Looking for a semi-auto carbine

[crazysccrmd]

I posted this in the classifieds but wanted to ask here for opinions on what to look for in local shops.

I'm looking for a handy semi-auto, magazine fed carbine. I don't have anything particular in mind, but would prefer a rifle caliber chambering, at least 15rd capacity, decent iron sights, under 7lbs, under 36" length. A collapsible or folding stock would be a nice addition as well. Not looking to spend over about $500.

Ones I've thought of are:

M1 carbine
Keltec SU16C
AK47 underfolder
Mini 14/30 (maybe)

 

[Jericho_223]

Well I'll recommend the Saiga. I've got one chambered in 5.56 and it's been absolutely great! You can get one for about $350, and it's based on the tried and true AK platform. Most will recommend that you do a conversion on it, but I can't really comment on that since I've yet to do it on mine.

 

[JHenry]

Saigas are actually in high supply right now 5.56,5.45,7.62, and .410 can all be had $300 if thats what you want,

But it would seem you want a more compact package and for that i think the su-16c is a really nice option. The underfolder AKs are also a nice compact package.

ive never been a fan of mini 14's but to each his own

 

[JohnnyCal55]

Why can't Ruger Make a Mini-14 sized rifle in .308?? :/

 

[navajo]

why?

Ruger tried to make a mini in .308 a few years back. Could not get it to work.

 

[JohnnyCal55]

That stinks! I had never heard of that before, What type of issues were they having with it?

*Scratch that, I did some research and it looks like some sort of reliability issue they could not resolve.

I think that if Ruger could make a .308 that is very similar in size to their new mini-14 Tactical carbine with a 16" barrel and flash-hider, it'd be a hot seller. I know I'd buy one.

 

[Snowdog]

I'm quite the fan of the M1 Carbine.

It's about 5.5 pounds and about as handy as handy gets (there might be a profile of the M1 Carbine in Webster's dictionary under "handy").
Of course it uses 15-30 round magazines, plenty for most applications.

It's not a long-range deal or ideal for hunting large game, but it's a sweet sub-150 yard defensive carbine. Every time I pick this carbine up, I fall in love all over again.

 

[Wildbillz]

I would love to find some thing that was about the size and weight of an M1 Carbine chambered in 10mm. 15 to 20 round mags would work. Or better yeat if it would take a Glock 20 mag.

Heck even one in 40S&W would be fun as long as it took a Glock mag.

I had hopes at one point that Ruger would makere the PC carbine in that caliber but then they stopped production of them compleatly.

But then I can only dream.
WB

 

[madcratebuilder]

I'm quite the fan of the M1 Carbine.

It's about 5.5 pounds and about as handy as handy gets (there might be a profile of the M1 Carbine in Webster's dictionary under "handy").
Of course it uses 15-30 round magazines, plenty for most applications.

It's not a long-range deal or ideal for hunting large game, but it's a sweet sub-150 yard defensive carbine. Every time I pick this carbine up, I fall in love all over again.

Got to agree with the big dog. The M1 carbine is often overlooked as a good lightweight defensive fire arm. A GI model with serviceable parts is very reliable, and deadly at self defense range.

 

[HKGuns]

One of these.