What would you get?

If you could get only one Now for your HD rifle

  • Stock Norinco SKS

    Votes: 7 14.9%
  • Universal M1 Carbine

    Votes: 6 12.8%
  • Budget AR

    Votes: 34 72.3%

  • Total voters
    47
Status
Not open for further replies.

BlueHeelerFl

Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2002
Messages
1,386
Location
Treasure Coast, FL
I went to a LGS the other day looking for a decent SKS to use as a HD rifle since I only have PCC's. My ADD kicked in since the store was decently stocked with long arms that I'm interested in (they had a few nice handguns that I want as well, but I did my best to ignore those.

They had: a nice stock Norinco SKS for about $450. I have a few hundred rounds of 7.62x39 so hunting for ammo wouldn't be an issue.

A Universal M1 Carbine for $550? (I forgot the exact price). I also have a few hundred rounds of 30 Carbine from tears ago when I owned an M1. However I do not have an M1 mags. I know its close to being a PCC, but its a slightly better combat rifle than my 9mm or 357 mag Carbines.

They also had a few budget 5.56 AR's ranging from an $360 Olympic Arms that was on sale, a $450 DPMS, to a $599 M&P. I have no mags or ammo at all.

There were other interesting rifles as well like a Ruger Mini 14 Ranch and an American Ranch in 7.62x39 (this is on my short list on guns I really want)

I went off the rails of my own quest and put a down payment on a Rossi Circuit Judge (long story), but I do want a higher powered rifle.

So what would you choose and why?
 
I'd get the Smith AR. Great bang for the buck. Parts are plentiful as is the ammunition. Mags all over the place at around $12 each, blah, blah, blah. I don't think there's enough room to list all of the advantages of an AR over the others mentioned.

If I could only choose one rifle, it would likely be an AR, with a bolt gun in .308 being a close second.
 
I would choose a lot of things over an overweight, underpowered SKS. If defensive use was the primary purpose, definitely a good AR or PSA AK instead. The AK would allow you to use up the ammo you already have and steel case stuff is still pretty cheap. Think I paid $9/40rds for Tula last month. I very much like my new PSA AK but still prefer the ergonomics, controls, modularity and myriad options you get with the AR.

026.jpg
 
I had an SKS back in the 1990's, the Chinese versions were 95 bucks at every gun store.

It was oookkkkaayyy, but it went away and I never, ever longed for a replacement. If I could get an AR or an SKS for the same price I would do like the others and buy the AR.

Especially if you want to shoot your 7.62x39 ammo; add an AR-Stoner upper, some C-products 7.62x39 mags and an enhanced firing pin (Its a bit longer that gives a bit more oomph for the hard primers on steel cased ammo) and you'll be able to literally have two fun guns in one.

Stay safe.
 
I'm stocked with SKSs and ARs so I would get the M1 carbine. But that's me and you have a different inventory. I agree with those who have suggested the S&W AR.
 
I'd get the 30 carbine. I have an AR, and had an sks. The m1's smaller cartridge and lower muzzle blast would work better inside the house than x39 or 5.56.
 
M1 Carbine... mags can be a PITA.

SKS, built like a tank, danged near fix it with a hammer. But, it isn't known for being accurate. No local parts for most places / towns.

AR15... common parts danged near everywhere.. better accuracy typically ... ammo reasonably priced..... BUT... they can be a bottomless money pit !!

Many AR owners have ended up assembling more AR's simply because they have a few spare parts laying around... Lol
The wonderful DIY aspect requires self control. again... Lol
 
AR, definitely. Better terminal ballistics than the .30 Carbine, far more accurate and reliable than either, and easier to work on.
 
M1 Carbine... mags can be a PITA.

SKS, built like a tank, danged near fix it with a hammer. But, it isn't known for being accurate. No local parts for most places / towns.

AR15... common parts danged near everywhere.. better accuracy typically ... ammo reasonably priced..... BUT... they can be a bottomless money pit !!

Many AR owners have ended up assembling more AR's simply because they have a few spare parts laying around... Lol
The wonderful DIY aspect requires self control. again...
Lol

Yes many of us suffer from BRD (black rifle disease) :rofl:

I would personally choose the M1 carbine since I have a SKS and plenty of AR's. If you have none of the rifles listed, I would go with the AR for reasons all ready stated, easy to find parts and ammo along with the ease of changing things to your liking.
 
I would go with the AR. Easy to repair, upgrade, or modify.
I have never bought a gun just because I had a few hundred rounds of ammo. One to two hundred rounds would be a range trip.

Since ammo has been hard to come by recently I considered already having a supply of ammo for SD a positive.

I saw a bunch of people buying new guns at Academy a couple of weeks ago while the ammo shelves were empty, which put this thought into my head.
 
The AR first.

I picked up a Ruger American ranch in 7.62x39. With my suppressor it's a hoot to shoot!
Pooft-psshhhtttt.......ding!
I finally found a use for the 2 20 round mini30 magazines I got in trade years ago.
 
The AR probably makes the most sense but, assuming equal reliability and the given price points, I'd feel well-defended with any of them, and would love a good M1 Carbine, so that's probably how I'd go. It's also the only one of the three of which I don't already own an example.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top