Most Reliable Rifle Under $500?

Bullzeye · January 2002

Using the compiled factors of,1)Ammo (price,effectiveness)2)Whether there's any known quality or reliability issues3)Aftermarket add-ons (mags, scopes, etc.)4)Fun Factor5)Overall usefulnesstell me which rifle under $500 you'd pick.(and dont say the SKS. I've just about had it with mine.)

Evil ATF · January 2002

Romanian SAR-1 AK-47.Other than that, you'd better jump your price range up to about $750 before you can buy anything decent.

DarkStar11 · January 2002

I'll second Evil on that...but the Ruger 10/22 is up there, too. Lacks in versatility. ;-)Why are ya fed up with your SKS?[This message has been edited by DarkStar11 (edited 01-22-2002).]

jonk · January 2002

Ooh, it may not have much for looks but I would have to go with a cheap Turk Mauser or Yugo Mauser in new condition... satisfies all your criteria and more. Plus for $500, you could by several and have money left over.

"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conference in 1899.

Josey1 · January 2002

NEW Yugo SKS

Otoman · January 2002

New Norinco AK-47.

FireMed · January 2002

I think I missed something here. Are you asking about a hunting rifle of a HDW?

mustang · January 2002

hey! i did that!! i looked for about 3 or 4 months and found a nice used rem. 788 in a 22-250. paided 225 for it, shoots nice!!!! and i had $ left for a scope, rings and a bi-pod.

offeror · January 2002

As much as I enjoy my Norinco AK-47S (pre-ban) in 7.62 I wouldn't presume to say it's the ideal rifle. Since your key word in the header is "reliable" it does qualify for consideration. The only trouble I've ever had with the AK is that there's a bit of finesse involved in loading a mag smoothly. If you try to load it straight in like an AR it may not go. Mine seems to need a gentle rotation motion, front to back, to go in smooth and click into place. But it has the lightest trigger of any gun I own, which I find enjoyable, though a friend seems to think it might "go full auto" some day. I don't know if that's a legitimate danger, but I suppose we'll cross that bridge if we come to it. If it came to that, I might find myself too busy to get my broken gun fixed, come to think of it. I can't say for sure an AK is a better gun than an SKS in practical terms, but it is a newer gun. I like the way the sights on the SKS seem to naturally find your eye when you raise it to your shoulder. Otherwise, I like my AK better. SKSs were generally considered to be the assault rifle for people who couldn't afford an AK and used to sell for maybe $150 or less. Some dealers try to trick them out and get more for them, with limited success. I've never really liked the fold-under bayonet, either. Now that AK prices have come down you could acquire one for not a lot of money. But if you're in the mood for a change I don't know if this would be sufficient or not -- your call.

"The 2nd Amendment is about defense, not hunting. Long live the gun shows, and reasonable access to FFLs. Join the NRA -- I'm a Life Member."

simonbs · January 2002

SKS with pistol-grip, folding stock, bayo-lug, 75 round drum, suppressor, quick acquisition scope...Oh, wait a minute, there's a knock at my door, I'll be right back...

sandman2234 · January 2002

Ruger 10/22, hands down. Fits the bill for all of the above mentioned criteria, and the ammo is CHEAP. Plus you can buy a magazine loader that makes loading the aftermarket mags easy.(which explains why those magazines are so durn expensive) But even with that cost, it is still way under the listed price range, which means you can get an extra one, or a couple of mags, or a target barrel, or a... the list goes on.

Have Gun, will travel

Shootist3006 · January 2002

M1 Garand, inexpensive but very effective ammo, great reliability, not a lot in aftermarket junk - don't need to add to an almost perfect rifle, loads of fun and more usefull than any of the others listed.Key difference is the effectivity of the ammo, far more effective than the 7.62X39 (not to mention the .22). Why buy a 100 - 200 yd. rifle when for a buck or two more you can get a 1000 yd. one??

Quod principi placuit legis habet vigorem.Semper Fidelis

beachmaster73 · January 2002

X-Ring, shootist...but I think we are becoming more and more of a minority as the years go by. Beach

Bullzeye · January 2002

I'd love to get a Garand.But the cheapest one I've ever seen was one in fair condition for $725.I could buy 3 SKSs, 2 Ruger 10/22s, and a SAR-1 for the price of one Garand.

simonbs · January 2002

23 year old Garand lover here.I was just joking about the gun laws with my earlier post.

idsman75 · January 2002

Bullzeye--If I could swing you a Garand for $499 in Good condition, would you be interested? It may not have all-matching parts or even be a collector's item but I know where I can get decent shooters for less than $725. The local discount sporting goods store has a ton of them.simonbs--whew! You had me worried there. I thought we were going to have to go and bust you out![This message has been edited by idsman75 (edited 01-22-2002).]

joe4348 · January 2002

I would go with a FN FAL kit gun. You can buy a good reciever for $210-$230 and a good kit for $200-$250. 308 Cal and good surplus Nato ammo for $130-150 @ 1000. There are web sites that show you how to put them together and you can make your own tools. The FN is a proven battle rifle and is accurate enough to hunt with. 20 round mags run used for $5-$7 each.

Wittum · January 2002

I would probably have to say my ole 788 .223 that i purchased.

offeror · January 2002

Please recommend some web sites that show how to put guns together from parts kits. This would a) be very helpful to me in general and b) bring a lot more rifles into the under-$500 range stipulated in this topic. I have spoken to a local AR customizer about putting together surplus guns from parts kits and he says it is okay for you to build one for yourself but if you build a number to sell you then become a manufacturer subject to all applicable legislation. Sure would be nice to build my own collection from parts kits though. I'd have a lot more (and know a lot more about the inner workings).

"The 2nd Amendment is about defense, not hunting. Long live the gun shows, and reasonable access to FFLs. Join the NRA -- I'm a Life Member."

beachmaster73 · January 2002

bullzeye....Danish Garand through the CMP for about $400. Every Danish Garand seems to be in near pristine condition. Yes you have to join a state association for $10 a year and enter one CMP compertition for..lets see my club charges $4.00 per match and we help prepare the paperwork. If you can swing the $525 you can get a pure American Garand through the CMP. The last one I got last summer was a complete Ledder-Kenney Arsenal(with cartouches) rebuild with a brand new never fired other than for proofing barrel on it. You can take that rifle out of the box and turn some heads at a John Garand Match. Oh yeah your rifle is delivered to your door... none of this going to your local FFL for another $20 expenditure. But alas the Garand does not have the visual appeal that these cheap whizbang AK varients have...it merely shoots rings around them. BeachP.S. I'd caution you not to buy one of the many Garands turning up at sporting goods shops. For the most part they are Nationalist Chinese, Thai and Korean military weapons that have been ridden hard and put away wet after 50 years of use in those countries military. Be especially aware of any that say Blue Sky Armoury on the left side of the barrel near the muzzle. Those rifles tend to have excessive wear and the barrels are worn out beyond words. Stick with the CMP and you'll never go wrong. Beach

idsman75 · January 2002

Thanks for the advice Beach (although it was directed towards Bullzeye).

jdb123 · January 2002

i just dont get the fascination with .22's even though the ruger 10/22 maybe be great it is still a freakin' .22 he said he wanted to spend around $500 not $200 go get something that you would not let a 6 year old girl fire. like one guy said before go get a mauser or even an m-44 {in good condition of course}these are old foreign military rifles but thats what so great about them. i like the M1 garand idea myself.

joe4348 · January 2002

offeror-Try http://fnfal.com/falfiles/ This site has everything and links to hook you up. If you post there everyone is friendly and more than willing to help you. In fact you might even run into me there but under a different name. The FN is the best battle rifle going [next to the M14, but some will argue that], bar none. :-) Good luck

buddyb · January 2002

Will 500 buy a T/C Encore?

augedoge · January 2002

I bought a rem 7400 30-06 last august.. This is my second one I tell ya for $460.00 I think its the best all around value. plenty of aftermarket goodies for it like hicap mags. the long barrel is very accurate with 150 round. a 180 will kill anything on this planet, and my wife loves to shoot it, its actually her gun. I,m a AK boy myself.

sandman2234 · January 2002

The fasination for the 10/22 was based only on the five guidelines that were presented. Tell me anywhere the ammo isn't cheaper, the availability of aftermarket stuff isn't more available,(and usually cheaper)and with the exception of large game, what it won't do? Not only that you can spend HOURS plinkin at cans, targets,squirrels, rats,etc.you can use them to (with rat shot) to stop the local dogs from tearing up your trashcans.Tell me how much fun it is to spend hour loading magazines, one bullet at a time, when they have a loader for the 10/22? Between me and the other guys that frequent "the farm" we have a wider range and probably more guns than most small gun shops. We always try to take a few that we haven't shot "lately" but it seems almost everybody brings a 10/22 or a Marlin 39 to do a little plinking before the day is done. I know it's not an expensive gun, won't turn heads at a gunrange, or shoot 1000 yard targets, but if you really think about it, it isn't a bad gun and overall, meets all the 5 criterial that was requested. And meets them better. As an investment, nope, just a a fun, cheap, inexpensive to shoot, anybody can shoot, under $500 with all the options gun. Try a Calico Two-Twenty-two if you can find one. (otherwise known as a 10/22 gattlin gun)

Have Gun, will travel

RUGERNUT3 · January 2002

Like my 10/22 just fine, but...also like theMarlin/Henry .22magnums..levers..nice iron sights..good out to 125yds. or so..save your money you dont need a scope to shoot within their effective range...nice bit of power the .22mag. has and inexspensive to boot. Lightweight, walnut not hardwood..nice looking, good shooting little rifles.Only addon you need is a sling...either rifle falls in well under the $500 range..go pick up sevral bxs. shells, throw some cans, empty shotshells(my favorite),a $hi%l&*d of iced down DR.PEPPERS(love them suckers)in the truck and it =A DAY IN PLINKERS HEAVEN...

"ANY" EXCUSE IS A GOOD REASON TO BUY "JUST 1 MORE".& VICIE-VERSIE![This message has been edited by RUGERNUT3 (edited 01-23-2002).][This message has been edited by RUGERNUT3 (edited 01-23-2002).]

Most Reliable Rifle Under $500?

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