What "Battle" Rifle

[MrDig]

Which Battle Rifle is the best Valu for a person on a budget
AK
SKS
AR 15
AR 10
FAL
Other
I ask because any thing but the SKS will be purchased in segments and need building.

 

[Son of Sam]

Not my favorite of the rifles you named but how's this for a budget battle-rifle?

http://www.centerfiresystems.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1064

I prefer one of the AKM varieties, myself, and once you're set up tooling-wise you can bent flats and put them together all day long for $200-400 each, legally, depending on the model.

 

[RNB65]

Mosin-Nagant

 

[General Geoff]

Can't beat the AKM for a battle rifle on a budget.

If bolt guns are in the running, then I concur with RNB65. Mosin Nagant ftw.

 

[mkh100]

Voted FAl because its the only "battle" rifle on your list.

The others are "assault" weapons

seriously, SKS or an AK to tie you over till you can get a full cartridge. FAL or maybe Cetme or PTR 91. Your AR10 is probably too expensive IMO.

Not to say you are not well armed with any of them, if your just in love with the AR its at least considerably more acurate on average than most AK's.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

Most of those guns aren't technically "battle rifles", but of the weapons listed I chose ar15.

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

M1 Nothing speaks with authority like an M1 Garand.

 

[fugi]

if you're going "battle rifle" then the FAL is the only appropriate one on the list, however the short-stroke gas system is unreliable in dirty or sandy conditions, I'd be more inclined to go CETME or the sorts.

but if you're good with an intermediate round, I'd go AK, you really can't beat the long-stroke gas piston unless it's a lever-delay you're going after like in the FAMAS or Koborov 517, but the former is horribly french, and the latter isn't made.

you can always make tradeoffs and get an AR/AK hybrid, the daewoo dr200. it has a long-stroke gas piston and bolt with more than two lugs on it. the only downside is parts aren't easily availible, so in a survivalist scenario it's a bad option, but good in every other.

I'd go for the FAL. if you look you can get an enterprise arms or century receiver build with an L1A1 or STG58 kit for $400.

 

[toemag]

AR

I had to go with the AR.

There aint such thing as a battle rifle on a budget, if the SHTF aint going to happen in the next couple of month's save for a decent weapon. I made that very same mistake when I bought a mini14 .

Toe

 

[Mtdew]

well it just depends on what you really want

my answer just get them all...over time

also remember 308 is really expensive right now

 

[Hoppy590]

only 1 of those is a "battle rifle" and even that one is an underpowered rifle that only served in a major army for a short time. and thats the SKS. the next closes is the FAL.

 

[.45&TKD]

FAL..... the short-stroke gas system is unreliable in dirty or sandy conditions

Is this true? I've been wanting to get an FAL, but I live in the desert.

 

[Socrates]

M14/M1A
FN/FAL
didn't Galili make a AK 47 variant in .308?

S

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

only 1 of those is a "battle rifle" and even that one is an underpowered rifle that only served in a major army for a short time. and thats the SKS. the next closes is the FAL.

Why is the SKS a battle rifle and the FAL isn't?

One of the major distinctions of a BR is that it is in one of the more powerful cartridges used in a infantry rifle. Considering the FAL is (generally) chambered in 7.62x51 and the SKS is chambered in an intermediate cartridge (the same intermediate cartridge as the AK-47), I am curious to hear your definition of a BR.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

Is this true? I've been wanting to get an FAL, but I live in the desert.

I never noticed that with my FAL's, but then again, I keep having people tell me the AR-15 isn't very reliable either and I can't say that I've experienced that either.

FWIW, I have lived in the SW most of my life and I've never had issues while out on hunting excursions...

 

[Hoppy590]

Quote:
FAL..... the short-stroke gas system is unreliable in dirty or sandy conditions

Is this true? I've been wanting to get an FAL, but I live in the desert.

the isreali 6 day war exposed some weaknesses to fine desert sand that contriubuted to the isrealis changing from a FAL system to a more AK ( though still a little differant) platform, the galil. if you live in say, AZ, i wouldnt be too conserned about the FAL having a problem. dont forget its a military rifle. unless you plan to march across enemy territory and expand your land by a few 100%'s in 6 day's. i doubt theres much you can do to the FAL compareed to what it saw in the 6 day war.

didn't Galili make a AK 47 variant in .308?

yes, a sniper rifle. called the Galatz rifle. an isreali rifle

 

[Hoppy590]

Why is the SKS a battle rifle and the FAL isn't?

One of the major distinctions of a BR is that it is in one of the more powerful cartridges used in a infantry rifle. Considering the FAL is (generally) chambered in 7.62x51 and the SKS is chambered in an intermediate cartridge (the same intermediate cartridge as the AK-47), I am curious to hear your definition of a BR.

battle rifle to me is a full sized,full strength, straight or C stocked rifle, designed to be fired in a "aimed fire " maner. it must accept a bayonet, a decent one at that, and expect to use it. designed to not only shoot a man, but bludgeon a man to death aswell. pistol grips need not apply. i honestly hardly consider the SKS a "battle rifle" its kind of the redheaded step child between "battle" and "assault" rifles. but out of the ones listed its the closests due to the stock and the manner in wich it is intended to be used

the last TRUE " battle rifle" as far as i know is really the M1 garand. i WOULD say the M14, but that doesnt fufill the "aimed fire" requirement

sorry. but the great "Battle Rifles" are as followed ( in no order)
M1 garand
SMLE
Mauser (including K98 and US M1903)
Mosin Nagant (91/30)
K31
Styer M95

 

[fugi]

oh yea there's always the saiga 308, that'd be excellent if you got higher capacity magazines.

 

[WarMachine]

Hoppy590

I'm not seeing how the M1 Garand would be considered a "battle rifle" but it's newer relative the M14 or even a FAL wouldn't. I don't know about the "aimed fire" requirement, but I have always taken a battle rifle as a full-size rifle that fires a full-power (as opposed to an intermediate) cartridge like the 7.62x51/54R, 30-06, 8mm, .303, etc. Why would the lack of a bayonet and a pistol grip, as on the FAL and on some of the M14's being fielded in Iraq, disqualify them? Both of them are more than capable of aimed fire as well.

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

If you're handy enough to operate a drill, tap a hole, and grind 1/32" of metal with a dremel......

Get a Saiga in 7.62x39mm for about $230.

Conversion parts run about $130.

When you are done, you can have an Arsenal (I think better) grade AK for just a touch under $500.

Saiga is made by Izhmash where Mr. Kalashnikov himself works, and where all the AK-100 series are made. The barrels, bolts and receivers are all absolutely top-shelf AK stuff.

Conversion will get you a G2 trigger which is better than a 2-stage aftermarket AR trigger, and a SAW grip which is a huge improvement over the regular AK grip. You will also be able to use AK magazines which are cheap, robust and reliable.

If you spend $40 more than the $130 I said above, you can get an AR-style M4 collapsing stock for your AK instead of the standard plastic buttstock. There are folders, but they cost even more.

This option requires some effort, research (saiga12.com) and handiness. If you can do that, you're getting a LOT of quality for a very low cost.

 

[1 old 0311]

AK. Can't beat price, or reliability.

 

[El Tejon]

If money is an issue, then get a CKC and a bunch of ammo.

Later you can get a M14 or FAL or whatever you like.

 

[usmcdoc14]

FAL..... the short-stroke gas system is unreliable in dirty or sandy conditions

this gun would like to disagree with your "dirty fals are unreliable" statement http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=68486

Is this true? I've been wanting to get an FAL, but I live in the desert.

any weapon with a tight(er) fitting function when kept "wet" in a desert environment will have problems (hence why AK's work well). This can even be a problem with AR's as shown by our troops right now.
A lot of my friends in the sandbox are using http://www.militec-1.com/ as this solves that problem by allowing you to have a "dry" well lubed weapon.
Sand sticks to CLP like its cool.


as for the original question: on a budget? AK is your answer. (even if its not a "battle rifle" )
and I own most of the weapons on your list.

 

[Grunt]

Of those rifles you listed, only the AR-10 and FAL can be considered true battle rifles so to be honest, I didn't even consider the other options you listed. The FAL is generally cheaper both in the cost of the weapon and of spare magazines which is an attractive feature. Also, while the AR-10 is a very accurate platform (more so than the FAL) it also has the reputation for being more finicky on what kind of ammunition you can use and how clean it has to be kept. No, for a true battle rifle, the FAL is the better pick IMHO.

 

[MechAg94]

New Term: Battle Rifle Snobs. maybe not new.

Honestly, the SKS is the best value on the list for someone on a budget. Good condition rifles are still available for $150 (http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Yugoslavian_Model_59_66_7_62x39_SKS_Rifle.html) and a case of ammo is about the same price. For the price of an AK or a 1/4 the price of an FAL or M1A, you can get rifle and lots of ammo. For another $100, you can get stripper clips, accessories, and upgraded sights (www.tech-sights.com).


There are better rifles on the list, but get an SKS first, then work on other rifles if you need to.