Help me pick a rifle!

[goon]

Never owned an AR but I have shot M-16s when I was in the Army. They work if you take care of them. I do feel that the AK is a more durable weapon so that is what I have chosen but I would be OK with an AR.

Anyhow, I did have a VEPR K in 223.
It was a very accurate rifle despite its AK heritage. They are definitely high quality and dead reliable. I did sell it though. It seemed unbalanced to me so I sold it and began the quest to find what was right for me. In hindsight, I sort of think I should have had it modified to suit me better but it has been a fun ride anyhow.
Anyway, if you just want a shooter, I would say that the VEPR is as good as an AR.

 

[Roger Williams]

Ok, here's a question for you AR guys....

I was at a gun show today and saw a bunch of Rock River complete uppers for $400. The guy at the table said they were all head spaced and test fired. (that's a good thing, right?)... A table right across from them had 3 different kinds of complete lowers for $239. (Armalite, DPMS, Rock River)

Here's my questions: If I got an upper and a lower and put them together, would it be as good as if I bought a complete factory assembled gun? Also, should I try to stick with the same manufacturer for the upper and lower?

I have heard tales of guys putting together a "frankenrifle", and having a lot of "play" between the upper and lower. I really don't want to pay almost $700 for a rifle that rattles like crazy. I asked the guy selling the lowers about that, and he told me that none of the lowers he sold will be like that, and said "in fact, they're so tight, you'll have to pound on the pins to get 'em in there"... so, should I head back to the show tomorrow and put something together?

Thanks for all the help by the way! I'd be flying blind without you guys.

 

[voilsb]

Franken-AR's are just fine.

Especially if you got that $400 RRA upper and put it on top of one of the $239 RRA lowers and you're set.

That'd likely be a rock-solid gun, for less than $650.

 

[SteelyDan]

Roger, I got one of those Bushy A-3s last summer and like it a lot. Here's a link to AIM's Bushmasters:

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Bushmaster_Rifles.html

 

[chapperjoe]

personally

I think I'd go for a used VEPR - 400 bucks or so - and put the rest into nice mags or start saving for a Rock River with the rest of the cash. I like the way the VEPR feels, looks and shoots. If I didn't have a WASR I'd be buying a VEPR for sure.

Look into converting a SAIGA 223 though. Or better yet buy a converted one from one of the converters. now THOSE finished products are sweet rifles!!!!


Is anyone else surprised at the lack of " for that money get ten SKS's, 2000 rounds of ammo, and the 'hating AR's for dummies' book " posts, or the " for that money get ten mosins, 2000 rounds of ammo, and the 'hating AR's for dummies' book' ".

At least we got the "you get what you pay for......" posts.
I tend to disagree.
You can get a great used ar for 650 over at arfkom.