rifle choice

[lee-enfield shooter]

I have saved up a bit of money and am looking to get an assault style rifle. I would like to ask you all for a bit of help deciding what type of rifle to get. I am able to get either an sks or an ak47. I was just wondering which one i should get. Ill probably be carrying it through the woods and the mountainous terrain if that would help at all. I would like to ask for your advice.

 

[bpl]

I like to call them semi-automatic modular rifles or semi-automatic military pattern rifles or just plain semi-auto rifles, rather than assault rifles myself. Since they're not really "assault rifles" of course!

I'd go with the AK-47 myself. Get it and a bunch of 30 round mags before they try to ban them again!

Ill probably be carrying it through the woods and the mountainous terrain if that would help at all.

Plinking in the woods, I hope, as hunting with a semi-auto rifle in PA is illegal.

 

[jeepguy]

of those 2 i would chose ak 47. but i think i would save a little more & get a mini 14.

 

[NCsmitty]

Saiga makes a pretty decent AK style rifle. In 223 or 7.62x39 for one price, and 308 and 30'06 a bit higher.

Here's a link to a distributor with some sale prices.

www.armsofamerica.com/firearms/saigarifles.html



NCsmitty

 

[lee-enfield shooter]

BPL, what i actually meant was more for a protection rifle than a hunting rifle. Around here there have been a lot of bear and mountain lion sightings(of course the game commission says they dont exist in PA). I was actually leaning towards the ak just because of their legendary reliability.

 

[bpl]

I'd suggest doing a thorough review of the PA Uniform Firearms Code and Game Regulations before stepping off your own personal property with a loaded AK-47. Long guns are not covered by the License to Carry Firearms and I know you cannot keep it loaded in your car. It would not be legal in the woods during any hunting season. I'm not sure about the rest of the year, especially on public land. I don't believe the State Law recognizes a long gun as a "defensive" weapon. Try searching or posting a question on the PA firearms owners association forum, probably some more knowledgable members there.

Maybe consider the AK-47 for fun and home defense and a Glock 10mm or 357/44mag revolver for woods defense?

 

[bpl]

Around here there have been a lot of bear and mountain lion sightings(of course the game commission says they dont exist in PA).

If there are self-propagating populations of mountain lions in PA, or other east coast states for that matter, it is probably best that the game commissions not officially recognize them. Recognition would likely invite their protection and encouragement of their "recovery" from a higher level (of government), and a game management nightmare for the game commission and probably forced restrictions on hunting game in designated "recovery areas" and fines/criminal charges for killing mountain lions, etc. Better to deny they exist and if someone shoots one or hits one on the road, just make up a plausible story to explain it.

 

[LeontheProfessional]

If you are going to be taking it with you into the woods you might want to get and SKS. The AK is way too militant to take into the woods. For woods carry I would want something more like a mini 14. The AK is a better combat type weapon, though.

 

[benEzra]

For a defensive carbine I personally prefer the AK over the SKS, because of the detachable magazines. The AK is also shorter, handier, and I believe a little lighter than the SKS if you use 20-round magazines.

If you are going to be taking it with you into the woods you might want to get and SKS. The AK is way too militant to take into the woods. For woods carry I would want something more like a mini 14.

Another option if you want a "hunting rifle" look would be an unconverted Saiga (which I believe can use double-column magazines without swapping out compliance parts if the magazine is entirely U.S.-made). Of course, in the only? state where hunting with a rifle is illegal, looking too much like a hunting rifle might could be a problem too. As BPL said upthread, check the law first, whatever you do. If close-range defense against animals is the primary intent, you might also consider something like a Remington 870 shotgun.

If it is legal and you do go with a standard looking AK rather than a Saiga or SKS, I would recommend the 20-round Hungarian magazines if you're going to carry it much. They are lighter, don't jab you as much when the rifle is carried slung, and snag less. 30-round 7.62x39mm magazines weigh about two pounds each (the steel ones) and are very big, much larger than a 30-round .223 magazine; the 20-round 7.62x39mm magazines are about the same length as a 30-round AR magazine.

 

[bpl]

Of course, in the only? state where hunting with a rifle is illegal, looking too much like a hunting rifle might could be a problem too.

Just to clarify, it is legal to hunt with a rifle in PA. It just has to be a bolt, lever, pump or single shot. No semi-autos allowed except with regards to shotguns. No semi-auto pistols either for hunting. Revolvers and single shots are ok for hunting in PA.

 

[frankd4]

Norinco SKS model M

I have a Norinco SKS model M that uses standard AK mags look around they come up from time to time on Gun Broker or Guns America very sweet shooters at a good price.