Posted on 12/05/2010 2:59:58 PM PST by NewJerseyJoe
Hello fellow banglisters. I know I'm going to open a can of worms with this thread -- as does every "What is the best [gun type]" thread -- but I don't know a better-informed group of people to ask.
After enduring three years of the very worst of the bad economic times (unemployment, temp jobs, etc.), I'm finally in a position to increase my personal armory, in the next few months. I need a rifle -- I have only a Henry .22 survival rifle. Not bad for what it does, but it's not the same as a "real" rifle.
The catch is that I can afford one and only one -- and I want to get the most bang for my buck. My considerations are:
If, in your opinion, I can't "have it all" with only one purchase, please tell me so.
Oh, and I should mention -- I live in New Jersey. Rifles that you would pick up at the corner store are ones that I might have to jump through hoops to get. :-(
http://www.odcmp.com/
I agree
Thats a three strike , maybe 4, no-no in The People’s Republic of New Jersey !
Good point. The Marlin 39A lever-action .22 was proseletyzed by none other than the late Jeff Cooper. Food for thought...
I have shot a Remington 700, and it was very nice. But I do like the integral scope bases on the Ruger 77. They have a reputation of being tough rifles.
The new rifles run about $500 to $700 on Auction arms.
If you have a little spare time, look into reloading your own ammunition. You can reload rifle ammo for about 1/3 the cost of factory ammo, and you can customize it to your own use. I have reloaded tens of thousands of rounds over the last 45 years, and it is a fun hobby in itself.
Thompson, fully automatic sub-machine gun.
Just kidding, everyone knows those are illegal.
Not saying you can't get something quite a bit better, but you will also spend a lot more money.
check it out. SAIGA .308 SEMI AUTO RIFLE
http://www.the-armory.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/Mosin_Nagant.html
http://www.mosinnagant.net/global%20mosin%20nagants/mosin_nagant_m9138_carbine.asp
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/mosin-nagant.htm
Just a thought,and with the budget you listed you can stock up on alot of ammo.
No, when the Zombies hear the clip eject ur a dead man.
Consider these:
Marlin 336 lever-action in .30-30 Winchester. A solid rifle in a caliber easy to obtain, even in states still mired in the Soviet model.
VZ-24 Czech Mauser: Dates from 1924, but the prices are relatively cheap. 8mm Mauser has a good bit of surplus ammo out there. It is a Czech version of the German 1898 Mauser- bolt action, 5 shots.
WASR-10: AK-47 Semi-auto clone. Not expensive- about $400 or so. Finish and looks suck, but you pull the trigger and it goes bang, as long as the ammo is good. Lots of 7.62x39 ammo out there.
Just a thought: think about what you want the rifle for. Guns are tools, and like a lot of tools are specialized.
Given that NJ is so semi-auto phobic, you might also consider a Remington 760 or 7600 pump action rifle in .308, if those are legal. If not, the guys up thread are right that any Remington 700 or Ruger 77 is a good choice, as is a Winchester 94 in 30-30, and those are as politically correct as you can get. You can own those just about anywhere, even in foreign countries, the ammo is plentiful, they’re durable as can be, and 30-30 has good knock down power for any opponent out to maybe 300 yards.
It's a "sport" version of the AK47, perfectly legal everywhere. It's an AK built in Russia so you know it's tough, reliable, easy to maintain. It uses the same round as any AR variant so ammo is made here. A new one can be had for well under $500.00 (I paid @ $350 for one in February).
Here’s a NIB Saiga on gunbroker for just over $400.00. It’s the carbine (16” barrel). The rifle is about thirty bucks more (20.5” barrel).
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I always thought so too, until I read SLA Marshall's Pork Chop Hill. The book is full of first hand reports of malfunctioning M1s.
Best all around rifle is the AR15/M4 clone.
Most manufactures today make great guns in the $600 to 800 range. I have a DPMS M4 ($600) that has been as reliable as any gun I’ve ever owned. Maintenance is a breeze, even Army grunts can do it.
Ammo (5.56/223) is available world wide, magazines are cheap and plentiful, the guns are generally more accurate then you are capable of shooting them. Lethal out to 300m with open sights.
Open sights, scope, red dot, whatever you want is easy to use and install with a current model flattop with a removable handle/sights. My open sights return to zero when I replace them. Pretty cool.
AK47/74 is a close second, just not as accurate (generally, but there are exceptions) plus scope additions is tougher on AK’s. Ammo is cheaper though, but not by much.
AK’s are tough. If you need to bash in a door, the AK the weapon of choice for many. Great close combat gun, under 100m, hard to beat. If you want to shoot a deer at 300m, use a different gun. If you want to shoot bad guys at under 50m, never clean it, and occasionally use it crush something, the AK is hard to beat.
Or, during deer hunting season, the most buck for your bang. ;-)
People might want to scroll down to the restricted firearms list at this line before making recommendations. Those NJ gungrabbers really know how to spoil the fun. http://www.nraila.org/media/misc/nj.htm
I think the Remington 7600 in .308 was a good suggestion.
Why did I understand your message so easily? Must be from the same tribe long ago.
OK, I'll get one.
“Thompson, fully automatic sub-machine gun.
Just kidding, everyone knows those are illegal.”
Not illegal, just subject to the 1934 Firearms Act in some states.
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