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  #1  
Old 06-12-2013, 10:38 PM
RabidSquirrel RabidSquirrel is offline
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Default Decent 5.56 Semiauto suggestions?

I grew up with guns, but haven't owned one for many years. Now that SB 47 and SB 374 are blazing through the legislature, I figured I'd better get something before it's too late.

I had been considering a Ruger Mini-14 or Kel-Tec SU-16CA. I'm not particularly interested in an AR with a BB, though if it really is superior somehow I'd consider it. Are there any other suggestions or thoughts on the ones that I've listed?

I'm also considering a basic .22 rifle; any suggestions there?

I'm sure I'm not the only one in CA who's decided to buy now; where should I look if I can't find anything? I live in Berkeley, so there aren't a hell of a lot of shopping options nearby, though I'd be happy to take suggestions there as well.

Thanks!
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Old 06-12-2013, 10:57 PM
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Your only advantage by going with a Mini over an AR is that you can drop the mags in the Mini with your finger but they'll both have ten round limits.

Personally, I would get an AR. Then again I do own several.

As for a .22 get a Ruger 10/22. You can't go wrong with them.
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  #3  
Old 06-13-2013, 1:53 AM
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MINI!!!
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  #4  
Old 06-13-2013, 7:31 AM
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Ruger 1022 for the .22 & mini 14 for the 5.56 rifle. If you decide thst you dont mind the bb then go for the ar15. I have all three and love all three. The major set back for an ar15 is the bb but if you like the rifle or can get over using a tool every time you want to drop a mag then I'd say ar15 because there's so much you can do to it.
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Old 06-13-2013, 7:51 AM
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I love minis but if you are only buying one 223, buy an AR, it's a much more flexible package.
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Old 06-13-2013, 7:54 AM
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I own both an AR and a Mini-14, and as a general rule I prefer the Mini-14 for general use, the AR is nice for long range accuracy but for plinking and just general use I like the mini-14 more.
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Old 06-13-2013, 11:18 AM
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savage bolt exile in 223. nice rifle for less than 400 bucks
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  #8  
Old 06-13-2013, 11:36 AM
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Mini -14 works for me
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  #9  
Old 06-13-2013, 12:05 PM
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Save your money since every gun is going to be illegal and those that keep their guns will be deemed terrorist and enemy of the state.
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  #10  
Old 06-13-2013, 1:46 PM
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Mini's are not known for accuracy. They'll hit a paper plate at 100 yds all day long, but a decent AR will shoot quarter sized groups if you're capable. Plus the fact that for a few hundred bucks and no ten day wait, you can swap calibers on an AR if you so desire.
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Old 06-13-2013, 2:26 PM
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Featureless AR.

But the reality is probably any semi with a detachable mag will be banned. This includes removable with a tool - well pretty much any fixed firearms mag can be removed with tools....
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Old 06-13-2013, 2:48 PM
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Since the push is on to make them extinct, I'd buy an AR. Budget to spend around $1,200.00 and you'll have a nice rifle.
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  #13  
Old 06-13-2013, 2:56 PM
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I don't think there is a bad choice right now.
Get what you can get. Buy both if possible.
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Old 06-13-2013, 2:57 PM
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I wouldn't use 5.56 in a mini 14! There is a difference. I'd get the AR & or a 10/22.
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Old 06-13-2013, 3:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jaymz View Post
Mini's are not known for accuracy. They'll hit a paper plate at 100 yds all day long, but a decent AR will shoot quarter sized groups if you're capable. Plus the fact that for a few hundred bucks and no ten day wait, you can swap calibers on an AR if you so desire.
Yeah just watch the A-team to confirm that...
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  #16  
Old 06-13-2013, 3:11 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SB1964 View Post
I wouldn't use 5.56 in a mini 14! There is a difference. I'd get the AR & or a 10/22.

Minis shoot both (says so in the manual) unless it is the special target model.
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Old 06-13-2013, 6:56 PM
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Yup I shoot 5.56 outta my mini and it shoots fine.
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Old 06-13-2013, 8:49 PM
RabidSquirrel RabidSquirrel is offline
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This is some good info, and ARs seem to be winning at the moment. The bullet button isn't a huge problem for me functionally, I just didn't want to be hassled for having a particularly interesting looking rifle. I figured the Mini has a much lower profile visually, with the same basic functionality. I'm hearing that I may have been wrong about the functionality.

ARs seem to be pretty hard to find right now, especially in a CA legal configuration. Any tips on finding one?
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Old 06-13-2013, 9:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RabidSquirrel View Post
This is some good info, and ARs seem to be winning at the moment. The bullet button isn't a huge problem for me functionally, I just didn't want to be hassled for having a particularly interesting looking rifle. I figured the Mini has a much lower profile visually, with the same basic functionality. I'm hearing that I may have been wrong about the functionality.

ARs seem to be pretty hard to find right now, especially in a CA legal configuration. Any tips on finding one?
Every range will have more ARs than anything else. If you're trying to blend in, an AR is perfect.

What's your budget?
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Old 06-13-2013, 9:53 PM
RabidSquirrel RabidSquirrel is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scuba Steve33 View Post
Every range will have more ARs than anything else. If you're trying to blend in, an AR is perfect.

What's your budget?
Honestly, as little as possible while still having decent quality. $1500 is my absolute, bank-breaking max at the moment, and that would take a couple of months to scrape together.

I'm strongly considering starting out with an OLL and building my own, since it would allow me to spend a little at a time. I generally enjoy that kind of project. It also seems to be somewhat easier to find OLLs than assembled rifles at the moment.
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  #21  
Old 06-13-2013, 10:11 PM
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You'll be able to get/build a very good AR for well under $1,500 if you're patient.

Bullet buttons are annoying, but since they aren't permanent I don't feel it is that bad. Once I move to a free state (or if hell freezes over and CA scraps its AWB) I'll take it off.
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  #22  
Old 06-13-2013, 10:58 PM
RabidSquirrel RabidSquirrel is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jdouglas View Post
You'll be able to get/build a very good AR for well under $1,500 if you're patient.

Bullet buttons are annoying, but since they aren't permanent I don't feel it is that bad. Once I move to a free state (or if hell freezes over and CA scraps its AWB) I'll take it off.
Well, that's good to know. Anyone have advice on OLLs? They seem to vary widely in price.
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Old 06-14-2013, 8:45 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RabidSquirrel View Post
Well, that's good to know. Anyone have advice on OLLs? They seem to vary widely in price.
That's a whole can of worms you've just opened. Everyone's opinion is going to be different and everyone will recommend what they have or are using.

My advice is just pick up an upper, LPK, and a BCG from Palmetto and a stripped lower from your LGS and then build to your hearts desire.

Prices are dropping steadily and supply is finally trickling back in. Almost everything is back to almost pre-panic prices except ammo. It all comes down to your budget and what you're willing to spend on a build.
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  #24  
Old 06-14-2013, 9:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RabidSquirrel View Post
Well, that's good to know. Anyone have advice on OLLs? They seem to vary widely in price.
For lowers, pretty much anything should work. I'd recommend an aluminum lower instead of a polymer one, but polymer is OK if you want to save some money short term. I'd still plan on buying an aluminum one down the road though, that way you'll have a rifle that (should) last a lifetime. (FWIW I do have a New Frontier Armory polymer lower that I do not regret buying.)

From what I understand it's much more important to have a decent bolt carrier group and upper. (Especially the BCG.)
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