A definitive discussion about the best CA legal .223 autoloader

[CCRBUM]

there are plenty of well priced AR's floating around on here for you to pick one up for below $1000. nab one for a good price and see what you like and don't like about it and build from there. You can even sell off parts or trade stuff around and get what you want .... I ALMOST got a mini but heeded the advice of some people and picked up an AR. I was able to get what I wanted and love it! go AR and you will not regret it.... if you want something less offensive looking do a flat top upper and one of those U15 stocks... I think that's about as friendly as you are going to get an AR to look.

[reidnez]

An AR15 or a Saiga would serve you well. Mini-14's would be a contender, but they aren't running much cheaper than AR15's right now and you are getting a lot less gun for your money. SU-16 is too new and unproven to win my dollar. The <5lb. weight is impressive and enviable on the one hand, but it begs questions about durability and reliability on the other. For a "truck gun" or plinker it should be perfectly adequate, but for a defensive weapon I don't trust it.

[WeekendWarrior]

WWRTW

[Malinowski]

As I understand it the RAA Saiga is legal, but the DOJ has released conflicting statements about it, so I'm not so sure it's the best option. But if you're willing to buy one and are worried about how offensive it will look in a courtroom, consider this:

http://www.saigastock.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=31&products_id=198

It's been said that because the grip and stock are at a different angle, it's easier to shoot than the factory saiga.

If you're really worried about predatory lawyers looking to make a name for themselves after a self defense situation, maybe a wood furniture shotgun would be reasonable. An Ithaca is affordable and pretty old-fashioned looking.

[Cokebottle]

As I understand it the RAA Saiga is legal, but the DOJ has released conflicting statements about it

Doesn't matter. Legal is legal. Not listed as an AW is not listed as an AW, and with a non-detachable magazine, there's no amount of evil features other than a 30rd mag that can make it an AW.

[stix213]

I vote for the Saiga. It has to be the more reliable rifle out of the group by a long shot (AK reliability is legendary) and the .223 is one of the more accurate versions of the Saiga, though the two .30 caliber versions are more fun. It should never let you down and is also conveniently the least expensive choice. But honestly, even if it was the most expensive, it is still probably the one I would get.

As already mentioned, the mini-14 you have pictured is a felony making illegal assault weapon if you keep it with a detachable mag like you said you intended to due to the thumbhole stock evil feature. Center fire semi-auto rifle + thumbhole stock + detachable mag = approx 3 years behind bars even if the rifle looks nice and friendly.

[-hanko]

If you're really worried about predatory lawyers looking to make a name for themselves after a self defense situation, maybe a wood furniture shotgun would be reasonable. An Ithaca is affordable and pretty old-fashioned looking.

2 things...errr, 3 things:

If you're worried about "predatory lawyers...", you're valuing what may happen after a shooting above your life, and apparently the lives of those around you.

There's more tin foil on this thread than in most supermarkets. No one has yet cited a case where someone defending themselves with a weapon has been at a legal disadvantage because of the make/model of weapon they used. If I'm missing something, someone please post a cite. Please. If you can't post some case law, please stop perpetuating this internet lawyer bs.

Not only is an ithaca affordable, it's smoother than the 870, faster to load, and always goes bang.

-hanko

[chaaalieboy]

2 things...errr, 3 things:

If you're worried about "predatory lawyers...", you're valuing what may happen after a shooting above your life, and apparently the lives of those around you.

There's more tin foil on this thread than in most supermarkets. No one has yet cited a case where someone defending themselves with a weapon has been at a legal disadvantage because of the make/model of weapon they used. If I'm missing something, someone please post a cite. Please. If you can't post some case law, please stop perpetuating this internet lawyer bs.

Not only is an ithaca affordable, it's smoother than the 870, faster to load, and always goes bang.

-hanko

Right now, I've got a mossy 500. So I'm definitely looking to pick up a .223 next

[Squidward]

If you already have pre-ban AR mags then it makes sense to get either the AR or the KelTec. If you have no AR mags, and based upon your stated purpose, any of the group will be fine.

If it doesn't need to be a semi automatic, take a look at the Remington 7615, which uses AR mags.

Markley's in Watsonville has pre-owned minis and a 7615 as of last weekend. .

[marklbucla]

No one has yet cited a case where someone defending themselves with a weapon has been at a legal disadvantage because of the make/model of weapon they used.

Look up Gary Fadden.

Hell, I live in FA and I still have to seriously think about my HD choice for this reason only. I don't know what the effect of the "Stand your Ground" law is going to have regarding the perception of weapon selection, but until I hear of cases where AR-15s were used successfully in HD shootings, I'll stick to my 870 by the bed.

[Bud Fox]

How about this for non-threatening?

[marklbucla]

How about this for non-threatening?

Still too scary. I can still see black.

Try this: