Looking for a new rifle
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
From: Just Moved To COLUMBUS, OH
Mini 14 is the way top go on this deal!!! stick with it if you have one. Also recomended the stainless barelll....... and a 30 round clip minimum.. 22 seconds
if you get what i mean....
if you get what i mean....Question for the shooters out there:
I’m looking to buy a fun / end of the world rifle. I want to be able to go out and play around – plinking and such - with the guys but still have some serious firepower should the stuff hit the fan. It’s not that I expect the government to break down tomorrow……but I’d hate to be standing around looking like an idiot and counting on the kindness of strangers if it did. I’m pretty much sold on something semi-auto and high-capacity.
While my first choice is a Springfield Armory M1A, that’s way outside my budget right now. I also considered ARs but prices are kinda’ high and I’m not too fond of the 5.56 cartridge. The Mini-30 was attractive until I found that high-cap magazines are much rarer than for the Mini-14.
Things are getting narrowed down to an SKS or some sort of AK. I owned an SKS for a few years and, while I wasn’t disappointed, I wasn’t terribly impressed. Pretty crude and the trigger left a lot to be desired…..but they’re cheap and available. Stock rifles don’t handle detachable mags well, but I’ve seen mods to allow them to accept AK mags.
I don’t know a whole lot about AKs. From what I’ve seen online, there are tons of manufacturers out there turning parts kits into US-legal rifles in a wide range of configurations. Prices vary from $300 to well over $1K. I’m thinking about something in the $500-600 range. Any suggestions on outfits to look into / avoid? Any features to look for? Thoughts on folding stocks – side- and under-fold varieties?
I’m looking to buy a fun / end of the world rifle. I want to be able to go out and play around – plinking and such - with the guys but still have some serious firepower should the stuff hit the fan. It’s not that I expect the government to break down tomorrow……but I’d hate to be standing around looking like an idiot and counting on the kindness of strangers if it did. I’m pretty much sold on something semi-auto and high-capacity.
While my first choice is a Springfield Armory M1A, that’s way outside my budget right now. I also considered ARs but prices are kinda’ high and I’m not too fond of the 5.56 cartridge. The Mini-30 was attractive until I found that high-cap magazines are much rarer than for the Mini-14.
Things are getting narrowed down to an SKS or some sort of AK. I owned an SKS for a few years and, while I wasn’t disappointed, I wasn’t terribly impressed. Pretty crude and the trigger left a lot to be desired…..but they’re cheap and available. Stock rifles don’t handle detachable mags well, but I’ve seen mods to allow them to accept AK mags.
I don’t know a whole lot about AKs. From what I’ve seen online, there are tons of manufacturers out there turning parts kits into US-legal rifles in a wide range of configurations. Prices vary from $300 to well over $1K. I’m thinking about something in the $500-600 range. Any suggestions on outfits to look into / avoid? Any features to look for? Thoughts on folding stocks – side- and under-fold varieties?
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Jeff
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Keyser, WV
I'd hoped to get a milled receiver but it looks like the $$ is too high. Several outfits claim to be using heavy-walled stamped receivers - 1.6mm thick vs 1mm standard. Any experience with this?
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: South Texas
I was considering an Arsenal rifle......and sat there, considering it, as the prices climbed beyond my budget.
I'd hoped to get a milled receiver but it looks like the $$ is too high. Several outfits claim to be using heavy-walled stamped receivers - 1.6mm thick vs 1mm standard. Any experience with this?
I'd hoped to get a milled receiver but it looks like the $$ is too high. Several outfits claim to be using heavy-walled stamped receivers - 1.6mm thick vs 1mm standard. Any experience with this?
Stamped recievers will still outlast you, as a matter of fact the Bulgarians did a test a few years ago with a staped reciever AK and i think it took something like 300,000 rounds till the rifle failed and it was because the barrell wore out and bent, but the reciever was still in good condition.
dont get confused but there is 2 Arsenals, Arsenal Inc. and Arsenal of Texas, the first one being better since the rifle are actually built here there is better quality control over importing ones that may be substandard. Vector arms also makes a good under folder for about 500 with a stamped reciever, my buddy has one and loves it, i have shot it several times and i like the way it handles.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Keyser, WV
I recommend you stay with a Stamped AK that is within specs of the original AK. Some companies make thicker recievers to claim theirs are stronger and more durable but in fact they are using AK kits made for a narrower reciever which will cause problems later, like rivets for example. other problems youll encounter are the side folding stocks and underfolding stocks not working properly because the reciever is to thick.
Stamped recievers will still outlast you, as a matter of fact the Bulgarians did a test a few years ago with a staped reciever AK and i think it took something like 300,000 rounds till the rifle failed and it was because the barrell wore out and bent, but the reciever was still in good condition.
dont get confused but there is 2 Arsenals, Arsenal Inc. and Arsenal of Texas, the first one being better since the rifle are actually built here there is better quality control over importing ones that may be substandard. Vector arms also makes a good under folder for about 500 with a stamped reciever, my buddy has one and loves it, i have shot it several times and i like the way it handles.
Stamped recievers will still outlast you, as a matter of fact the Bulgarians did a test a few years ago with a staped reciever AK and i think it took something like 300,000 rounds till the rifle failed and it was because the barrell wore out and bent, but the reciever was still in good condition.
dont get confused but there is 2 Arsenals, Arsenal Inc. and Arsenal of Texas, the first one being better since the rifle are actually built here there is better quality control over importing ones that may be substandard. Vector arms also makes a good under folder for about 500 with a stamped reciever, my buddy has one and loves it, i have shot it several times and i like the way it handles.
Vector it is!
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,543
Likes: 4
From: Tomball, Texas
I'll ask a friend about the AKs. He prefers the Polish and Bulgarian versions.
Personally the best AK built is the Israeli Galil.
I gotta get on my project of finishing my RRA mid length AR and using a inch cut receiver for my L1A1.
MikeyB
Personally the best AK built is the Israeli Galil.
I gotta get on my project of finishing my RRA mid length AR and using a inch cut receiver for my L1A1.
MikeyB
Chapter President
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 506
Likes: 0
From: Eagle. ID
Stay away from Armalite? Yeah, the guys who INVENTED the thing (under Eugene Stoner @ Fairchild Ind.) wouldn't know how to actually MAKE one....
.....unless they've gone to * in the last few years?
The last test report I read on AR15's pitted the Armalite against Colt and Olympic Arms (whom I will never do business with), and the Armalite smoked 'em both in every category (about 7 years ago, I think).
Mine shoots like a dream (after some trigger work)....
.....unless they've gone to * in the last few years?
The last test report I read on AR15's pitted the Armalite against Colt and Olympic Arms (whom I will never do business with), and the Armalite smoked 'em both in every category (about 7 years ago, I think).
Mine shoots like a dream (after some trigger work)....
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: NH
Don't discount a .22
For survival it puts food on the plate. Accurate quiet and cheep.
.223 is good too. I like the AR over the AK due to accuracy. 50% better. that's enough to miss a small game target for food making you go hungry.
A side arm is only good to fight your way to your rifle. A bolt 30 cal (308 or if you hand load a 260 rem) with a good scope will reach out to 1000 yards. Get a gen 2 mil dot, a mil dot master, and a range finder. Learn to call the wind so you can hit what you aim at.
If you plan on shooting a LOT, than a .22 will get a ton of use and last.
A 45 is my favorite, but 9 mm is cheep and is NATO so ammo will be easy in a conflict.
Establishing realistic usage is the key. If plinking is what it will do the most .. and if you want to eat. a 22. In survival mode .. dogs cats "rats" birds feed you.. Bigger game a .22 will kill a moose if it HAS to. A cow too. Not the right choice but it will keep you from starving.
I suppose... one rife... hard choice.. a .223 bolt with a nice scope. Use FMJ and soft points depending on the role.
Better... AR 15, .22 rifle with scope and a pistol. (9mm makes sense but a .45 or 357 works better)
A lever action in 357 or 44 mag and a matching pistol is not a bad choice either. 38 wad-cutter will not mess up game to bad and is accurate.
But picking just one "gun" for everything is a compromise in many departments.
I am as accurate with my 260 (or more so) than a .22 but if I hit small game to eat... not much left. A .22 rifle you can shoot w/o hearing protection and still hear after unlike a 308 or 30-06 So many REAL advantages to a .22
Realistically the actual usage in survival is food and protection from dogs and others. Stealth/avoidance is a better survival took than engagement. IMHO.
Bottom line it reality you will end up getting what YOU think is cool and will enjoy it. The chances of a melt down are minimal If it does happen there will be plenty of weapons to pick from from the primary engagement "teams" whom ever they are. Friendly or foe. Once they become a causality they no longer need their weapons and they will have the most ammo in the long run.
Bottom line a .22 and a few bricks of good ammo will go a LONG way! 50 rounds in each shirt pocket are hardly noticeable. Try that with 308. 50 meals each pocket.
Hard to beat a good .22 rifle with iron sights AND a scope. Use it and learn it.
For survival it puts food on the plate. Accurate quiet and cheep.
.223 is good too. I like the AR over the AK due to accuracy. 50% better. that's enough to miss a small game target for food making you go hungry.
A side arm is only good to fight your way to your rifle. A bolt 30 cal (308 or if you hand load a 260 rem) with a good scope will reach out to 1000 yards. Get a gen 2 mil dot, a mil dot master, and a range finder. Learn to call the wind so you can hit what you aim at.
If you plan on shooting a LOT, than a .22 will get a ton of use and last.
A 45 is my favorite, but 9 mm is cheep and is NATO so ammo will be easy in a conflict.
Establishing realistic usage is the key. If plinking is what it will do the most .. and if you want to eat. a 22. In survival mode .. dogs cats "rats" birds feed you.. Bigger game a .22 will kill a moose if it HAS to. A cow too. Not the right choice but it will keep you from starving.
I suppose... one rife... hard choice.. a .223 bolt with a nice scope. Use FMJ and soft points depending on the role.
Better... AR 15, .22 rifle with scope and a pistol. (9mm makes sense but a .45 or 357 works better)
A lever action in 357 or 44 mag and a matching pistol is not a bad choice either. 38 wad-cutter will not mess up game to bad and is accurate.
But picking just one "gun" for everything is a compromise in many departments.
I am as accurate with my 260 (or more so) than a .22 but if I hit small game to eat... not much left. A .22 rifle you can shoot w/o hearing protection and still hear after unlike a 308 or 30-06 So many REAL advantages to a .22
Realistically the actual usage in survival is food and protection from dogs and others. Stealth/avoidance is a better survival took than engagement. IMHO.
Bottom line it reality you will end up getting what YOU think is cool and will enjoy it. The chances of a melt down are minimal If it does happen there will be plenty of weapons to pick from from the primary engagement "teams" whom ever they are. Friendly or foe. Once they become a causality they no longer need their weapons and they will have the most ammo in the long run.
Bottom line a .22 and a few bricks of good ammo will go a LONG way! 50 rounds in each shirt pocket are hardly noticeable. Try that with 308. 50 meals each pocket.
Hard to beat a good .22 rifle with iron sights AND a scope. Use it and learn it.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: south mississppi
A good EOTW gun is the Springfield M6 Scout, no longer in production it is a handy and accurate gun for what it is. I have the 22 hornet on top and 410 on the bottom, the other version is 22lr 410......
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 251
Likes: 1
From: Louisville, KY
As a gun collector and ffl holder I would have to say a bulgarin ak (wasr-10 type) is hard to beat. Order mil surplus ammo in sealed metal spam cans(checkout ak-47.net to see who has the best deals) and some extra mags. I own over 40 guns, most are more expensive than the Ak but none have the balance between unmatched out of the box reliability, cheap ammo,adequate, power and decent accuracy at such an affordable price.
Joe
Joe
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Keyser, WV
Don't discount a .22
For survival it puts food on the plate. Accurate quiet and cheep.
.223 is good too. I like the AR over the AK due to accuracy. 50% better. that's enough to miss a small game target for food making you go hungry.
A side arm is only good to fight your way to your rifle. A bolt 30 cal (308 or if you hand load a 260 rem) with a good scope will reach out to 1000 yards. Get a gen 2 mil dot, a mil dot master, and a range finder. Learn to call the wind so you can hit what you aim at.
If you plan on shooting a LOT, than a .22 will get a ton of use and last.
A 45 is my favorite, but 9 mm is cheep and is NATO so ammo will be easy in a conflict.
Establishing realistic usage is the key. If plinking is what it will do the most .. and if you want to eat. a 22. In survival mode .. dogs cats "rats" birds feed you.. Bigger game a .22 will kill a moose if it HAS to. A cow too. Not the right choice but it will keep you from starving.
I suppose... one rife... hard choice.. a .223 bolt with a nice scope. Use FMJ and soft points depending on the role.
Better... AR 15, .22 rifle with scope and a pistol. (9mm makes sense but a .45 or 357 works better)
A lever action in 357 or 44 mag and a matching pistol is not a bad choice either. 38 wad-cutter will not mess up game to bad and is accurate.
But picking just one "gun" for everything is a compromise in many departments.
I am as accurate with my 260 (or more so) than a .22 but if I hit small game to eat... not much left. A .22 rifle you can shoot w/o hearing protection and still hear after unlike a 308 or 30-06 So many REAL advantages to a .22
Realistically the actual usage in survival is food and protection from dogs and others. Stealth/avoidance is a better survival took than engagement. IMHO.
Bottom line it reality you will end up getting what YOU think is cool and will enjoy it. The chances of a melt down are minimal If it does happen there will be plenty of weapons to pick from from the primary engagement "teams" whom ever they are. Friendly or foe. Once they become a causality they no longer need their weapons and they will have the most ammo in the long run.
Bottom line a .22 and a few bricks of good ammo will go a LONG way! 50 rounds in each shirt pocket are hardly noticeable. Try that with 308. 50 meals each pocket.
Hard to beat a good .22 rifle with iron sights AND a scope. Use it and learn it.
For survival it puts food on the plate. Accurate quiet and cheep.
.223 is good too. I like the AR over the AK due to accuracy. 50% better. that's enough to miss a small game target for food making you go hungry.
A side arm is only good to fight your way to your rifle. A bolt 30 cal (308 or if you hand load a 260 rem) with a good scope will reach out to 1000 yards. Get a gen 2 mil dot, a mil dot master, and a range finder. Learn to call the wind so you can hit what you aim at.
If you plan on shooting a LOT, than a .22 will get a ton of use and last.
A 45 is my favorite, but 9 mm is cheep and is NATO so ammo will be easy in a conflict.
Establishing realistic usage is the key. If plinking is what it will do the most .. and if you want to eat. a 22. In survival mode .. dogs cats "rats" birds feed you.. Bigger game a .22 will kill a moose if it HAS to. A cow too. Not the right choice but it will keep you from starving.
I suppose... one rife... hard choice.. a .223 bolt with a nice scope. Use FMJ and soft points depending on the role.
Better... AR 15, .22 rifle with scope and a pistol. (9mm makes sense but a .45 or 357 works better)
A lever action in 357 or 44 mag and a matching pistol is not a bad choice either. 38 wad-cutter will not mess up game to bad and is accurate.
But picking just one "gun" for everything is a compromise in many departments.
I am as accurate with my 260 (or more so) than a .22 but if I hit small game to eat... not much left. A .22 rifle you can shoot w/o hearing protection and still hear after unlike a 308 or 30-06 So many REAL advantages to a .22
Realistically the actual usage in survival is food and protection from dogs and others. Stealth/avoidance is a better survival took than engagement. IMHO.
Bottom line it reality you will end up getting what YOU think is cool and will enjoy it. The chances of a melt down are minimal If it does happen there will be plenty of weapons to pick from from the primary engagement "teams" whom ever they are. Friendly or foe. Once they become a causality they no longer need their weapons and they will have the most ammo in the long run.
Bottom line a .22 and a few bricks of good ammo will go a LONG way! 50 rounds in each shirt pocket are hardly noticeable. Try that with 308. 50 meals each pocket.
Hard to beat a good .22 rifle with iron sights AND a scope. Use it and learn it.
Well, I have a good, accurate .22. I have a good, accurate bolt-action (7mm Rem Mag). I have a solid 12 ga. I have a good 9mm pistol. I think my basics are covered as far as being able to hunt / survive.....now I want a toy.....and if it happens to pack some serious firepower, it's a step in the right direction for more uuuhhh serious situations.