Looking at several semi-auto rifles but cant make a decision. - Page 2

bmcgilvray · April 17th, 2009, 12:37 AM

"CETME 308
Romanian AK
SKS (Not all that interresting)
Mini-14
Century Arms FAL
Hungarian AK47 AKM
US M1 30 Carbine National Ordnance"

If choosing strictly from this list I'd go for the Century Arms FAL. I like the .308 best of the rounds represented in this list and like the FAL better than the CETME.

Rexster · April 17th, 2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErnieNWillis

I am looking for a semi-auto rifle for under $1000. I know I cant touch an AR for that , but I have done some research and found a plethera of options that are with in my budget.

CETME 308
Romanian AK
SKS (Not all that interresting)
Mini-14
Century Arms FAL
Hungarian AK47 AKM
US M1 30 Carbine National Ordnance

What is the best option?

My best option, and personal choice, is the Mini-14. I have an AR15, but prefer the Mini for most of my needs.

Sarge45 · April 17th, 2009, 01:46 PM

Don't under estimate the Mini. The new 16" barrel Tacticals are the way to go, believe me. New tooling and redesigned, these little Minis are excellent semi auto's. I own a 16" and I just love it. You owe it to yourself.

Rob72 · April 17th, 2009, 06:05 PM

For $1000, total investment?

Hard choices. 7.62x39 and .223 calibers are roughly the same in availibility- virtually nil, unless you get lucky.

The 7.62x51 choices are more powerful, and ammo is out there, but it will be hunting ammo, around $1.00/round. It works, but pricey.

I usually get odd looks, but I recommend the Browning BAR or Remington 750 or 7600 in an "off" caliber. .270 is a good cartridge, and sitting on the shelves in 4 SuperWalmarts, locally. That's not even true for .22LR, at the moment.

7mm is another option, but it's a pretty stout cartridge, ala the .30-06.

Rifle, 2-5 mags and 250 rounds will put you right around $1000, and your ammo isn't nearly as likely to keep skipping towards the limits of financial possibility. Not nearly as sexy, but more practical in many respects. Good luck!

Katana · April 17th, 2009, 06:48 PM

Romanian AK's can be an exceptional value for the price you're looking to pay. You just have to know what to look for.

Fmr18z · April 26th, 2009, 03:39 PM

If you haven't purchased a rifle yet, I'd also recommend the WASR 10 with a folding stock, the one I have is accurate (3" groups @ 200yds), goes bang all the time, folds down to a smaller size for storage and carrying. I used both the M-16A1 (AR 15) and AK-47 for 25 years, for dependability and accuracy I'd go for the AK, JMHO. Yesterday when I went to buy some ammo, the 7.62x.39 was the only ammo I could find that was on the shelf...and I could only find it at WW!

Rexster · April 26th, 2009, 06:33 PM

Rob72 has a good point about "off" caliber cartridges, though lately, .223/5.56 is increasingly available, just expensive.

I have noted that .270 Winchester is very much available, as is good old .30-06. The only .308 Winchester available is fairly low quantities of premium hunting ammo, and some small amounts of milsurp at prices that surely don't seem milsurp.

CR2008 · April 26th, 2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErnieNWillis

I am looking for a semi-auto rifle for under $1000. I know I cant touch an AR for that , but I have done some research and found a plethera of options that are with in my budget.

CETME 308
Romanian AK
SKS (Not all that interresting)
Mini-14
Century Arms FAL
Hungarian AK47 AKM
US M1 30 Carbine National Ordnance

What is the best option?

Ishmash Saiga 7.62/.223/.308 goes for less than 500... it should be on your list if you want a good gun for a great price.

tankdriver · April 27th, 2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErnieNWillis

I am looking for a semi-auto rifle for under $1000. I know I cant touch an AR for that , but I have done some research and found a plethera of options that are with in my budget.

CETME 308
Romanian AK
SKS (Not all that interresting)
Mini-14
Century Arms FAL
Hungarian AK47 AKM
US M1 30 Carbine National Ordnance

What is the best option?

From this list, I have, or had all of them except the listed AK's. My AK is the Polish underfolder.

If I had to choose just one it would be the following one.....

Powerful enough to do the job
Good long range
Accurate enough for a man size target out to 300 meters
One of the most reliable rifles ever built

This is one I built from a matching STg58 kit. But I have had 2 Century builds FALs and both were great guns.

The FAL's were adapted by over 90 nations for thier Armies. What better endorsement can you get then that....

.

86thecat · April 29th, 2009, 03:31 AM

CETME 308-
Can be great or a problem child. You need to know about bolt gap, ground bolts, in/out of spec receivers, barrel repress, Mil brass and Century Monkeys before buying. Great for WECSOG types (which I am).

Century Arms FAL-
Can be great rifles but IIRC Century used a couple of different receivers on these. Do your research on receivers, unibrow feed ramps, metric/inch and Century Monkeys first.

US M1 30 Carbine National Ordnance-
Haven't messed with these but Nat'l Ord. has a reputation for some junk receivers that Mil parts were built on, so do your homework first.

I think my first choice might be a mid price AR15.

Go here-
http://www.militaryfirearm.com/Forum/index.php
check out the BattleRifles forums and ask the same question, you will get plenty of good info.

April 17th, 2009, 06:48 PM	#15
Katana Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Clarksville,TN Posts: 474	Romanian AK's can be an exceptional value for the price you're looking to pay. You just have to know what to look for. __________________ "Stand your ground, don't fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here!" - John Parker April 19th, 1775 Lexington, MA

April 26th, 2009, 03:39 PM	#16
Fmr18z Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: USA Posts: 316	If you haven't purchased a rifle yet, I'd also recommend the WASR 10 with a folding stock, the one I have *is accurate* (3" groups @ 200yds), goes bang all the time, folds down to a smaller size for storage and carrying. I used both the M-16A1 (AR 15) and AK-47 for 25 years, for dependability and accuracy I'd go for the AK, JMHO. Yesterday when I went to buy some ammo, the 7.62x.39 was the only ammo I could find that was on the shelf...and I could only find it at WW! __________________ The first time you aren't armed and prepared may be the last time you wished you were.

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April 17th, 2009, 12:37 AM	#11
bmcgilvray Distinguished Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,735	"CETME 308 Romanian AK SKS (Not all that interresting) Mini-14 Century Arms FAL Hungarian AK47 AKM US M1 30 Carbine National Ordnance" If choosing strictly from this list I'd go for the Century Arms FAL. I like the .308 best of the rounds represented in this list and like the FAL better than the CETME.

April 17th, 2009, 01:46 PM	#13
Sarge45 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 592	Don't under estimate the Mini. The new 16" barrel Tacticals are the way to go, believe me. New tooling and redesigned, these little Minis are excellent semi auto's. I own a 16" and I just love it. You owe it to yourself.

April 17th, 2009, 06:05 PM	#14
Rob72 VIP Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: OK Posts: 3,468	For $1000, total investment? Hard choices. 7.62x39 and .223 calibers are roughly the same in availibility- virtually nil, unless you get lucky. The 7.62x51 choices are more powerful, and ammo is out there, but it will be hunting ammo, around $1.00/round. It works, but pricey. I usually get odd looks, but I recommend the Browning BAR or Remington 750 or 7600 in an "off" caliber. .270 is a good cartridge, and sitting on the shelves in 4 SuperWalmarts, locally. That's not even true for .22LR, at the moment. 7mm is another option, but it's a pretty stout cartridge, ala the .30-06. Rifle, 2-5 mags and 250 rounds will put you right around $1000, and your ammo isn't nearly as likely to keep skipping towards the limits of financial possibility. Not nearly as sexy, but more practical in many respects. Good luck!

April 26th, 2009, 06:33 PM	#17
Rexster Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: SE Texas Posts: 895	Rob72 has a good point about "off" caliber cartridges, though lately, .223/5.56 is increasingly available, just expensive. I have noted that .270 Winchester is very much available, as is good old .30-06. The only .308 Winchester available is fairly low quantities of premium hunting ammo, and some small amounts of milsurp at prices that surely don't seem milsurp.

April 29th, 2009, 03:31 AM	#20
86thecat Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Central WA Posts: 104	CETME 308- Can be great or a problem child. You need to know about bolt gap, ground bolts, in/out of spec receivers, barrel repress, Mil brass and Century Monkeys before buying. Great for WECSOG types (which I am). Century Arms FAL- Can be great rifles but IIRC Century used a couple of different receivers on these. Do your research on receivers, unibrow feed ramps, metric/inch and Century Monkeys first. US M1 30 Carbine National Ordnance- Haven't messed with these but Nat'l Ord. has a reputation for some junk receivers that Mil parts were built on, so do your homework first. I think my first choice might be a mid price AR15. Go here- http://www.militaryfirearm.com/Forum/index.php check out the BattleRifles forums and ask the same question, you will get plenty of good info.