Which semi auto?

[5ptdeerhunter]

Ok my birthday is coming up and so is Christmas. I know there are still a few months but I want to pick out the gun I want now so I can give my dad some notice. I own shotguns and I own one bolt action rifle but I really want a semi auto. I thought about getting a single shot 17hmr but I just keep wanting a semi auto. But I try to keep the price low for my parents.

I figured if I ask on here someone can give me some good ideas. I want a semi auto that is under $500 and is cheap to shoot. Some type of AK clone or maybe an SKS? So tell me what do you think?

 

[yesterdaysyouth]

well for 500 you could get a saiga and about 4000 rnds of wolf 762x39...

 

[Kaylee]

For a "cheap to buy/cheap to shoot" -- yeah, an AK is good.

Personally.. this is what I suggest --

get an AR or FAL kit.

Put it together WITH YOUR DAD. If there's problems you need to beat in construction, so much the better.

In forty years a battered old SAR will be a battered old SAR.

In forty years the higher production quality rifle you built with your father will be the physical reminder of a very happy memory -- a keepsake and a tie back to him.

-K

 

[Marko Kloos]

A Ruger 10/22 would fit the bill. They are semi-auto, lots of fun to shoot, and very inexpensive. Also, they can be had in any configuration from the plain-jane wood stock to laminated thumbhole or Mannlicher stocks. You can get the base model 10/22 for $150-ish, and later trick it out as money allows. My last 10/22 ended up with a Hogue overmolded stock, a Butler Creek bull barrel, a Harris bipod, and a variable power scope.

Best of all, a brick of .22 ammo (500 rounds) is under $10, so you can shoot all day for the price of a movie ticket.

 

[Matthew_Q]

What will you use it for? Just range shooting and plinking? A nice AK clone would be around $300-$350. Magazines and ammo are CHEAP.

If you want something you might hunt with, you might go for the SKS. More rifle-like ergonomics, and it looks more PC. Same cheap ammo. Reliable as hell. You can find good ones for less than $300.

Otherwise a good 10/22 will work. Or go all the way and get CMP qualified and get a service grade M1 from the CMP for $500.

 

[Jack19]

Kaylee, that's some darn good advice!

 

[C.R.Sam]

In forty years the higher production quality rifle you built with your father will be the physical reminder of a very happy memory -- a keepsake and a tie back to him. ...Kaylee

Bingo.

Sam

 

[5ptdeerhunter]

I plan on using the gun for target shooting. I never thought of buying a kit. So where do I find a kit for an AR at? How much are they?

Thanks everybody for your ideas. I also did think about the 10/22.

 

[Arkady]

You can pick up a kit from DPMS Inc. ( www.dpmsinc.com ), and then buy a reciever and barrel. Or you can get the pre-built rifle, but you'll likely be looking at $600+

At the other end of the spectrum, a Yugo SKS can be had for $100, delivered.

I would look for an FAL parts kit and an Imbel reciever, if i were you. Sadly, you're going to be in the same price range as the AR.

 

[FireInTheHole]

I'd go with the fal or ak. Both are excellent shooters. Ammo, mags, and accessories are plentiful. And yes you can still find quality fals for $500. Back when JGsales had metric STG58s I picked one up for $450 OTD.(they let me pick over afew too)

Really depends on how big you are too. My FAL is a tad bit large for me (I'm 5'9" 145lbs) and for smaller frames the SKS/AK are very easy to shoot offhand. Just a FoMHOs.

Should mention:
Ruger Mini-14 is an OK alternative to the AR(unless you want to shoot 1MOA groups ) Just dont buy a new one ok?