What else besides AK/AR/SKS/Mini?

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Jim PHL

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I am not a "Rifle guy", but am looking into possible first purchase. (Hi, my name is Jim and I'm a panic buyer!) It seems the basic search/research always leads people towards one of the above. What others aside from the above, do any of you recommend with the following guidelines?:
1) Semi-auto
2) Magazine fed. (I am ok with stripper clip/internal mag as in SKS)
3) Caliber 7.62x39 or .223 (Don't really see a need or desire for full power [x54 or '06 or Mauser] and like the mass availability of these two as well.)
4) Price is a strong consideration.
5) Commonality of parts, both stock and aftermarket is also a consideration. (I like the idea of a folding stock-believe it or not more for storage/transport convenience than EBR status!)
 
The rifles that by far and away best meet that set of criteria are the AR and AK (emphasis on AK if price is a strong consideration), so that is probably why the research leads to those platforms. :)
 
SKS is Cheap and Reliable;

however not really my choice of weapons. I would start with caliber first...if you want to use it for deer hunting you need the 7.62, if varmit hunting or just plinking the 5.56 (or 5.45x39) is far superior. Now if you decide you want the utmost reliablity go with the AK or Mini. Both of these are available in large and small caliber. The AK in 7.62 or 5.45 (although harder to find and at greater expense), and the Mini in 7.62 and .223. If you decide you want greater accuracy and a more refined feel to the rifle, go with the AR. All of these guns seem to fit the bill, but the Mini 14/30 has less accessories available than the others.:D
 
Now if you decide you want the utmost reliablity go with the AK or Mini.
Click to expand...

Ummm. I hardly believe that a Mini 14 is more reliable than an AR. My Bushmaster has NEVER jammed, providing I use good magazines. Mini 14's use magazines that are hard to find, expensive, and many of the aftermarket ones are crappy. Compared to the AR, the Mini 14 is NOT a fighting rifle, IMOP. They weren't meant to be. Sure, they can be, any firearm CAN be, but they aren't DESIGNED to.
 
Saw your other post, and seeing as you will not be firing the rifle much, I would probably go with the AK, SKS, or even a nice .22lr. I was looking into a GSG-5 for myself, and I think it may fit the bill for you as well; however it is not all that cheap at about $600:banghead: for a .22. It does have some good aspects though, as it is a MPfake you can get a collapsable stock and they look cool. :eek:
 
I love my mini and I know it can be altered to your needs, just I am pretty sure you could get an sks for cheaper, but i have not shopped prices for the sks since way before the election. Good luck with your selction.
 
From my experience minis are very reliable with factory mags, but I concede that many of the aftermarket mags are crappy. I find this especially true for ARs, by Bushmaster will jam every time with some mags, and has 100% reliability with others, namely Magpuls and Labelle. What I stated was a generality, ARs are a bit more picky than other weapons, I think we can agree that AKs certainly are not.
 
Maverick- good condition SKS' can be had around here for $200-$225.

I couldn't bring myself to spend $600 for a .22lr. A GSG-5 might even be worth the price but for my purposes, if I chose the .22lr there are lots of better choices. I'd sooner spend the same money on two 10/22's or two SKS' and a shipload of ammo and accessories.
 
If you eliminate the AR and the AK you eliminate the 2 rifles (not counting 7.62 NATO) that have the longest track record and most copies produced.

There is a reason the AR has been made my the millions and the AK by the 10s of millions: They work and they are reliable. I'd love to have a FN SCAR, but I'm waiting for them to build a few million to get the bugs worked out first...

The AR and AKs popularity also mean that magazines and spare parts are easy to find. BSW
 
Agreed...

"I couldn't bring myself to spend $600 for a .22lr."

Agreed, that is why I have three .22lr, none of them a GSG-5...but I have looked into them because they look like a pretty fun plinker, for 50% off i'd grab one :rolleyes:
 
Uh there's always the AR-180. Proven record of service in Northern Ireland. Fairly cheap, rugged design, good reliability. It meets all your criteria. I have a friend who has one and swears by it.

Other than that, all I can think of is the SIG 510-3 prototype in 7.62x39. Good luck finding one - you better brush up on your Swiss and your detective skills. And you'll need, like, $86,000.

But it's SO COOL!!!!

sig_sg510-3.jpg
 
I would look at the Sig 556 maybe, I really like mine. Although I don't know if it meets all your criteria.

As for the GSG-5 I love mine, I paid $525 for mine and it was worth every penny, I've been considering also buying the GSG-5PK at some point.
 
"there's always the AR-180"

Funny that you mention that firearm, I kinda have one, just wrapped in aluminum and a bullpup configuration. The M17 (better known as the Bushmaster Bullpup) is simply the guts of a AR180 put in a al. reciever with a heavier barrel. I love mine, you may want to research a M17 if and only if...
1. you like the handling of a bullpup configuration
2. can live with a "decent" trigger (even with work its never going to be great)
3. you DO NOT shoot lefty (insert smiley eating brass here)
4. you are OK with the magwell being under your armpit
If you don't mind the above, this may be the gun for you. In return you get a unique firearm (vs. millions of AKs and ARs) that is 100% reliable with good magazines (AR mags), very good reliability, and a relatively long (21.5") barrel for an overall short length (31.5"). I love mine, it my favorite gun in my collection.
 
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I suggest you start with an SKS.

Once the infection takes hold and begins to spread to your wallet there will be no hope for you.

I was infected by a 1952 Russian
000_0388-2.jpg

Feverishly did the folding stock thing
AtiSKS006-1.jpg

I'm now on life support and shopping for parts for my new AR
Bushmaster001-1.gif

Don't ever say you weren't warned!;)

btw: if you take your time and shop you can build a folding stock SKS for less than $400, but mind your P's and Q's to keep it legal
 
The Vz. 58 is an interesting weapon. 7.62x39mm, milled receiver, usually slightly more accurate than your average stamped AK clone; you'll get a lot of "what kind of rifle is that?" at the range because they're not nearly as common or well known as the AR and AK.
 
What about a FAL? I'm not a FAL guy and know nothing about them but there are a few people here who like them. They are considered an "assault weapon."
 
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