Best California-approved semi-automatic centerfire rifles for the money?

[ShawnRHarmon]

I was looking for my first semi-auto centerfire rifle, but my budget is within the $500 dollar range. I would love an AR-15, but the CA complaint ones ive seen range from $800+ and have to be cracked open to be loaded which I think is lame as hell. A few rifles Ive been looking into are:

Ruger Mini-14
Kel-Tec SU-16CA
Russian Saigas (not sure if they are CA-OK)
and of course, the AR-15's

So does anyone have any experience with such rifles? Any suggestions would be awesome. Thanks!

[BenHa]

AR15 doesn't have to be crack open to load. All you need is a bullet button where you have to use a tool to depress the mag release (bullet anything pointy) versus using your finger. Out of your list I would say either an AR15 or Ruger Mini-14.

[WASR10]

For $500 you can get a nice SKS and some ammo to go with it.

The Saiga is a good choice too.

[Paseclipse]

For $500 you can get a nice SKS and some ammo to go with it.



The Saiga is a good choice too.

^^^ This. though you'll have to flip a little more $ to get a new Saiga.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Oceanbob]

I was looking for my first semi-auto centerfire rifle, but my budget is within the $500 dollar range. I would love an AR-15, but the CA complaint ones ive seen range from $800+ and have to be cracked open to be loaded which I think is lame as hell. A few rifles Ive been looking into are:

Ruger Mini-14
Kel-Tec SU-16CA
Russian Saigas (not sure if they are CA-OK)
and of course, the AR-15's

So does anyone have any experience with such rifles? Any suggestions would be awesome. Thanks!

That's funny^^^^^^

Welcome to Cal Guns....!

You're completely wrong about AR rifles having to be cracked open.

You can have a Normal AR 15 with evil features and install a $10 bullet button and 10 round mag. You can build your own from a lower for around your budget if you do some careful shopping online. The lower should be bought locally and usually runs $100 bucks average.

Also, if you want to make magazine changes without a bullet button, you can install a normal mag button if you build the rest of your rifle without features. Called a featureless build. Fixed stock, no flash hider, 30 inches long minimum and no pistol grip..

Here is a featureless rifle with normal mag button.

[kcheung2]

You're a bit behind the times, ARs don't need to be cracked open, Mini 14s are closer to $800 than $500, and bullet-buttoned ARs can be had for $600.

[Mossy Man]

I would just go with a saiga. Usually can be had for around $499.

[JDW67]

I'd go with the S&W AR...

[2zero9]

Maybe a bit of research before you make a decision or.....post.

I'd go with the ar. You can build it for around 500 if you wait for some sales. You can do so much with it later on if you decide to barbie it up.. and no, you dont have to crack it open...

[diverwcw]

M1 Garand
M1A
Mini 14
Izhmash Saiga

[geoint]

You can get a brand new Saiga shipped for $500 from http://legionusainc.com/

They do ship to CA. You will have to DROS it and all that nonsense but its still cheaper than a AR15 with BB AND its a featureless rifle so no bullet button required.

[Garandimal]

M1 Garand
M1A
Mini 14

Bingo!




GR

[RAMCHARGER]

SAIGA!

[teg33]

Where can you get Garand for 500 bucks?

[ar15barrels]

M1 Garand
M1A
Mini 14
Izhmash Saiga

Sign me up for $500 M1a's...