[Sev.Hawk]

Hey everybody,

I have been looking for a good all around rifle. Here is what I think I want:

- Shorter barrel, around 16" or 20"
- I would like a caliber that I can get around the world(or at least in a lot of places)
- I don't want to go higher than $700. but I don't want a bad quality gun, so if I have to go a little higher to get a better gun then I will.

This rifle will be my primary weapon. I have been looking at these rifles:

- DPMS panther
- Gunsmoke enterprises
- FAL rifles

Those are the only good rifles I could find in my price range.
I am open to any suggestions.

-Jordan

 

[Mittelmorder]

I've heard alot of bad things about gunsmoke enterprises, i'd steer clear of them if i were you, do a google search on'em.

In my opinion.. A FAL or AK sounds like what your looking for.

 

[84tecate]

You can get a very nice AK for that price but on the flip side you get a lower quality AR for that price.

Whats your ammo budget look like?
What feels comfortable to you?
What round would suit you best?
Do you plan on optics?

A few things to think about. AR platforms are very versiatile, can do everything you want to one.

You get sheer reliabilty with the AK, optics and so fourth are a little more tricky to get a good mount and position. CAA makes a very nice set-up.

Ive had no experince with the FALS, but everybody who talks about them loves them.

You might even consider a AK74, Revpaul has many posts about the gun, the bullet and so fourth.

 

[Nomad 2nd]

Ok, you want a rifle...

First thing you do is pick the round you want.

will 7.62x39 do what you want or do you need a .308?

Or perhaps a 30-06 is the thing?


Under $700 your gonna be hardpressed to get a good FAL (One good choice)

IMHO the closest to a 'do everything' is my M1A Scout rifle (18 " barrel)

I put a VOrtex flash hider on it, along with a rail for a light.
I keep a 2.5 Leupold Scout scope on GG&G throw levers so that I can take it off and reatach it (If I want to use irons or a red dot) with no loss of zero.

But your talking Over $1,400 just for the rifle.

Under $700 some of your options are:

SKS (Good bottom of the barrel, but adequate under 300 yards (Can do 400 if your good)
AK (Step up, and the one I train with the most... you can get mags, sling etc under your $700 mark)
M1 (Good gun, 30-06 is currently inexpensive... rifle is long, heavy, and the Clips cannot be toped off)
Century FAL (Spotty quality, if you get a good one it'll do you well)
CETME/PTR91 (HK Type... also a .308... I do not like the egernomics, but they are reliable.)

7.62x39 = $200 per case delivered
.308 = $400-$450 for decent ammo (Before shipping)
30-06 = ~ $250 per case.

SKS: Uses cheap Stripper clips
AK: $10 30 round mags (Can load off of SKS stripper clips)
FAL: $5- $10 per 20 round amg
CETME: $2 per mag

I recomend you buy and read:

BOston's Gun Bible.

It's worth the money. (He and I disagree on several things, but it's still a good book)

 

[Grinnan Barrett]

Get with someone who has the type of guns you are looking at and go and shoot them. Guns are like clothes, they have to fit you. Find the gun that feels right when you hold and shoot it. I like the AK because it fits me and i can hit what i shoot at. Stick with common calibers like 7.62x39, .308 (7.62x51), 5/56x45 NATO and you will be alright. If you are on a real budget go with something like the AK and get more mags and lots of ammo now.

 

[tein2012]

Nomad,

Where are you getting 7.62x51mm for 400-450/case? The cheapest I have seen is ammoman at 520 (includes shipping) for Lithiuanian surplus.

 

[535]

Gunsmoke Enterprises makes some really good stuff, I buy their lower receivers for all my AR projects. For a budget and somewhat cheap ammo get a Yugo SKS, stripper clips are cheaper than mags.

 

[cetme]

If you don't have a 22 rifle and a 12 bore shotgun get those first. That being said a good used 30-30 can be had for under $300 and that leaves enough money for a good reloading set up.

 

[Cryptkeeper]

another cheaper route is to look at saigas http://www.raacfirearms.com/rifles.htm i would go with the saiga 308 vepr they are about $500-$600 http://www.raacfirearms.com/Saiga_308v21.htm but you want a shorter weapon then you could get this saiga 308 for around $450-$500 http://www.raacfirearms.com/Saiga_option.htm
25 round mags are going to cost about $45 ea http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=111556758 but if your planning to bug out with a backpack your not going to be able to take ALOT of mags. $450 (saiga) + 6 mags = $720 if you want 10 mags just add $180 = $900 total for a saiga 308 and 10 mags + s/h

an FAL wouldnt be a bad choice either but mags are a bit more than what has been quoted example; http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=111844850 , http://www.centerfiresystems.com/MAGFNFAL.aspx
fal $699 + 78 (6 mags )= $777 +s/h add $52(4 mags )= $829 total for a fal + 10 mags +s/h
last i checked at walmart i could get 308 for $12.47 per box/20. 7.62x39 is around 4.50-$5 per box + s/h

here is a good deal
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=112142433

 

[Freshgrease]

You can get a decent AK (Bulgarian or better) for around $500. I'd go out and buy a 6-position stock with a recoil pad. A box of 20 7.62 is $5 (monarch). That is $12.50 for 50 where the cheapest .45acp is like $17/50. Ammo prices are cheap.

 

[Nomad 2nd]

Nomad,

Where are you getting 7.62x51mm for 400-450/case? The cheapest I have seen is ammoman at 520 (includes shipping) for Lithiuanian surplus.

I'm not... I've got about 28,000 rounds left from a few years ago when it was under $200 a case:


Here ya go, Century's monthly special:

AM728 German .308 FMJ Ammo (147gr.) NATO Spec. Berdan / Non-Corrosive 20rd/box 200rd / pack

Was $ 100.00 / pack Now $ 85.00 / pack

$425 for 1,000 rounds... Flat rate shipping, and if you spend over $500 it's free shipping.

 

[Nomad 2nd]

You can get a decent AK (Bulgarian or better) for around $500. QUOTE]

http://www.classicarms.us/

$380.

 

[Andrew1985]

Normally I would say get a WASR Ak-47 but not in this case.


Mossberg has come out with a new line of Rifle that shoots real well cheap in price but not in quality. Mossberg 100ATR and it comes in alot of differnt calibers. 30-06, 308, 300, 270, Some even come with scopes on them. And most models are under $700 bucks

 

[Nomad 2nd]

an FAL wouldnt be a bad choice either but mags are a bit more than what has been quoted

FAL 20 round metal magazines
[4-230]

Price: $9.95
quantity price
5+ $8.95

J&G sales

http://www.jgsales.com/product_info...-magazines/cPath/332_190_194/products_id/1175

 

[OlympicArmsFan]

you can get an AK-47 in a good price range still right now so if you want that I would buy off the shelf dont try to build.

If I was going to buy an AR I would build its way cheaper. If you look at my post you will see my build and I did it under 700 bucks.

For AR parts-

Full upper and lower parts- www.akpartkits.com

Lower Receiver- www.essentialarms.com

A2 peep site- www.centerfiresystems.com

Magazines (D&H 9.99-9.68)- www.44mag.com

I just went throught and added up everything I bought. I know its a little higher now. I have in the rifle 635.46 thats will all the shipping added with four mags. I bought extra mags. Now when you buy in the shops you will get only two mags. I also went with a flat top upper and the DPMS that im seeing in that range is with A1 sites and then they have one with better sites but no dust cover. I would build its not hard and you can do it cheaper.

 

[Mittelmorder]

you can get an AK-47 in a good price range still right now so if you want that I would buy off the shelf dont try to build.

If I was going to buy an AR I would build its way cheaper. If you look at my post you will see my build and I did it under 700 bucks.

For AR parts-

Full upper and lower parts- www.akpartkits.com

Lower Receiver- www.essentialarms.com

A2 peep site- www.centerfiresystems.com

Magazines (D&H 9.99-9.68)- www.44mag.com

I just went throught and added up everything I bought. I know its a little higher now. I have in the rifle 635.46 thats will all the shipping added with four mags. I bought extra mags. Now when you buy in the shops you will get only two mags. I also went with a flat top upper and the DPMS that im seeing in that range is with A1 sites and then they have one with better sites but no dust cover. I would build its not hard and you can do it cheaper.

you test the AR15 you built yet? or is the smith still checking it out?

 

[OlympicArmsFan]

I called the smith the other day and he is still backed up. This is a one man operation and I told him take his time when I took it to him. This guy had hunters all over the place that day. I think I waited 2 hours or close to it just to talk to him

The guy asked me to hang in for a little longer and he would have it all checked out. I also have been saving up for ammo and buying when I can. I called a few places most are 7-8 bucks a box for wolf and the only place in town I have been getting it cheap is at 4.99 a box or 4.49 if I buy 100 rounds.

I have just been buying ammo when I can for the AR and AK. When I get the AR back im going to go shoot and I hope to have a video of it. Im going to go out of town for Thanksgiving and Christmas so those will be my time to shoot as I will be in WVA no city.

How is your saiga doing had it to the range.

I think on a tight budget if you follow my build its a good build and a great price.

 

[lilc]

"When You've Absolutely Got To Kill Every [email protected]*#%! In The Room..."

 

[Mittelmorder]

How is your saiga doing had it to the range.

Yup, made a video too!

 

[Sev.Hawk]

Hey everybody,

Thanks for all the help everyone has given me, it has helped me narrow my choice, and I'm pretty sure I don't wany an AR-15(to many parts in it).
QUESTION:
A couple people keep saying "you can get an AK (Bulgarian or better)". Could somone please tell me what the different kinds of AK's their are and their prices please.

The rifles that I really want now are: FAL, or the AK.

I like the FAL beacuase it is .308, and big reliable gun.
I like the AK beacuse it is a popular rifle, it's reliable and easy to field strip and clean.

Still open to any suggestions, thanks a lot for your help.

-Jordan