what is the best self defense rifle. Why?

[grizz]

Ok. lets just say i have all the hunting and long range guns and ammo I will ever need. I do not own a " self defense gun". I'm looking for a couple of cheap on the DL guns. What do you recommend. I realize i will have to travel to another state to buy it it. What I'm looking for is a reliable gun in a easy to find caliber. Clips in the 30 round range. Open sights. Non reflective finish. Synthetic stock. Good to 200 yards, but capable of laying down some lead for up close action. Not wanting to start a war, but hold my own as i decide to fight or flight. I believe in American made, how ever I'm open minded. A caliber that i will not have a problem finding reloading supplies. Does not weigh a ton. Something the wife and family will enjoy shooting. Nothing full auto, yet. I will be buying this gun this summer and would like your opinions as many of you years of experience with these guns. Thanks for your replies.

[grizz]

Oh i forgot to say. I really like to research ideas and make the most cost worthy purchases only once. I just don't want to buy something does not fit my needs. Thanks again.

[crashdive123]

By the sounds of what you are describing I'm not sure what you are envisioning as self defense. I was going to suggest 12 ga. shotgun, but from the sounds of it you may be looking for something else.

Oh - and before Sourdough reads this - it's magazine, not clip.

[Justin Case]

I was thinking 12 ga shotgun too, but you described a full blown assault rifle.

[Sourdough]

Oh - And Before Sourdough Reads This - It's Magazine, Not Clip.

Amen.............

[Sourdough]

Grizz, do you have a price range, or a price cieling....?

[grizz]

Under $400. Clips vs Magazine. Really!!!!! OK the thingy you put the bullets in!!! Thats to anal for me. People have to be flexible. Yeah I have several shotguns, looking for an assault rifle.

[Justin Case]

Maybe a used m1 carbine 30 cal x 30 rnds.

[hunter63]

Under $400. Clips vs Magazine. Really!!!!! OK the thingy you put the bullets in!!! Thats to anal for me. People have to be flexible. Yeah I have several shotguns, looking for an assault rifle.

SKS, w/add-on removable mags, about all your gonna get for that money.

[kyratshooter]

Ahhh, a budget zombie shooter! They would have to be mindless zombies to keep comming after you put a couple of their buds down at long range with your hunting rifle. Anyone else would find a better place to be.

Seems to me like you wrote your requirements while holding a cheap AK or an SKS moded for AK mags.

The $400 price range eliminates almost everything else. As well as the 30 round mags. There are better choices, but not at that price.

Ammo supply is a problem for the M1 carbine, thought it would be my choice too.

I would forget the reloading requirement and stick with the cheap and available surplus ammo in the AK calibers. Jacketed bullet and primer are closing in on the cost of the loaded round.

[Sourdough]

Under $400. Clips vs Magazine. Really!!!!! OK the thingy you put the bullets in!!! Thats to anal for me. People have to be flexible. Yeah I have several shotguns, looking for an assault rifle.

I would invest $400.00 in ammo for a firearm you currently own.

I would NOT risk my life on any $400.00 "Center-fire" Assault Rifle. Maybe a $400.00 assault "Rim-fire" Rifle.

[Sourdough]

OK the thingy you put the bullets in!!! .

Sorry, The Bullets go into the cartridge case, It is the Cartridges and not the bullets that go into the Magazine. Sorry I am Anal, at least about firearm terminology.

[Sarge47]

For $400 you're going to have to find something pretty much used to match your criteria. If you want to double your funds look into the Ruger Mini-14, otherwise I have no suggestions.

[grizz]

Ok say i buy 1 rifle this year and 1 next year. $1,000 for rifle and ammo?

[Justin Case]

use your hunting rifle this year and next year spend 1400.00

[kyratshooter]

Does that make the empty spot in the gun where the clip goes the magazine?

Does an M1 Grand have A clip well or a magazine well?

Does that make a cartride a "bullet holder"?

Are stripper clips really clips since they do not retain the cartridges during the feed cycle and are not necessary for proper functioning of the weapon?

Does that make a belt fed machiene gun operate from a clip? If you hang the ammo box from the side of the belt fed machine gun does that make it magazine fed?



I say sell three or four of the hunting rifles and use the $$$ and buy an M1A and hunt with it.

[crashdive123]

If you've got your heart set on a "black rifle" you've got several options in the $1000 and up category. Now you have to figure caliber, because cost and availability may be a factor. If I could only have one (I don't believe in only one) I would probably go with 6.8mm. Other calibers are more popular, but I think that round combines range, knock down that works pretty well. There are quite a few people (a lot actually) that are more knowledgable about firearms than me on the forum.

Another to consider that may be closer to the price you mentioned is Ruger mini 30 in 7.62 X 39. You can find a new one in the $500 to $600 range (used are cheaper) and the ammunition is very affordable.

[Sarge47]

If you've got your heart set on a "black rifle" you've got several options in the $1000 and up category. Now you have to figure caliber, because cost and availability may be a factor. If I could only have one (I don't believe in only one) I would probably go with 6.8mm. Other calibers are more popular, but I think that round combines range, knock down that works pretty well. There are quite a few people (a lot actually) that are more knowledgable about firearms than me on the forum.

Another to consider that may be closer to the price you mentioned is Ruger mini 30 in 7.62 X 39. You can find a new one in the $500 to $600 range (used are cheaper) and the ammunition is very affordable.

Here's some sites that sell used ones:

http://www.longrangehunting.com/foru...-30-sale-8515/

http://www.gunsamerica.com/Search/Ca...ni-14-Type.htm

Good hunting!

[Quigley]

WASR 10s(AK variant) are starting to go for under $400 again but make sure you know what to look for when buying one.

An SKS would be your best choice for that range but work better with 10 round stripper clips than sks mags.

Saigas go for under $400 and are available in several different calibers although for that price your best bet would be to get one in 223 or 7.62x39. The down side to the Saiga is that mags are more expensive although the 7.62 versions are capable of being converted to take standard AK mags.

The only American made gun that might fit the bill would be a used older mini 14. They usually go for $500ish but they sometimes go for around $400. I would not pay a penny over $400 for one being that the new ones go for a little over $600 and are way more accurate.

[hunter63]

Be aware that older Mini 14's changed from year to year, making after market add on's a tricky business at times.
Just be aware of what year it was manufactured before buying scope mounts, cool stocks etc.