First Semi-Auto Riffle?

[B-Ry]

So I'm thinking my tax return this year should go towards my first semi-automatic rifle. I want the following:

10+ round mags
Well suited for long range (500+ m)
Good Accuracy
Very Reliable
$1500 at the VERY most, but prefer $600-$1000
Not super expensive to shoot


So far I've been looking at the FAL/L1A1, the M&P15R, M1A (probably too pricey), M1 Garand, BAR, and the AK47. What are your thoughts and what else is out there I haven't looked at?

[Marlin]

10+ round mags All
Well suited for long range (500+ m) Fal,M&P,M1A,Garand,BAR
Good Accuracy M1A,Garand,M&P,FAL,BAR
Very Reliable AK,Garand,FAL,M&P
$1500 at the VERY most, but prefer $600-$1000 AK,FAL,Garand,M&P.
Not super expensive to shoot [ROFL1] At the moment the AK "might" be the best bet.


My opinion of course... For your parameters, the Ak clone may suit your needs the best all though the 7.62X39mm round is not the best choice for 500 yrd stuff.. You could always build an AR for a little less..

[B-Ry]

No other recommendations that I didn't mention? I was leaning towards the FAL and M&P already, so I'm not sure how to decide between the two. The M&P is a little less expensive to shoot, but besides that I'm not sure what other deciding factors there may be. Thanks.

[Marlin]

Well at the moment I would recomend the AR.. Parts avalibility,,, You can always get a differant upper if you feel like it.. It is, at the moment "cheaper" to shoot over .308... It won't hit as hard at 500+ yrds as the .308 but, it has proven itself just as accurate..

[7idl]

M1A
AR w/larger (>5.56) caliber upper
FAL

[B-Ry]

Or there's the HK G3 I suppose... ??

[sniper7]

Get an AR-10

.308

you get it all.

[B-Ry]

Looked at those a little bit too, but couldn't find any for sale around here. So I'm assuming their pricey as well. How much do they run?

How is their reliability?

[ryanek9freak]

Specialty Sports has a super cool HK Mp5 Rifle chambered in .45 ACP, for $999. It has a fake suppressor that is actually the barrel that is 16 inches long, and a colapseable butt stock. I was looking at it earlier, and wanted it really bad. THe salesman in the store said nobody's really been interested in it. I think it's the shit!

Looks just like this, only without the handgaurd. IT's just all (fake) silencer all the way to the receiver. I suppose you could add the handguard.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t268/ryanwolfe911/HKg3.jpg

[B-Ry]

Don't think it'll have the range I'm lookin for.

[ryanek9freak]

Range Smange. WHo cares, go buy a bolt action rifle if you want range. LOL. That HK clone is freakin sweet, I've never seen anything quite like it.

If my GF wouldn't have a stroke, I'd buy it right now. She's a little pissed at me for buy 2 AR's and and AK in one month. ANd she owns more guns than I do!

[B-Ry]

But I have one of those already! But I want the semi auto to not suck at 500 m.

[CO-FreeShooter]

I would check out putting together or buying a complete 6.8spc AR. It will be able to reach out and touch. The ammo is alittle pricey, but not much more than .308. Plus you can hunt with this round. You just have to block the mag to hold the max amount of rounds allowed in the mag. The nice thing is that you can get a normal AR lower and then purchase your 6.8 complete upper assembly including BCG. Stag makes this upper along with the complete gun. Stag is an outstanding firearm. I have the model 2TL. They are one of the only companies that are making south paw firearms. Since i'm left-handed i knew i was destined to have it. HEHE

[ryanek9freak]

I really like the FN 5.7x28 upper. Specialty Sports has one in stock for about $750. The way it feeds the rounds is so cool, and you can use a hollow mag for a brass catcher.

[CrufflerSteve]

If it is your first semi-auto rifle I'd buy something new from a place like Specialty Sports in as common a caliber as possible so it doesn't break the bank to buy ammo.

Putting kits together or buying used can get you into all sorts of trouble, especially for a first attempt. Buying from a dealer gives you an option of yelling at him if it has problems.

As soon as you get it, with the manual, take it apart as much as for normal cleaning and make sure it okay and clean. Get some decent quality ammo and go to the range and fire some. That way you'll know if it has feeding problems. Also make sure the brass looks good. Anything unusual is bad.

You're posting in the military rifle section and some surplus guns have headspace issues. The chamber gets too big. Some start out pretty big to handle dirt and out of spec ammo.

Good luck and fun shooting.

Steve
(who loves his SAR48 with SUIT scope and rebuilt M14S.)

[GunTroll]

I'm loving my M1A. Accurate enough for the purpose of it. Great range for its purpose. It chews up the surplus ammo just fine. 20 round mags with larger I have seen but see no need. It has history as a great battle rifle. A bit heavy but manageable. And like the AR you can spend some cash and upgrade it to be quite nice.

[jmg8550]

The M1 Garand is limited to 8 rounds. So that one is out per your 10+ round magazine criteria. As far as yardage, 500 and beyond yards would put you in the .30 cal range. My choice would be M1A. Then an FAL, HK91, and lastly AR10.

[Graves]

Save up a little more dough and get one that does it all...

http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac351/grav3s/photo-3.jpg

[Beer]

[Delfuego]

http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21562[Smart]

[nogaroheli]

Looked at those a little bit too, but couldn't find any for sale around here. So I'm assuming their pricey as well. How much do they run?

How is their reliability?

If you go the DPMS LR308 route they start right around $1,000. Sportsman's gets the 24" stainless bull barrel one in once in a while and they charge $1150-1200 for it. Specialty has them too.

I have friends with thousands of rounds through theirs with no malfunctions and they are pretty darn accurate FWIW.

Good luck!

[sniper7]

Save up a little more dough and get one that does it all...

http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac351/grav3s/photo-3.jpg

[Beer]


that is just gorgeous!

[275RLTW]

Go through the CMP for a M1A.

[crzy_one]

I really like the FN 5.7x28 upper. Specialty Sports has one in stock for about $750. The way it feeds the rounds is so cool, and you can use a hollow mag for a brass catcher.

I have shot one of these quite a bit and enjoyed it a lot but really doubt its ability at 500+ meters.

.45acp and 5.7 are not going to achieve the posters desire for a 500+meter accurate firearm.

[Troublco]

Talk about resurrecting a thread!

One thing, though - you can't get an M1A from the CMP.

[jmg8550]

So...have you decided yet?