Need advice

C

CD1

New member
Id like to bank on some of the experience represented on this forum. I currently own several firearms, mostly for hunting. I own a Sig P220 in .45 and Im looking to purchase a rifle that I could use in self defense in TSHTF.
Im looking for something reliable, accurate, affordable to shoot, light, high capacity, and semi auto. I would also welcome any and all comments on this subject as I would like to get this purchase right the first time, and having varied opinions upon which to base my decision is important.
Thanks in advance.
 
Several things: Do you live in town--with neighbors to consider, from missed shots--or in a more rural setting, where misses may well not matter. Hunting rifles are excellent at ranges outside 100 yards. Pistols, pragmatically, are best suited for ranges of ten yards or less. It would seem to me, then, that effectiveness out to maybe 100 yards is the most practical distance where you might need the "fuel capacity" of a large-mag semi-auto. Another factor is whether you expect warning--over some period of days or weeks--and whether you know you would be home or close to it when Mr. Necessity arrives.

I may upset some folks, but I think that it is little or no faster to shoot aimed fire and shift to different targets, using a semi-auto, lever action or even a bolt-action. It is indeed *easier*, but not necessarily faster. A lot of it depends, as usual, on how you train, and how much you train.

The AK cartridge or the .223 would do fine; AK clones, Minis, ARs...The .357 and .44 lever actions can let you ruin somebody's day within 100 yards.

So, you gotta figure out your probable scenario before you can really make any decisions.

FWIW, Art
 
I chose a Bushmaster 16" with a Surefire tac light and ACOG Reflex sight. It is loaded with commercial hollowpoint ammo. Kiesler's Wholesale in Indiana has Bushmasters with legal comps and A1 uppers for 600 bucks dealer cost. 16 and 20 inch barrels are available. My experience with three Bushmaster rifles is excellent.
 
For defencibilty with an eye toward after-action review in court, lever action .30-30 or .357mag.

If you realy aren't concerned with court, a Mini-14 with Ramline or Millet magazines.

I'd load regular ball ammunition. You never know when goblins have kevlar skin.
 
The A1 sighted C7 upper is my favorite on a defensive AR. The sights are "set 'em and forget 'em" rugged, and the upper is slightly lighter than the A2 to boot. A Bushmaster carbine with A1 sights is the way to go, IMHO.
 
CD1,

I own two rifles that I think would match your requirement; reliable, accurate, affordable to shoot, light, high capacity, and semi auto. One of them is better for a strictly home defense situation, and the other has different benefits.

The first is a SAR3. This is an AK74, but in a .223 caliber. Many people on different forums will give different comments, but the newer ones have apparently solved the problems that the originals had. This rifle meets all of the requirements listed by you, unless you require true MOA accuracy (which I don't think is required for true home defense). It is not a rifle that you will admire for its workmanship (with it's stamped receiver), but it works very well.

The second is a AR15. Mine is a 24" Bushmaster with the ribbed barrel, so it is not as handy as the SAR3. However, it is easily capable of sub MOA accuracey. Many options are also available should you need/want them.

Both of these use the readily available, cheap .223 ammunition, and have high capacity magazines available (not always cheap, though). This means that you can practise with these a lot.

As for comments, unless you live in the country and have plenty of room around you, I am not sure in what situation you would need these. As you used "TSHTF", if everything went REALLY bad, these would both be excellent rifles to have, as the .223 is the military standard, and almost everyone seems to have ammunition for them.

However, an older military rifle, a true "battle rifle" might be an even better choice if things were REALLY, REALLY bad. The .308 M14 clone would be a better all around rifle, IMHO, or even an M1.

The M1 uses 30/06, probably the cartridge that has taken more game in this country over the last 100 years than all others combined. You can get one for $400 or $500 if you don't want a collectors quality gun. The M1A will cost more, but has the benefit of using the round that is probably the favorite sniper long distance round in this country.

Sorry about rambling on, but you did ask for opinions. I own all the above (except for the M1A), so I guess I REALLY have things covered!

Casey

[This message has been edited by Casey (edited October 20, 2000).]
 
tfore.jpg


;)

dZ
 
I have found the Ak47 type rifle to be very reliable.For legal and tactical reasons that I can congure up in my mind I like the lever actions better.the pistol calibers are ok at close range but reliability leaves something to be desired in some rifles.I personally have had better luck with the winchester 94 than the marlin or the Rossie in pistol calibers.I have owned them all.they can be finiky when it comes to different bullet configurations.I live in a rural area and If it comes down to it I will grab my Browning BLR in 308win every time. the browning has a 2x7 scope on it but on 2 power I have all of the field of view I need past point and shoot ranges and I have all of the accuracy and range I can use if it turned into a longer range encounter,one shot one kill,than move. I have also found the Marlin 336 in 30/30 to be very reliable.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top