What rifle should I get next?

[SW01SS]

If you're dead set on an SKS or Mosin the SKS would be a far better
choice for many reasons for your one and only rifle, although buying a
rifle with the expectation that a real SHTF scenario will develop is
probably fantasy. The SKS is a great rifle but far better in original
condition than the mess of a gun you're looking at. Find another one.
Your best bet would still be a good used commercial bolt rifle but
milsurps can be good buys if you follow a few basic rules, make sure
the gun has an excellent bore and learn what a counterbore is and
don't buy ANY rifle that has been counterbored no matter what the
seller says. Many people buy milsurps based on external condition
without even looking down the bore. I've seen 98 Mausers with worn
bores and counterbores that wouldn't keep their shots in a 3 ft square
at 25 yds. All those cheap tins of Mosin ammo contain corrosive
primed ammo. Do you want to deal with that? The best deal on an
SKS will probably be a Chinese gun sold when bayonets were not
included, you don't need one. Non corrosive SKS ammo can be bought
be the case online at good prices. Do yourself a favor and pass on that
junked up SKS and find an original one.

But the one I mentioned is a chinese one with no bayonet... The only thing not original about it is the stock, which I prefer the one it has anyways. I don't understand how that makes it junk.

The rest of you guys must have missed my post that my budget will not be increasing in the foreseeable future. You can say AR15 all you want and as bad as I want it too it's not going to happen for at least a year. The funds are just not there, they will not be there anytime soon, and I can't make the funds pop out of thin air. SKS it is.

 

[SW01SS]

May have just found an M44 Nagant for just $100 bucks which I don't think I can pass up. Looks great in the pictures, going to see it in person later today.

 

[Ματθιας]

May have just found an M44 Nagant for just $100 bucks which I don't think I can pass up. Looks great in the pictures, going to see it in person later today.

M44s aren't particularly accurate.

If it's all original, stamped matching you may be able to flip it to a collector - just don't call them a "Nagant," those are pistols - Mosin refers to the long gun.

 

[H Richard]

I will make a recommendation you think long and hard about your intended use. If this is a SHTF defense rifle, your primary consideration is ammo. What caliber will be most easily obtainable everywhere. 2nd, if this is one your life depends on, do you want to rely on a $89 used rifle? If money is a consideration, check into Savage, very dependable rifles for minimal amount, and they can be scoped very easy. My recommendation on a caliber would be .223, and on type it would be a bolt action. Your other family members will also need to use this in an emergency and the simplest and most rugged action is what will work for all.

 

[Waywatcher]

I will make a recommendation you think long and hard about your intended use. If this is a SHTF defense rifle, your primary consideration is ammo. What caliber will be most easily obtainable everywhere. 2nd, if this is one your life depends on, do you want to rely on a $89 used rifle? If money is a consideration, check into Savage, very dependable rifles for minimal amount, and they can be scoped very easy. My recommendation on a caliber would be .223, and on type it would be a bolt action. Your other family members will also need to use this in an emergency and the simplest and most rugged action is what will work for all.

I agree with your argument, but not your conclusion. When ammo gets scarce, .223 is the first ammo gone. 'Hunting' ammo sticks around (non-military calibers like .243, 7-08, .270, .30-30, etc.)

 

[BAM-BAM]

Consider the idea that if the SHTF stores will/may be closed or not selling ammo....

......it's cheaper to stock up on..223 at $9/20 vs. hunting calibers at $18-?/20 before the SHTF.

 

[Waywatcher]

A more likely scenario is a candidate being elected sparking yet another buying frenzy that makes .223 unobtanium for 12-18 months. For someone of limited means, stashing a large cache of ammo to get though this is not realistic. Having a rifle in a caliber that maintains availability is a better guarantee of being able to shoot for fun and to maintain proficiency.

Consider what would happen to SKS/AK ammo if it stopped being imported (for whatever reason)?

 

[don5]

OP- Waywatcher nailed it. Add my vote for the Ruger American. I have two and my 15 year old son has one as well. Mine are in 308 compact and 30-06. My son has a 308. They are very good rifles for the money.

I would stay away from the sks and mosin nagants due to ammo availability in the future. This is just my opinion and I am certain several will hammer me for my comment. But again, this is MY opinion so take it for what it is worth.

As far as caliber selection, well that is a topic for another thread or several threads. My thought is that the 30-06 is one of the most common hunting calibers so ammo availability should not be a problem. You can walk into almost any mom and pop store located anywhere in Canada and the USA and there will be a box of 30-06 on the shelf. In a SHTF scenario this is critical.

Again these are my opinions and yours may vary.

 

[gwpercle]

Save up a few more dollars and look for a K-31 or K-11, 7.5 Swiss .
I have 03-A3 Springfield, British Enfields, Mausers, and by far the best crafted, most accurate , best shooting is my old K-11. It's technically a 1911 Schmidt-Ruben Carbine and is built like a fine Swiss watch. Really good trigger allows for impressive groups and the action is cool!
Gary

 

[gregintenn]

Get what you think you'll need now. It's all a matter of priority. When "the SHTF", as you put it happens, it'll be too late to acquire rifles or ammunition.

 

[SW01SS]

I will make a recommendation you think long and hard about your intended use. If this is a SHTF defense rifle, your primary consideration is ammo. What caliber will be most easily obtainable everywhere. 2nd, if this is one your life depends on, do you want to rely on a $89 used rifle? If money is a consideration, check into Savage, very dependable rifles for minimal amount, and they can be scoped very easy. My recommendation on a caliber would be .223, and on type it would be a bolt action. Your other family members will also need to use this in an emergency and the simplest and most rugged action is what will work for all.

While I have mentioned SHTF several times, it honestly isn't a huge concern to me. But in the off chance something did happen, I would like something that can be useful IN ADDITION to my 2 other firearms. Just because it is $89 dollars why shouldn't I trust my life to it? It's reliability is outstanding. People so commonly dismiss cheap products as unreliable and inefficient whether it be in guns or in other hobbies that I've been involved in and I've consistently proven people wrong. Costing hundreds or thousands of dollars doesn't automatically constitute a great reliable firearm, and costing 100 dollars doesn't automatically mean it's a piece of junk. The Mosins reliability is great and pretty common knowledge. The only real downsides are accuracy, which may not be a downside at all depending on the particular Mosin, and ergonomics which is more a matter of personal opinion. But with all that said, unless SHTF, this rifle will only be used 100 percent for fun plinking at the range and practicing fundamental rifle skills. Ammo is extremely affordable for someone on a college student budget, and if this 100 dollar rifle does its job, then I can enjoy it for a while, and in a year or so spend the big money on a nice AR or other semi auto.

Get what you think you'll need now. It's all a matter of priority. When "the SHTF", as you put it happens, it'll be too late to acquire rifles or ammunition.

As I said above, I would like to be prepared for SHTF, but I also understand how low the odds are of something serious happening. So my priorities are more focused on school and other real life things and thats why Im so against spending more money. Pistol, .22lr rifle, and big caliber bolt action with way more ammo than I can carry for each. I'm sure I could definitely be doing much worse...

 

[thibaultfelix40]

The S ain't gonna HTF. Just buy something and shoot it. Have fun, enjoy life, let all the chicken littles worry about the sky falling. I like having some guns and ammo handy to shoot things that need to be shot. Maybe if you have to ask, "what gun", you aren't ready for a gun. Buy what YOU want.

 

[alwslate]

I think you are more interested in arguing for your own preferences
against all sugestions and shooting them down (in your mind) to
prove you are right more than actually looking for help in making a
wise decision. People sometimes ask others their opinion on a subject
just to have an opportunity to express their own views and convince
themselves they are right by defeating all contrary opinions one by
one. I think you are going to do what you want no matter what any
one tells you so enjoy your new gun.

 

[SW01SS]

I think you are more interested in arguing for your own preferences
against all sugestions and shooting them down (in your mind) to
prove you are right more than actually looking for help in making a
wise decision. People sometimes ask others their opinion on a subject
just to have an opportunity to express their own views and convince
themselves they are right by defeating all contrary opinions one by
one. I think you are going to do what you want no matter what any
one tells you so enjoy your new gun.

You are incorrect in your assumption. I was genuinely seeking advice. But I will enjoy my new gun. Thanks.

 

[M3Stuart]

If I had the choice between a bolt action and a semi-auto I'd get neither and buy a lever action.

Rossi makes good low cost rifles.

+1 on this.

IMHO ammo companies should give away inexpensive rifles as you'll spend WAY more on .223 or .308 ammo than you will on the gun if you shoot it a lot.

I was in the same boat and went with the Rossi M92 lever gun and....wait for it....a Hi Point 9mm 995TS.

Why? Because I can shoot all my reloaded pistol ammo in them - for dirt cheap!

If you're still laughing, I'll show you targets with 1" groups at 50-100 yards. Open sights. No kidding. Especially the Hi Point, its a real tack driver and costs a little over 300 bucks. Laugh all you want.

 

[ironhead7544]

For your uses, you are describing the SKS. Get a stock one. Get some clips for quicker loading. Leave the magazine alone. I tried all manner of accessories and came to the conclusion that stock form is best. The 16 inch barreled version would be nice if you can find one. Get some ammo ASAP.

 

[mg357]

M1 Carbine

 

[BAM-BAM]

M1 Carbine

That will blow his budget........LOL