Middle ground between the AR and AK?

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Hammerhead6814

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Your either an AR fan or an AK fan these days. Either way you've successfully gained understanding of the first letter of the alphabet, but despite this relationship AR owners and AK owners do not like each other.

So what of us who don't own either but want a good semi-auto for a reasonable price? That's what's had me googling for the past half-hour. I can't find a rifle that has a better track record of reliability than the AR, and has a record of better accuracy than the AK. I'm not looking for AR-AK hybrid, just something that fits the bill of a good semi-auto but keeps me far, far away from either owners group.

I keep thinking about the Mini-14. But where on earth can you find one for under $800? Then there was the idea of a CETME, but the quality apparently ranges from "simply amazing" to "it's not worth a damn past 50 yards".

What do semi-auto owners who do not own AR's or AK's own?
 
Not really the middle ground, but the Romak-3 seems to be a good gun for the price ($699 - $799 online - just avoid any comparison to a certain legendary russian rifle with a similar stock). Sort of an AK in design but chambered in 7.62x54R.

It is what I am planning to get to fill the semi-auto void in my life.
 
their is a new style w/flash hider Mini14 on the shelf at the local farm/sporting goods store for $699. and used ones selling for around $500ish
 
semi auto owners that don't want either the AR or AK generally are in the FAL and M1A camp and that's the 308. IF you want an intermediate cartrige you should reconsider and get an AK or AR.
 
Well you could increase your understanding of the alphabet with the letters F, A, and L to make FAL (even if it not a word). I saw two of them at my local toy store for $1000. Check them over real good and make your it's not built on a Heese receiver, Imbel being the best copy of the orginal (sp?) FN FAL. The done side to this gun in today's market is the cost of 308 cal ammo. You will find more parts for the metric then you will for the inch version. If you want to know more about that gun check out.

www.falfiles.com
 
Get one of those new Century Arms C93 HK rifles. I've been fondling the idea of picking up one.
 
I can't find a rifle that has a better track record of reliability than the AR, and has a record of better accuracy than the AK.
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I think you made a mistake here. It's the AK that's renowned for reliability and the AR that's known for killer accuracy, not the other way around.

So what of us who don't own either but want a good semi-auto for a reasonable price?
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There are plenty of platforms that have all the virtues of both the AR and AK and none of the flaws, but the price point is the hitch here; very few of them are affordable, especially since the current political situation has sent the price of black rifles through the roof.

If you are willing to forgo detachable mags, take a look at the M-1 Garand. It's rugged, reliable, accurate and it won't break the bank. Even though you'll have to give up detachable mags, you can take some comfort in the fact that the Garand is much more powerful than either the AK or AR.
 
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Daewoo was a cross of both. Not sure how 'good' the imported ones were, do a search here for them, see what comes up.
 
The SKS is fun. I must say not all of us are either AK or AR guys. Some have and like both. I currently have sold my AK and am looking for another but will wait for prices to come back to close to where they were before the election. They are just different rifles. Not better or worse overall, though some specific uses make one design better than the other. Buy whatever seems like fun. If you don't want either of those or the SKS you have the mini line as well as all the FAL versions though you are jumping up in cartridge size there. If you are looking for a .223 to x39 cartridge you might want to reconsider either the AR or AK. They tend to be the two most popular for a reason.
 
one of the greatest gun fallacies you can fall for is the whole "AK's are inaccurate and AR's are unreliable" line.

don't you be next. Once ypu move beyond what the History channel tells you and dig a little deeper you find the reality depending on the particular rifle can be anywhere from one extreme to the other and anywhere in between
 
SIG 556... its what I am going to pick up when I can. At first I wanted an AR with folding stock and diopter sights that is piston driven. Then I realized SIG offers everything that I want. Now to just up the caliber of the bullet is fires... :neener:
 
SIG 556... its what I am going to pick up when I can. At first I wanted an AR with folding stock and diopter sights that is piston driven. Then I realized SIG offers everything that I want.
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This.

Save money, buy what you REALLY want. You'll be happier that way.

You remember exactly how many pennies you saved when you buy some cheap knock off rather than what you want, and think "well, I saved $XXX". If you buy what you want, at most, you'll probably think "I spent over $XXX, but geez was it worth it."

I don't have all too many firearms, but I'm proud to own every single one of 'em, with no regrets.

YMMV.
 
Dr200

Daewoo makes (made) a rifle that has an AR bolt and sorta SKS piston type gas system and uses AR type mags. Mine out shot a new Colt H Bar all day long at 200yards, sold the H Bar and still have the Daewoo DR200. Parts could be hard to find since it's a Clinton era banned rifle, but it seems that there are some US ones showing up more and more. Nothing has ever broken or malfunctioned on mine.
 
I agree RockyMtnTactical. I'm fond of both weapons and aware that both have their advantages and disadvantages.

I've heard stories from fellow soldiers of unearthing AKs from caches and firing them on our firing range and they shot fine despite having been buried under a half rotted tarp for God knows how long. There's a definite indicator of battlefield reliability right there. That's why I'm an AK fan. I am, however, aware of the fact that the sights are too close together and if you're even off a tad when aligning the sights that leads to a big miss even over 150 meters.

I like how modular the AR family of rifles are and their tack driving accuracy. I also like that with a simple upper receiver swap you can make a CQC carbine, mid range rifle, or even a sniper rifle and with the Picatinny or comparable rail systems you can mount optics, lights, and other accessories rather easily if you so desire (personally I just like an optical sight, not really a fan of lights or other such gadgets). But I am aware that the weapon must be cleaned every day to preclude the possibility of a stoppage.

And thus I present to the OP it is possible to be both an AK/AR fan.
 
This.

Save money, buy what you REALLY want. You'll be happier that way.

You remember exactly how many pennies you saved when you buy some cheap knock off rather than what you want, and think "well, I saved $XXX". If you buy what you want, at most, you'll probably think "I spent over $XXX, but geez was it worth it."

I don't have all too many firearms, but I'm proud to own every single one of 'em, with no regrets.
Click to expand...

Yup, that's my philosophy. I'd rather own just a few guns of superb quality than a whole bunch of cheap junk.
 
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