Best/Most Useful Combat/SHTF Rifle under $500

[Jason P]

I wish I bought a dozen in the early 90s when they were dirt cheap!!!

Can't stand the wood. I think wood guns are pretty, well some of them, but I really prefer synthetics. What if I have to ditch and come back? Syns are lighter etc.

[Jason P]

OK, so noone seems to really suggest the bolt or lever guns. Fair enough, my thinking was maybe a bolt would be best because of simplicity. That being said, assuming Saiga which looks nice and folks seem to have little to no issues with them; which cartridge?

I don't realistically plan to source ammo elsewhere. I know I will protect my ammo like I protect my food/water, I assume others will do the same. So stockpiling 5.56/.223 or 7.62x39 is almost equally affordable. The question is which is the more versatile cartridge?

Also, I'd like to store 5,000 rounds and buy more for training as needed in reasonably cheap quantities. Does either 7.62 or 5.56 feed more reliably if less than desireable conditions/failure to clean the weapon occurs? That data seems really useful.

Basically, if I can't properly clean my gun and can only splash it with oil/gas/diesel etc, does one cartridge inherently run more consistently at high round counts than the other in the Saiga platform?

[ZX-10R]

Pass on the Saiga. Save and and get an out of the box AK pattern or visit some shops...Research that.
- Akfiles
- Akforum
- CGN = Saiga.net
Draco is not a bad idea...It is now my truck pistol...Modified my buddy's with a Texas Weapon Systems, Bulgy plastic (you Saiga guys are cheap), Vortex red dot, and Yugo grip...Money up to 50yrds. Head shots on command at 25yrds. That is not a $500 solution though.

The haters will respond but a kit is not a bad idea but that is a different conversation.

You are welcome to go shooting with me and my buddy's if you want if you are in an around the SLOSA area. Next time I will be up there is 1/7/12...We have quite a few rifles

[1forall]

AK ftw...

[timmyb21]

AK. I'd go AK74 build.

[Mojaveman]

A WASR AK-47 7.62X39, they're affordable and reliable.

A few 10rd magazines to be legal, three 30rd magazines and some type of magaizine carrying device, 1,000rds to train with and another 1,000rds for the coming of the Apocalypse.

Oh yeah, a pint of Smirnoff too. Take a few good swigs and then scream something in Russian before you start shooting.

[BRANDON7766]

Depending on a shtf situation you may not be able to find 7.62x39. Will be much easier to find 5.56. Not many ppl reload for AK's but they do for AR's so in the long run ammo will be more avail. I guess that depends on your shtf scenario.

You also cannot plan to have a stockpile at your house. I would say in the event of any sort of shtf scenario I can think of you are not going to want to be in the same place for long.

[DemocracyEnaction]

Heard you can piece together an AR-15 here for $500. i.e. Complete upper, lower,and lower parts kit. Check it out this would be a good value. http://palmettostatearmory.com/rifle-ammo.php

[NorCalK9.com]

Obviously an AK, although i hate them

2 things.
1 how can you HATE a rifle?=ignorance!
The 2nd ahh never mind.

[NorCalK9.com]

Depending on a shtf situation you may not be able to find 7.62x39. Will be much easier to find 5.56. Not many ppl reload for AK's but they do for AR's so in the long run ammo will be more avail. I guess that depends on your shtf scenario.

You also cannot plan to have a stockpile at your house. I would say in the event of any sort of shtf scenario I can think of you are not going to want to be in the same place for long.

Where do you guys come up with this ammo easy to find crap? I'm sitting on over 15k rounds here and thats just for my recreation shooting I think i'll have plenty of ammo if the frogs try n take over the world!
And all that said ammo can be loaded into any of my 4wd's and taken with me.

[mike_the_wino]

spears are great if you have a bunch of buddies who have em too so you can form a phalanx.

SHTF and I am stay-cation sort of guy. Come on in my hallway with your claymore and spear>claymore. No room to swing.

But as others have mentioned...SKS. Bayo makes it a go-bang spear. Best of all worlds.
/end thread

[Blaze Kenobi]

SKS of the 21st Century

Get an SKS for as low as you can. This one I got less then a month ago was $275.00. effective battle carbine in stock form or you can give it a makeover.
IMG_0461.jpg
U can have this!
SKS white bullpup.jpg
Or This
SKS Bullpup in black.jpg

Of course U can paint them any color u want but I wouldn't mind having a Darth Vader and a Stormtrooper combo!

[Blaze Kenobi]

I can't promise u will stay under 500. As a matter of fact I can guarantee it but you will have something that not many people have!

[Cali-Shooter]

If $500 were my budget, a nice SKS would fit the bill. Spend the rest on ammo and stripper clips. GTG!

[X-NewYawker]

I guess an AK of some type would be closest to your price range. I'm not an expert on AKs and the only ones I've looked at are Arsenals and they tend to run in the $800.00 price range, so still above what you want to spend.

If I were spending $500.00, I'd find a used Remington 870 Police Magnum or a Mossberg 590 shotgun; equip it with an extension tube, a sling, a light, a set of sights, load it with slugs and be done with it. I think in your price range you can get a good pump shotgun and equip it with what you need or a questionable rifle. IMHO, if you want a go to rifle and the shotgun doesn't appeal to you, you're better saving a little more money and buying something a little nicer. Just my opinion.

Yes. These with SABOT SLUGS: There's your long range "rifle"
I wouldn't bet my survival on a rifle that cost under $500. Not what we can legally own here.



Or a field grade Garand from the CMP.