Which rifle to go with?

[cap6888]

Well, I have finally found time to get back into shooting. Help me with narrowing down my choice.

There are tons of weapons out there that I would love to eventually get my hands on, but I think I have shortened the list to my top three choices: AR, AK, or FAL. I don't want to spend a ton of money (I know FALs are more pricey, but if that the way to go, i will just work a few extra hours of OT), but I don't want to go so cheap that the rifle is a POS.

I was in the Army, so I have experience with the AR platform. During my tour in Iraq, I got to play with some AKs (very fun to shoot, too bad full auto is cost prohibitive). I also dealt with some SAS troops who had a few FALs. Didn't get any range time with them, but something just draws me to them.

Any help with pros and cons amongst the rifles and brands would be great. Ammo wise, is anyone of those so pricey it just makes unfeasible? As far as an AK, any true difference between 5.45 models and 7.62x39 models?

Lastly, as far as purchasing goes, I have come across Classic Arms website and they seem to have decent prices, but are there any local shops that has a decent selection to actually put the rifle in my hand? Thanks.

 

[Slimjim]

www.palmettostatearmory.com Get one of their m4 carbines for 599.00 it's a great deal.

I'd go with the AR, i've tried multiple weapons trying to find something better than the AR, and always came back to them.

Parts availability, ease of maintenance, magazine and ammo cost, all come back to the AR being superior.

 

[K31]

It really depends on what you what it for, SHTF? Competition?

 

[fivepointstar]

what is your price range?

this is the order I would get a rifle if I had to just get one:
AK in 7.62x39
AR platform in 5.56
FAL

AK are inexpensive, ammo is cheap, mags are available. If you just get 1 ak the Arsenal's are excellent AK but there are number of them more affordable an just as good! My Maadi's range from $450-$600 and are great AK's or look for a Norinco @ $600

 

[Slimjim]

what is your price range?

this is the order I would get a rifle if I had to just get one:
AK in 7.62x39
AR platform in 5.56
FAL

AK are inexpensive, ammo is cheap, mags are available. If you just get 1 ak the Arsenal's are excellent AK but there are number of them more affordable an just as good! My Maadi's range from $450-$600 and are great AK's or look for a Norinco @ $600

I'd go for the AK only if you had the extra tools to perform barrel changes and the ability to headspace the gun. Which is one reason i choose the AR over the AK.

 

[mikec]

I have a FAL and love it but ammo is more expensive. Also, surplus is getting difficult to find and the cost of mags have gone up.

An AR is king for me now. The issue however will be which one and what features??

 

[QuebecoisWolf]

Answer: get all of them.

I'd keep my eyes open for all three types and wait to find a good rifle at a good price. Don't just rush into it by buying the first AR you stumble over. If you find a nice DS FAL at a very reasonable price, I'd get that first. Same thing for an AK or AR -especially AKs. There are used Norincos and Polytechs on the market. Sometimes, they show up below market price.


I suppose if you must have just one and don't want to spend months if not years shopping around, get an AR. It's going to be familiar (especially the sights) and you'll know what accessories you do or don't like.

As far as ammo goes, the general rule is that AK range ammo runs at about 25 cents per round, 7.62 NATO runs at about 50 cents a round, and 5.56 is somewhere on the high side of the middle. If you look hard and buy in bulk, you'll find lower prices than this.

 

[fivepointstar]

I'd go for the AK only if you had the extra tools to perform barrel changes and the ability to headspace the gun. Which is one reason i choose the AR over the AK.

what issues are you having with your AK? and what AK do you have?

my AK's have never been choosy with ammo. what i load in my mags it eats. I can't say he same about AR, what I own, what Ive experienced and what I"ve seen at the range.

 

[Forest]

.any true difference between 5.45 models and 7.62x39 models?
.

The 5.45 have lower recoil, cheaper ammo (if you don't mind corrosive), and a flatter trajectory (and should have better range).

The 7.62x39 has more available ammo (including domestic production) and is far easier to reload for.

 

[Forest]

.. but are there any local shops that has a decent selection to actually put the rifle in my hand? Thanks.

Check out 2A Sales here in Howard County (just north of the intersection of Rt 1 7 Rt 32). Mark always seems to have some AKs on hand.

 

[Slimjim]

what issues are you having with your AK? and what AK do you have?

No issues. I dont even currently own an AK, have owned a saiga, yugo m70 and a Arsenal krink. But dont anymore, stayed with the AR, I'm just saying if you're picking one platform to make your main gun, you should be able to completely service it at an armorer level. The AR is much easier to service at that level.

 

[1970swifty]

Stag arms have very good rifles reasonable
Price.have put few thousand rounds through mine
0 issues with it

 

[STSCM]

Overall cost of ownership I'd go AR. Plinkin ammo is remarkably cheap and the gun is infinitely modifiable. 5.56 for paper, 6.8 for deer and hogs. Bull barrels, shorties, everything in-between. What's not to like?

 

[fivepointstar]

No issues. I dont even currently own an AK, have owned a saiga, yugo m70 and a Arsenal krink. But dont anymore, stayed with the AR, I'm just saying if you're picking one platform to make your main gun, you should be able to completely service it at an armorer level. The AR is much easier to service at that level.

TRUE parts are available and easy to maintain or service myself. as far as a "hobby" its a blast to play with. But with AK, I never had to replace any parts, figure why it wouldn't cycle or service it. AK=LOad mags, point and shoot. Never had any issues!

 

[Inigoes]

Another Option is a Mini-14 (Not Regulated) from Lou45 @ Shooters Discount

 

[cap6888]

Thanks for the replies so far guys. As far as some of the questions you all asked here
goes:

Purpose- Mostly throwing rounds at targets, potentially home defense.

Price- I would like to keep it around 500-600. I know a FAL is out of this range, but if I am really sold on it, I will just pick up some over time to cover the difference.

I have never heard of a Maadi AK. Where is the best place to look for them? I have seen the WASR AKs, their price is fairly low, are they a case of "you get what you pay for"?

What are the best places to look to buy a rifle? I am not in a rush to run and by one today, I would like to look around and compare things. Any suggestions for internet sites, or local shops? I stopped in 2A, I didn't think they had a very big selection. Plus it kind of seemed that he wanted to push higher end merchandise.

 

[fivepointstar]

Look at Gunbroker if you're looking for a used AK like Maadi or Norinco. if you want an new AK check the Industry Partners...they can order them too

WaSR are OK if you find a good one

 

[Forest]

Thanks for the replies so far guys. As far as some of the questions you all asked here
goes:

Purpose- Mostly throwing rounds at targets,

the AK-74 will be the cheapest to feed, but an AR with a .22 conversion kit is pretty darn cheap to feed.

potentially home defense.

The ONLY rifle caliber I'd use for defense INSIDE the home would be 5.56.

Price- I would like to keep it around 500-600.

Does that include magazines?

If it doesn't include magazines for that kind of money you can get a low-end AR , Saiga (if you want an AK), or one of those police turn in Mini-14s at Shooters Discount (see the industry forum).

Plus it kind of seemed that he wanted to push higher end merchandise.

Mark does tend to have quality gear. Buy once cry once and all that, but his prices for it are good.

 

[SCARCQB]

Smith and Wesson MP-15 sport

you can get one for about 675.00. M4 configuration. Comes with an LMT style BUIS. 5R rifling and heavy barrel. It is also non- regulated, over the counter sale.

It is a basic rifle . No dust cover or forward assist. But accuracy and reliability is superb. Just dont plan on going to war with it in hostile environments. ( No dust cover)

715.00 Out the door.

 

[04RWon]

Build it:
BCM upper
Spikes lower
Spikes lpk
BCM stock kit

Great rifle, built like a brick shithouse, may end up alittle over your price but youll have a teir 1 rifle for a great price and you dont have to spend it all at once