Help with first rifle

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TwinReverb

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Ok i hope this isn't too lengthy but here goes.

I'm military and my only rifle experience is the AR platform, though I've shot an AK once.

I'm looking for a rifle that is semi auto (requirement) in an affordable caliber for someone who doesn't reload. Parts availability for local purchase / SHTF would be nice but not required. Iron sights a must (scope available/optional).

My main thing is if i own a gun, i shoot one a month, as i want to practice a lot to stay accurate. I go through at least a thousand rounds a year in 9mm on my Glock 19 and Glock 43 already, so ammo cost matters.

Problem is, I'm on a budget, so this rifle would also have to be cheaper than a thousand dollars. Used would be acceptable if it's either a well documented rifle that almost any gun smith or average Joe can fix, or it's AR platform, since i know that platform, but only a little.

I've only owned guns for 1.5 years, but I've been in the USAF (aircraft mechanic) for 15 yrs. This might not matter lol.

I've read a little and I'd think a mini-30 might be best with a match grade barrel (to prevent inaccuracy after shooting a while, or so i read). Maybe with the replacement AR style iron sights.

I gave up on common caliber PDW/pistol aspirations a long time ago. Was thinking about 5.7 at that time but lack of ammo in SHTF and the smaller size of the round (i don't hunt but if i did, etc) deterred me.

What do y'all think?
 
Seriously, go with an AR, they can be had for cheap and cheaper if you build it. Building is super easy. Also get on PSA's mailing list, they can have some smoking daily deals on parts and ammo.

If fact my AR is basically all their parts, haven't had issues thus far. I've only ran about 100 -200 rounds through it though, so I cannot comment on long term durability.

AR-15s dominate the market for a reason, and they are PERFECT for your intended usage.

Have fun, God bless, and thank you for your service.
 
hoghunting said:
What's wrong with staying with an AR?? It fits all the requirements you are asking.
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So you mean AR platform but in 7.62? Because that round can be had rather cheaply. In fact a buddy of mine reloads that caliber. ...

But if so, i read of many problems people have with the AR in 7.62. Why not Mini-30?

Thank you both, by the way. Glad to serve this great country.
 
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In your original post, you didn't say you were set on a caliber.

I'd go with an AR in .223 personally after reading your first post. You can buy a nice AR for $1K.

If you are dead set on 7.62x39, then you may consider the Mini 30 but I don't know much about them.
 
If you are serious about a HUNTING rifle I would recommend a bolt action .308.

If you must have a semi automatic hunting rifle then consider a Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). Other manufacturers also make semi-auto rifles in larger hunting calibers.

I honestly never understood the allure for the AR type rifle for hunting. They are clumsy, rattly-loud in field, carry an unpopular appearance, and when made for the larger hunting calibers they are damned heavy. And contrary to the popular opinion on many web pages the off-the-rack AR's are never as accurate at distance as every owner claims. Buy a bolt action and lean to shoot it really well and really fast. If you already know how to shoot an AR you will have no trouble adapting to a bolt action or perhaps a BAR.

Don't waste your money on a Ruger Mini. They are (now-a-days) way over priced junk. And I do not care what type of accuracy the advertisers say you will get from some special feature on the Mini, you will only be disappointed.

Best advice for a first HUNTING rifle is to get a solid quality bolt action with an excellent scope. Talk to your local grey-haired gun store owner and tell him what you are after. He won't steer you wrong, but he won't give his good rifles away to you for cheap either.
 
Sounds like an AR to me. Affordable to feed since you dont reload, ammo readily available, easy to work on, lots of parts available, etc.
 
A CMP Garand M1 Service grade in.30-06...under $850 for a first rate rifle that meets stated requirements. Visit odcmp.org sales for more info.

FH
 
Well,for general fun shooting,and usefullness in a stuff hits fan times why not a .22 ? if you want something light weight and easy to feed that would be it .You can stash a bunch of .22 ammo in the same space that 100 rounds of anything else takes up.If you want to feed yourself,a .22 would do the job on anything deer sized and smaller,and a .22 placed right will drop a man in a self defence situation a .22 isnt as loud as a big centerfire gun,and will not attract attention as quickly.sure,a 10-22 isnt as sexxy as a tricked out black rifle but survival isnt about that
 
^ this

At least look at the Ruger 10/22. Ammo is as cheap as you will find. Very simple design and parts are cheap if something breaks. I wouldn't get carried away with accessories though.
 
Take two scraps of paper. Write mini-30 on one; AR (5.5.6) on the other. Tape them to a wall. Now, throw a dart. Buy the one it hits. I'm not being flippant. You'll thank me for this.
 
Flatbush Harry said:
A CMP Garand M1 Service grade in.30-06...under $850 for a first rate rifle that meets stated requirements. Visit odcmp.org sales for more info.

FH
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Thanks. I want one so bad but I'd have to get into reloading (and upgrade some rifle components, if i can believe what i hear) to make that caliber work. Yeah, I'm not rich.
 
C.R. said:
Well,for general fun shooting,and usefullness in a stuff hits fan times why not a .22 ?
Click to expand...

Because the wife will get one of those, so I'll get something different. Thanks though :) and thanks sappy9 too.
 
I looked at the BAR, the Shorttrac in 308 would be affordable. But so would the DPMS Oracle in 308, so I'll go shoot one and report back.
 
At least look at the Ruger 10/22. Ammo is as cheap as you will find. Very simple design and parts are cheap if something breaks. I wouldn't get carried away with accessories though.
Click to expand...

The above post is an excellent suggestion. My first rifle was a 22 and the 10/22 is an excellent choice. Great for plinking at the range and economical.
 
TwinReverb said:
Because the wife will get one of those, so I'll get something different. Thanks though :) and thanks sappy9 too.
Click to expand...

TwinReverb said:
I looked at the BAR, the Shorttrac in 308 would be affordable. But so would the DPMS Oracle in 308, so I'll go shoot one and report back.
Click to expand...

So the wife will get a .22 LR and you are open to .308 rifles. That opens things up a little. :cool:

I've wondered off and on about the FNAR. The standard version is just below $1000 around where I live. http://www.fnhusa.com/l/products/autoloading-rifles/
 
Your 15 years on the flightline does matter. At least to me. See my signature.

Anyway, based on your stated requirements, I'd get an AR-15 in 5.56/.223. You can get a S&W M&P-15 for about $600. Perfect for your uses. Lots of other brands for well under your limit of $1k. And .223 ammo is about the cheapest rifle ammo there is, short of the 7.62 Russian stuff. Lower recoil than an AK, unless you get the 5.45mm AK-74 clone. Your wife will like that. And, ARs are so common today, parts are cheap and readily available. You will have a lot of fun with an AR.
 
Just looking at prices at one of my go-to online ammo bulk sellers, they've got Wolf 7.62x39 for $209/1000 and Wolf 5.56x45 for $216/1000.

Also for consideration is that you can convert the AR15 to .22 with a drop in conversion kit for around $300.

So to me an AR15 is about as cheap to shoot as it gets. Not to mention its parts availability is unmatched, anyone can work on one by themselves, magazines are cheap, iron sights are excellent, they tend to be pretty accurate. You are already familiar with it. Seems like a perfect match for your request to me.

A .308 would be great but it costs over twice as much to feed.
 
another one to look at is the SKS in 7.62x39 those things came over here by the boatload for a while. Back in the day you could buy them for less than $100.00 and have money left for some ammo. They arent as nice as the newer AK,or AR but as a simple,and relativly inexpensive semi auto rifle they would work. Is it going to be a match grade gun ? No,but it will do the job
 
I'm not an AR guy. I want to say go get a Ruger American in .308... But,

You want semiauto cheap...get a good AR receiver and decent parts and upgrade as you are able. Get .223/.556 and you be happy as a lark. Then get a second hand gun of a good caliber and discover why bolt guns are better hunters.

If I started over I'd get a .22 (Win 9422), a bolt .223 or target AR, and a Win M70 in .30-06. All the rifles I could ever need in NA right there (12 ga 870, G19, and a Ruger convertible .357/9mm---aSweet16 A5 to ice the cake).

Enjoy bro,
Greg
 
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