First Rifle - need some input

[vlper]

Hello everyone, im gonna be purchasing my first rifle in a week or so and have been researching/looking at everything available to me (i live in California =/ ) and the two that i've pretty much settled on are the Kal-tech SU-16CA or the Ruger NRA Mini 14, and my budget is right around $900 or so

So in such a limited area are these really my best choices (especially for a beginner)?

[Patriot]

You should probably learn to shoot with a .22LR because ammo is by far the cheapest and you can focus on the basics.

[zero]

It depends how much you plan on investing in guns down the road and what the rifle will be used for(hunting, target, HD, plinking...). With that budget you could build an AR with endless possibilities. And if you stick around here long enough you might feel the urge to pick one up, so why not? Also consider ammunition prices into your budget, as prices are very high.

[What Just Happened?]

An AR in .22lr? You get the cheap ammo and the wonderful rifle. And one that you can upgrade endlessly. Change calibers, optics, style of grip. And so on and so forth.

[Gnome]

Vlper, I like you already I was recently contemplating my first rifle purchase not too long ago. AR or Mini? You can probably still find the thread floating around.

I went with the mini for various reasons. History, reliability, ease of cleaning, so on and so forth. I finally went to ProForce and DROS'd it. I'm now scratching my eyeballs out waiting for the 10 days to be over. I pick it up in seven more days.

I wish I could give you advice on how it shoots, but I have no idea yet. But, if you get the mini, you got a shooting buddy right here. Good luck.

[wearemisled]

I have owned a Mini-14 for about 10 years and it has been great. However I bought pre-ban 40 round hi-cap mags right before the ban went into effect. Unfortunately that is an option that you don't have now days.

So in my opinion the Mini-14 is a great starter rifle. But be warned, a lot of guys here love to bash it. It's simple, rugged and very reliable assuming you are using good magazines. I can't stress that fact enough, you have to purchase high quality 10 round mags for the gun to cycle reliably.

EDIT* In fact is a video of me shooting my Mini a little while back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5mcedecV70

and another one...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQwNxs8xBFA&watch_response

[Fitz87]

DON'T get a keltec, theres so many problems associated with that gun. I cant comment on the NRA mini-14 , they look nice, but you could make an AR for cheaper. Also for a much cheaper route you can get a saiga in .223, which can be gotten for around $300. Their very reliable and much more accurate then a keltec or mini-14.

[Patriot]

DON'T get a keltec, theres so many problems associated with that gun. I cant comment on the NRA mini-14 , they look nice, but you could make an AR for cheaper. Also for a much cheaper route you can get a saiga in .223, which can be gotten for around $300. Their very reliable and much more accurate then a keltec or mini-14.

You can get a Saiga in 7.62x39 as well

[Fitz87]

True, I went with a 7.62 saiga also, but he seems like he wants a gun in 5.56

[aplinker]

I honestly can't think of a single reason to buy a Mini over a Saiga, unless you really like the looks of the Mini.

Why not AR?

Why not AR with a Ciener kit? <-- IDEAL

[Patriot]

True, I went with a 7.62 saiga also, but he seems like he wants a gun in 5.56

I was thinking Mini-30, mea culpa.

[bunni]

I'll recommend the Kel-Tec - 200 flawless rounds through mine. Aimsurplus.com has Serbian brass cased .223 at less than $10 a box.

[J_Rock]

Have you considered adding a CA legal AR15 to the list?

[aplinker]

For $900, though, it would be a close call on a CA-AR... From the sounds of things, I'd suggest detach mags...

CMMG upper mid-length medcon w/plastic & Std FSB: $500
MMG: $45
Lower: $150
LPK: $60
A2 Stock: $65
Mag: $15
Detach. carry handle or rear flip sight (Matech): 60
______
$895

[J_Rock]

For $900, though, it would be a close call on a CA-AR... From the sounds of things, I'd suggest detach mags...

CMMG upper mid-length medcon w/plastic & Std FSB: $500
MMG: $45
Lower: $150
LPK: $60
A2 Stock: $65
Mag: $15
Detach. carry handle or rear flip sight (Matech): 60
______
$895

CMMG bargain bin

or

Armalite sale

Both will get you better results than a SU16 or Mini-14