First Rifle

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sdpballer

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So, I'm excited to get my first rifle but also so indecisive. I think I have one chosen and then I find another I think I want more... driving me nuts! My main purpose would be a SHTF self defense scenario. I don't want to rely on my pistol if Cali looks like Cairo some day... I would also likely use it for target shooting and maybe hunting. My budget is from $400-$1000 tops. I may consider stretching the budget a little if it was done over time (building from a kit) but I'd rather have $$ left for ammo. Here are some of the contenders that I was "going to get" at one point in time.
AK-47, AK-74, AR-15, M1A (Dreaming), Saiga 7.62/39 or .308, or build an fn fal!
I kind of want the FAL but not sure if I'm comfortable building it myself or if I could get out to the range for less than $1000. From my understanding its a great, rugged and reliable rifle with a proven caliber and a slightly cheaper alternative to the m1a. Also, CA law dictates that I need 10 rd mags and most of my choices need bullet buttons. I have no problem with this but would like the option to convert it back to stock if I relocate to a gun friendly state! Spend my money for me and tell me why! Thanks for your time and opinions!
 
Mine was and still is a 1960 Mossberg 346BA .22. Of course that doesn't seem to be what your looking for but for a first rifle it was great to learn on.
 
FAL's are nice rifles I built 2 , years ago when things were much cheaper. DS Arms were selling unissued STG-58 for around $200 then. To make along story short they're easy to build ,but you 'll need a gunsmith familiar with FAL's to index the barrel and check the headspace. There's a video out from american gunsmithing school {right name?}about building the FAL that may answer any questions you may have. Imbel's receivers are very good quality. And one other thing FAL's are built in inch pattern and metric pattern most of the parts can be interchanged but not all. So do some research before handing over your cash. All the other rifles you mentioned are well built quality rifles. I'm real partial to the 7.62x51 battle rifles. If you can't afford an M1A , a FAL properly built is a joy to shoot. I've never owned or shot a saiga .308 so I can't say much about them, however I have heard a lot of praise for them. good luck.
 
I did a little price checking, Enterprise Arms sells assembled FAL's right there in the Peoples Republic of California for around a grand. In other areas of the country you can find them for $800 or so. After looking at the current costs of the receiver, parts kit, and gunsmithing to index/headspace you'll spend more $$ to build it than to buy one already built . If that's too much $$ I'd look at the Saiga in .308 and spend the rest on a Ruger 10/22 and lots of ammo, clips, etc.It's built on the AK platform so it's bound to be a reliable, durable shooter. I've heard they're also a lot more accurate than the AK, which was the only complaint I ever had with an AK..
 
Thanks for the info guys!

Thanks guys! Just curious, is that .22 recomendation just for small game hunting or does it serve other purposes?
Hey Ray, how much would you recon a gunsmith would charge for checking the headspace and indexing the barrel? Thanks so much for your input!
 
Lots of people, deer, ect have been killed by a 22. its the best zombie killer since you can carry so much ammo, cleaning barrel isn't a worry.
 
First rifle? then ill have to go with somethng in 22llr, and heres why.
1) ammo is cheap and always avialable
2) bolt action/lever action/single shot, this will make you chose your shots more than semi-auto as a generalization.
3) in a true emergency situation you can take alot of game.
4) something with a tubular magazine(personal preference)
just my 2 cents, best of luck for you.

PS go with a 22 and save the balance. once you get good with the 22 you should have a good idea of what exactly you want and will then have the funds for exactly what you are looking for. plus everyone needs a 22.... good luck
 
SDB, I have no idea what labor rates are in Ca. a FAL specialist with an assortment of shims and the proper headspace gauges can do it in under an hour easily. I really beleive you should get a .22 rifle 1st. go to a range shoot,shoot,shoot. make friends with the other shooters and ask well thought out questions and watch the people shooting rifles that your interested in, talk with them.I haven't been to any ca. ranges but around here most shooters are happy to talk to a new shooter as long as your polite, I got to shoot a .50caliber semi auto Pauza that way.. Remember the old saying ,you have to crawl before you walk and walk before you run. In the meantime keep saving your money and get what fits you and what you'll be happy with . good luck
 
I agree with RAY get a 10/22 and practice allot. talk 2 other guys at the range about there stuff and as stated above be polite and i'm sure most will allow you 2 shoulder there rifles (maybe even shoot them) then i think you'll have a better idea of what fits u. my buddy was just like u, last year he made his mind up 2 buy his first rifle had the money in his pocket and took of 2 a show and bought a Romanian AK (i had no idea he wanted a rifle) and after coming to shoot with me i let him shoot one of my AR's....he sold the AK we built him a AR
 
I would look at a Rock River Arms or a DPMS in .308. They are reliable, have a high capacity capability, have sufficient range and knock down power. I think it would be my weapon of choice if I could only have one rifle.
 
My personal SHTF setup is my cz 75 for personal defense, and my marlin 925 for hunting purposes. That is in western wisconsin where the biggest primary game are whitetail which can be taken with good shot placement. Thats just me though. From your choice I would probably go AK-74 because of extremely cheap ammo and reliability
 
I would also backup the DPMS .308 AP4 model part are readily available and you just can't wear them out it seems, would be a good choice. It has a shorter barrel than the stg58 more close quarter friendly. and more adaptable for add on's Fal's are a great rifle I have one and my next .308 is the DPMS AP4....
 
Yes, you can hunt with is and have to limit mag for hunting, and your current state laws.
 
Are you an experienced rifle shooter? If not then you should start with a 22lr. Basic Marksmanship practice is the same for all rifles. However the benefits of the 22lr. is ammo is cheap, you will be more prone to make time to shoot it.

It doesn't sound like you would want a bolt action rifle and I'm guessing your in California, I'm not sure what they allow in the semi auto rifle platform. But an AR15 in .223 is a excellent choice. Doesn't California require some type of magazine cover or modification to limit round capacity?
 
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Ditto, a good 22 for FIRST rifle..

Second rifle, go with Saiga 7.62x39. Converted or stock, cheaper ammo, sufficient for hunting, fine for SHTF. They also have above average accuracy for an AK. Mine likes Wolf MC HP.

Lots of money left over for mags and ammo.

M
 
Since you want it for defensive purposes, I'd say get a basic AR and a .22 conversion kit. Here I can do that for $750-800. It may cost you a bit more in Cali. You have the power of a 5.56 if you need it and you drop in the conversion kit for cheap practice. And one of the best things about this setup is all of your practice directly translates to handling your battle rifle. It's the same rifle! Then spend the extra $200 on a bit of 5.56 and a ton of .22LR.
 
What's really good is the Savage line, if u gonna go for the semi autos, maybe a saiga for a beginners AK? Cheap cheap cheap, but quality, 350 new.
 
If Cali goes to looking like Cairo, a smart fella would stay home and off the street. Definitely avoid city hall or the state capitol area, and watch it all on TV.

Yeah, get a .22 LR and develop marksmanship skills. I generally adivse a bolt-action, tube-fed medium-price rifle. Helps with self-discipline and avoids "spray-and-pray" games. Scopes can be added later; a person can always trade for some semi-auto if that floats the boat...
 
Ug....California gun laws.
I saw a video from the Shot Show (Nutnfancy) in which the Arsenal owner said their AK's would soon be sold in CA (neutered version) but would have a coupon included that would allow the original owner to have them converted back to the proper configuration if the CA laws are ever changed to match the other free states.
Kind of interesting if you're an AK guy.
I wonder if the coupon would be valid for those relocating to another state.
 
I'm 57 and I still have my first rifle. It's a Winchester .22 - Model 72 bolt action, tube fed magazine. Shoots shorts, longs and LR's. Was a Christmas present on my 13th birthday. It's dead on accurate with iron sites. It's a vintage collectors rifle now(I would think it has to be 80-100 years ol).. My dad purchased it at a Pawn shop. I bet he didn't pay $20 for it in the mid
60's.
JT
 
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