Looking for an "affordable" assault weapon

[Rubber Ducky]

I have looked at buying an upper and lower for an AR15 but find that even that is not within my price range. Since Obama was elected a gun store in Fort Worth TX called Cheaper than Dirt has made $100,000 a day on guns and ammo. I've read that the mad rush for assault rifles is not unique to TX. That gun rush has jacked up the prices on even SKS's and AK47's.

Instead I have been looking at carbines, particularly the Hi-Point 995 9mm and the Kel-Tec Sub 2000. Both have gotten good reviews: Hi-Pointl carbine
Kel-Tec carbine

I know those aren't technically assault rifles but those would be in the new assault rifles ban that is being pushed which includes:
1. A Pistol Grip or other Protruding Grip
2. A Collapsing Stock, Folding Stock, or Telescopic Stock
3. A Barrel Shroud
4. A Muzzle Compensator
5. A Flash Suppressor
6. “High Capacity” Magazines

Proposed assault rifle ban

The Hi-point is going for $299 and the Kel-tec I wanted jumped to $450. Are there any models that any of you can recommend under $400?

[skifast]

I wans't aware the Hi-Points jumped in price. The 9mm was selling between 150 and 220. I got one for 179 shipped about two months ago for my wife.

I like the firepower of an AK, 7.62x39 over the 9mm. If I were going to have one rifle, it would be the AK.

[hellspawn]

sks would be my choice

[zulu]

I am researching the Ket-tec SU-16. Anyone have any thoughts. Ducky, that seems to be an option. I am told they are accurate. My concern would be barrel getting too hot, and overall durability.

[thx1138]

Originally Posted by hellspawn

sks would be my choice

I agree with this. If you do happen to pick up an ak later you won't have to purchase different ammo.

[LuniticFringeInc]

I agree on the SKS as well and second the motion, that were you to get an AK later when prices are more reasonable or you have more fun dollars, you will be able to use the same ammo.

Now if you just need a few rounds at a time and dont plan on facing down hordes of Mutant Zombies...dont over look heading down to the local pawn shop and picking up something like a Marlin 336 in 30-30! You can most likely find a gently used one for a song and dance and still get a dozen boxes of ammo and still come in under 400.00 fun dollars. While not an assualt rifle with 6 in the tube you could do a lot more "assaulting" than you might think. Its handy, reasonable light and fairly fast handling to not be a semi auto, better yet, its not one of those evil black rifles and likely to garner a lot less scrutiny while your out and about with it.

Learn to reload and get one of those Lee hand loaders and you have the option of reloading a variety of ammunition for your gun and since its such a miser on powder making for an effceit little cartridge, you could "roll your own" for a fraction of the cost of Factory ammo. Learn to cast your own bullets using a hot plate and pan from Goodwill like I did and you can cast your own slugs too! Just take a couple of 5 gallon buckets to the local mom and pop mechanic or tire shop and let them fill them up for you its even cheaper!!!

[nveagle]

I do not think there are any affordable "Assualt Weapons" due to the high cost of full auto or select fire weapons. If however you are refering to semi auto rifles that resemble military firearms then good luck, I was just pricing AK's and they have just about doubled in price.

[Brother Buck]

Originally Posted by zulu

I am researching the Ket-tec SU-16. Anyone have any thoughts. Ducky, that seems to be an option. I am told they are accurate. My concern would be barrel getting too hot, and overall durability.

Have one, like it, wouldn't want it to be my only rifle.
It is my travel rifle, my get me to my fighting rifles rifle.
It lacks durability, too expensive considering the limitations of the unit.
Good plinker.
Nice and light, very compact fold up for travel.
Nice accuracy.
Fun to spout off with.
If you are not terribly concerned with the compact aspect get an AR for a few Dollars more.
Or find a used Mini 14 or AK with a folder.
You can always break it down and have it up in a big hurry.

[Uncas]

On a tight budget the SKS is probably your best bet. The Keltec and Hipoint are usable tools but they were not built for combat. I would not mind having them but not as my only "go to" gun.

I would rather load my battle proven steel SKS rifle with 10 round stripper clips and know it's going to function then load a plastic gun with a mag and hope it works.

[kahn]

SKS hands down, nothing better out there in that price range.
Get a Yugo if you can, good accuracy, good knockdown, very respectable firepower and about the cheapest high power rifle ammo you're gonna find.

Word of advice, when you get ammo, go for soft points or at least a mix of SP and FMJ, soft points can be used for anything. Don't spend extra on HP 7.62x39 ammo thinking you'll get great expansion, it really does not expand too well.

[Brother Buck]

I wonder how many SKS rifles there are in circulation in USA.
I tried to research it but there were no solid numbers.

[ww2willysjeep]

There are no such "ASSAULT" weapons! It's a fantasized term. I absolutely hate it when the media, especially, uses that term......

[Kregener]

Originally Posted by hellspawn

sks would be my choice

"Affordable", I vote for the SKS also.

"Assault" weapon?

You can "assault" someone with a baseball bat. They only run about $29.99.

[Grinnan Barrett]

SKS is not so affordable anymore. I see them going for $350 up now. I would concur that SKS is better choice than the carbines listed. Stick with real guns. Get pistols to shoot pistol ammo.

[skifast]

I have read that the Wolf Military Classic HP have better terminal ballistics. They are the same price as the FMJ. I agree with the SP.

Originally Posted by kahn

SKS hands down, nothing better out there in that price range.
Get a Yugo if you can, good accuracy, good knockdown, very respectable firepower and about the cheapest high power rifle ammo you're gonna find.

Word of advice, when you get ammo, go for soft points or at least a mix of SP and FMJ, soft points can be used for anything. Don't spend extra on HP 7.62x39 ammo thinking you'll get great expansion, it really does not expand too well.