I need help selecting a detachable magazine semi automatic rifle, talk me off the ledge

I have a Springfield M1a, with the scope, it’s a tack driver. It’s heavier than an AR15. I’m thinking of an AR in .308…
 
I wanted pistol caliber carbine because I had never owned one and thought it would be a fun, cheap plinker and something to take on my 4 wheeler for targets of opportunity like coyotes, armadillos, skunks, rabbits, etc. I researched all the brands and then heard about the 300 Blackout, and I could shoot the heavy subsonic loads similar to a 45 acp or the high velocity stuff for deer, hogs, or varmints. The last thing I wanted was another AR, I've built about ten of em', but they're accurate, light, versatile, and cheap so I got an AR pistol with brace and installed a suppressor and it's turned into my favorite rifle!
 
You already have a lot of rifles that I’d recommend. I love the M14/M1a semis and FAL for its design and history .
The FAL is not very accurate though.

I would probably splurge and get one of the new LMT large frame variants just adopted by Socom.
You can get it in .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor.
They are quick change barrels, you’ll never have to send it out for a rebarrel.
Very accurate and backwards compatible with M110 because KAC and Lewis worked together. Cheap mags.

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/...allows-barrel-swapping-and-cartridge-changes/
 
It’s not handsome or exotic, but a Mini-14 sounds like it would be right up your alley. Plus: It doesn’t look like an “assault weapon,” and 20 and 30 round OEM mags for it are readily available.
 
Plus: It doesn’t look like an “assault weapon,”
Sadly, this was among Bill Ruger's motives when he was marketing 'guns to honest citizens'.
Absence of full capacity magazines, for the Mini-14, and the original PC9, was a giant PITA, back in the day. Fortunately, that problem, at least, has been resolved.
Moon
 
I would probably splurge and get one of the new LMT large frame variants just adopted by Socom.
You can get it in .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor.
They are quick change barrels, you’ll never have to send it out for a rebarrel.
Very accurate and backwards compatible with M110 because KAC and Lewis worked together. Cheap mags.

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/...allows-barrel-swapping-and-cartridge-changes/
Are they even going to be available to the general public any time soon?
 
Funnily enough, of the three Ducatis I have owned, one of them was water cooled. No matter what I did it would occasionally and unexpectedly vomit all of its coolant onto the garage floor. I still miss that bike 😀.
Don't usually see motorcycle info on gun posts, so this one got my attention! I've had a '94 888 & a '14 Hypermotard, neither one sprung a leak while I owned them. I'm now on my 6th BMW, a '24 GS 1300...no coolant leaks yet on this one! Carry on!
 
This thread may be the best thread I have ever started. It is politically charged, but everyone has behaved. It was not meant to be a practical thread. I have "battle" rifles and "service" rifles already.

The Ruger Mini 30 is an almost easy choice. The CZ Bren? No one has talked me out of it, but it looks like it will be hard to find locally. My range/shop was open today and they are not optimistic about my two month deadline. I will drop by my LGS tomorrow and see what they might be able to do. Midway and Brownells are out of stock, but I requested notification. We'll see. Gunbroker will always be there as a last resort.

So, as much as I have always had an M1A itch and I really should have two FALs, I think I have to try get both the CZ Bren and the Ruger 30 before August.

If one new rifle is good, two should be better.
 
This thread may be the best thread I have ever started. It is politically charged, but everyone has behaved. It was not meant to be a practical thread. I have "battle" rifles and "service" rifles already.

The Ruger Mini 30 is an almost easy choice. The CZ Bren? No one has talked me out of it, but it looks like it will be hard to find locally. My range/shop was open today and they are not optimistic about my two month deadline. I will drop by my LGS tomorrow and see what they might be able to do. Midway and Brownells are out of stock, but I requested notification. We'll see. Gunbroker will always be there as a last resort.

So, as much as I have always had an M1A itch and I really should have two FALs, I think I have to try get both the CZ Bren and the Ruger 30 before August.

If one new rifle is good, two should be better.

There's $18 difference between a new Mini 30 and a Colt CR 6762 also in 7.62x39 at Bud's. That's part of why I bought Colt (parts and accessory availability were also factors, plus I've trained on, been issued, and/or used for fun ARs since '91/'92). When Minis were cheaper, they were more attractive to me.
 
BIKU324! Thank you. I haven't bought anything from Bud's in a decade and I had forgotten about them 😲. I will try my LGS tomorrow, but it looks like Buds can fill my order!

And you are correct in my humble opinion as a student of history that an AR 15 variant is always the correct answer. I just don't want another.
 
Spend some money; buy yourself an FM AK47-21 VEPR in 7.62x39 or 7.62 NATO, or an Arsenal SAM 7R.
I have the arsenal AK pistol. The rifle went on sale for the 250th anniversary so I bought their AK rifle. For those that don't know Arsenal machines their receiver instead of using sheet metal stampings.
 
Springfield Armory M1A1 would be my wish. I live in California, I have a bunch of AR's fitted with fixed magazine systems for leftist Califonia comunist compliance. I wish I could buy an M1-A1 because it will not need a fixed magazine, but I can't afford it right now. They are super accurate and fitted with an optic they can be a great DMR out to 600 yds. For the moment this is my DMR it's a small frame .308
Move to Dixie to be free! Don't overlook the M-1 Garand in .308W if the M-1A isn't an option where you live.
 
Have you tried the SOCOM SA M1A? Or, as Grayfox suggested and myself, the 18" Scout with synthetic stock? These are lighter, handier M1As.

I note that you have a Galil. What caliber? I have an ACE in 7.62x39 and it is a 'go to'. That or an AR in 7.62x39 might be something to look at hard.
 
The stench of Colorado strikes again! I slept in until 7:00AM this morning. While having coffee I see an email notification from Midway. CZ Bren 2 in stock, good price, free shipping. I wait until I have finished my first coffee and decide, what the heck, let's do it. I can't complete the order online because the item has a prohibited magazine. Sigh, I call Midway customer service and have a very pleasant conversation informing me that they won't delete the prohibited item. I received sympathy and a blessing from the rep, so I can't complain.

Time to feed the dogs and have another coffee.
 
You can get on a notification list at Riflegear, they are very accommodating to ban state BS. And priced less usually.

I heard Bren 2 is going away and Bren 3 is coming tho..
 
Some years back I got interested in 308 in semi. I had 4-308's in bolt actions, and found them to be very accurate, especially with handloads, IMR4895 and Sierra 168's.
So I bought a DPMS, but with the 24 inch heavy barrel. With a few mods, trigger, buffer, etc. It shot extremely great. But heavy.
This rifle, off of a bench will put 10 rounds 1/2 to 5/8" groups, 12 gauge shot gun hulls off a rail at 100 yds. It is a fun rifle to shoot, and when at the range I always get some questions about what I am shooting, and how do I get that accuracy.
But it is heavy, and I would not like to pack it for long distances. That is what the bolt actions are for.
 
Garand is not a detachable magazine rifle
Apropos of nothing, he pronounced his name GARE' nd . In case anyone wondered (or cares.)

A friend of mine, a very fussy hunter and handloader, has a small collection of Mini 30s and thinks it's the most overlooked, underutilized rifle.
-
 
Well, I ordered the CZ Bren from Buds an hour ago and I don't regret it, yet. I have read every post in this thread and they were all helpful. I also spent the last 72 hours trying to find legitimate information about the CZ. I have never seen one and it might tick the boxes I want it to.

By acting relatively quickly I now have another 60 days to acquire the Ruger, or something else....

Thanks, Bob
 
You can get on a notification list at Riflegear, they are very accommodating to ban state BS. And priced less usually.

I heard Bren 2 is going away and Bren 3 is coming tho..
The Bren 3 was what I had been waiting for, but my state legislature has created a time limit for me. And knowing CZ, availability is always an issue.
 
I wanted pistol caliber carbine because I had never owned one and thought it would be a fun, cheap plinker and something to take on my 4 wheeler
Me too and now I have 2 of them. My favorite is the Auto Ordnance Model 1927A1 Thompson in 45acp with both the 50 round drum magazine and 3 30 round stick magazines.
100_2098.webp
100_2099.webp

The other one is the Tennessee Volunteer Arms Commando Mark III carbine, also in 45apc with 30 round stick magazines. I carried it on duty for years and it impressed folks when I had it out of the car, with it slung over my shoulder muzzle down.
100_2096.webp
100_2097.webp
I have plenty of "Battle rifles" in both bolt action, magazine and clip fed. Hardly ever shoot them any more. I reload for all of them. My favorite is the Spandau 71/84 Mauser in 43 Mauser with black powder. Here I'm showing the spray & pray boys the old battle rifle would still break clay birds at the 125 yard backstop when they couldn't with their Mattel guns.
gun test 002.webp
 
mini 14 are fun this is my 182 series but the newer ones will shoot 556 and have a few improvements
Remember "Chief A.J." in Varmint Hunter? He accurized Mini 14s, ostensibly a Canadian so-called "First Nations" who guided wolf hunts and wrote of his exploits in the Yukon. A lot of guys sent him their Minis. I always wondered if his persona was a gimmick.
-
 
Back
Top