'75scout

I am looking to purchase my 1st rifle as my next firearm. I'm pretty squared away for handguns at this moment, although many more will be in my future. I'm not a hunter or target shooter. My only interest is having a fun military style plinker I can take out and enjoy. Might be rotated in with my 870 for home defense. Would use my choice for any tactical carbine courses that I may take in the future. Might use if for a squad car rifle if I get accepted into the academy and the department allows it. I have found 3 rifles that I really like. I realli have no preference for one over the other and would love to own any of them. But I can't make up my mind and would like some recommendations. Oh and I don't want to hear any votes for ARs or FALs. Both good guns, but I prefer the ones listed below.

1. Vepr K in either 7.62x39mm or 5.56. A little less expensive than the Arsenal and alot cheaper than the Socom 16. IMO the best looking AK by far and overbuilt for the role, but are hard to come by. Accessories are harder to come by, but I would only plan to add an Ultimak rail, EoTech sight, Ace folding stock, and Surefire light. Would probably go with the 5.56 because its easier to find now a days, is less expensive, and I believe it will be more accurate.

2. Arsenal Ak in 5.56. I would get the stamped reciever to get a lighter, handier weapon and the 5.56 round would equal to less recoil and faster target reaquisition. A dealer I know can get them very easily. I handled an Arsenal AK in .223 and I loved it. Felt better built than any AR I have ever handled and I really don'y find it that much less ergonomic. Accessories are easier to find than the Vepr, but I would add the same things.

3. Springfield Armory M1A Socom 16. An awesome take on a legendary rifle. 308 round it more powerful and I could potentially use it for the ocassional hunt (which is rare). It is an expensive weapon at $1600ish and the increase in firepower isn't necessarily needed. Heavier than the Arsenal, Vepr might be close. But I can handle the weight and I don't plan on carrying it slung on my back for miles at a time. My only mod would be to add an EoTech sight.

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CombatEffective

If you are going to plink with it, 7.62x39 and 5.56 would be much cheaper than.308. I personally prefer 7.62x39 to 5.56.

I love the SOCOM 16 setup, but the cost of the rifle and the ammo is much higher than the other options.

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Bud White

Lets see since we're spending your money and i have no ideal of the quality of the other rifles

I would go with the Springfield

'75scout

Sounds like rational decision making. I love spending other peoples money. I just helped my Father in Law pick out his 1st gun, a Sig 229. He finally decided to get into guns. Maybe he wanted to be able to participate in his two Son in Laws' conversations. But most likely he got tired of being stuck with the women while we are out destroying paper.

And the Vepr K and Arsenal are both two of the best civilian AK-47 styled weapons available. I have handled both and they are solid as a tank and would be as accurate as the normal AR-15 Carbine. I like AKs better than ARs and have always wanted to own one.

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JT

VEPRs and Arsenal are both great, but if you don’t mind the weight, I would say get the VEPR as it has an edge on the Arsenal, in my opinion. If you can find one. The ROBARM VERPs are very nice, but are not being imported anymore, and ROBARM lost the contract. The new ones, when they come in will probably be as nice (depending on who does the conversion), but we will have to wait and see. IZHMASH (makers of the Saiga) now owns MOLOT (makers of the VEPR). Nothing wrong with Saigas, but they are not in the same class as VEPRS. Hopefully IZHMASH will keep the VEPR at the same original quality as their premium line of AKs.

As for the SOCOM, it’s hard to compare to the Arsenal and the VEPRS because you can get 2-3 AKs for the price of a SOCOM. If someone gave me my choice of a free gift, it would be the SOCOM, but if I was buying a rifle (especially my first), it would be one of the AKs, as they are a much better value for the money.

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Rob72

SA is still working out some things with the SOCOMs, or so I hear. Even an expensive AK will be more cost efficient in ammo, parts and accsys. The 16" gas SOCOM platforn also negates a good bit of the .308 advantage.

AutoFan

I'd get one each of the VEPR and Arsenal, one in 5.56, one in 7.62x39, and forget the SOCOM.

CLASS3NH

Psssssssssssssssttt............wait til the Sig 556 come out...........they're also getting a 308 version ready for retail sale as well........A SOCOM would be a nice addition too

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Scott

Of course you aren't biased or anything are you?

A .308 version sounds good though.

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'75scout

I don't like the looks of the 556, thanks though and I'm sure it will be a sweet rifle. Let me ask you guys this, which caliber is best for use in the AK platform. 7.62x39mm has a little more punch and is more than accurate enough for my purposes. But the ammo selection is limited. And currently it is equal to more expensive than .223/5.56. While the 5.56 is lighter in recoil, weight, and stopping power. But ammo selection is a whole lot better and might be more accurate.

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