What should my next gun be? Need advice

[Glockedout17]

I went through a bunch of firearms when I first started getting into firearms and shooting sports. I sold a few and traded a few. Now I'm down to two guns, I have a Maverick 88 and a Glock 19. I really wanted to get a Semi auto rifle, but these prices are ridiculous. So I was thinking about a Marlin lever action I saw or a .30 cal M1 carbine, both for about $480 out the door, both used. I'm just not sure if I should just wait this craziness out and save my money. I need some advice on this issue, thanks guys.

 

[Kiln]

I can't say wait it out because I did a bit of panic buying myself. I bought several firearms after the Aurora shooting.

Given current prices though, no way I'd buy any of the stuff I bought.

 

[chris in va]

Careful about that $480 M1 carbine. Some models are not worth having.

Rather, consider an M1 Garand from the CMP. They're still available at reasonable prices, but running out. Technically I should be buying every one I can afford right now as prices will double in a few years.

Roughly $550 for a decent one last time I checked.

 

[mf-dif]

Under 500$ is good for a M1 carbine. Its on of the guns on my to own collect list. Its more of a pistol caliber IMO than rifle. Marlin .30-.30 should be under $400 used. Heck even at Cabelas i saw a rack of them for $399. I also saw an M1 Carbine there and it was $700. Another economical option may be a SKS. (btw the marlin is not a semi auto)

 

[mgmorden]

Nothing wrong with a Marlin lever action (I've got one), but to me its more of a classic hunting rifle than a shooter. If you plan on going out for whitetail and want something good then by all means go for it, but if you're looking for something for the range I'd go for a semi-auto or a bolt action. Just checking though - is that $480 one in .30-30? If so that's WAY too high. I've had mine for 4 or 5 years but I paid $165 for it. Its hard to find them for that these days but I commonly see them for $275-300 still. If it's one of the pistol-caliber ones then they do command a bit of a premium.

The M1 Carbine I find interesting but outside of that I have no experience with them so I'll reserve comment.

Personally, I'd look at a bolt-action in .223. Despite the current run on the ammo nothing is going to happen to .223 that doesn't happen to everything across the board, and its pretty cheap compared to most centerfire rifle ammo so you can afford to practice more. There are a lot of good choices in budget bolt rifles but I've always been very fond of Savage Arms in that category.

 

[Old judge creek]

I own an M1A. I also own a dozen lever action rifles and after using them for 60 years in the bush I can (and WILL) state unequivocally that anyone who thinks a lever rifle doesn't make a fine defensive rifle is fulla beans.

It has its limitations (i.e cycling the action from a prone position) OTOH I can keep up sustained aimed fire "almost" as fast as I can with a good semi-auto rifle. One ability the lever gun offers is no magazines to fiddle with - but with a decent cartridge belt, I can keep a lever rifle "topped off" as I go... BTDT

Regardless, if shtf I'd prefer my M1A. Then again from 18 years of age until I got my M1A a couple of years ago (that'd be a 50 year span) several lever rifles have indeed put meat on the table, served my family for defense, served to protect a few mining claims.

I will suggest this, if you go with a lever gun, find a SASS shooter and ask for some pointers on "how" to handle a lever action correctly.

 

[BHP FAN]

Ruger 10/22.

 

[buckeye8]

I'm with BHP FAN. The time has come for you to add a .22.

 

[readyeddy]

Save your money. It's even getting hard to find 22 LR ammo. You have your long gun and your handgun. Just make sure you have a few hundred rounds of ammo for each and practice dry firing. When the craziness ends, you can resume your buying. The world will turn.

 

[1911 guy]

It's probably feeding the panic, but I do agree that we gun owners need to be stocking up on ammo and magazines when we can. Got nothing to do with a SHTF or EOTWAWKI scenario, but they simply won't be getting much cheaper any time soon. Don't go nuts, just pick up a few once in a while.

Although I wouod find it hard to get along without a .22 rifle.

 

[philobeddoe]

If I found myself in these uncertain times with an empty safe but the benefit of experience, I'd shop around for an SKS. I wouldn't worry too much about provenance or lineage, numbers matching or any of that, just a good shooter at a good price.

They're good shooters, versatile and sturdy, without the added cost of magazines. Just pick up a couple of boxes of stripper clips and whatever 7.62x39 you can get your hands on. Easy to feed, keep it clean. Shoot with it, hunt with it, defend yourself with it ... and you don't have to baby it.

That's my two cents, particularly if the safe was empty and future uncertain. I don't think you'll regret it.

 

[Fishslayer]

Careful about that $480 M1 carbine. Some models are not worth having.

^^^ This.

Right now is a horrible time to be buying a semiauto rifle, but deals are out there. You need to be diligent and quick on the trigger. Do homework ahead of time. Know what a fair price is. Know what's good & what to stay away from.

I went the SKS route. It's not a target rifle but it's got no evil features except the bayonet (my Norinco is sans bayo) and loading with stripper clips is at least as fast as a 10 round AR with mag lock/bullet button.

 

[BHP FAN]

If my safe was empty, I'd buy a 10/22. The SKS idea is a good one, 7.62x39 ammo can still be had, and if you buy a sardine can full of the stuff, you needn't bother with buying a lot of reloading gear.

 

[radiotom]

I advise you AK47.The AK-47 is a selective-fire, gas-operated 7.62×39mm assault rifle, first developed in the USSR by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It is officially known as Avtomat Kalashnikova (Russian: Автомат Калашникова). It is also known as a Kalashnikov, an "AK", or in Russian slang, Kalash.

I doubt he's gonna get a full auto...

 

[Halal Pork]

Ruger 10/22.

I agree. Or some other 22.

 

[jon86]

I'd get a J frame for pocket carry. 642 no lock.

 

[Glockedout17]

I was actually thinking about a Ruger 10/22, but felt that a good semi auto should come first, guess I was wrong. I know that the Marlin lever action isn't a semi auto, but it's still a good gun to have. The lowest price I've seen on a SKS around here right now is $600, I should've picked one up when they were $300. If I could find one for $400 then I'll get it, if not I might just pick up a 10/22 in the AR platform and be happy. What would be considered a good price on a 10/22 already in AR furniture?

 

[bannockburn]

Glockedout17

I would say get the Ruger 10/22 first, along with as much .22LR ammo as you can find, and save getting the AR styled accessories for later. Some day down the road when the smoke clears from all the craziness that's going on, maybe try looking for a decent deal on an SKS rifle then.

 

[soonerfan85]

Be careful on the M1 carbines. For $400 you're probably looking at a Universal M1, which may or may not be a good rifle. If I remember correctly, Univeral began making carbines from military surplus parts in the early 1960s. They later did some redesigns started making them from outsourced parts and the quality fell off in the later part of the 60s and early 70s. Some of the later ones may not be entirely safe to shoot. A good pre Korean War M1 carbine will cost you more than the $400 you can get a Universal for. If you do buy a Universal, make sure you do your due diligence beforehand and look for an early model.

 

[palmrose2]

I think an SKS would be a good choice except for practically being limited to scout scope or existing sites.

Have you given any thought to a pump action .308? I'm pretty enamored with the .243 Win round, but you'll never find it in bulk.

 

[lilguy]

1919A4 with crankfire.


http://www.crankfiresystems.com/video/1919crank.mov


Be the first one in your neighborhood to own one.

 

[Glockedout17]

I think I'll go the 10/22 route and wait out the craziness like a few of you suggested. All I have to do now is find a good deal on a new one, used ones probably got the snot shot out of em. Are there any other .22 rifles in the same league as the 10/22 that you guys suggest? I want to go pick one up on Wednsday, so some suggestions would be nice.

 

[1911 guy]

Entirely subjective opinion here, but the only thing a 10/22 has going for it over the other .22 rimfire autoloaders is a stock that isn't some sort of cheezy plastic. And lots of aftermarket parts. If you plan to keep it bone stock, check out nearly any autoloader by nearly any reputable manufacturer.

If, however, you like to tinker, go with the Ruger. If you can think of it, someone has made it as an acessory to a 10/22. The best aftermarket things are the stuff that can turn them from ho-hum accuracy (not bad, just average) into tack drivers.