rifle?

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mmafan

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Which military style rifle in your opinion offers the most value for the price.

This is not a poll for the best military style rifle or the least expensive military style rifle, but the military style rifle that gives you the most bang for your buck.

Consider:

- What you consider adequate stopping power
-inexpensive and available ammo
-inexpensive and available high capacity magazines or stripper clips
-warranty if any
-easily available spare parts
-reliability
-durability
-accuracy
-ergonomics
-weight
-easy to field strip
-quality available accessories

Remeber if you like 1 gun and it cost $250 and another that cost $500, ask yourself, is the $500 gun really twice the gun the $250 one is?

Thanks.
 
This thread feels like it will go in an "AK" direction. I love the AK but just for arguments, I'll go with something else.

Honestly, I'd say a German K98 Mauser, 8mm. Cheap and you don't need lots of ammo- you make each shot count. Excellent accuracy, reliability, and knock down power. Plus you can hunt with it.
 
Some of the criteria are mutually exclusive.
Cheap ammo + good "knock down" power and accuracy? No clue what caliber would fill that bill other than perhaps surplus 8mm and it is going away soon.

I'd have to vote for a K31 or a Saiga in 7.62x51 (308 Win.)
Both are reliable, accurate (nod to the K31) and fire comparable power rounds.
 
Any of the dirt cheap CKCs fits your bill. I remember when the Chinee ones were $70,
Click to expand...

Tejon - Where can I find one of these Chinee CKCs?


:neener:


Seriously, though, I would also recommend an SKS. Lots of bang for your buck. Cheap AKs can be had in the upper $200s, and IMO are worth the extra money if that's what you need.
 
What do you call value? The M1A/M14 is an expensive platform, but generally extremely reliable and effective, and the resale value is very high for them. I would call that an excellent value, even though it's not a cheap rifle. If by "good value" you mean "bargain basement", then probably the SKS. Reliable, CHEAP, and cheap to feed. It'll never hang with the M14's and AR's though.

Jason
 
Given your criteria, look at the 5.45x39 AKs. Rifles are cheap, magazines are insanely low, as is ammo. Just make sure you buy a lifetime supply of 'poison bullet' ammo and you'll not have to worry about stopping power. BSW
 
What do you call value? The M1A/M14 is an expensive platform, but generally extremely reliable and effective, and the resale value is very high for them. I would call that an excellent value, even though it's not a cheap rifle. If by "good value" you mean "bargain basement", then probably the SKS. Reliable, CHEAP, and cheap to feed. It'll never hang with the M14's and AR's though.

Jason
Click to expand...

Absolutely agree. After years of settling for lesser platforms and trying to convince myself they were "good enough", I'm completely sold on the AR and M1A platforms for 556 and 762. Knowing what I now know, I would have bought these at the beginning.

There's a world of difference between "cheap" and "value". For example--IMO the advantages of say a basic $900 AR are more than worth the premium you pay over lower cost platforms like the mini-14. --One has value, the other is cheap.

Besides, you'll spend far more on ammo than the rifle anyway, so why not buy the best platform you can?
 
While my first reaction to this thread would be the AK/SKS, I'll go in a different direction and say the Mosin-Nagant. That's right, you heard me. Surplus 7.62x54R ammo is ridiculously cheap, the rifle can take all sorts of abuse, has plenty of knock-down power, decent accuracy, long range, and you can hunt with it. And the rifles themselves are dirt cheap too.
 
The best value in my book is the Swiss K-31.

For between $150 and $200 you get a rifle that is worth about ten times that much in terms of sheer quality, accuracy potential, and just well thought out touches, like its cleverly adjustable front sight.

The surplus ammo isn't cheap, but compared to almost everything else ever tagged "mil-surp," it is easily match quality.

If you just want something that bangs, get a SKS or a Mosin. If you want a shooter's shooter, get a K-31 in decent shape before they are all gone.
 
In my personal opinion, SKS is the best bang for the buck. Where else can you get a new semi-auto centerfire rifle for $150?

I would be inclined to say a Saiga is a good value too, but they're not really military style, since they're sporterized for importation.
 
Those of you reccomending the K31 need to remember the OP said this was in the criteria :

-inexpensive and available ammo
Click to expand...

The K31 ammo is NOT cheap. Nor is it what I would call available, as everyone else hordes it. Yes, it is a good rifle, but for someone who wants cheap milsurp it is the wrong rifle to get.
 
I'd vote for an SKS if you wanted semi-auto.

In the bolt area, I would say Lee Enfield or variant (Indian Enfields in .308 are under $200), or a MN (under $100 sometimes).

All of these offer decent stopping power, something you can hunt with if you want, and reasonably priced ammo that is readily available (at least now).
 
With the current price I see AK's going for around here, the argument that they are cheaper than AR's is quickly starting to disappear.
 
Mosin M-44

If you can't stop it with five rounds of 7.62X54R it ain't gonna stop.

Besides, with the muzzle flash you can cook hot dogs for lunch on the bayonet. :neener:

Ya want semi auto ? Grab an SKS while the're still cheap.
 
Definitely the 'free to me' Kar98k... with $50 in getting the military stock restored and $25 for a sling and a few bucks for ammo... best $100 I ever spent.

As for surplus ammo drying up? Well that old rifle can handle some stout ammo, reloading is straightforward.

If you don't reload, an AK clone in 7.62 is a pretty robust and easy to care for rifle with oodles of mags available.
 
The key to the best answer is in info you have not provided. Do you know for what purpose you intend to shoot this rifle?
I very much like the Garand,m1carbine,sks,enfield,trapdoor springfield,mosin nagant,03 springfield. I mention all of the above because I have at least one of each,of course there are other choices.
Likely not what you have in mind but consider an AR. Power is somewhat less than some of the larger calibers but then again it on the top of the heap when it comes to availability of ammo,parts both standard and aftermarket. The AR is very accurate and most shotable and can be configgured for many types of shooting.
Bottom line is that I believe the AR to be about the most fun to shoot so that would be my choice!
 
Mosin M-44

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you can't stop it with five rounds of 7.62X54R it ain't gonna stop.

Besides, with the muzzle flash you can cook hot dogs for lunch on the bayonet.
Click to expand...
Yep!
 
Well, there are a few that I would think would work, but the overall best choice would have to be the Mosin-Nagant. With just a touch of patience, you could have a rifle (with a bunch of included gear) and 440 rounds of ammo for less than $200.00. I can't remember the make of the ammo, but it is "mildly corrosive". That isn't a big deal to me simply because a patch with some water or Windex run through the bore a few times right after shooting will negate the corrosive salts. I like SKS's, and wouldn't have a problem recommending them, but you are looking at more expense with both the rifle and the ammo. For the best over-all bargain, I think it has to be the Mosin-Nagant.
 
A 91/30 Mosin Nagant will run you right around $100 in great shape but my favorite is a 1917 Enfield in 30-06. Still a lot of M2 ball military ammo available for that rifle. I have both and I like the Enfield better but I shoot the Mosin more because the ammo is still only $3.00 for a box of 20.
 
My first reaction was to say SKS (For the $ it's hard to beat)

But then I realised MY SKS's cost ~$69

Closing on $200 the AK becomes more viable, and that was my 2nd 'almost choice'

But then I realised I had to say something which many of you will not understand:

My choice is the M1A.

Why?... I thought you would never ask.:p

I started with the AR... then I got an SKS and AK... then I tried the FAL, followed by a (Good) CETME.

The price of the M1A (And the mags during the ban) kept me away.

But then it sunseted, and I decided to try it...

If I had went straight to it I probably would of just gone M1A and AK (for when I want a folder or a carbine.)

I actually went with a Scout, after I put a Vortex on it... life is good.
I have heard guns compared to golf (Different clubs(Guns) for different shots)

Well IMHO that M1A is the closest to a 'do all' gun around.
 
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