Intrested in buying a rifle

[SoundWave]

Hello everyone, I'm interested in buying a rifle... I've been trolling around this board and others for months, trying to obtain every bit of information to help guide me in my purchase. Unfortunately it's only opened a bigger can of worms, now I can't decide which rifle I want!

Maybe you guys can help me nail down my decision, I'm looking for a rifle that can accept optics, can accept high capacity magazines, and is LESS than 700-800 dollars (With optic or at least accessories).

I've been thinking about just getting an AK and being done with it, but I know there are many rifles out there that I've also been drooling over. The CETME seemed great till I saw many people complained about it's out-of-box quality. The AR-15 seems just a tad too expensive. Many surplus arms don't accept high capacity magazines. Optic placement on some rifles is too impractical or virtually impossible, the list goes on and on.

Right now I'm looking at:

Buying a SAR-1 or simlilar
Buying a SA M7
Buying a CETME and fixing it up
Buying a cheap FAL from aimsurplus
Buying an AK 74 clone

If anyone can give me some pros-cons and maybe a little nudge I'd be much appreciated .

 

[Nick1911]

Well I'm going to be buying a SAR-1 soon, for the following reasons:

• Cheap ammo
• Reliable
• Cheap Hi-Cap mags
• Cheap rifle!
• large # of aftermarket options

Now some of the bad points:

• Not real accurate
• Not what one would call a 'fine firearm' (actually, this could be a pro...)

At any rate that's why I decided on a SAR-1.
Hope this helps!

Nick

 

[SoundWave]

I've been really leaning tword the SAR-1 also, another pro is that it has a side mounting rail so you can drop a cheap (yet reliable) russian optic like a Kobra or a PU scope.

 

[Mulliga]

The FALs from AIM are Century, are they not? I simply don't trust the grease monkeys at Century any more.

Basically, I'd either

1) Get the SAR-1 and live happily ever after. Rock solid reliable, cheap as all hell to buy and shoot, and it's about as politically incorrect as humanly possible (especially when you bump-fire it...)

2) Build your own AR and mount all the "tacticool" accessories you want. Get a stripped lower from a gun show, buy a kit from Model 1/J&T/wherever, get some tools, and put the thing together. Should cost roughly 500 bucks all told.

 

[jefmad]

For a reasonably priced FAL I would suggest looking at Ohio Rapid Fire. A quality FAL starting at $550.

 

[goon]

You might consider a Mosin Nagant.
They are cheap, tough as hell, pretty accurate and cheap to shoot.
If you are willing to go around $200 you can get an M-39. It has been my experience that they will outshoot brand new sporting rifles.
The Mosin does seem a little on the ugly time the first time you see it, but it grows on you.
Other than that, I would suggest an SKS if you want a 7.62x39. I have found that they are generally a little more accurate than an AK and they are usually cheaper as well. They don't require extra magazines, only stripper clips. They shoot the same round as an AK so you still get cheap ammo.
Forgive me for saying this, but I actually sort of like them better than the AK. I can at least hit what I am shooting at with an SKS.

Nothing against the AK though. It is just that they are generally not the most accurate weapon that you will lay your hands on.
If you want accurate and AK, check out a VEPR.

Other than that, I would vote for a FAL. Mine will be going back to the shop soon for a little tweaking but I still love it.

 

[Sunray]

Hi, SoundWave. What kind of experience do you have? No offence, but it sounds like you're relatively new to shooting. S'ok. Depending on where you are and how much money you want to spend, the high cap mag may be out of the question. All the 'pre-ban/post-ban stuff. Pre-ban is more expensive.
The best bang for your buck is at your CMP. Forget the high cap mag and buy a Garand. The Garand is probably the nicest shooting rifle I own and you'll get a piece of your country's history without spending two month's mortgage payment. www.odcmp.com
There are some hoops to jump through, but it's worth every bit. Shoot the matches even if you don't have to by your background. You'll meet some of the nicest people you'll ever meet at matches. Trust me. If you're new to shooting or not, a CMP M-1 is the way to go. Think Danish with a VAR barrel. Anything from SA or elsewhere pales in comparison and for ther most part a VAR barreled Garand will shoot circles around nearly any high cap magged rifle.
For more info go to http://www.jouster.com/.
And don't stop asking questions. Here or anywhere else.

 

[Brian Dale]

Welcome to The High Road, SoundWave!

I'm afraid that I can't help you narrow things down; in fact, I lust after an M1 Garand, too. They've been called the best deal going on rifles nowadays. I've read stuff from folks who sing the praises of their SAR-1s, and I keep reading how everybody loves their FALs.

EDITED to add: HEY! I see that this is Post No. 762 for me; this means that I MUST recommend something in .30 cal, right? Let's see: M1, FAL, AK/SAR-1, SKS, Mosin-Nagant, G3/CETME, and, and, and, ... Well, that sure narrows it down.

Please don't take this as a slam on you, but I'll offer a different verb for what you described in your first post (cold-hearted scoundrel that I am): you haven't been trolling; trolling's bad. You've apparently been lurking, reading and studying; that's very good, and my hat's off to you for it! Glad that you've decided to register.

Can you give any more detail about what you want to be able to do with your rifle? Targets, battle rifle, hunting, gun games? I'll second Sunray's recommendation about matches; there are some great folks there.

Again, Welcome.

 

[ny32182]

VEPR or SA-M7 is the way to go for AKs, IMO... I have experience with both, and wouldn't have a problem recommending either of them.

My VEPR K 7.62x39 was $609 out the door, which is within your price range.

You can add a scope mount and your choice of optics later. Mags and ammo are as cheap as they come.

An AR wouldn't be totally out of the question either if you are willing to assemble your own lower reciever and add optics later. An AR offers more accessory mounting options than any other platform could dream of.

Good luck with whatever you decide.