new tactical rifle

bigmike1972

I am new to shooting and I am looking for a 'new' tactical rifle. I've been told that an FAL is the gun to go for. Others have told me an AR-10 or AR-15. With Obama coming to office, I want to get one soon.
Any advice on brand and model will be greatly appreciated.
thank you
mike

Nwcid

Well I am not sure how you define tactical or what you are planning on using it for. There is also how much do you want/able to spend on the gun, mags, accessories, ammo?

Each gun has its strong and weak points. Some are better then others for different reasons. For example my Bushmaster Varminiter ("target" AR) is not good for working in and around vehicles or urban CQB. On the other hand my Carbine (short 16" AR with sliding stock) is not good for making accurate 500 yard shots.

EDIT: I see your update but I think you kinda missed my point. With the limited information you gave there are still many many choices to give you. In .308 you have FAL's, M1A's, AR10's, HK-91's ect again each having strong and weak points. In .223 you have HK's, Sig 556, Galil, at least 1000 different versions of the AR-15, ect. Then you have the 7.62x39 AK's, SKS, ect.

bigmike1972

I am looking to spend around 1500. I thought tactical would be better than saying assault

dppatrol

get a quality used ar15 clone,in a common caliber,and stock up on hi cap mags.if you do a search of this subject on this forum you'll get plenty of info/opinions.fal's are great guns,i suggest ar's for the plethora of parts/manufacturers and the versatility to customize with after market accessories.you can also use different caliber upper halves on the same lower half.good luck

bigmike1972

I would prefer .308 but may look into .223's.

skyfish

Assuming a few things, my number 1 choice would be an AR platform. Go to DPMSinc.com and look around a little. In 223, actually 5.56 x 45 I think the Lite 16", Lite20" or AP4 Tactical are what you may be looking for. In 308 they make a LR-308AP4, LR-308T or 7.62 Nato Sportical. I think these may be what your looking for, lite enough to carry and shoot "for fun". Not a real heavy barrel that is more for target and match shooting. Also DPMS is only one maker, Armalite and Bushmaster make good ones as well. There are others but never been around them, I am no "expert" on AR's but I do like to shoot mine on occasion. With optics you may go over budget, also get some quality mags.

Option 2, I think an AK may be the way to go. Cheaper ammo, but that may dry up.

Maybe this helped or just confused you more.

Nwcid

quote:Originally posted by skyfish
In 308 they make a LR-308AP4, LR-308T or 7.62 Nato Sportical. I think these may be what your looking for, lite enough to carry and shoot "for fun".


See depending on what you plan on doing with the rifle I either agree or disagree. If you are looking for a great shooter the "AR-10" are a great gun. From what I hear field use is hard on them and I would have to suggest something more in the lines of a proven military design like the M1A (my choice), FAL (my 2nd choice) or the G3 (they are good but feel funny to me).

leeblackman

I say at least buy an AR lower or a couple of them. You can build many types of gun profiles on a wide assortment of cartridges on an AR lower. In fact it wouldn't hurt to buy two receivers, and register one under NFA as a SBR. I assume they will eventually become as hard to acquire as pre '86 full auto's before to long. Just put them up, you don't have to go and build anything on them. I'm sure parts kits will be available long after receivers aren't. If you buy a FAL or other type of platform, you will probably find a big limitation when it comes to modularity and user interchangeable components. AR platforms benefit in that the barrel and bolt are contained in the upper receiver, and an individual can readily change out uppers without any special tools or gunsmithing experience.