I need advice: Changing my SHTF rifle.

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MEH

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I've decided to change my SHTF rifle from an AR-15 to an AK style rifle. Now the main reason for this is... I just don’t shoot the AR-15 as well as I can shoot the AK. The other reasons are that I like the reliability, durability, and overall feel of the AK.

First I need advice on how much money to ask for my AR-15, I know a guy that wants to buy an EBR so finding a person to buy it won’t be a problem.

It’s a Colt AR-15 A2 Sporter II 20” barrel with all the pre-ban features i.e. flash hider and bayonet lug, it has both the original triangle style hand guards and the modern style, 15 brand new 30rd magazines and one original 20rd, and other misc. stuff like a sling, the cleaning kit in the stock and a carry case.

It’s in good condition; I’m not exactly sure how many rounds it’s had through it because I bought it used.

Is there a way to tell how old it is?

Now on to the rifle I want to buy…


The Arsenal SA M-7 is the first on my list. I welcome your opinions on my choice.

sam7r.jpg


Thanks
 
I can't tell you the price, but I can give you my opinion.
I'd say you made a good choice, I personally think the .223 cartridge is unsuitable for a SHTF rifle, I just can't seem to trust it on deer-sized game. The ability to hunt WILL be important in a long-term SHTF.
 
Used A-2s around here are going for $750.00 for so-so, to $900.00 in really good shape, and the extras would run that up quite a lot. If you can't get $1100.00 out of it, I'd be surprised. I'd like to have an A-2 because it's like the M-16 I was issued, and I thought that rifle was a blast to shoot, but I can't afford that kind of money for a plinker (which is about all I'd really be doing with one), so I got a WASR II instead...
 
Arsenal is top notch AK. Cannot go wrong there.


AK makes a great SHTF gun. Any AR that has the name "Colt" on it will command a premium. That doesn't meant it's significantly more valueable, but it will get more resale value than an equivalent configuration AR of the same use.


.223 is a fine SHTF cartridge. I'd rather have lightweight than deer hunting capability. In a long term SHTF, I no longer buy into the whole hunting for survival theory. People will pretty much wipe out most all deer in short time. No law, no regulation - deer won't last. It also assumes that you live in a rural area and can drive or move about across large stretches of land. Besides, a .223 loaded with a 64gr power point or a 69-77gr bullet is still going to work for hunting. It isn't the most humane, but deer isn't human. Survival is what counts.


The only negative of .223 for your purposes is magazines. For an AK platform, I'd rather use the plain old 7.62x39mm magazines and thus choose x39.
 
I have an SA M7s and it's supremely built. Not your "run of the mill" AK-variant by a long shot...When you experience what the precise build and the Steyr barrel do for your 7.62x39 trajectory, it will impress you to no end. If I were you, I'd buy the SA M7s with the muzzle brake. Arsenal's brake does a lot to tame recoil and bring you back to point quickly. If you can, find yourself a Russian PO3 5x21P scope for the siderail - it will knock your socks off.

I'm one who prefers the AR to the AK generally - but not in this case. The Arsenal is just well made and accurate. I'd take neither over my M1A, but would pick up the Arsenal first if I had to pick....Prepare to pay a lot and be satisfied more than you paid... ;)
 
personally , a shtf rifle, I would want something with the most common of parts. so your current ar is the best. secondly, in grand shtf fashion you will wanna carry the most ammo you possibly can. again, 223 is 1/3 the weigth of 762.39.
lastly, if you have something that us not internal box, you need something with highly common mags. Ar comes first, ak second.
 
Keep your AR, and go buy yourself a Saiga for $250, convert it (if you so desire for another 150) and you are more than good to go.
 
Phil Shoemaker wrote an interesting article on the .223 in Alaska in the current issue of Successful Hunter magazine. Seems the .223 is pretty good, even in the land of large critters. Not that I have any love for the AR15 platform; I don't.
 
Keep your AR, and go buy yourself a Saiga for $250, convert it (if you so desire for another 150) and you are more than good to go.
Click to expand...
Or sell your AR and get three Saigas. After all, when the SHTF, a few spare rifles wouldn't hurt.
 
Guys, what's with all this SHTF stuff? You don't seriously think everything will suddenly go to crap and need an AK for survival...
 
Chris in VA
It's about the Zombies dood, the zombies.

And the Hurricanes, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Government and other misc. bad things.
 
Split the difference between an AK and an AK and get a 556 (check it out before you buy it though).
 
Guys, what's with all this SHTF stuff? You don't seriously think everything will suddenly go to crap and need an AK for survival...
Click to expand...

You don't seriously think your house will burn down, or get hit by a tornado, but I'd bet dollars to donuts you have insurance :) And zombies. Hoards of zombies. Nasty liver-eating zombies.

For SHTF, go with a couple of Saigas.
 
MEH, I have an older Arsenal with the fixed muzzle brake, but otherwise
exactly the same. I have owned/shot/handled most every kind of AK
made and been extremely pleased with the Arsenal.
 
I'm considering an AK instead of the AR for a shtf rifle as well for reliability and handling reasons. Back a while there was a thread about JBTs thinking of people with AK's in NO as "bad guys" and the possibility of at least getting black furniture for it. I don't remember if there was a consensus on it though.
Do you have the ability to keep your AR and get an AK? If you sell it $900 sounds about right.
 
again, 223 is 1/3 the weigth of 762.39.
Click to expand...

I would guess that .223 is about 3/4 of 7.62x39. The bullet is 55/52 gr vs 125gr but the cartrige also includes a case, powder and a primer...

miko
 
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