[Long Cut]

Thanks for the tips on the FALs. I was looking at the IMBELs anyway, and my preference is for the CETMEs offered by Century Arms. I like .308s because they're more versatile (I can use them to collect dinner OR repel boarders in a pinch situation). I just DO NOT feel that I should pay upwards of $1600.00 for one, especially a military-design. I need nothing fancy; no scopes or lasers for me and no exotic accuracy jobs. Just a simple, reliable workhorse.

SOME "cheap" guns are pretty good deals...my shotgun, for example. Hell, I've been looking REAL hard at those Swiss K-31 straight-pull bolt guns, too, which clock in at about $100.00.

[Blood of Tyrants]

I have one of the K-31's. Great rifle. However, the ammo is somewhat expensive and not readily available. Mail order is about the only way to go.

If money is a serious issue (as with most of us) you need to go here http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Curio___Relic_Rifles.html and get yourself one of the Yugo SKS's at the bottom of the page. At $110 shipped to your FFL dealer it's price can't be beat. Low recoil, cheap ammo, cheap 20 and 30 round mags available, excellent reliability, and fair accuracy. I have bought 2 of them and they are great rifles.

Take off that folding bayonet to shed a pound of weight.