Can anyone recommend a rifle or carbine?

O

olegsomphane

New member
Can anyone recommend a rifle or carbine? I was looking for something that:

1) takes a common caliber (preferring 9x19, but 5.56x45 is ok, or possibly 7.62x51).
2) has parts readily available in the US.
3) is reliable.
4) is on the compact side.

I already have a PTR91 in 308 and I like it a bit, but it is fairly long and I cannot use it on the steel challenge at my range because of the power level of the cartridge. I am considering a short version of it (PDW at 23 ½" total length), but again too powerful and kind of expensive to shoot a lot.

I also got a chance to shoot an AR15 and liked the accuracy, ease of shooting, and handling, but hated the smell I got thrown in my face at every trigger pull. Operating instructions are also kind of funky compared to the PTR91.

I was looking at the CAI Sterling, but it is a century arms and parts availability is a bit more limited, or am I missing something here? The other option is the Kel Tec Sub 2000, but I have not seen a lot of people brag about its quality either...
 
Last edited:
You know, the old US M1 carbine is a great carbine. You can put a red dot or pistol scope on one, good size magazines, and reliable/easy to maintain. If you do plan to mod it get a commercial one. Less expensive and not a piece of history.
 
Could look at a cx4 storm, or a lar-9 from Rock River. The lar-9 uses a blowback action instead of the DI, not sure if that'll get rid of the problem you had with the AR.
 
questions

Not sure what your intent or interest is. You mention shooting steel, I'm thinking any 'rifle" caliber would be hard on steel unless it was at a distance.

That aside, I'm a fan of the Ruger Mini family, though many are not. Would seem to meet all your parameters.
 
The M1 uses a different caliber, unless I am looking at the wrong one.

I didn't know the lar-9 was a blow back, where can I find specs for it? Didn't see anything on RRA's site other than order forms.

The CX4 Storm looks interesting.

The steel challenge is at a pistol range using frangible ammo, so they only allow .223 or less.

I am looking for something as a companion to my ptr91.
 
The steel challenge is at a pistol range using frangible ammo, so they only allow .223 or less.
Click to expand...

Then the 7.62x51 does not fit your requirement.

How about the FNH PS90 with the 5.7x28mm. $1300
Or get the FS2000 chambered in 5.56x45. $1900
Or you could get a AR57 upper ($600) and an AR15 lower ($300-$400)

What's your budget?
 
If you're main concern about the AR platform is has getting to you during firing just get a "gas buster" charging handle and you're all set.

Cheap ammo every part under the sun is very readily available and you can even get US made ones


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I would suggest the AR simply because it is such a well known platform that there's nothing that's a mystery about it. It also is much more flexible, with the ability to swap out entire upper receivers to allow different barrel lengths and calibers

The M1 uses a different caliber, unless I am looking at the wrong one.
Click to expand...

The M1 carbine fires.... .30 carbine :) It is not a "common" ammunition. I feel that the M1 carbine is a perfect little rifle in many ways but it doesn't seem to remotely fit your needs


I also got a chance to shoot an AR15 and liked the accuracy, ease of shooting, and handling, but hated the smell I got thrown in my face at every trigger pull. Operating instructions are also kind of funky compared to the PTR91.
Click to expand...

Respectfully, you haven't fired every AR. You've fired one. That seems an obvious statement but the AR platform is as prolific as the 1911 platform, and as such you'll get superior examples, great examples, good examples, and poor examples. The mere fact that its an AR confers nothing in regard to AR rifles as a platform. Your observation about the smell is interesting to me. I have fired four or five different manufacturer's ARs and I, despite having a very good olfactory sense, do not detect any unusual smells when firing. There's a port in the buttstock, right in the buttplate, which is presumably where the smell you've detected is coming from. I can't help but wonder if the ammunition you were using or a particularly dirty rifle are to blame here, not the AR design

In regard to operation, I am puzzled. The AR platform is simple enough that its considered a good platform for uninitiated recruits, although everyone's perception of 'easy' or 'hard' or even "funky" is subjective, although I will mention that I would not expect the AR platform to have the same procedures and manual of arms as any other rifle. If they were the same, well, they'd probably be the same rifle ;)
 
I'm a bit new to guns, so my knowledge/experience is limited. I have always wanted to shoot, but my parents weren't so enthusiastic about it.

The AR15 I fired was in the Smith and Wesson M&P line, not exactly sure which model. The ammo was reloaded from match-grade industries. Can anyone recommend something else to try? I would like to shoot it before I commit to buying or building one.

The FS2000 looks pretty cool, but it is a bit pricey. I would have to do a bit of reading up on it, since it looks interesting. It's p90 cousin seems a bit costly to feed.

For the mechtech, if I use it to convert a glock into a "rifle", is the glock considered a rifle (can it be legally carried concealed)?

I am ideally looking for something around $1300 or less. Anything more and I would be tempted to have a gunsmith build me an mp5 or get a quality bolt action rifle.

Oh and if I got a 308/7.62 pistol, I know I wouldn't be using it on the steel. I was initially considering it because of the price/similarity but it probably isn't a good idea.
 
... Why not just get a 1300 dollar bolt action you could set up something real nice including optics for that price
 
I would reccommend the CX4 storm in 9mm or an AR15 in 9mm, I have shot hte storm and it is fun, I own the AR and with the right optics it's easily an MOA rifle out to 100 yards. I've never shot past that so I dont know how flat it shoots over range.
 
The options are numerous for the specifics you mentioned.

1300 can get you plenty of rifle.

you can get an AR in many calibers,
Mini in three calibers.
Many 9mm options.


It really boils down to the final use of the rifle....what role will it eventually fill.
will it become a working gun, or will it always be a fun gun?

When most of my weapons were purchased, I was a paper puncher, can blaster. I never once in a million years thought about hunting. Now I hunt pigs and varmints out of necessity, just so happens my rifles fit the bill. My most used rifle is a mini 14 ranch rifle, but an AR would have worked just fine.


So you may someday become a hunter, law enforcement or a mercenary....get a useable caliber
 
These Soviet built Mosin carbines are a ton of fun to shoot. Commie surplus ammo is very affordable, too.

This photo of the happy Nebraska hunter was sent by a friend.

Jack

mosincarbine.jpg
 
Check out the AK type rifles in .223 caliber. You can also get these rifles with folding stocks to make them real small until you need them. When you need them, pop them out, fold out the stock and engage as needed. In addition, you can also get scopes that slide on and off for easy/quick attaching. These AK rifles with the folding stocks become so small that you can carry them in a tennis racket bag or inside of a rucksack.
 
I am going to jump in with a suggestion----ATI JR Carbine. It has most of the AR looks, the same controls, picitinny rail, flat top for optics and has an AR six position stock. I have one in .40 S&W and it has been stone cold reliable and the best part is----it uses my Glock 22 mags. I have some 'off shore' 30 rounds mags I am going to try as soon as the weather warms.
Many question a pistol caliber carbine,I was one, but after checking on some, I found the logic. I use the same ammo as my Glock 22, same mags as my Glock 22, it has the same controls as my M&P AR and takes most AR after market parts. I have Magpul foding sights and will eventually add a Bushnell Red Dot. It is very accurate out to about 50 yards, but I try to keep it around 25 yards or so as I figure that 25-50 yards is the max effective range.
For what you are willing to spend, you can get a ATI JR carbine AND a S&W 'Sport' AR. Both are US made if that makes a difference.
 
I have a KelTec Sub2000 which uses Glock 9mm magazines. It's inexpensive, fun to shoot, and accurate for plinking. It combines nicely with my Glock 9mm pistols. If you're looking for a pistol calibre carbine for plinking, I recommend it. The OP's post doesn't specify intended purpose for the carbine. I think you should consider first the intended function, then the type of platform required for that function, then the range of platforms within one's price range for any tool, including firearms. I get the guns I like for what I want to do with them for what I can afford. I use the $$ I save from this approach to buy more ammo, and I don't keep any "safe queens". Just my 2 cents worth....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top