I just recently turned 18, and am itching to run out and excercise my second amendment right by getting a rifle (more specifically, a semi-auto rifle). I'm heading out west to the grand state of Iowa, away from the "gun control" wasteland of Massachusetts and have most of my legal issues worked out.
I'm a student on a very limited income, so I'm trying to keep the initial weapon purchase under $400-500 dollars. While I'm a huge fan of the AR-15 type rifles, they tend to be just too expensive right now, and I've heard some chatter that they aren't good choices for first rifles. Right now, I'm toying between the AKM-type weapons (either the 7.62 or the 5.45), due to their price, availibility, reliability and the fact that millions of people through history have chosen AK...my problem is that I cannot find any information on the internet (and very little in books) on the pro's and con's between these two rifles. I understand that the faster and lighter 5.45 tends to be more accurate over longer ranges, and makes a substantially bigger hole due to tumbling effect, but that the 7.62 packs more of a punch with it's bulk.
What I'm getting at is what is everyones opinion on the differences in these rifles and their calibers. If you have a suggestion for a great performing semi-auto within my price range, then by all means, suggest it with some basic information and/or links...but I'm primarily trying to decide between the two Klashnikovs.
I'm a student on a very limited income, so I'm trying to keep the initial weapon purchase under $400-500 dollars. While I'm a huge fan of the AR-15 type rifles, they tend to be just too expensive right now, and I've heard some chatter that they aren't good choices for first rifles. Right now, I'm toying between the AKM-type weapons (either the 7.62 or the 5.45), due to their price, availibility, reliability and the fact that millions of people through history have chosen AK...my problem is that I cannot find any information on the internet (and very little in books) on the pro's and con's between these two rifles. I understand that the faster and lighter 5.45 tends to be more accurate over longer ranges, and makes a substantially bigger hole due to tumbling effect, but that the 7.62 packs more of a punch with it's bulk.
What I'm getting at is what is everyones opinion on the differences in these rifles and their calibers. If you have a suggestion for a great performing semi-auto within my price range, then by all means, suggest it with some basic information and/or links...but I'm primarily trying to decide between the two Klashnikovs.