First Semi-Auto Rifle/Carbine Purchase - Need Help

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no "assault rifles" that's what the liberals call everything with more then a 5 round magazine. they are just rifles/carbines, any gun could be an "assault rifle" if you are use it for evil
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Sigh. Once again. Assault Rifle is a Military term. Assault Weapon is a political term.

There are many assault rifles.

Very few civilians have them.

There's no such thing as an assault weapon.

Liberal senators made that one up.

Think about it for a second. They didn't try to pass an "assault rifle ban" because they know the weapons millions of americans have are not assault rifles. So they started calling them "assault weapons"
 
Fixed The Title

Okay, guys, I've fixed the title.

Please feel free to help our OP select a decent semi-auto rifle for general use, including sporting and defensive applications as needed.

 
Have you thought about pistol caliber carbines that match a pistol cartridge you have or are going to get? The lever-action is almost as fast as a semi-auto and fairly accurate out to 150 yds or so. You stream line your ammo purchases by consolidating caliber choices.
 
You might do better to define "reasonably priced". Of the choices you listed, I'd say you are looking for an AK of some kind, but you probably couldn't go wrong with any of them.

Someone mentioned a WASR, and if you can get one for $350 (I haven't seen one that low since the election), jump on it.

The AR is a great rifle, but you will pay more for it.

The Mini-14 used to be closer to the $350 range, but even they've gone up. Don't know how much it matters to you, but there's also a considerable lack of options as to what you can do with/to it compared to the AR or AK. For what it's worth, a stock or "rack grade" Mini would probably serve you just fine, tho.
 
I do like scotjute's idea. The other suggestion I have is the mini-14. I prefer it over the AR's - that's just my personal preference. People will tell you they are inaccurate. The newer models typically can do 3 MOA. Ruger a number of years ago started going with a thicker barrel and that solved the problem. It can shoot both 223 and 5.56x45 ammo (it's in the manual and I don't want to start a debate about these two). Buy the Ruger mags (yes, the are a bit pricey but work well and last). It's a good social plinker and I would trust my life to it if I had to defend myself. I've got about 2000 rounds through it and I've had no problems whatsoever.

The M1As are another favorite of mine. I think the Scout model has a good balance of accuracy and compactness. The only downside is that they are kinda pricey and ammo costs more. I guess that is also why I like the mini-14. It's like an M-14 semiauto (the name is on coincidence) in terms of controls.
 
You have to get what suits you and realizes your expectations. Your first purchase may not be what you eventually end up with but that is half the fun.

I tried the Minis, the ARs and the AKs. All good but it wasn't me.

The Remington 7615 is what did it for me and I have not questioned my decision. You will know when you get it right.
 
get a saiga in 7.62x39mm or in 5.45x39mm
340 plus transfer fees and shipping
cheapest ammo
convert ityourself
it will be your rifle
and it will be new and from ishmash facoctory
where the man still works
 
I forgot about the 7615 Andy.

I bought one with the pistolgrip stock and ghost ring arrangement.

I outfitted mine with a Weaver 1x5 Grand Slam,very handy and accurate to boot.
 
If the OP can visit a gun show, a good Norinco SKS might be available at a decent price.
The shorter barreled "Paratrooper", or a D, possibly M series (these were designed to use AK mags) might appeal to him.

For a short stock, a recoil pad can help. These rifles can all be fitted with a brand-new rear peep sight, which reportedly improves accuracy a lot.

A gun show allows you to:
a) Compare many guns, handle what you would consider buying.
b) Avoid about $60-90 in shipping and FFL fees.
Take a bright flashlight, if not a bore light.

LEVRLOVR:
Ruger has been selling (for the first time) Mini 14 factory 20-rd. mags to the public since last winter.
They now also produce 20-rounders to the public for the Mini 30.
 
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Depends what you're planning to do with the rifle.

AK pros:
Cheap. For the price of an AR you can get an AK, mags, and a case of ammo.
Reliable. Unless built by monkeys these are the standard of rifle reliability.
Ubiquitous. Easy to find parts, ammo, mags.

AK cons:
Inaccurate. Most are 4-6MOA rifle. If precision is your thing the AK aint's for you.
Optics. Not a lot of options for mounting optics on AK rifle. The commie side optic rail is your best bet there.


AR pros:
Accurate. I expect run of the mill rifles to shoot 2MOA or better.
Modular. AR rifles are like Legos. Swap barrels, receivers, whatever.
Reliable. If maintained they are perfectly reliable.
Accessories. There is more stuff made for for ARs than for Barbie. Optics, lights, bipods, bottle openers. Somebody makes it.

AR cons:
Expensive. Rifles run on the order of 2X what an AK does.
Requires minimal maintenance. If you can't be bothered to clean a gun ever, the AR probably isn't for you. Keep it wet (with lube) and it'll run a long time.

I'd rate the Mini-14 as having most of the cons of the AR and AK without the advantages. Price factory mags for the Mini-14 and you'll see what I mean.

Pistol caliber carbines are just crazy talk for a guy that doesn't own a rifle. Low power, short range, but the bulk of a rifle. I own a Uzi, and I love it for fun. It is the LAST longarm I'd grab in a social situation.

BSW
 
you can get a dpms sportical for under your price range. it won't have forward assist or a dust cover, but you should live without those. it should also come with a hard plastic case and 2 mags.
 
Let's consider that imported AK's have spotty quality, and one that shoots 2 MOA with import ammo is not common. Yes, they seem to be reliable with little to no maintence, it's what the designer knew to be a problem with the user base. He made the magazine tougher because of that.

AK's do have cheap ammo available, in 7.62 x 39 it has poor ballistics with feet of drop at 300 yards. Practicing holdover is necessary. For the money, you get what you pay for.

The AR is inherently more accurate and can be made extremely so. A budget buster doesn't have to be bought up front, 2 MOA is milspec, and many do better. It's flatter shooting in 5.56, and other calibers can be had - more every day. It takes down without tools, and cleaning doesn't mean scraping the finish off all the working parts. Many AR's get a wipe down and no patch down the bore for thousands of rounds, and are shot competitively by winners that way. There is a happy medium between Inspector General clean and thrown dirty in the closet the way many civilians do.

Between a choice of a cheap third world rifle built for that market, and an AR designed for the best educated soldier in the world (at the time,) I'd go AR.

More parts, more resources, more support, more fun.
 
First Semi-Auto Rifle/Carbine Purchase - Need Help
He needs your help in selecting a rifle, not an English lesson. I think he got the point, and your onlu gonna give him complex. I'd try to get into an Ar-15. I like it cause I was trained on it and can shoot with iron sights easily out to 200 yards with my old eyes.
 
As you can see by my posts I'm new to this forum.

As for the few of you that have been helpful with this thread please ignore this message.

I believe if I read the original post correctly he was asking for advice on which semi automatic rifle or shall I say ASSAULT RIFLE would be best to purchase on a budget less than $800. I believe he was also asking about manufacturers also. I don't think his post was about if ASSAULT RIFLE was the proper term for the rifle he is interested in. So for you that think this is some english lesson/politician rant you found the wrong post. For those of you that have been helpful thank you. Last time I checked this is a forum dealing with firearms to include ASSAULT RIFLES.
 
ar's and ak's are the usual suspects with the mini-14 coming in 3rd and sks 4th. I'll also suggest you take a peek at the keltec su-16, AUG clone, m1 carbine or a stubby m1a. heck, if you have a pistol you might check out the mech tech CCU's. or a ruger deerfield.

cons on all the guns: (note, many of these issues can be worked through, and all are just my opinions and have no reflection on the actual quality or accuracy of the guns.

AR's make a sproing sound and have too many snooty fanboys and "experts" that try to get you to turn a lightweight $700 rifle into a $1500+ gun with more gizmos than a leatherman.
ak: chunky, dated, and I don't like the way they fit me.
mini-14: should be lots cheaper than it is and the gas port is in an awkward place (esp for a lefty)
sks: heavy, 10 round limit, poor optics mounting capability.
su-16: should sell for WAY less than it does and seems flimsy.
AUG: expensive, bad trigger, bullpup not for everyone.
m1 carbine: ammo gettign scarce, lots of detractors hate the .30 carbine round, particularly in FMJ.
m1a: not a carbine, expensive, heavy.
deerfield: not made anymore

marlin 1894: not an autoloader. (but a pretty good carbine nevertheless)

go to a range, beg borrow or rent some guns and see what you like. guys like to show off their rifles.
 
I would seriously suggest that the OP buy a Ruger 10/22 and several steel-lipped 30-round magazines, a tacticool stock, and several bulk packs of .22LR...way under $400...shoot it till you're tired of shooting it...learn the feel of it and how it handles...slow and fast...what you can do with it...it will help you see what you do and don't like about that type of weapon and shooting and give you an economical education...then go out and choose the one you want...you could easily shoot up that same money in centerfire ammo and still be searching...
 
I forgot about the 7615 Andy.
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Leverlovr,

I like them being one of the best kept secrets ever. Keeps the price down ' cause I want another one when Grice puts them on sale.. Mine is the ranch carbine with the beautiful Walnut furniture and a Trophy 1x32 T-Dot.
 
you can get a dpms sportical for under your price range. it won't have forward assist or a dust cover, but you should live without those. it should also come with a hard plastic case and 2 mags
Click to expand...
.

These guys are excellent for the money and fairly lightweight.

AR's make a sproing sound and have too many snooty fanboys and "experts" that try to get you to turn a lightweight $700 rifle into a $1500+ gun with more gizmos than a leatherman.
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Excellent!!!!!!! This sums it up entirely, is nothing BUT truth...although I continuously poke fun at these type of customers, I'll have to say, they make us a LOT of money!

We see AR's go out the door that have more stuff bolted, pinned and glued to them than any of the most highly equipped socom units!
 
Briansmithwins pretty much summed it up although I do see value in pistol caliber carbines.

Back to your basic question, I think you need to at the very minimum try both the AR and AK platforms and see what feels right for you. You can rent rifles at gun ranges and in my parts, people are very friendly and are willing to let you try out their rifles. Most important thing is to actually spend some time with both platforms and make up your mind.

I myself like the traditional stocked rifles and feel they are the best handling of all. So, while I own a couple of AK47 underfolders because they can be made into a nice concealable package, my preference for an intermediate round carbine is the SKS platform. I use a butler creek stock, Hi tech rear peep sights, and have had the trigger worked over. You get total reliability and reasonable accuracy with the SKS.

The M1A is my main go to rifle, but the SKS setup like that is the perfect practice plaform for the M1A and the ammo is much cheaper to shoot.
 
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