johnwilliamson062
Moderator
If only one, then I recommend you look at the AR. lots of options with it. Will be more than $500 though. Sometimes it is best to save a little longer.
Rifle Guru's only please...my 1st/only rifle???
- Thread starter andre4999
- Start date
The Marlin's in pistol calibers aren't a bad choice, but finding one at any price is next to impossible right now. If you do it will be over $500. A used 30-30 might be picked up for $350-$400.
Put another $150 with that and just buy an AR. They are all over the place for $600 -$650.
To be honest I think a 22 would be a better choice at this time for your uses.
Put another $150 with that and just buy an AR. They are all over the place for $600 -$650.
To be honest I think a 22 would be a better choice at this time for your uses.
Magnum Wheel Man
New member
I'm a collector, builder of custom rifles, & a shooter / reloader with my own rifle range... "guru" ??? got a couple suggestions though...AK is not in the pistol caliber, but ammo is still cheap, & rifles can be as well... offers cheaper shooting, & more power than most calibers listed so far...
there is alot to be said for cheap throw away ammo cases... I reload ( alot ) & am getting so I hate shooting anything that throws those cases around... the steel cased ammo has alot of benifits for guys like me... my SKS has gotten to be my most fired center fire semi auto rifle
got a buddy that bought a High Point 9 mm... loved it so much, he went out & bought another
I shoot Cowboy action shooting, & now have 6 lever action rifles... ranging from 38 / 357 up to 45-70 Marlin Guide gun, that can handle most any power range, & my custom 50 A.E. Marlin... while I love the boomers... that little 38 / 357 is one of the sweetest shooting rifles I own
there is alot to be said for cheap throw away ammo cases... I reload ( alot ) & am getting so I hate shooting anything that throws those cases around... the steel cased ammo has alot of benifits for guys like me... my SKS has gotten to be my most fired center fire semi auto rifle
got a buddy that bought a High Point 9 mm... loved it so much, he went out & bought another
I shoot Cowboy action shooting, & now have 6 lever action rifles... ranging from 38 / 357 up to 45-70 Marlin Guide gun, that can handle most any power range, & my custom 50 A.E. Marlin... while I love the boomers... that little 38 / 357 is one of the sweetest shooting rifles I own
chris in va
New member
If you save a wee bit more money, you can get the excellent S&W Sport for $630.
Skip the HiPoint, I had one and it broke three times.
The 357 lever action would also be a good one.
Skip the HiPoint, I had one and it broke three times.
The 357 lever action would also be a good one.
I got an 1894 years ago, on a whim. My wife's family wanted to pitch in on a new gun for me. Not much under $1000 really interested me, but my LGS had a Marlin in stock. I always thought they were sorta cool, but never wanted one, exactly.
So I'm thinking that I don't want to be greedy, and the Marlin was about $400, so it went home with us.
I love that thing. What a great gun! It's accurate, pretty quiet with .38s, balances well, and it's got a nice piece of walnut on it too. And powerful enough to be legal for deer in many states.
My vote would be for the Marlin, in .357, or .44 if you want something heavier.
So I'm thinking that I don't want to be greedy, and the Marlin was about $400, so it went home with us.
I love that thing. What a great gun! It's accurate, pretty quiet with .38s, balances well, and it's got a nice piece of walnut on it too. And powerful enough to be legal for deer in many states.
My vote would be for the Marlin, in .357, or .44 if you want something heavier.
RedBowTies88
New member
AK.
I don't really know why this is even a question? Ammo is as cheap as most pistol calibers and if you get one in .223/5.56 ammo will be available everywhere.
They're not heavy are not much larger then a pistol carbine and they ALWAYS work. plus plenty of high caps available.
WASR-3 or 10
or converted saiga in .223/7.62
Both can be had easily for under $500
I don't really know why this is even a question? Ammo is as cheap as most pistol calibers and if you get one in .223/5.56 ammo will be available everywhere.
They're not heavy are not much larger then a pistol carbine and they ALWAYS work. plus plenty of high caps available.
WASR-3 or 10
or converted saiga in .223/7.62
Both can be had easily for under $500
Great feedback. Thank you.
I would get the WASR or SAIGA if getting a "rifle" rifle.
Even with the folding stock mod and cheap ammo, it would be the ONLY ammo (trying to consolidate and minimize calibers)...as well as prob.? being a bit heavy on hikes. I mean I hiked my previous sks around with all the other stuff and it was too big and bulky.(but a helluva rifle...only one I ever owned)
sorry for not clarifying. If I had the money and if it were available(always sold out)...keltec shotgun hands down.
I'm wanting the high point for the money, but maybe just need to wait on a deal for the marlin...every time I "settle" later I wish I'd just "saved".
I would get the WASR or SAIGA if getting a "rifle" rifle.
Even with the folding stock mod and cheap ammo, it would be the ONLY ammo (trying to consolidate and minimize calibers)...as well as prob.? being a bit heavy on hikes. I mean I hiked my previous sks around with all the other stuff and it was too big and bulky.(but a helluva rifle...only one I ever owned)
sorry for not clarifying. If I had the money and if it were available(always sold out)...keltec shotgun hands down.
I'm wanting the high point for the money, but maybe just need to wait on a deal for the marlin...every time I "settle" later I wish I'd just "saved".
Looking for a hi cap mag but don't want the weight really limits it, if you didn't like the SKS you won't want an AR or AK for the same weight and size reason. Lever gun has mag capacity limits although you can top off as you go.
If you can get away from the pistol caliber I'd look at an old (pre 2002 I believe) mini 14. Light, quick, close to your budget used, high cap capable, reasonable power and reasonable accuracy. Added bonus the WORK, almost always.
If you can get away from the pistol caliber I'd look at an old (pre 2002 I believe) mini 14. Light, quick, close to your budget used, high cap capable, reasonable power and reasonable accuracy. Added bonus the WORK, almost always.
RedBowTies88
New member
An ak is much smaller then an sks, add a folding stock and it's even shorter. And they are not heavy.
I don't wanna sound like an ak cheerleader but it clearly sounds like the best option for you. If you have the chance try to
handle one with a collapsing or foldable stock.
I don't wanna sound like an ak cheerleader but it clearly sounds like the best option for you. If you have the chance try to
handle one with a collapsing or foldable stock.
Red Tornado
New member
Sounds like you want a PCC that has magazine compatibility with one of your pistols. The Keltec would probably give the most options. Or, how about a Mechtech conversion to use n a current pistol frame?
RT
RT
I suggest you get Midway's DVD entitled "Gunsmithing the AR15" for about $15. With a few tools you can build your own AR15 from scratch. I have done so and had so much fun I got a bit carried away and am now on about my 20th build. Some rifles I'm into for less than $500 some more but I have very much enjoyed knowing the gun down to the last single roll pin. The process taught me a lot about rifles in general too. This is not the simple answer but I have purchased about 6 of the DVDs and made gifts of them. Larry Poterfield does a great job explaining and I can not mix and match almost any parts from any gun in the AR15 type. (careful with headspaces if you mix and match).
I think you may want to reconsider your criteria, and I want to add to the note of some of the other guys here. If you want a "rifle", something with distance performance, power, and different from your pistols and shotgun, then you shouldn't be looking for something in a pistol caliber. Its not hard to choose between ammo, or pick the difference between a rifle and a pistol caliber.
With your price range, I wouldn't consider an AR. In my book, an AR is meant to be reliable, decently accurate, and really not practical for anything but warfare and shooting range plinking. And you won't find a reliable one under 500 unless your really lucky.
I have not had much experience with pistol round rifles, at least none with any good accuracy. Most seem to be safari protection/ survival guns to me.
For 400, you can get a good bolt action savage in many different cal, like .223, .243, .22-250, .308. Then choose what you want to do. Small, med, or big game, or just a paper killer. How far do you want to shoot?
I mean, even though some do, I doubt you will be putting a decent scope and shooting to 400 yards with an ar or pistol cal rifle, or even half of that. To my knowledge, and I may be wrong so don't flame me, but pistol cal rifles always came off to me as survival rifles. If you want to break your norm, and get something different, get a standard rifle cal, and put some lead far down the range.
To me, there is nothing better than making 400 yard shots on a gong. The fire, seconds of delay, and the clunk in return. It is much more satisfying that the bang bang bang of pistols. Your not shooting something, but sending something. Sending it far, and exactly where you want it.
With your price range, I wouldn't consider an AR. In my book, an AR is meant to be reliable, decently accurate, and really not practical for anything but warfare and shooting range plinking. And you won't find a reliable one under 500 unless your really lucky.
I have not had much experience with pistol round rifles, at least none with any good accuracy. Most seem to be safari protection/ survival guns to me.
For 400, you can get a good bolt action savage in many different cal, like .223, .243, .22-250, .308. Then choose what you want to do. Small, med, or big game, or just a paper killer. How far do you want to shoot?
I mean, even though some do, I doubt you will be putting a decent scope and shooting to 400 yards with an ar or pistol cal rifle, or even half of that. To my knowledge, and I may be wrong so don't flame me, but pistol cal rifles always came off to me as survival rifles. If you want to break your norm, and get something different, get a standard rifle cal, and put some lead far down the range.
To me, there is nothing better than making 400 yard shots on a gong. The fire, seconds of delay, and the clunk in return. It is much more satisfying that the bang bang bang of pistols. Your not shooting something, but sending something. Sending it far, and exactly where you want it.
Last edited: