truck rifle, ar-15, su16c or something else?

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UT PROSIM

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good evening THR,
I am looking for a good truck rifle and have a few questions. first i have a old 336 i drive around with now and it does everything i ask it too out to 300m. BUT id like to have a good semi auto with a few 30rd mag's for a SHTF situation. (hopefully thats a reasonable reason for one)

I used to own a AK47 but was never all that pleased with it and sold it to by a scope for my target rifle. So 2 rifles that have been catchin my eye are a cheap del-ton ar ($730) tricked out to my liking or a SU16C (600).

I really like the SU16 but i held one today and it just felt kinda flimsy to me but i didnt shoot it. I know all the reviews are great but i just dont see it taking a beating well in a prolonged bad situation. I just got done with carrying a M16 in the field glued to me for a month and as nice as i was to it during SQD lanes it took a beating. i dont think a SU16 would hold up great but thats my 2 cents.
But also in that training my M16 jammed up in every other fire fight (yes we had blanks and i know they dont feed great). but my whole SQD had the same problem. I dont have the $ to throw down on a super well made/ high end AR so reliability might be a issue for me. plus an AR doesn't have a folding stock like id like to have.

Id like your advice on the two platforms or any other rifles that could work for me at that price point.

thanks,
Pat
 
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truck gun.....i don't have 1 don't see the need.i don't live on a ranch,but if i did i'd most likely throw a Norinco SKS behind the seat.my2nd would be an AR main reason i would not carry an AR everywhere is they cost allot and trucks get broken into allot.u could end up -800 if ur AR is stolen SKS gets stolen -300.
 
50% unemployment in the DC. When the riots break out there, they may cross the river.

The SKS for $270 is a hard price to beat for a truck gun. The ammo is cheap.

Otherwise, there are some ARs going for around $600. The S&W sport.
 
gotigers:it could happen,we all hope and pray it does not...atleast i do. a MINI-14 prob is not a bad choice as long as you get a good deal on it.....for me i'll leave the .45acp locked in my dash with 50rds of ammo 2 get me home.
 
thanks for the help ill look at an SKS next time i go to a gun show.
If you dont like my reason for wanting a semi auto fine but at least TRY to be helpful with a response.
 
SKS. If you want to up the firepower, get Tapco 20 round mags.
You could be squared away with that and a bag for the mags all under $500.
Ammo's cheap, train with it a lot.
 
Holy Diver: I to pray it never happens. I am afraid, it is very possible if the economy doesn't turn around.
 
Have mobs, riots, and uprisings being going on in Virginia?
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50% unemployment in the DC. When the riots break out there, they may cross the river.
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One only need look across the pond to the UK, and observe the recent happenings there. I fear we may not be far behind.

I used to own a AK47 but was never all that pleased with it and sold it to by a scope for my target rifle. So 2 rifles that have been catchin my eye are a cheap del-ton ar ($730) tricked out to my liking or a SU16C (600).
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There are far better options available in AR-15s than Del-Ton, and at the same price point.
But also in that training my M16 jammed up in every other fire fight (yes we had blanks and i know they dont feed great). but my whole SQD had the same problem. I dont have the $ to throw down on a super well made/ high end AR so reliability might be a issue for me. plus an AR doesn't have a folding stock like id like to have.
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The chairforce wouldn't let me keep my M16 bolt carrier group wet with lube in the field, and I had problems. Crappy mags that should have been pulled from service compounded the problems. Using good mags & keeping the carrier group well lubed has prevented problems in my personal AR-15s.

If you weren't impressed with AKs, you may not be impressed with an SKS. If you can live without a folding stock, an AR-15 is probably a good answer. The $600 S&W M&P-15 Sport only lacks a dust cover & forward assist; which are of questionable necessity. The only needed upgrade $25 to replace the non-shielded handguards with a set that has aluminum heat shields. If you want to spend slightly more money, and don't mind snapping a separate upper & lower together, then BCM & Palmetto State Armory are worth a look.

If you can deal with somewhat expensive mags, you may also want to look at a Ruger Mini-14. I don't know if it really is any more rugged than an SU-16, but it feels more solid. It would also get you the folding stock you want. Police trade ins are still fairly available, and pricing on those will keep you under budget.
 
My truck gun is an SBR AR. It fits neatly behind the seat. I have no illusions as to what type of hysteria would take place if a terrorist attack happened within 50 miles of my home. ALL experts in the field say it's not a question of if but of when.
 
I've been using an SKS for a truck gun for years. I know a lot of members here have read my various posts extolling its virtues so I won't go into details, but IMO it's one of the best gun values out there. Buy one that's a little beat up looking but mechanically sound and you'll have no regrets.
 
S&W's m&P15 are a great purchase for the money. Do not worry about the bolt assist or the dust cover, Your situation does not require it and the rifles are very very reliable as is.

My second choice would be a 44 magnum lever action holds 10 shots and is deadly out to 300 yds. and allows you carry a side arm as back upl
 
Truck gun

I would keep that 336 close, it's a good gun. The AR is great from a logistics point of view. I am looking at a light semi auto or two myself. The S&W M&P 15 sport seems to be the best bang for the buck. From my reading, the melonite treatment on the barrel/chamber areas is just about equal to chrome lining. I could be wrong, as I don't know much about either process, just going by what I have read.

I love the newer 58x series Mini 14's, but they fall behind when it comes to parts availability, commonality, familiarity and price of mags. An AR can use mil spec mags in most cases. That can mean a lot.
 
I reckon an old Marlin 336 to be a quite good truck rifle.

Having actually BEEN THERE within minutes of the start of small riot, it seems shotguns are sufficient to make rioters pause and reconsider their choices. Three fellow LEOs were hunkered down, using their patrol cars as cover; my arrival and deployment of a shotgun, which was riding up front, made a measurable difference, which gave Mark the chance to open his trunk and pull out his shotgun. Suddenly, the entire equation changed. Rioters/looters are not dedicated personnel; they are opportunists.

My employer later went the patrol carbine program route, though I seem to have aged out of being one of the designated carbine officers, as our qual and mandated certification training is quite rigorous. I was using an AR15A2 Colt Govt Carbine, and it was 100% reliable. Now, I am back to the shotgun being my only antipersonnel long gun, as my PD expects me to use only approved weapons against human adversaries, on or off the clock.
Really, I do not feel handicapped. A rifle may be more efficient, with less-bulky ammo, but the shotgun has pacified enough situations for me, over time, that I am OK with it.

To be clear, when I retire, and can carry what I want, the shotguns will probably stay at
home. We have a few lever rifles, but I tend to really like my Mini-14 Ranch Rifles. Their stainless steel construction causes me less worry in this coastal heat and humidity here in SE Texas.
 
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The OP mentioned a SU16 so I'll throw my vote for that.
They fold up, and the 'C' stock can be fired while folded.
You can also get an extendable AR type stock for them.
They are very light, easy to maintain and dependable. (Mine doesn't like steel cased ammo)
I think the light weight makes them seem more flimsy than they really are. You won't be using it for a club probably.
 
rexster i agree a shotgun will deff change there mind.i'd like 2 have a box of that beanbag 12ga that the police use,just havn't seen any for sale
 
BUT id like to have a good semi auto with a few 30rd mag's
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I feel like a broken record on some of these threads, but I think a Vz.58 would be perfect. However, if you didn't like the AK47, this is only marginally (but noticeably) better.

My second choice would be the 336 anyway. I have a 336SS for that reason since it can endure a harsh environment if necessary. A Vz.58/AK47 would be cheaper to feed though.
 
+1 on the Saiga, 223, 7.62 or 308 pick your poison, 20 rd mag, 16 inch barrel and just a little more money than a sks for a new rifle made at the AK plant in Russia. I have an Rock River AR in 223 but I'm picking one of the Saigas up for a behind the seat truck gun. Go and handle one, I think you'll be impressed.
 
Don't let your opinion of the AR-15 weapon family be based on training with blanks for a month.
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+1. Blanks suck for testing/proving reliability, and they're kind of irrelevant, to be honest. You have more training with that rifle, on the .gov dime, than you will be able to afford to get with anything else. Why would you even consider using something else as a defensive long gun? Muscle memory and familiarity are priceless. Get a nice AR carbine with a collapsible stock, a few Magpul Pmags, and you'll be good to go.

But that's only if you can't stand the thought of keeping the 336 in its present role. That's a great truck rifle.
 
Have a couple SU's and they are good, but I wouldn't want to bet my a$$ on them. Have had a failure of the plastic receiver. AR's are good, but would think you would want one with a dust cover. Dunno how it is where you are, but it gets pretty dusty in my truck. SKS are good, generally a bit more accurate than an AK. Stay with stripper clips and the 10 round internal mag. Slick up the stripper clips with some steel wool and oil to make loading faster.
 
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