Favorite all-around semi-auto rifle

[mroyal98]

I've been thinking about picking up a good semi-auto rifle and I don't know anything about them. I can't afford the best and I don't want the worst. Is there something in the middle that would serve as a just-in-case rifle and also be available for deer hunting (though I doubt it would replace my bolt action Savage)? What would the price range be?

The SUVs are not out of the question, but they seem to be a hassle to own and may become more or a hassle in the future.

Your thoughts?

Oh, edit to add. I have a couple of military rifles (Mosin-Nagant and Mauser) so a M1 Garand would be perfect, but the current prices seem unreasonable to me. I'm thinking that a modern equivalent rifle might exist at a better price.

 

[mroyal98]

I've been thinking about picking up a good semi-auto rifle and I don't know anything about them. I can't afford the best and I don't want the worst. Is there something in the middle that would serve as a just-in-case rifle and also be available for deer hunting (though I doubt it would replace my bolt action Savage)? What would the price range be?

The SUVs are not out of the question, but they seem to be a hassle to own and may become more or a hassle in the future.

Your thoughts?

Oh, edit to add. I have a couple of military rifles (Mosin-Nagant and Mauser) so a M1 Garand would be perfect, but the current prices seem unreasonable to me. I'm thinking that a modern equivalent rifle might exist at a better price.

 

[m657]

I had a Ruger P40 carbine that was a delight to use but I never actually had a use for it. A buddy talked me out of it, and loves it with the 5 round mag for coastal range deer hunting. Puts 'em right down. Should be good for feral hogs too.

Short, handy in the brush....can use standard pistol mags too I'm told.

Not much for longer range, but great for those pesky 'minute of pie-plate' social events at close range....

 

[sigp220.45]

You can get a serviceable M1 Garand from CMP for around $500. There's some paperwork and hoops to jump through, but its worth it when the Fed Ex truck drops the rifle at your front door.

Check 'em out here.

 

[toroflow1]

I picked up a really nice Remington 742 auto in .30/06 for $215 off of Gunbroker auction a few months ago. I've seen alot of them go for under $300, so mine was not a fluke at that price. I then also picked up a couple of 10 round steel magazines for $15 each for it just "because".

 

[gregintenn]

What do you think about a Ruger Mini14 or mini30? They aren't that expensive. I think they are pretty cool.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Get an AK clone, whatever the best that you can afford would be.

Minis tend to heat up and have problems when they do. Getting them worked on is expensive.

ARs... Good guns. But you're looking at about a grand for a decent one these days. You're in VA, so there's no hassle involved in owning one. I don't think .223 is legal for deer in this state. Your only "bargain" AR option would be to buy a lower and then order a parts kit from Del Ton and wait until sometime in the summer for the parts to show.

M1 Garands don't do well with commercial hunting ammo. You'll risk bending the op rod.

A Springfield M1A would work. They're expensive though and heavy.

Maybe a FAL? Good rifles. I have a Century Franken gun that I could swap or sell you since you're apparently local if you really want one. Otherwise the DSAs are good guns, but those are expensive.

An SKS would also work.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I would go with an MIA because I trained in BCT on the M-14. Though they are pricey.

 

[Ron H.]

Sir, even today, a good M1 is hard to beat. You do need to operate within its design limitations, but this is not difficult. FWIW, the old M1 is my favorite rifle, hands down.

The M14 is in some ways a better design than the M1, largely because it's simpler, but not all of the commercial semi-auto clones are executed well. If you think an M1 is expensive, don't look at M1As.

ARs and AKs vary all over the map, but good ones tend to be very good--and also very costly. In many places, .223 and 5.45 are not legal for deer hunting.

SKSs have a good reputation for reliability, durability, and accuracy (for Commie guns). They're also relatively inexpensive. The 7.62x39 is in about the same ballistic ballpark as the .30-30.

FALs are somewhat similar to ARs and AKs in that the good ones are very good, but the quality of the currently available commercial clones is all over the map. A known good one will cost you.

I don't know enough about the H&K G3 and CETME clones to comment much on them. I've heard that they're overweight and over-rated. (Take that with as much salt as you deem appropriate.) H&K used to make some dandy sporting semi-autos on the same general lines as the wartime G43, but these are now scarce and expensive.

The commercial BAR is a lovely thing and capable of great accuracy, but is costly and finely fitted, so is not always happy in the field.

The various Remington commercial semi-autos have a mixed reputation--some swear by them, and others swear at them. I've never fooled with them, so can't comment further.

Ruger's Minis, both -14 and -30, have earned a reputation for inaccuracy and scarcity of good magazines. I understand the newer guns are better accuracy-wise, but they also retail for more than $600. Feh.

For a cheap deer-capable semi-auto, the SKS is probably your best bet. I'd a whole lot rather have an M1, though.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[Spotteddog]

Sentimental I know, but?
An M-1 or M-14 (M-1A).
A semi-auto BAR would be far more excitement than my aging loins could stand (or my wallet?).

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Have you given any thought to an M1 carbine? I think they aren't legal for hunting deer in some areas, but I really like mine. They've become available and (somewhat) more affordable lately. I've been giving a lot of thought to putting mine into a Choate folding stock and adding a low power pistol scope on it.

Best of luck,

Dave

 

[rewster]

Choices: Garand, M-14, M1 Carbine, AR15, AK, or an SKS. I would take the Garand with the AR15 a very close second.

 

[ServiceGun]

I'll also say the M1 Garand from the CMP.
For $600 you'll get a very nice Service Grade rifle.

Nowadays you won't find an FAL, G3/Cetme, M1A, AR10, or AR15 for less. Mini 14's and some AK's can be had for the same or less. The SKS will be the least expensive.

As far as ammo, CMP milsurp ball is one of the best ammo deals currently available. If you put in an adjustable gas plug (very easy to do and not expensive) you can use commercial 30.06 ammo in a Garand for hunting. If you don't you do risk bending the oprod, as Gatorfarmer stated. Reduced capacity clips are also available for use in areas which restrict magazine capacity for hunting semi autos.

 

[bloo]

Another vote for the M1. Only change I will make is get it from a site like gunbroker. Oris Micheals director of the CMP sent out an email to us that they are so back logged with order right now that it will be at least 100 days from the time you order one untill the big white truck shows up at your door. CMP is working 12 hours a day and closing both the north and south stores for a week to deal with mail orders only. I think a combination of the release of the M1 Carbines and the election of Obama had a large part in this. I have 8 M1 rifles now and looking for more. Yes I am classed as a Garand a holic.

Most of my rifles have come from dealers on GunBroker. If you know what you are looking for it's easy to spot the bad ones. I never got a bad M1 off of GunBroker.

 

[n4zov]

What do you think about a Ruger Mini14 or mini30?

I have used a scoped Mini-30 for years and consider it an excellent gun for the money. It shoots a cartridge that is capable of taking deer at ranges under 150 yards, and the new ones are reasonably accurate. The Mini-14 is fine for plinking and varmints but inadequate for deer IMHO.

I'm also a big fan of the M1A and it is a great choice if you want to spend that much. Scopes are a little more difficult to mount if that is a factor.

 

[safearm]

I opt for the Remington semi-autos or pump action rifles. They come in a variety of calibers suitable for hunting or self-defense, are reliable, the used guns are very reasonable in price, and they have none of the "black rifle" stigma. One model in .223 uses AR-15 magazines if you think you need that.

 

[carguychris]

Two thoughts...

1) Get an SKS. Despite the recent price increases, they're still so cheap that there's hardly any excuse not to get one.

I have two caveats, however. First, the milsurps SKSs on the market right now are almost all Yugoslavian, which are laden with useless grenade launcher attachments and don't have chrome-lined barrels; IMHO you should spend a little extra time and comb the gun shops for a Russian or Norinco. Second, I'd avoid detachable magazines, either the aftermarket add-on type or the Norinco factory production type. Both have a reputation for unreliability, and the fixed magazine can be loaded plenty fast with stripper clips.

2) Look at a Saiga .308. It's a .308Win detachable-mag semi-auto based on a scaled-up Kalashnikov action produced by Izhmash in Russia. It's designed to skirt the ban on imported EBRs so it can be imported with 100% gin-yoo-wine quality Russian parts (i.e. no chintzy importer-installed "compliance parts"

). It's not as accurate as most modern US-produced bolt guns or an M1A, but it's certainly good for less than 1 MOD (Minute of Deer) and it would make a dandy SHTF gun with the available hi-cap mags.

The main problems are (a) most were imported with dreadful hollow black plastic furniture that exudes about the same level of quality as early 90s Kia or Daewoo interior trim*, and (b) there were some serious distribution problems last year that created a backlog prior to the post-election rush, so supply is iffy and prices have been driven up from ~$400 to $550+. It's still a good deal though.

*A handful came over with nice-quality wood, but good luck finding one.

 

[truckemup97]

SKSs and AKs are great, but no longer inexpensive. The M1 from CMP is becoming a better value every day. Then again, you can rarely go wrong with a Remington.

Huh. Not much help, am I?

Just get one (or three) of each.

 

[2152hq]

I'd go for (another!) M1 Garand myself.
There seems to be a good supply of them at most good sized gun shows. Though most are over priced,,they don't seem to sell at those prices either.

A decent one can usually be bought yet for betw $500 & $700. Do some homework on what to look for and then do some shopping. Plenty of parts available for maint.

As far as using it for deer hunting, 5 shot enbloc clips are available to meet those regs. MilSurp M1 30-06 ammo can be used if you pull the FMJ bullets and reseat with commercial softpoints. Saves alot of reloading hassel for a few hunting and sighting in rounds.

The older Remington commercial semiauto rifle (M742??) is good suggestion also. They usually go begging for owners on gunracks.
The Browning commercial BAR semiauto would be a nice one too. There's one on one of the auction sites now in 30-06 for under $800.

For the cool factor, you could go with a Remington Model 8 or 81. Either in cal.35 Remington,,or the latter in 300 Savage

 

[wbraswell]

I love the Garand, except when I have to carry the darn thing. I took mine out deer hunting once. It seemed to gain a pound every 10 minutes. Sure made me appreciate all the old dogfaces that carried them in the WWII and Korea all the more. I think the old Remington 742 would be a good deal, as long as it's not worn out.