Wow, I never knew there was such a thing as a "high quality AK", I thought the point of there design was that you could NOT screw them up, not to be nail drivers. Now don't get me wrong, I have seen sniper variants and such, but y'all definately opened my eyes.
my brother has one that is probly the worst kind of AK, not even sure where it was made, can't hit anyhting a 100 yards, but it always goes bang.

As for EOTW, I would want my .22, .375 Winchester lever, 12 ga. side by side, and maybe the .38 revolver. Plus a tanker full of #2 fuel

 

check out a century arms, the best money i have spent in the last 10 years. i have a sheetmetal reciever hk parts gun in 308. i have a couple custom ar's, many bolt guns and even a sub machine gun. if ihad to whittle down to one gun this .308 would be it.

 

good point, Armalit does make good rifles like the AR10, Armalite does not make a law enforcment or military specific rifle like LMT, RRA and Colt. what you will find interesting is that almost every single matchup between AR's is that they always use a civilian model Colt AR which are not up to par compared to their LE6920 model (LE=law enforcement), I should have been more detailed in my earlier post. these rifles are made for every day use and are made using the best parts and every single rifle is tested right down to the accuracy and fit of the overall rifle, the civilian model is not. even though the assault rifle ban has passed the LE and Military models can only be bought by LE or Military but they are still legal to have and buy, you just have to look harder. and dont fall for the stamps on the rifles, most if not all companies put a stamp that reads "Restricted for Law Enforcement, Government use only" that stamp means nothing anymore and is stamped on civilian models as well, some companies use it now to attract customers.

the better quality product is from companies that make specifically for LE or Military, for example LMT, RRA, Colt, FN etc. etc. etc..


on another note you might say well my local sheriff uses a generic one that is half the cost, well this sheriff might be ill informed or tried to save taxpayers dollars. When it comes down to it, if the doodoo hits the fan is your rifle gonna be reliable? if that extra $100 will save your life in the future why not go for it

 

I just spoke to friend of mine that works at a gunstore as a gunsmith and he informed me that Armalite does make law enforcement specific rifle , but he says he thinks that they are not as good as an LMT, or RRA. He also said that alot of other companies are jumping into the same boat because that is a good way of attracting customers to, I guess the LE only stamp wasnt enough.

buying a gun is like buying a diesel truck, you couldve bought a chevy or ford, but the good ole' reliable Cummins made you buy Dodge. Just do your homework and be smart about what you buy cause it aint gonna be cheap.

 

you can get some very good AR-15s for that money.....or some others. RockRiver among others has great quality for the money and are mil spec......high capacity mags......cheap ammo.....surplus available through CMP or CHEAPER THAN DIRT or SPORTMANSGUID will get you 1000 rounds for $150 or thereabout....

Good for plinking, good for varmints...good if **** hits fan as you said. Just got to match the rounds to the target for best performance...and keep it clean as it is a gas cycling weapon.

good luck and let me know if interested as I have some websites to help you...

 

Rock River Arms, AR 15 awesome guy plus duty rifle

 

Im in almost the same boat, except I have a cheap pistol. Im looking at a ruger .45 ACP atm.

Im considering an AR toy later next year. I just dont know if I want the 5.56 or the 6.8. the 6.8 has a heavier slug, but same brass size.

I noticed no one has mentioned DPMS. I have heard they are finicky on ammo. They prefer premium ammo or handloads.

 

Another vote for the AK variant. I've got two Romanian built AK knockoffs. a SAR-1 (7.62x39) and a SAR-2 (5.45x39) The SAR-1 is a direct clone of the original AK47, only in semi auto only. The SAR-2 is a clone of the AK74, again in semi only.
Now, for a EOTWAWKI gun. The SAR-1 would be my first choice because it is REALLY hard to beat in terms of, first and foremost, Reliability! Secondly 7.62x39 ammo can be had at pretty much anyplace that sells ammo.
Back to the reliability isssue, I will say this of my SAR's. I have NEVER EVER bought a factory fresh gun that has failed to produce failures! Sounds ironic I know, let me explain. I bought a $1300 Kimber .45 pistol and HATED the thing till I had over 1000 rounds through it. It would stovepipe, FTEx, FTEj, etc. But BOTH of my (approx) $350 SAR's, with well over 1500 rounds each, has yet to exhibit ANY type of failure or flaw during operation. And all this while shooting every type of ammo available. Not one failure.
Did I mention that, as **** as I am, I've NEVER cleaned either SAR!?

All that said, if you want a rifle that goes BANG everytime you pull the trigger. The Romanian SAR's are an excellent choice in my book.

Go check ar15, and gunbroker. Between those two you'll find out what you're looking for.

Let us know what you decide on! PM me for more info if you need it!


PS. before anyone that hasn't hung out on ARFCOM asks. EOTWAWKI means. End Of The World As We Know It.

 

....a lot of good suggestions here....


A note: I don't think there is any "one" firearm that will do everything, the .223 variants lack any real range, the .308's are heavier, the more accurate bolt action rifles are capacity-limited, various high-cap pistols are great for close up work, but are typically only head-round capable to 40-ish meters.....

...so...

Get two of each, cosmoline-pack one each, and become proficient with the other "set"!

 

Properly set up and with practice, you might be surprised......
found this googling for "longest shot .223"

SPECS FOR KELLY AND DUSTINS HUNT 5-31-06 AT ROCKIN’ 7 RANCH
KELLY HARKEY:
ROCK RIVER ARMS AR-15 VARMINT MODEL, 24” 1:8 TWIST BULL BARREL,
LEUPOLD MARK IV 8.5-25 X 50MM TACTICAL,
BLACK HILLS .223 77 GRAIN MATCH HOLLOW POINT. LONGEST CONFIRMED SHOT AT 869 YARDS.

Of course, if you REALLY want to "Reach Out And Touch Someone".....



DUSTIN ISENHOUR:
BUSHMASTER VARMINTER AR-15, 24” 1:9 TWIST FLUTED BULL BARREL,
LEUPOLD MARK IV 4.5-14 X 50MM TACTICAL, BLACK HILLS .223
75 GRAIN MOLY COATED MATCH HOLLOW POINT. LONGEST CONFIRMED SHOT AT 759 YARDS.

 

This might be a little more$ than you want to spend but I just bought a Marlin lever action guide gun(short barrel) in 45-70. This thing is for real inside a couple of hundred yards. Bullets are avalible from 300 grains all the way through 500 + grains. I shot 1" groups from a rest at 100 yrds. I shot my 1st whitetail of the year with it from the back deck 2 days ago and you could see the shock value of a 350 grain jacketed hollow point. It was a med. sized doe and the shot caused her to take a step sideways appear to shiver for a millisecond and then staight down. I like it.
45-70 has been around a long time. It what Custers troops were carring at Little Bighorn and was commonly used by buffalo hunters. Todays rounds have nearly triple the velocity and double the ft.#s though. Shells are not necked down and are similar in size to a 410 shotgun shell. The kick is much more managable than a 7 mag, more of a shotgun type push than a fast sharp magnum type kick. The noise level is eaiser on the ears as well. Thanks for letting me brag.
Joe

 

Dont go and buy one of those army guns...Their peices. If you want a gun that you can have fun with, get a .223. My father is a gun collector, and has almost every gun Weatherby has made, and we both love them. I have a Howa, kind of a cheap weatherby, that i varmit hunt with. Its very versatile. I can got out one night a kill a 450 poud hog, and the next morning go out and shoot a deer, using the same ammunition. My friends all shoot big guns, because they think they need the power. They go out with a 300 Win. Mag, and can barely shoot it 2 times before getting hurt. I can shoot mine all night and still kill the same things they do with their big bore guns. If I could take any gun with me anywhere, it would be my faithful little .223.
~Not to mention, go to your local walmart, and look how cheap .223 chells are compared to everything else!~

Don

 

Many people don't realize that the .223 can be loaded up to improve terminal ballistics (what happens when the bullet hits). Not only can you tune the flight charecteristics, and sped, with minor adjustments in powder, and seating, you can load different bullets. This is an especially useful concept in the chambers that are set up for military loadings (Not so tight) like the AR and mini 14. Yoiu can load a 60, 62 or heavier bullet, A bullet with metal penetrator, or whatever it takes to meet the need ("soldier work" vs varminting). My point here is that when you take on buying a do it all rifle, then you take on the responsiblity to start being scientific about your loads. the rifle that is flexible, can indeed be used for several jobs, if the ammo is tuned to the specific job at hand.
My choice? Colt AR 15 with Nat Match HB, stock sights, Colt 4X scope, Colt 20 rd mags.
The Mini 14 is versitile, and I have never ever had trouble feeding, with 30 or 40 round mags. that gun is OLD. there is a company in Midland or Odessa TX that replaces the barrel with a accurized HB. relatively inexpensive too. The Mini 14 uses the time proven Garand style action, charging handle, and bolt.
Regarding the nice photo of the .50 BMG above: I have friends who just reurned from Iraq. Their primary weapon was the Barret 50. They cannot speak highly enough about the absolute stopping power of this arm. Accurate way over a half mile (max effective 1 mile, but hitting drops off to 88% and they like 1 shot kills) So far away the enemy never hears the report, their buddy just drops with his head gone... 750 grains, aluminum tip. Serious tool for a serious job.

 

Funny - I'm talking abotu at AK, but I think a Marlin Guide Gun in 45-70 is next on my list. I'm a reloader and I cast lead bullets. I love the idea of something so versatile. Heck, you can load those things up to just under .458Win Mag levels!

On the AK issue, I thin I've decided to get a Vector. Everyone seems to agree that it's a solid, middle-of-the-road AK and no one has anything bad to say about them.

One last dillema - fixed stock or under-folder? I like the fixed stock for straight-up shooting, but I fear that the folders will get hit with another ban before too long so I'd like to have one grandfathered. Does anyone know if buying and underfolder and converting it to a fixed is legal? The regs covering mods to these things baffle me.

 

I understand your thinking with the under folder and the inevitable ban. But if it were me buying a u/f I would keep it in that configuration. I don't think there ever has been any regulations on REMOVING so called "Evil Features" from a rifle of this type. Matter of fact you may get a pat on the back from the Klintons themselves by making your evil assault rifle all the more nicer!

But, before I single handedly get this thread locked. I will advise you to go hang out on the AK forum of AR15.com. Lurk if you have to, there's lotsa good advice to be had over there.