Almost time to buy a rifle...but which one??

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I've owned and built AR's, owned AK's and an HK91.

Now I'm looking for a SHTF rifle to keep in the safe and shoot occasionally. Here is my dilemma...

AR15 - reliable, cheap to shoot, plenty of parts available, easy to work on and repair.
AK - reliable, plenty of parts available, cheap to shoot, good ones are expensive here in Massachusetts
FN-FAL - always dreamed of having one!! good ones are expensive in Mass, more expensive to shoot.
M1 Garand - always wanted one, expensive to shoot, not very handy to carry, good ones are expensive in Mass
Mini 14 - cheap to shoot, cost about the same as an AR in Mass, not very accurate, good mags are harder to find.

The common sense side of me says to buy an AR but the other side of my brain says to get an FAL just to be different....and then the nagging old school side of me says to get an M1 Garand knowing full well that I will probably sell it off in a couple of months..
 
Based on what you said, in Mass. the AR looks like it might be your best choice. But why only take out of the safe and shoot occasionally? The Ar is a good dependable platform, Use it till it becomes a extended part of you. In a SHTF situation you do not have time to think about the tool you are using, your hands must do all that needs to be done while your mind is tending to the situation you are facing. You do not have time to look at you weapon and see if it is ready.
 
Mainly because most of the ranges in my area are indoor/pistol only ranges. Getting out to a rifle range requires some driving so I won't be getting to those as often as I would like.....This state kinda sucks!!
 
I'm in a similar situation, and I am looking at the Rock River Arms LAR-8 standard A4, possibly adding their Tactical CAR stock kit at some time. I want something with a little more punch than the .223 round can give, and I am not looking at a rifle I can trick out to the point it looks like a well-armed christmas tree (just want some optics and a bipod). The LAR platform did have some problems early in production, but it looks like they have sorted out the glitches.
 
Just get the FN FAL. You know it's what you really want. Even if you can't shoot it as often as you like, you can still take it out and admire it, cycle the action, rub it down with oil. Damn, I better stop, I'm getting excited.
 
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The Socom will be the next weapon I buy, I just never have liked the M16 Platform, and I am a former Marine.
Dont get me wrong, its a fine weapon, I just never liked it.
 
I vote AK. IMO, it's the ultimate SHTF rifle. Think about it---In places where SHTF every day (Somalia, any of the Stans, ect...) they perform well. FALs are fun, but they're big and heavy. AKs do their best work at 150m and in. In SHTF type scenarios, I don't see a lot of need to reach out beyond that.

Where are you at in MA? My parents live in western MA and the Springfield Sportsmans Club (on a mountain in Monson) is where I go shooting. It's a pretty sweet set up (pistol ranges, rifle ranges, clays, and lots of steel...). If you're in eastern MA---good luck with that ;)

I always try to check to see which guns I can bring to MA because I don't want to show up there with an 'illegal' gun :rolleyes:. One of the many reasons I left the People's Republic of Massachusetts a long time ago...
 
I'm right next to Boston...If Palmetto State Armory keeps their sale on AR uppers running for another month then I will probably end up building myself another M4gery.
 
Honestly the best way to find out what to buy, is to decide what caliber you want/need/can afford. Then the choice becomes much easier.

And I know it may not be an option but.... consider moveing away from Mass.;)
 
Actually

This has been discussed in detail on several Survival Boards.

The Winner was a Ruger Mini-30 (not the 14)

I own a Ruger Mini-30 and they are much better than the old Mini-s prior to 2005, they have a improved barrel for better accuracy.

VOTE: Ruger Mini-30 :)
 
The problem I have with the mini 30 is that you are likely to get a rifle that won't set off the hard primers found on steel cased 7.62x39.
And frankly if a rifle cannot fire the most common and afordable ammo found in its caliber then I have no use for it. A person would be better off just getting an AK, cheaper mags, cheaper rifle, not picky about ammo etc..

(just my opinion)
 
No, the winner was FAL.

Read Bostons Gun Bible. There is an exhaustive comparison of the AR, AK, FAL, M1A, etc. with ratings and reasons why pro and con on each.

Or, you can just take it from me and go FAL.
 
The problem I have with the mini 30 is that you are likely to get a rifle that won't set off the hard primers found on steel cased 7.62x39.
And frankly if a rifle cannot fire the most common and afordable ammo found in its caliber then I have no use for it. A person would be better off just getting an AK, cheaper mags, cheaper rifle, not picky about ammo etc..

(just my opinion)
Click to expand...

You are %100 correct, boxer primer only in the gun :)
 
U already own an AR? Then why buy another!? I mean, under the circumstances. The FN FAL I have only fired in full auto to be honest but it is great for what it is which is NOT a tack-driver. For the purposes you stated the AR woulda been my suggestion, but, you've got that covered already it seems.
 
I don't currently own an AR. I said that I have owned and built a few AR's.

I currently own handguns (one of which is my daily carry) and a 22 rifle. I've owned bolt action rifles and I do currently like the Ruger Scout .308 but I'd rather have a semi auto.
 
One word: SKS!!!

The problem I have with the mini 30 is that you are likely to get a rifle that won't set off the hard primers found on steel cased 7.62x39.
And frankly if a rifle cannot fire the most common and afordable ammo found in its caliber then I have no use for it. A person would be better off just getting an AK, cheaper mags, cheaper rifle, not picky about ammo etc..
Click to expand...

Yes, and no. I put the Wolff XP hammer spring in mine, and while it STILL won't shoot Tula reliably, and while it feeds Wolf & Brown Bear unreliably, it shoots very well with Silver Bear & Golden Bear, both of which I can generally buy for under $8/box. I bought a whole bunch of Golden Bear last week at a gun show for $6/box.

That said, you shouldn't have to go to all that trouble. So, rather than buying ONE Mini-30, buy TWO SKS's. :D They'll shoot ANYTHING.
 
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