meanmrmustard
Member
He can't afford an AR, especially since I think we scared him off:banghead:
Rifle Question.
- Thread starter mcmurry
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meanmrmustard
Member
Because the OP expressed the interest in "military rifles", therefore negating the HP or .22 rifle.
OP
OP
mcmurry
Member
wow!
Ok y'all you didn't run me off. If you noticed the time I first posted, it was around 4:00 A.M. because I couldn't sleep this morning. Then Church(twice) lunch and a visit to my moms house. I honestly didn't think I'd start a fight or get more than half a dozen posts. I do have a bolt action .22 and a Marlin model 60 semi auto .22. I am currently unemployed so funds are very limited. Sure I wouldn't mind an AR in any caliber, or a M1/M14, but even when I was working they were outta my price range. So I think I'll try the SKS. I do business with a gun/pawn shop that will let me pay whatever I can afford beforehand and then they will order the gun for me. Thanks again and remember, we're talking guns here, not politics. HA!
Ok y'all you didn't run me off. If you noticed the time I first posted, it was around 4:00 A.M. because I couldn't sleep this morning. Then Church(twice) lunch and a visit to my moms house. I honestly didn't think I'd start a fight or get more than half a dozen posts. I do have a bolt action .22 and a Marlin model 60 semi auto .22. I am currently unemployed so funds are very limited. Sure I wouldn't mind an AR in any caliber, or a M1/M14, but even when I was working they were outta my price range. So I think I'll try the SKS. I do business with a gun/pawn shop that will let me pay whatever I can afford beforehand and then they will order the gun for me. Thanks again and remember, we're talking guns here, not politics. HA!
justice06rr
Member
I would also suggest a SKS or AK if your funds are limited. A used one can be found rather reasonably priced, and Ammo is very cheap. Can you give us a ballpark figure of what you can afford to spend (say max of $400 or whatever).
I'd love to recommend an AR15-type rifle, but they do get expensive depending on the brand and modifications.
I'd love to recommend an AR15-type rifle, but they do get expensive depending on the brand and modifications.
justice06rr
Member
^ Very nice. that barely looks like a SKS!
One more vote for the SKS. I'd advise a little slow and careful browsing in many locations. You can still find SKS's in the "reasonable" price range. Once in a while a "cheap" one might come along, especially if the stock is a little more beat up than usual.
I hope your employment status changes soon enough that the $$ factor becomes less of an issue.
Good luck
I hope your employment status changes soon enough that the $$ factor becomes less of an issue.
Good luck
meanmrmustard
Member
That is somewhere in the neighborhood of awesome and scary. I got shivers...plus the SKS has potental as well:
In response to the OP:
To start off, I've never fired an SKS. However, I currently own both a Saiga rifle and a 9mm HiPoint Carbine.
I only received the Saiga a week ago and have only shot it 60 times, so my experience is limited. However, it is worth noting that I've not had a single jam or failure of any type, from round one right on through round sixty. The fit and build quality is incredible, and it disassembles and reassembles with incredible ease and simplicity. The Saiga has one advantage over the SKS that no one has brought to your attention, and IMO it's a very large one if you're on a tight budget: if you get a 5.45x39mm (the IZ-240) as I did, the ammo is incredibly inexpensive. 1080 rounds can be had for $150. That's just under $0.14 a round, compared to $0.20+ for 7.62x39mm. That translates into more practice, which means more capability. The round is also lighter and more accurate, with less recoil, which means a higher aimed ROF.
I've owned my HiPoint for 7 months and like it more every day. It's cheap to shoot, very reliable, very comfortable, and has great sights. It's currently my go-to gun for HD. I can get a sub 2-3" group with 10 rounds at 40 yards, kneeling with no rest, and I'm a relatively inexperienced shooter regardless of how good I think I am
. It's an A++ performer out to 50 yards. However, if capability beyond 100 yards is a necessity to you, the otherwise wonderful HiPoint is a not a gun that suits your needs.
I know it's not exactly the most modern of rifles (mine is 97 years old), but have you considered a Mosin Nagant? They can be had for as little as $90, and you can get great shooters in good shape for not much more. While they are only a 5 round bolt action, the ammo is dirt cheap (.25 or less) and the rifle offers good performance out to very long ranges. The round, 7.62x54r, is very powerful, closer to 30-06 than 7.62x51 NATO in its ballistics.
Unless the low capacity/ bolt action offers a lower capability than you are looking for, and even then, I'd seriously look into one of these if you're on a tight budget. If it's enough for you, it's a whole lot cheaper than anything else. You could get half a dozen Mosins with 100 rounds of ammo each for the price of an "economy" AR.
To start off, I've never fired an SKS. However, I currently own both a Saiga rifle and a 9mm HiPoint Carbine.
I only received the Saiga a week ago and have only shot it 60 times, so my experience is limited. However, it is worth noting that I've not had a single jam or failure of any type, from round one right on through round sixty. The fit and build quality is incredible, and it disassembles and reassembles with incredible ease and simplicity. The Saiga has one advantage over the SKS that no one has brought to your attention, and IMO it's a very large one if you're on a tight budget: if you get a 5.45x39mm (the IZ-240) as I did, the ammo is incredibly inexpensive. 1080 rounds can be had for $150. That's just under $0.14 a round, compared to $0.20+ for 7.62x39mm. That translates into more practice, which means more capability. The round is also lighter and more accurate, with less recoil, which means a higher aimed ROF.
I've owned my HiPoint for 7 months and like it more every day. It's cheap to shoot, very reliable, very comfortable, and has great sights. It's currently my go-to gun for HD. I can get a sub 2-3" group with 10 rounds at 40 yards, kneeling with no rest, and I'm a relatively inexperienced shooter regardless of how good I think I am
. It's an A++ performer out to 50 yards. However, if capability beyond 100 yards is a necessity to you, the otherwise wonderful HiPoint is a not a gun that suits your needs.I know it's not exactly the most modern of rifles (mine is 97 years old), but have you considered a Mosin Nagant? They can be had for as little as $90, and you can get great shooters in good shape for not much more. While they are only a 5 round bolt action, the ammo is dirt cheap (.25 or less) and the rifle offers good performance out to very long ranges. The round, 7.62x54r, is very powerful, closer to 30-06 than 7.62x51 NATO in its ballistics.
Unless the low capacity/ bolt action offers a lower capability than you are looking for, and even then, I'd seriously look into one of these if you're on a tight budget. If it's enough for you, it's a whole lot cheaper than anything else. You could get half a dozen Mosins with 100 rounds of ammo each for the price of an "economy" AR.
meanmrmustard
Member
The Saiga is a fine rifle, and it's good that you enjoy it. You are correct, 545 is very cheap and I didn't myself think to mention that caliber. Good call.In response to the OP:
To start off, I've never fired an SKS. However, I currently own both a Saiga rifle and a 9mm HiPoint Carbine.
I only received the Saiga a week ago and have only shot it 60 times, so my experience is limited. However, it is worth noting that I've not had a single jam or failure of any type, from round one right on through round sixty. The fit and build quality is incredible, and it disassembles and reassembles with incredible ease and simplicity. The Saiga has one advantage over the SKS that no one has brought to your attention, and IMO it's a very large one if you're on a tight budget: if you get a 5.45x39mm (the IZ-240) as I did, the ammo is incredibly inexpensive. 1080 rounds can be had for $150. That's just under $0.14 a round, compared to $0.20+ for 7.62x39mm. That translates into more practice, which means more capability. The round is also lighter and more accurate, with less recoil, which means a higher aimed ROF.
I've owned my HiPoint for 7 months and like it more every day. It's cheap to shoot, very reliable, very comfortable, and has great sights. It's currently my go-to gun for HD. I can get a sub 2-3" group with 10 rounds at 40 yards, kneeling with no rest, and I'm a relatively inexperienced shooter regardless of how good I think I am
I know it's not exactly the most modern of rifles (mine is 97 years old), but have you considered a Mosin Nagant? They can be had for as little as $90, and you can get great shooters in good shape for not much more. While they are only a 5 round bolt action, the ammo is dirt cheap (.25 or less) and the rifle offers good performance out to very long ranges. The round, 7.62x54r, is very powerful, closer to 30-06 than 7.62x51 NATO in its ballistics.
Unless the low capacity/ bolt action offers a lower capability than you are looking for, and even then, I'd seriously look into one of these if you're on a tight budget. If it's enough for you, it's a whole lot cheaper than anything else. You could get half a dozen Mosins with 100 rounds of ammo each for the price of an "economy" AR.
The Hi Point carbine is fun, but doesn't really hold water as a competitor for purchase, as it doesn't correspond with the OPs interests in post #1.
You are incorrect: the 7.62x54R is closer to .308 win in its ballistics than 30/06. I've heard it referred to as the "Russian '06". This is far from true. To be fair, it will do well for long range duty in an accurized rifle, though. But the Mosin is a bolt gun, not a semi auto.
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benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
Were I in that situation, I'd go with a used Romanian AK with the parts on straight, an unconverted Saiga if the price was right, or a lever-action in .357 (which comes surprisingly close to 7.62x39mm velocity/energy out of a 16-18" barrel).
Ten years ago I'd have said SKS hands down, but around here SKS prices and lower-end AK prices aren't all that far apart anymore, and the AK gives you more options with regard to sights, stocks, capacities (anything from 5 to 30+ by just changing the mag), and shorter overall length (unless you find one of the rarer and pricey "paratrooper" SKS's).
I have also had a Russian SKS (1952 Tula) repeatedly fail to cycle when dirty and dry; my AK, never. The SKS seems to me to have tighter clearances in the bolt lockup, and the downside of that is it needs to run a little more lubricated or a little cleaner than an AK, at least in my own experience with a sample of 1.
Ten years ago I'd have said SKS hands down, but around here SKS prices and lower-end AK prices aren't all that far apart anymore, and the AK gives you more options with regard to sights, stocks, capacities (anything from 5 to 30+ by just changing the mag), and shorter overall length (unless you find one of the rarer and pricey "paratrooper" SKS's).
I have also had a Russian SKS (1952 Tula) repeatedly fail to cycle when dirty and dry; my AK, never. The SKS seems to me to have tighter clearances in the bolt lockup, and the downside of that is it needs to run a little more lubricated or a little cleaner than an AK, at least in my own experience with a sample of 1.
brnmuenchow
Member
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2011
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- 612
Another vote for the SKS.
A different choice - vz58
While the AKs and SKSs may be marginally less expensive, the vz58 is a tank, a short stroke gas piston rifle, still in service with the Czechs in Afghanistan, as well as at home. It's lighter, more accurate, and easier to field strip and clean than the AK. There is a 5.54x45mm version, or the standard 7.62x39mm.
It can be customized, or left original. It's available from Czechpoint-USA, or by order from your LGS. They have a deal on them now, check the website.
There is even a method to convert the 7.62x39 to 6.5 Grendel in the gun by rebarreling and using AR mags.
Just throwing in another opinion.
While the AKs and SKSs may be marginally less expensive, the vz58 is a tank, a short stroke gas piston rifle, still in service with the Czechs in Afghanistan, as well as at home. It's lighter, more accurate, and easier to field strip and clean than the AK. There is a 5.54x45mm version, or the standard 7.62x39mm.
It can be customized, or left original. It's available from Czechpoint-USA, or by order from your LGS. They have a deal on them now, check the website.
There is even a method to convert the 7.62x39 to 6.5 Grendel in the gun by rebarreling and using AR mags.
Just throwing in another opinion.
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henschman
Member
I agree that you could probably get a Saiga for not much more than an SKS, and I would prefer the Saiga... lighter weight, with detachable mags, with a side scope mount from the factory, and it can be made to take all the AK accessories. Atlantic Firearms has the 5.45x39 Saiga for $379 plus shipping: http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct796.aspx
That one is nice because it doesn't need any mods to use AK-74 magazines. The 7.62x39 requires some filing on the mag catch, and a bullet guide riveted in to use AK mags.
That one is nice because it doesn't need any mods to use AK-74 magazines. The 7.62x39 requires some filing on the mag catch, and a bullet guide riveted in to use AK mags.
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