Forgetting anything?

[csbassplayer2003]

Myself and my friends are all about to buy "assault" or "modern sporting" rifles here in the next month and we have been doing a lot of research on platforms. One guy is probably getting an AR (mp sport due to limited funds most likely). Another is an AK guy but is probably getting a Galil( close enough) century clone. We have a good relationship with our LGS so that if century gives us issues the store said they would back them. Myself I'm unsure of what to get. I've been leaning towards the C93 (hk93 clone) but am not completely sold on it yet. AKs are in the running. I am not looking for an AR pattern. I just don't like them. The requirements are:

Intermediate caliber (battle rifles come later).
I'd like to stay under 800. Less on rifle = more gear.
Carbine sized/ length or collapsible stock option.
Reliable
No ARs

I was just wondering if there were any other platforms I am forgetting or overlooking?

 

[Ranger30-06]

You might want to take a look at a Kel-Tec Su-16, Mini-14, or a Saiga.

I have a Saiga in .308, but take a look at 7.62x39 or .223 for cheap plinking. It'll run you about $350-$400 for the gun itself, but for ~$200 you can convert it to original AK configuration. It's a brand new AK. Can't go wrong there!

The Su-16 is a cheap, light alternative to an AR or Mini-14. They take AR-15 magazines, they have a good reliability record, and the warranty record from Kel-Tec is pretty good too. It is an excellent camp/backpacking gun because of its ability to fold in half for storage. I saw several over the last year going for $500 new so that definitely leaves money for magazines and ammo.

The Mini-14's made after 2006 are excellent guns if your willing to pony up the money to buy one (about $700). These guns have heavier barrels which has significantly improved the accuracy over the older models. They are built off of the Garand/M1 Carbine action, which means it's inherently reliable provided you use the good magazines and not the cheapies.



I would personally skip on the C93 because I am not at all a fan of Century. They tend to be shoddy builds from sub par parts kits. For less, you can get a Saiga. For the same amount, you can get a SU-16. For a little more, you can get a Mini-14. All three of which are IMO much better guns than the C93. Hope this helps.


EDIT: PS: You can get a collapsible stock for the SU-16 for around $100. Something to consider...

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Not to burst your bubble but your "Less on rifle = more on gear" should be corrected. Unless I assume wrong, I think your talking about cool little gadgets that you bolt on to your rifle. Mabey pop on some kinda optic on there if you wish. But belive me, more "accessories" generally make a rifle turn into a tool that has awful handleing.

Now, which rifle? AR's aint to bad, I am not a huge kool-aid drinker, but they are fine rifles. AK's are nice as your friend is trying out. I am not educated enough to comment on FAL rifle, but I do hear good things about the ones from "DSA".

Heck I'd suggest an M1A but you want a intermediate caliber..... you might could try a Mini-14. They (Ruger), from what I hear, have stepped up their quality.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Cal-gun Fan]

The C93 isn't that great of a gun, and I'm not sure about magazine availability either. The Saiga's are a really fun platform that you can really customize to be your own. Try to convince your friend to do that instead of the Galil! Lots of problems with those Century ones.

 

[chrome_austex]

Since you didn't mention accuracy, I'd go with the AK pattern. It fits the other criteria well.

FALs are nice too.

Actually an M1 Carbine is pretty handy and practical, and I wouldn't be ashamed to stick a red dot on one.

 

[csbassplayer2003]

The saigas were on my radar as ak patterns, my buddy doesn't want to do the conversion so he held a standard wasr and Galil and he loved everything about the Galil moreso. He sees it as an improved AK. As for FALs and M1s they are battle rifles. My first choice would deff be a DSA Sa58 build, but for the moment we are doing intermediate cartridges (5.45,5.56,7.62, etc). And by gear I meant I don't have to spend the whole sum if it doesn't gain me anything useful. Leftover money can be used on ammo optics and other things.

 

[JohnnyK]

I have 7 AKs including a Golani... and I chose my Golani as my 3-gun rifle.. yes, it's a Centry build but they did it right with mine... no complaints at ALL... I put around 2k rounds thru it and only had a handfull of jams but that was due to 1 problem mag... I got 8 mags in and auction off Gun Broker so, no big deal on that...
I would agree with recommendations on Saiga and convert or get and AK you don't need to convert... I have an AMD-65 AK which runs flawlessly... there are many options... just pick one that you like..

 

[Ranger30-06]

The saigas were on my radar as ak patterns, my buddy doesn't want to do the conversion so he held a standard wasr and Galil and he loved everything about the Galil moreso. He sees it as an improved AK. As for FALs and M1s they are battle rifles. My first choice would deff be a DSA Sa58 build, but for the moment we are doing intermediate cartridges (5.45,5.56,7.62, etc). And by gear I meant I don't have to spend the whole sum if it doesn't gain me anything useful. Leftover money can be used on ammo optics and other things.

The Saiga's are WAY more improved than any civilian Galil we will ever get! The Saiga's are brand spankin new AK-100 series AK's, which is an even more updated version of the AK family than the Galil. Any Galil you can get here will be a surplus parts kit throw together (yes, that's literally what century does; Build guns from surplus parts kits). Saiga mags are easier to find too... Just saying...

 

[Vaarok]

Daewoo DR-200 / K2? Not sure about pricing, but they're foldy-stock, non-AR, and high quality.

 

[MistWolf]

Do not count on your gunshop being able to get your Century rifles warranteed should there be problems. Century offers a 1 year warrantee but the clocks start ticking as soon as the rifle is shipped to the gunshop, not from the date of purchase

 

[Wildbillz]

I so wanted the C93 to be a good solid gun. Alas the one I bought choked on just about everyother round I tried to fire out of it. I had it way longer then a year prior to trying it so I don't think that Century is going to back it. I will be looking hard at it as to weather to try and get it fixed or just sell it as a parts kit.

They do look good, but don't let that fool ya. Some have been good and some have faild misrably.

WB

 

[David Sinko]

Any decent AK pattern 7.62x39 will serve nicely. Century/WASR is OK as long as you can inspect it first. A good and proper Saiga/Izhmash conversion is best but will cost more. A friend has an older "budget model" Krebs Saiga with an EOTech sight mounted forward on an Ultimak gas tube mount. I can not think of anything better as an "intermediate" rifle.

Be careful with AK magazines. I have found that there is a lot of unreliable junk of dubious origin floating around.

Dave Sinko

 

[JustinJ]

Arsenal AK74, Russian or Bulgarian. Both are equal in quality and ammo is currently quite cheap. You can of course do a Saiga conversion but to convert it up to an Arsenal will likely cost you more than just buying one.

 

[dcarch]

What about one of the AK converted Saigas like what Classic Arms builds?
http://www.classicarms.us/semi-auto rifles.htm