In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

Best semi- auto rifle

songdogsongdog Member Posts: 355 ✭✭✭
edited January 2002 in General Discussion
I want to hear y'alls remarks on what would make the best semi-auto rifle. Please state all your reasons for your selection. I have considered buying one for some time now, but have always been stuck on which is BEST. songdog
Be bold in what you stand for, careful in what you fall for.
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • robsgunsrobsguns Member Posts: 4,581 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    songdog, What caliber, big bore or small bore, if you havent nailed down a specific caliber?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • timberbeasttimberbeast Member Posts: 1,738 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Best for doing what? That's a pretty subjective question, even if usage is specified. "Favorite" would probably be a better term, I may not hit anything with what someone else figures is the "Bee's Knees".
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Evil ATFEvil ATF Member Posts: 1,195 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    For an all-around butt-whooper, I'd choose my Springfield Armory M1A.Why?Well, the short list is that it's accurate as heck, is chambered for the best all-around cartridge on the planet, the .308, and it isn't likely to be banned anytime soon. 'Course, if we let it get to the point that we've allowed M1A's and other similiar types of rifle to go on the chopping block, then we've already lost.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • songdogsongdog Member Posts: 355 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Small caliber, no larger than .308. A fairly newer model semi. I already have a m1 garand that belonged to my grandfather. excellent shape considering the stories that it has went through. Or so told stories. I know that a mini 14 is out of the question b/c thecan not hit hit a dink in the head if they were trying to commit suicide. I would probably want something that had a synthetic stock.songdog
    Be bold in what you stand for, careful in what you fall for.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • WittumWittum Member Posts: 553 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Songdog, 3 letters BAR
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • songdogsongdog Member Posts: 355 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    wittum- Have you tturned into a night owl? songdog
    Be bold in what you stand for, careful in what you fall for.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • timberbeasttimberbeast Member Posts: 1,738 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Don't know much about synth-stock stuff, songdog, Remington makes some nice autoloaders, though. .22 pick would be 10/22, but it sounds like you want to "reach out and touch someone", then an AR-variant, I guess. Got lucky with my Mini-14, it's one of the accurate ones, they ARE out there, I guess not that many, I've outshot by a ton four others belonging to friends (triggerman made little difference). I'm kinda interested in a .270, maybe this thread will help me pick the right one!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pops401pops401 Member Posts: 616 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    timberbeast, what are you looking fir in a 270? pops.songdog, with all the opinions on this board (including mine), you may out do the Smoking Jacket thread. I have a few mini's that shoot real well. Takes culling, I did go through a bunch to find what I have. The 10/22 is and will always be a great gun, (bang for the buck if you will).I have 3 AR's which I LOVE!!!, and a Spgingfield M1A, Springfield SAR 8 both in .308, and a few others that I don't shoot much. All mine are keepers cause I LIKE 'EM. So that's one mans opinion.[This message has been edited by pops401 (edited 01-27-2002).]
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • madminutemadminute Member Posts: 68 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    For what purpose? Defense? Combat? Hunting? Competition? Or are you looking for an all-around choice?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • WittumWittum Member Posts: 553 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Songdog,The past few nights i have gotten a little crazy, but i always do at the first f the semester and then i mellow out alot and dont do anything. I didnt know if you would catch that post or not. Get you a Browning B.A.R. I have heard for auto's in rifles, these are really top end.Are you gonna be around March 2,3 i think we are coming up...Wittum
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • will270winwill270win Member Posts: 4,845
    edited November -1
    Anything Browning.
    If you can't fix it with a hammer, take it to a mechanic. will270win@aol.com ~Secret Select Society Of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets~
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sandman2234sandman2234 Member Posts: 894 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Will270, Sometime I will have to tell you about my dealings with Browning and a firearm they manufactured. And the resulting dealings with Remington, on the subject of a gun that they did not manufacture. I choose not to get into it today, but am awaiting a final close to the story.
    Have Gun, will travel
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Josey1Josey1 Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Anything Heckler & Koch
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EDHEADEDHEAD Member Posts: 57 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    for the $, hard to beat an sks if your not planning on 500 yard shots.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • timberbeasttimberbeast Member Posts: 1,738 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Pops, just a good hunting rifle (whitetail) for my son when he turns 12 next year. I have several Winch 94's, .32 spl, .375 and 30-30, but I always though .270 was a cool caliber, and think he'd like it. Recoil ain't a problem with him, he already shoots a 20 ga. mags, and smiles!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    As always I gotta champion military stuff... SKS or AKs are both fine, I like the French MAS 49 as it has fewer moving parts to go haywire, but top of the line... gotta go with Garand.
    "...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.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • madminutemadminute Member Posts: 68 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The Question: What would make the best semi-auto rifle? MY specs-Simple construction, few moving parts, high reliability in adverse conditions, low maintenance, easy to repair if broken, rugged construction so it WON'T get broken, cheap dirt-common ammo readily available, proven service history, reasonably accurate out to 300 yds., lightweight.......damn, sounds an awful lot like an SKS or AK to me....
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The SKS in ,308 with a slim synthetic pistol grip stock and having a detachable 20 round mag.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pops401pops401 Member Posts: 616 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    timberbeast, I've got a Model 70 DBM w/synthetic stock and extra mag that is pretty near like new.Has no iron sights, but has Weaver mounts. E-mail me if interested, and I'll send pics. popsbucknbea@bellsouth.net[This message has been edited by pops401 (edited 01-28-2002).]
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pops401pops401 Member Posts: 616 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    timberbeast, I've got a Model 70 DBM w/synthetic stock and extra mag that is pretty near like new.Has no iron sights, but has Weaver mounts. E-mail me if interested, and I'll send pics. pops
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RUGERNUT3RUGERNUT3 Member Posts: 247 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Can you say...."BAR" IN CENTERFIRE...
    "ANY" EXCUSE IS A GOOD REASON TO BUY "JUST 1 MORE".& VICIE-VERSIE!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 218Beekeep218Beekeep Member Posts: 3,033
    edited November -1
    Timberbeast:Please..no more about my knees! I am very shy about them,and I will turn blush red if you continue this little game of yours..218
    Did somebody say somethin` about bees?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you're like me, you want a semi-auto rifle that is absolutely reliable for defense, has changeable mags for similar reasons, is accurate as a bolt action, and yet handles light, like a carbine. I'm not sure there is such a gun in .308, which would be my favorite rifle caliber (I consider .223 and 7.62x39 to be just below the line for a "real" rifle -- they are very useful tools, but when you say rifle I have a feeling you, like me, are looking for a rifleman's rifle, a rifle you could almost snipe with at distances over 300 yards. I am still looking for such a gun. The last few .308s I picked up at gun shows are heavy b*st**ds, with the possible exception of a wood stocked CETME that looked to be above the current average. I say looked. That doesn't mean it shot worth a plugged nickel, or was a reliable feeder. Sadly, I find myself trying to find the ideal gun by research and reputation, but always wind up finding my true favorites by shooting them in the field or on the range. That means some buying and some selling. Truth is, I don't want some other critic's perfect rifle. I want MY perfect rifle and like you I want it semi-auto. I'll soon be looking for the same qualities in a shotgun. I find myself curious about that new Beretta. But that's another thread.
    "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."
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chuckuchucku Member Posts: 17 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    the best semi auto? Ak-47 or the fal..... period!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • idsman75idsman75 Member Posts: 13,398 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Does anyone have an opinion on the Springfield M1A "Scout" rifle? Is it just as good as the others?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have to believe it's an attempt to produce a piece based on the principles Jeff Cooper laid out for his personal vision of the ideal rifle -- he called it the Scout. He convinced one high-end manufacturer to produce one to his specs, but it was awfully expensive. Another big "if" is that Cooper's idea, if I recall correctly, was that the Scout use a classic Mauser bolt action. If the M1A has a Cooper/Scout version (and why would they "steal" his appellation for the system otherwise?), I assume theirs will be a semi-auto, which makes more sense to me, though Cooper would probably insist it was less accurate. The most obvious visual attribute of Cooper's Scout blueprint (to me) is a scope which sits well forward atop the receiver. It would seem that the M1A would be a good machine to build a Scout on. I wouldn't be surprised if it had its merits.
    "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."
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hey, Alltheway I hope you dont have one of those aluminum upper receivers.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.