I need a rifle. Give me some input!

[ClangClang]

Okay fanboys, here's your chance to go wild and bring me over to your side! I [strike]want[/strike] need a rifle. Above all, I live in NJ so I have to be mindful of our onerous laws. That said, the rifle will fill the following functions:

• Fun - General range shooting
• 3 gun match - These look fun as hell, would like to start them soon
• Tactical training - something like FrontSight, Thunder Ranch, etc
• SHTF - Nuff said.

I'm not an accuracy geek, I don't reload (although I'm not ruling it out), and don't want to sink a ton of money in to the rifle. I want it to exercise my 2A rights, have some fun practicing, training, and competing, and one day, should I ever need to call on it, to have it ready to save my or family's lives.

Now then, I have a line on a converted Saiga 7.62x39. It's barely been used (under 200 rds down the pipe) and done very nicely. Quad rail, forend pistol grip, tapco g2 trig group, bullet guide, 2 mags, AK gas tube, and all the original parts for $499.

This seems like a solid, screaming deal to me and I'm inclined to take it - UNLESS you can convince me it's the wrong choice, or you can suggest something better at a similar price point. So go crazy and do your best!

 

[mortablunt]

NJ really puts a damper on this. I'm not too sure if you can buy an SKS, but that would be a good lead. If not, then get yourself a Mosin Nagant.

 

[ClangClang]

Already have a Mosin. Looking for something semi-auto, magazine fed. A stock Saiga is fully NJ legal as long as you don't add a folding stock. Everything else, remaining stock, ensures the rifle stays NJ compliant.

I am looking at AK-style and AR-style rifles primarily.

 

[mustang69]

Start with an AK47 or AK74. (47 ammo is cheaper). The AK'S are not expensive and are easy to maintain. They will meet your requirements. As mortablunt said, the SKS is good too...

 

[[email protected]]

I think your choices are limited because of the state you live in.... in someways this could actually be a good thing.... go down to your local gun store and talk to them ... find out exactly what they can sell you.

 

[wlewisiii]

Go cowboy assault rifle - buy a beater Win 94 in .30-30, add a synthetic stock either a red dot or ghost ring sight & a stock sleeve for fast reload ammo. 80% of an AK with a rifle no one even in NJ would blink twice at.

 

[gotigers]

If you want to shoot 3gun, an AR will be your best choice. ARs are a lot cheaper than the recent past. I am not familiar with NJ laws, but can you build an AR? If you can order a lower, build an A4 type or a something like a S&W sport. To shoot local 3 gun you dont need a high dollar custom AR. At one time i used a S&W M4gery for a while. It did fine. I recently built an 20" National Match style A4 with a Stainless Criterion barrel for $800. I think you should be able to build one under $700 with a 16" or 18" chromoly barrel.

here is an old THR thread about NJ ARs, that may help. http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-403843.html

 

[bri]

Did you even read the entire OP? A Mosin for running 3-gun?

The price on that Saiga is hard to beat, pick it up. Then, begin saving up some cash for your AR purchase.

 

[mortablunt]

I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner: SVT-40!

 

[Buck Kramer]

I'd go ak 74, I have 2 and unlike said above ak 74 is cheaper than ak47. I can find 1080 rounds for 130 (Rguns) but with 7.62 you cant even find 640 rounds for that price...

 

[svaz]

Above all, I live in NJ so I have to be mindful of our onerous laws. That said, the rifle will fill the following functions:

Well, there's Nerf, Airsoft, and paintball ...

j/k. At $499-$599, you really can't get much in the way of a semi. A cheap AK or a good SKS is about it.

 

[ByAnyMeans]

I would say to take the deal, with the caveat that as mentioned 5.56 is generally used for three gun due to it's lower recoil and will still fill your other requirements. If I was doing three gun for fun and the practice aspect and not trying to compete on a serious level then it would not matter.

I have a converted Sagia and it is very nice. Personally I would probably sell the forend and grip as I prefer the original. Put that money toward a red star trigger and possible optics, it should help defray the cost after getting a new handguard YMMV.

 

[ClangClang]

Thanks for all the info folks. Lots of stuff to think about. I certainly have no interest in being a serious competitor... I'd only be doing it for fun. It almost seems like it might be entertaining (not to mention challenging) to do a 3gun with a Mosin and a bunch of stripper clips.

Now to come up with the funds. I've got a pistol and pistol safe, plenty of ammo, and plenty of mags... now I just need a tall safe, a rifle + mags, a shotgun, lots of ammo for each, a holster.... damn this hobby gets expensive.

 

[ugaarguy]

NJ Compliant S&Ws

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...4_750001_750051_772661_-1_772659_757784_image - The Sport model has a street price in the low $600 range.