What would you do?

[I6turbo]

Curious what other members would do if they were in my shoes. Like some others, I've put off the purchase of a semi-auto rifle (AR15, AK47, whatever floats your boat), always planning to get one "soon". Well soon never came, unfortunately. Now I'm concerned I missed my chance.

Currently I own a 12ga pump shotgun, a Glock 19, and a 22LR rifle.

Honestly I have very, very little concern that I'll ever need a rifle for any sort of legit combat. I just want some sort of semi-auto rifle if at all possible - whether an AR, AK, or M1A. Here's the thing. I haven't seen a single semi rifle of any of the above three variants in any gun shop I've visited in the last two weeks or so. In my last two visits to shops (Cabela's and Bass Pro), I haven't seen a single lever action rifle either.

In another week or so, I'll be able to buy my last rifle for the next few years (starting law school soon). Should I spend that money and buy a bolt action rifle I've had my eyes on, or save it and hope the AWB doesn't pass, and buy an AR then? I expect it to pass, for what that's worth. But if lever rifles are starting to sell out too, who's to say bolt rifles won't? And who knows how long it will be before we get a final word on whether or not Feinstein's bill is passed?

What would you do? Save it and hope I can buy an AR in six+ months (if the bill passes, I can always get a bolt rifle later), or buy a bolt rifle and just enjoy that (if the bill doesn't pass, I can always buy an AR later... I can't buy one now either way)?

You have the home defense thing covered just fine with the Glock and scattergun, so you don't really need to worry about that front, IMO.

What is your rifle-shooting history? Have you shot the AR/AK/M1 very much? How about a nice bolt action? If no on either, I suggest that you go to an outdoor range where they rent both styles (bolt and SA), rent them and put at least 50 rounds or so through each (probably won't take that many in a bolt gun). Then see what you think, which you can see yourself shooting and enjoying owning. For me, the AR is an interesting gun and I appreciate it (have had my '71 model Colt for almost 30 years), but I enjoy shooting nice bolt action guns about 5x more, and for some reason they are the guns that I admire the most - the ones I'm much more likely to pull out of the safe just to look at, cycle the action, and fondle, and dream of when I'll be able to pick up another one. I paid $425 for my Colt AR, and wouldn't pay more than that for one now unless I could turn around and sell it, but that's me and how I rank the two types of guns for my own enjoyment. Others see things much differently. Bottom line, I suggest that you try to figure out which one you would appreciate and enjoy the most, and the best way to do that is to shoot them and go with your gut feelings.

 

[mr.t7024]

Buy a mini 14. Cliff

 

[Bobson]

Buy a mini 14.

Lol

Well for what its worth, I'm pretty sure I'm gonna get the M70 and Zeiss Conquest. As fun as an AR would be, it isnt going to fill a particular niche for me, whereas the M70 will. I'm just gonna hope the AWB doesn't pass, and pick up an AR/AK/M1A after law school.

 

[justice06rr]

Thats a good decision. Get the guns you want, not the guns you're afraid you can't get. If the bolt rifle is a better fit for you, then go with that. AR/AK's are too overpriced anyway right now to buy one.

Good luck with school.

 

[Okiegunner]

Since you mentioned the SGL.

Kvar currently has SGL26-61 in stock for $1049.00 (The 26 is the same as a 21, only it has Bolt Hold Open feature.

 

[Warp]

Set the money aside. Wait for there to be no AWB. Buy what you want later. It might be 6 months, or 12, or more, but things ought to return to some kind of normalcy

 

[Boattale]

A Model 70 with a Zeiss scope is never a bad choice. One you can live with and use for the rest of your life and that your grandchildren will count themselves fortunate to inherit some distant day. Never sell it. Good luck in law school.