Defensive Semi-Auto Rifle

'75scout · March 6th, 2006, 01:03 AM

I want to get a semi auto magazine fed rifle for self defense and range fun. I like Aks, ARs, SA Scout Squad Rifle, and DSA FALs. I'm not sure on which one to get. I'm leaning towards the AK for several reasons: reliability, simplicity, cheaper cost of weapon, cheaper ammo, would serve just fine for my purposes. I'd either get a VEPR K or some decent brand of AK that I can customize to fit my needs. I guess any semi would be fun for range plinking. Tell me what you think.

P95Carry · March 6th, 2006, 01:31 AM

My pref' is for FAL - a rifle I find most versatile and accurate - but of course we need to also factor in economy.

Therefore I would say an AK is maybe the best first choice or - even a good SKS. The 7.62x39 is pretty useful to 200 yards IMO. I have an SAR1 and find it serves my needs just fine tho - do still intend to ''deal'' with trigger to reduce trigger slap - the reason my trigger still has a piece of silicon tube over trigger!!!

Euclidean · March 6th, 2006, 01:31 AM

A lot of this is, how much money are you willing to spend and how much trouble are you willing to go through?

A semiautomatic magazine fed rifle that's combat viable is not cheap, honestly.

The VEPR is a nice option, the Saiga would be good too, as would an Arsenal. My only AK is my GP WASR10, and while it's fun and I like it, I honestly don't consider it anything better than a backup to a real weapon. Oh for sure it would kill you dead if you were shot with it, and it does well with Bernaul loads, it just seems kind of thrown together. What I'm trying to tell you is I like the AK47 platform, but if I were serious about it I'd try to get a SAR1 or something better.

The FAL is something I hope to pursue one day, and we have some FAL buffs here who I'll let comment.

I've gone with the Arfteen for now. I'm still honestly learning which end is the dangerous one. I'm in the process of acquiring an adequate supply of training and practice ammo to sight it in with and put it through its paces. It also needs to be rezeroed to M855 spec ammo, and I need a sling and some more magazines.

All of these platforms have their warts and you should read all the bad things about them. I personally feel like I made the right choice for me at the moment with the self built AR15.

jarhead79 · March 6th, 2006, 01:44 AM

P95, I know I've said it before, and I've read it at least a dozen times. Kudos on the photos.

Team American · March 6th, 2006, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '75scout

I want to get a semi auto magazine fed rifle for self defense and range fun. I like Aks, ARs, SA Scout Squad Rifle, and DSA FALs. I'm not sure on which one to get.

Except for the SA Scout, I own all the above plus a few others...
All are fun to shoot, and each occupies a different niche, but if I had to choose one rifle, it would be a choice between my Rock River AR15 and an M1 Garand.
My $.02, YMMV

BCurry1 · March 6th, 2006, 07:45 AM

'75, I am currently in the same situation you are, I am looking for a new defensive rifle. After doing alot of research, I have decided on a Bushmaster. Try searching some of the old threads here, there is alot of info. I also read alot of other forums for advice. Theres alot of good info out there.

rocky · March 6th, 2006, 07:52 AM

Maybe check out
http://www.ar15.com/forums/active.html?b=&f=

they have a AK side of the site as well, so it's not all AR info and bias. nothing wrong with an AK or AR or any other battle proven design for a defensive rifle. As long as it does what you need it to, reliably.

'75scout · March 6th, 2006, 08:39 PM

I've been doing alot of research for a very long time, especially when I was thinking about building an AK. I think any one of them would serve me well. I've been on AR15.com for a while. B1Curry you should look into Rock River Arms, my friend has one and it is a very well built firearm. I believe it is the Entry Tactical and he has added a EoTech Holosight. I don't really care for the Wasr 10s they don't get alot of love from the factory. I saw a Norinco at a gunshow several weeks ago that was in perfect condition for $400. I passed but will look into a Vepr K, Norinco, SAR-1 when I save enough $$$. Only problem with the Vepr K is it is very heavy which defeats the advantage of the handiness the normal AKs have.

gregarat · March 6th, 2006, 09:19 PM

Eather Fal or M14 for me. Im not a big fan of .223 on two leged vermin.

Chris,
Does that red thing on your Romainian trigger do a good job from keeping the "trigger slap" down?

Euclidean · March 6th, 2006, 09:33 PM

http://www.ammo-oracle.com/body.htm#fbispec

Good enough for 2 legged critters in my book...

March 6th, 2006, 01:03 AM	#1
'75scout Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 1,165	Defensive Semi-Auto Rifle I want to get a semi auto magazine fed rifle for self defense and range fun. I like Aks, ARs, SA Scout Squad Rifle, and DSA FALs. I'm not sure on which one to get. I'm leaning towards the AK for several reasons: reliability, simplicity, cheaper cost of weapon, cheaper ammo, would serve just fine for my purposes. I'd either get a VEPR K or some decent brand of AK that I can customize to fit my needs. I guess any semi would be fun for range plinking. Tell me what you think.

March 6th, 2006, 01:31 AM	#2
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,366	My pref' is for FAL - a rifle I find most versatile and accurate - but of course we need to also factor in economy. Therefore I would say an AK is maybe the best first choice or - even a good SKS. The 7.62x39 is pretty useful to 200 yards IMO. I have an SAR1 and find it serves my needs just fine tho - do still intend to ''deal'' with trigger to reduce trigger slap - the reason my trigger still has a piece of silicon tube over trigger!!! __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

March 6th, 2006, 01:31 AM	#3
Euclidean VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 3,213	A lot of this is, how much money are you willing to spend and how much trouble are you willing to go through? A semiautomatic magazine fed rifle that's combat viable is not cheap, honestly. The VEPR is a nice option, the Saiga would be good too, as would an Arsenal. My only AK is my GP WASR10, and while it's fun and I like it, I honestly don't consider it anything better than a backup to a real weapon. Oh for sure it would kill you dead if you were shot with it, and it does well with Bernaul loads, it just seems kind of thrown together. What I'm trying to tell you is I like the AK47 platform, but if I were serious about it I'd try to get a SAR1 or something better. The FAL is something I hope to pursue one day, and we have some FAL buffs here who I'll let comment. I've gone with the Arfteen for now. I'm still honestly learning which end is the dangerous one. I'm in the process of acquiring an adequate supply of training and practice ammo to sight it in with and put it through its paces. It also needs to be rezeroed to M855 spec ammo, and I need a sling and some more magazines. All of these platforms have their warts and you should read all the bad things about them. I personally feel like I made the right choice for me at the moment with the self built AR15. __________________ I am The Armed Educator.

March 6th, 2006, 01:44 AM	#4
jarhead79 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Stansbury Park, UT Posts: 1,197	P95, I know I've said it before, and I've read it at least a dozen times. Kudos on the photos. __________________ Sig P239 9mm Bersa Thunder .380 Duo-Tone (RIP) & .45 NAA Guardian .32NAA Ruger SP101 .38 SPL UBG Holsters current wait time as of 12-1-2008: 2-4 weeks.

March 6th, 2006, 07:45 AM	#6
BCurry1 Distinguished Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,316	'75, I am currently in the same situation you are, I am looking for a new defensive rifle. After doing alot of research, I have decided on a Bushmaster. Try searching some of the old threads here, there is alot of info. I also read alot of other forums for advice. Theres alot of good info out there. __________________ Curry

March 6th, 2006, 07:52 AM	#7
rocky Senior Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MI Posts: 11,767	Maybe check out http://www.ar15.com/forums/active.html?b=&f= they have a AK side of the site as well, so it's not all AR info and bias. nothing wrong with an AK or AR or any other battle proven design for a defensive rifle. As long as it does what you need it to, reliably.

March 6th, 2006, 08:39 PM	#8
'75scout Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 1,165	I've been doing alot of research for a very long time, especially when I was thinking about building an AK. I think any one of them would serve me well. I've been on AR15.com for a while. B1Curry you should look into Rock River Arms, my friend has one and it is a very well built firearm. I believe it is the Entry Tactical and he has added a EoTech Holosight. I don't really care for the Wasr 10s they don't get alot of love from the factory. I saw a Norinco at a gunshow several weeks ago that was in perfect condition for $400. I passed but will look into a Vepr K, Norinco, SAR-1 when I save enough $$$. Only problem with the Vepr K is it is very heavy which defeats the advantage of the handiness the normal AKs have.

March 6th, 2006, 09:19 PM	#9
gregarat Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Central NYS Posts: 856	Eather Fal or M14 for me. Im not a big fan of .223 on two leged vermin. Chris, Does that red thing on your Romainian trigger do a good job from keeping the "trigger slap" down? __________________ “Little beat big when little smart. First with the head, then with the heart.” Geel piet. From the movie “The Power of one”

March 6th, 2006, 09:33 PM	#10
Euclidean VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 3,213	http://www.ammo-oracle.com/body.htm#fbispec Good enough for 2 legged critters in my book... __________________ I am The Armed Educator.

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