Which would be your next rifle if you were me?

[ATBackPackin]

OK so here is the deal, I currently have three long guns.

1. Mossberg 500 with adjustable stock.
2. Bushmaster AR-15
3. Marlin 981T


I am looking to add another rifle to my "arsenal", no laughs please, and I'm really torn which direction to go. I currently do not hunt, but that could change in the future. Right now it would be used as a fun gun, marksmanship practice, and possibly a HD rifle. So out of the ones I have listed which would you choose and why? Also, if you selected other please say what and why.

Right now I am looking at six options as my new rifle.
1. SKS - most likely of the Yugo variety.
2. Henry .22lr - I have a thing for levers.
3. Marlin Model 60 - Good practice.
4. Marlin Model 336C - used.
5. Winchester '94 - one of the older used ones.
6. Hi Point 995 - I have heard these are a blast to shoot.


Any other question feel free to ask.
Shawn

 

[ShroomFish]

SKS!
-Cheap
-Powerful
-Fun
-Russian!

 

[CZ223]

Take a serious look at

The Keltec Folding rifles in 223. They are the SU-16 series. I would take a real close look at the SU-16c. They fold up small enough to fit in a Backpack. They can be fired while folded. They accept AR-15 mags. They are very light weight. With your name being what it is, This might really interest you.

 

[Breakmyfootoff]

Of those I would pick the SKS and use AK magazines in it
Cheap to buy
cheap to shoot
Semi-auto
High capacity
30 cal power
Pretty much all the same reasons as Shroomfish, except the Russian part, the fact that it's Russian wouldnt sway me for or against a rifle I figured I'd pick from that list since those are obviously the ones you're looking at, but if you hadnt provided a list, I would have said AR in 6.8 since thats what I want next

 

[Armored farmer]

The Keltec Folding rifles in 223. They are the SU-16 series. I would take a real close look at the SU-16c. They fold up small enough to fit in a Backpack. They can be fired while folded. They accept AR-15 mags. They are very light weight. With your name being what it is, This might really interest you.
__________________

+1....that's what I was going to suggest too.
I have been keeping an eye out for one myself since I don't have an AR.

 

[wnycollector]

Another vote for the SKS.

 

[Pilot]

I'd go with a Yugo SKS or if you can find a decent deal on one a Russian SKS. They are not making any more, they are dependable, reasonably accurate, fun to shoot in a good caliber that is relatively inexpensive. They are true military surplus rifles with a nice history and good all around rifle for range, HD, and in some states that allow semi-autos are also used for hunting. The 7.62x39 is about equivalent to a 30-30 in ballistics which is a good deer round.

 

[Water-Man]

Marlin 336... Good for where you live and where you want to live.
Make it in .35 Remington.

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

Voted for the Henry. I think you need a .22 rifle! Great for lots of situations.

 

[Ole Coot]

Voted for the Henry. I think you need a .22 rifle! Great for lots of situations.

I agree completely. Everyone should have at least a couple of 22 cal rifles and handguns. My "working" handgun is a Single Six and the 10/22 I usually grab when I check the "back 40". The 45 rides in the ATV fender bag, just in case.

 

[hogcowboy]

I think you need a Ruger Mini 14 Ranch Rifle in .223. Here is a review by Jeff Quinn on it.

 

[Ramone]

A mid weight Bolt action rifle in .308 with decent optics.

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/finder/

 

[tubeshooter]

If that were me, I think I would do either the SKS or a Marlin/Win 30-30. I guess the Hi-Point carbine would be okay, too.

I agree that everybody needs a good .22, and you seem to have it covered with the Marlin 981T. Another one (or 2, or 5 ) wouldn't hurt, though.


A .357 lever sounds perfect for what you want this next rifle to be, but they're hard to find and will cost about twice what the SKS or used 30-30 will.

 

[chicharrones]

Hmmm, you already have a .22LR bolt gun, a AR, and a shotgun. It seems you need some sort of .30 caliber centerfire rifle.

For a fun gun, the SKS sure is fun and easy on the shoulder. Although, for ease of sighting and a better trigger I'd be tempted to get the Marlin 336 with a rear aperture sight attached.

I actually like tubeshooter's idea of a Marlin 1894 in .357 the best, but that could cost some extra coin.

 

[Badlander]

Go with the Marlin 336. the 336 is an accurate quality rifle. Easy to add A scope if desired 30-30 ammo is reasonably priced. great hunting or plinking rifle. The SKS makes A great doorstop.

 

[USAF_Vet]

I voted other, only because if it were me, I'm looking for a Dragunov clone, like a PSL. I've got enough 7.62x54R to feed it.

Otherwise, the SKS is fun, and cheap to feed.

I love my Hi Point 995, but I'm not in the market for another, so it didn't get my vote.

.22s are always fun, since you've got a bolt action .22, the lever or semi would be a good addition. But then having said that, I only own one .22 and have no desire for another.

If you were looking for a lever gun, either of the 30/30s are a good choice. It's a great deer gun. Wouldn't be my first HD choice, nor plinking.


Based on what you currently have, I'd say either the SKS or the Hi Point. Both are fun to shoot, relatively cheap to feed. Not the first choice for hunting, but decent for HD. 10 round capacity on each unless you go with aftermarket mags or drop some more coin on the SKS that takes AK mags.

 

[Smokey in PHX]

Everyone needs a lever .22. Fun to shoot, good quality, cheap ammo.

 

[almherdfan]

I just added the SKS myself (had one before). They are fun, less expensive to shoot or purchase then most centerfire rifles, can be modified (or not), versitile, easy to clean, rugged, and reasonably accurate.

A good case can be made for the other options as well.

 

[sixgunner455]

You have a .22. One cannot have too many of them, but you do not *need* another. Get one if you have a burn for it. It will be the cheapest to feed, so you will shoot it more than all the others combined, even if someone gave them all to you.

You have an AR. You do not need an SKS. It will do nothing for you that the AR cannot do better. The AR is more accurate. The AR is easy to scope, if you want that. The AR has greater range. The AR is more ergonomic. The AR is lighter. The AR has better capacity, and detachable box magazines. The AR is modular - you can buy a different upper and: change calibers if you wish, change configuration shorter, longer, flat-top, DMR, varminter, DCM competition, etc, etc, ad nauseum. You do not need an SKS. After I got my AR, I never shot my SKS. I traded the SKS for a .22.

The 9mm carbine is not a bad idea, whether you get the HiPoint, a KelTec, or an AR (you could get an upper and magazines for your current rifle, or a dedicated one). Cheaper to shoot than 5.56, less recoil (not that 5.56 has much, but my wife and daughter prefer shooting 9mm carbines to 5.56 carbines).

You need to try hunting. You have a .22 and an AR, so you can hunt varmints and small game, and a shotgun, so you can hunt birds (rabbits and squirrels are hunted with them, too, by some people, but that is, to a desert rat such as myself, not *the way*). You live in a great state for deer hunting, but to do that, you need a hunting rifle (unless you're going to use your shotgun - not for me, unless legally restricted to such). The Marlin 336 is perfect for where you live. I really, really want one myself, but unfortunately, I am a desert rat and must have a rifle with more range due to the distances involved in taking deer here. (I rarely see deer within the Marlin's effective range.) You will not have that problem in the Pennsylvania woods. The Winchester is a very good option, as well, but ... I prefer the Marlin. Put a receiver peep on it, or a scope, add a nice leather sling and some 150 grain softpoints, and you will be good to go.

If I were you, I would live in Pennsylvania, so I would get a Marlin 336 and a Nikon Prostaff 2-7x scope, or a Williams receiver sight. Since I am me, and live in Arizona, and need a new rifle this year, I will be getting a Savage bolt gun in something like .243, .25-06, or .270, and putting a 3-9x Nikon on it.

 

[Cosmoline]

I'd agree you need to get a levergun to round things out. The Marin 336 is great though if it were me I'd get it in .35 do take advantage of its beefy frame. But on the other hand the Winchester 94 is a piece of Americana everyone should have some experience with. It's remarkably light and handy. The best ones for the buck from my experience are the ones made from the 1960's through the early 80's. Not the collectors editions, but the regular workaday ones. People often mark them down because they're "post 64" but that never mattered as much for the leverguns. The major changes to the 94 action came in the 80's after some ownership changes. That includes the angle eject and that @%# lawyer safety. I've had some skookum 94's from the 1970's for under $300.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I passed on a Hi-Point already adorned with ATI stock for less than 200 bucks at the gun show Friday night. I'm still rather upset that I wasn't looking for a gun and had no intention to buy one. Had I been interested in buying something new, it would have been snatched up in a hurry.

 

[Sky]

Classic Arms
A DIVISION OF U.S. ARMS LLC. has the Yugo's for $289 get them while you can. You can always get something else later. I agree the Norenco is a better choice but kinda hard to find sometimes at a good price.

 

[hometheaterman]

I voted for the Marlin 336 because it said used. That being said, I'd not even consider buying one of the recent ones since Remington took over. Otherwise if you get an older one it's a decent choice.

That being said, there are a lot of other guns that would be fun too.

A 10/22 would be one of my top considerations. It's the way to go imo for a .22 semi auto.

 

[ripp]

I'd get a .22 Ciener unit for the AR and have a ball, without teaching myself all the wrong handling qualities of other guns, when the AR was my "go to" rifle.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // I'd pick Marlin 336 , or Winchester 94 ,best deal on either, in .30-30. The Marlin is easier to scope.

If you want a hunting/SD/ some plinking, rifle. From your list this is the missing one.

AR15 covers SKS
Marlin 981T covers .22 plinking and hunting.