Rifle for newbie
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Ohio Gun Guy
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If it were my $1200, and it was one or the other, standing in the gun shop.... I would get an AR (Just my opinion).
Although, for 1200, even at today's prices, you should be able to get an AK, SPARE MAGAZINES, and ammunition. You may just want to keep an eye out for either, and look for a good deal, knowing that you NEED spare magazines and ammunition to go with it. Sometimes folks on this site offer thier stuff for sale and you may get lucky and get a "Kit" with all the goodies.
Although, for 1200, even at today's prices, you should be able to get an AK, SPARE MAGAZINES, and ammunition. You may just want to keep an eye out for either, and look for a good deal, knowing that you NEED spare magazines and ammunition to go with it. Sometimes folks on this site offer thier stuff for sale and you may get lucky and get a "Kit" with all the goodies.
jackdanson
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Any semi-auto AK for $1200, even now, is a ripoff. Even if it is an Arsenal. I haven't heard of the company doing the 103 conversions, but they look nice and they are based on saigas which is a good start. Even a very nice version of that 103 rifle should cost no more than $1000, and I wouldn't pay over $750. (as a sidenote to those who think that is still too much, notice that the 103's have normal handguards and flash suppressors, not just the basic conversion)
If I had $1200 I would get an AR or an M1A if you can find one. Spending over $500 on an AK makes my head hurt. Although with $1200 you can drop 700-800 on the rifle and have money left over for ammo and mags.
mpmarty
Member
I've had AR15s a Genuine Colt Hbar A2. Piece of junk! Go to a range and shoot a few ARs then shoot a few AKs and decide for yourself.
I have an AR10 and a Saiga converted to "evil black rifle" with all the AK type stuff in 7.62X51 not the little low powered X39 and of the two the Saiga is nicer to handle, more reliable, and much easier to maintain.
There is a fully converted 16" Saiga 7.62X51 for sale here in Oregon today for $600 with three 25 round mags plus the original 8 round mag. It has probably sold by now but I will send you the link to the ad if you pm me.
I have an AR10 and a Saiga converted to "evil black rifle" with all the AK type stuff in 7.62X51 not the little low powered X39 and of the two the Saiga is nicer to handle, more reliable, and much easier to maintain.
There is a fully converted 16" Saiga 7.62X51 for sale here in Oregon today for $600 with three 25 round mags plus the original 8 round mag. It has probably sold by now but I will send you the link to the ad if you pm me.
jackdanson
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That is a good deal.
jackdanson
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Stag is a good mid-range rifle. Do you know what model? $900 is a fair price given the current climate. I wouldn't pay the extra for the armalite.
You did just fine considering the way prices have jumped lately. Now the fun begins! Once you are infected with Black Rifle Disease one will not be enough. Before long you will have 3 or 4 project rifles in the works...AR's are lots of fun to tinker with and simple enough to build yourself.
Have fun.
The stag is a solid rifle. I suggest you buy some mags and ammo and run some ammo through it before you start making changes.
If you have any problems this forum is a great place to ask for advice. We have some really talented shooters and gun-plumbers among us.
TexasRifleman
Moderator Emeritus
My usual speech on ARs:
"99% of ARs on the market are fine for 99% of the shooters and if you happen to be one of the 1% you know it and you don't ask the question."
Makes some of the purists mad but I have yet to see it turn out not to be true.
Buy the Stag and enjoy it
"99% of ARs on the market are fine for 99% of the shooters and if you happen to be one of the 1% you know it and you don't ask the question."
Makes some of the purists mad but I have yet to see it turn out not to be true.
Buy the Stag and enjoy it
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
Stag is a good rifle. Do be sure it's a right-handed model if you are yourself right handed (ejection port should be on the right side of the receiver). Stag also makes left-handed models.
What barrel length? Is the carry handle removable (if it has one?)
What barrel length? Is the carry handle removable (if it has one?)
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
Stag is a good rifle. Do be sure it's a right-handed model if you are yourself right handed (ejection port should be on the right side of the receiver). Stag also makes left-handed models.
What barrel length? Is the carry handle removable (if it has one?)
What barrel length? Is the carry handle removable (if it has one?)
IndianaBoy
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Let me state this caveat:
I own an AR-15. I don't own an AK.
I find the AR to be a very simple, robust, and reliable design.
The AK is more of a mystery to me. I have shot a few, and handled a lot.
I went with the AR, and I am glad that I did.
The downside is ammo is more expensive. But I handload, so 1k of 223 costs me $170, with the components that I have on hand right now.
I have run my AR pretty hard at times putting more than 1k rounds through it in a weekend, with minimal cleaning or additional lube. Only issue I have ever had was when I had way too much CLP on the bolt and carrier, because of all the talk of running an AR wet. Put about 3/400 through it and then it sat for a few hours in ~20 degree weather. The CLP turned into a gooey sludge and the rifle didn't want to strip the top round from a full 30 round mag. If I had downloaded to 28 like I do now it probably would have been fine.
I lube lightly now with Militec and it runs much better.
Just read your last post. Do you shoot your long guns left handed because of your eye dominance? If you do, get the Stag.
I own an AR-15. I don't own an AK.
I find the AR to be a very simple, robust, and reliable design.
The AK is more of a mystery to me. I have shot a few, and handled a lot.
I went with the AR, and I am glad that I did.
The downside is ammo is more expensive. But I handload, so 1k of 223 costs me $170, with the components that I have on hand right now.
I have run my AR pretty hard at times putting more than 1k rounds through it in a weekend, with minimal cleaning or additional lube. Only issue I have ever had was when I had way too much CLP on the bolt and carrier, because of all the talk of running an AR wet. Put about 3/400 through it and then it sat for a few hours in ~20 degree weather. The CLP turned into a gooey sludge and the rifle didn't want to strip the top round from a full 30 round mag. If I had downloaded to 28 like I do now it probably would have been fine.
I lube lightly now with Militec and it runs much better.
Just read your last post. Do you shoot your long guns left handed because of your eye dominance? If you do, get the Stag.
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
If you're left-eye dominant and ambidextrous, I don't see why a left-handed rifle would be a problem for you. Just handle it and work all the controls first to make sure it feels right.
As far as the handle, carry handles don't really matter; you can always buy one later if you want one. The reason I asked about carry handles is that the cheapest AR's have a carry handle that is part of the upper receiver (non-removable), so mounting optics on those guns is a bit of a pain. On more expensive AR's, the top of the upper receiver is a rail, to which a removable handle, a scope, removable iron sights, etc. can be attached; those are known as "flattops" or "A3" configurations, though they're the most common type now. Sounds like the Stag you're looking at is the nicer, flattop type.
I'm assuming that it does have a rear sight (fixed or fold-down)? Carry-handle guns have the rear sight at the rear of the handle, but no-handle guns often have a fold-down rear sight instead.
FWIW, if you have a flattop AR, a good starter sight is a $40 BSA or Tasco red dot, which will fit right on the rail.
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