First "battle" or "assult" rifle

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tusk212

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Im familar with handguns but have no rifle knowledge. Im looking for something to get me in the game. The only limit i have is <$1000. Any suggestions?
 
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SKS.

buy a crate of wolf and go practice for a while.

Once you get an idea of what you want in a rifle, then decide from there. But I would suggest the SKS as a great starter. spending $150 - $200 on a beater to start with certainly beats spending 800 dollars on something you end up hating.
 
I'm sure someone will chime in soon with some good "intro" links, but in the meantime, here's me.

Basically comes down to deciding whether you want a full-power "battle rifle" in a .308-class cartridge, or an "light/assault/homeland-defense rifle" in a less-powerful caliber.

Volumes have been written on the issue. So, I'll just toss out a few ideas, and you can use the "Search" button at the top to conduct further research on whichever rifles seem interesting to you.

Assuming that you want something pragmatic (rather than focusing on collectability or curio value), here's a list of common military-type rifles, and some approximate prices:

Light Rifles:


AK-47 -- $300-700, 7.62x39mm
AK-74 -- "" , 5.45x39mm (basically same as -47, just low-recoil/high-lethality cartridge)
SKS -- $100-200, 7.62x39mm (Soviet rifle prior to the AK series)

AR-15 (civilian M16, M4, etc) -- $700 and up, in .223
SU-16 -- $400, .223 -- rifle by Kel-Tec, simple design, piston-driven, uses lots of polymer in construction.
AR-180B -- $550, .223 -- reintroduction of an "improved" alternative to the M16, similar ergonomics but much simpler (possibly more reliable) operating system.

Battle Rifles

M1 Garand -- $350 and up, in 30-06 but can be rebarreled to .308. Available at that low price through www.odcmp.com
HK 91 -- $600 and up, now copied in the US by JLD Enterprises (www.jldenter.com), very cool, very simple, very reliable operating system.
FAL -- $700 and up, formerly most common military rifle in the Free World. Made by lots of different manufacturers though, so research carefully before shopping.

That gives you a rough idea of what fits your sub-1000 budget. Lots of good stuff available for far under $1000. Check out the "Search" function to do some research, narrow down your focus, and if necessary post again with your narrowed-down list and explanation of what your priorities are in a rifle. Good luck in your search, -MV
 
If you're wanting a full power battle rifle, while I heartily agree with the M1 Garand being listed, I wouldn't rule out an M14 either. Prices vary and an affordable one may be found.
 
I agree on the SKS - can't go wrong on one of those.

You also may want to consider one of the Mosin Nagants (anywhere from $75 [M44] to $300 [Finn M39]). They're older, bolt action, 5 round magazines, but can be extremely accurate. Shoots 7.62x54 which is very similiar to the 30.06 round.
 
"I don't want no teenage queen. I just want my M-14."

But seriously, under $1000? I'd go with the AR platform. The SKS is a reliable firearm, but if you want to learn to shoot a rifle, start off with something that has accuracy.

I'd tell you to get an M1 Garand if your budget were lower, but you could easily get an AR for well under $1000.
 
1k to apply towards a lifetime of fun- you go boy! Everyone has offered up great options,but ask yourself how much ammo will you be able to purchase to support your "habit"? Most folks don't realize the firearm is the least expensive part of the system. Ammo cost will prohibit you from bcoming a nightly shooter- possibly a weekly shooter. 308 ammo can cost in excess of $100 per hour in the hands of my oldest boy. Been there~ouch :cuss: 1st time/rifle :evil: should be the very best you can possibly afford, but caliber choice can seriously limit your fun/practice time. Like my old man used to say,"Let your pocketbook be your guide"
 
I'd strongly suggest an AR-15 type rifle by Bushmaster, Rock River Arms, Colt, Armalite, or DPMS. You could get one with a detachable carrying handle so that you can fit optics later if you so choose. Ammunition is reasonable, the rifle is very accurate AND very versatile for defensive purposes if you so choose, full-capacity magazines are readily available and inexpensive, and ergonomics are superior to most eastern-bloc rifles.

If your budget limit were $500 instead of $1000, I'd suggest a civilian AK lookalike in 7.62x39mm or the more accurate 5.45x39mm, but given that you can spend $1000 I'd recommend an AR. You should be able to find a good AR plus several magazines and some ammunition for under $1000.
 
keep your money for when you make the investment into a better rifle later. There's a reason why people don't learn to drive in a ferrari.
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Not much sense in having a dozen Nash Ramblers parked in your driveway either...
 
Battle Rifles

M1 Garand -- $350 and up, in 30-06 but can be rebarreled to .308. Available at that low price through www.odcmp.com
HK 91 -- $600 and up, now copied in the US by JLD Enterprises (www.jldenter.com), very cool, very simple, very reliable operating system.
FAL -- $700 and up, formerly most common military rifle in the Free World. Made by lots of different manufacturers though, so research carefully before shopping.

That gives you a rough idea of what fits your sub-1000 budget. Lots of good stuff available for far under $1000. Check out the "Search" function to do some research, narrow down your focus, and if necessary post again with your narrowed-down list and explanation of what your priorities are in a rifle. Good luck in your search, -MV
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Don't forget the Century CETME/G-3. ~$400, I have had excellent luck with mine.

Also, the M1A and AR-10 are good full-power rifles, but they will exceed the $1000 mark.
 
JLD PTR-91. A quality HK91 clone. If I had the money for a new rifle that's what I'd buy.
 
God I hate to recommend this but the AR series from a reputable manufacturer offers a lot to the average shooter (Read you and Me)

I really hated ARs fought their siren song for a long time but the reality is...

They are very accurate
Cheap to feed
The Legos of the gun world (You can add, upgrade, change or hang all kinds of Tacticool doodads off of them)
Easy to break down
Easy to clean (Don't listen to the naysayers, get a .45 nylong brush for the chamber and you will be fine)
Easy to scope and make into a long range gun (Rule at camp perry type matches now)
Easy to throw CQB optics on.
Have the EBR cool factor going for them.
Can easily buy a .22 upper or .22 bolt coversion. (Best gun money I have ever spent)
More than adequate for the average persons SD, SHTF rifle.

They just are a very versatile.

Chris
 
Lots of SKS owners now hate you got saying that they are not accurate.
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Nope, I own both, and the AR is much more accurate. Better sights with longer sight radius might have something to do with it, also better trigger. Then again, the AR cost a lot more than the SKS.

If I hunted in a rifle area, I'd probably use the SKS over the AR, just a bigger bullet.
 
Lots of SKS owners now hate you got saying that they are not accurate. :neener:
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Well, it's hard to argue against fact.

The SKS is a fine rifle for what it is. A well designed that will function with little maintenance fueled by a solid battle cartridge. But it's definitely not what one would call an accurate rifle.

I bought an M59 last year when they finally became available locally (since CA and the 50 year rule makes it difficult to obtain an SKS using the C&R license) and I've maybe put 100 rounds through it and now it sits in the safe collecting dust. For some reason I have no fun shooting it.

Eventually I'll get around to refinishing the wood since it lost it's color after I worked the cosmo out of the wood... But for the most part it's the one gun I own that I never take to the range.
 
Hi, tusk212. All other BS aside, the best use of your money truly is a CMP M1 and/or a 1903A3. For a grand you can have both, depending on the grade. Both? You bet. The Garand would be choice number one.
Tusk, there is no rifle that is quite like an M1. And I've shot a whole lot of different rifles. FN's, AR's, assorted SMG's and bolt actions. None of 'em is quite like an M1.
Go to the the matches and shoot, even if you don't have to to qualify. Great fun and you'll meet some fabulous people. And at most matches, you can shoot a Garand before you buy. Trust me.
 
All other BS aside, the best use of your money truly is a CMP M1
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that would be my second choice. Everyone should have a CMP garand :D. Even if you never shoot again, you'll still have a nice conversation piece.

Don't get the SKS, you'll be sorry.
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Or do get the SKS and be extremely satisfied. Understand that the gun is not made for precision marksmanship (not that it could with7.62 x 39 anyhow). It's a cheap and easy way to get into rifles. the best part is that they are so cheap, reliable and effective at what they do that chances are you wont lose much money if you decide to sell it.

Natedog probably saw the para as an exotic commie sniper rifle and snatched it up not knowing that it's made for relatively close range shooting and has very loose tolerances to account for poor handling and conditions.

The SKS is probably one of the ultimate guns for plinking out there. The ammo is cheap. The bullets are big and there's plenty to find. It's simple to operate and does so effectively. I'm getting tired of arguing it so I'm going to stop but know this. I've shot hundreds of rounds through my Yugo without a single jam. Not one. In fact, I can't say I know how to clear a jam out of the rifle from experience because I've never had to.
 
ASSault= lib dem term anti gun
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Assault actually = intermediate (more than pistol, less than previous full power main battle rifle rounds) caliber rifle capable of firing in both full and semi-automatic modes.

John
 
Assault actually = intermediate (more than pistol, less than previous full power main battle rifle rounds) caliber rifle capable of firing in both full and semi-automatic modes.


sounds like an "assault rifle"

however

"assault pistol", "assault weapon" etc are still anti terms
 
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