First semi-automatic rifle purchase

[eastmanwes]

Hi Calgunners,
Getting ready to make my first semi-automatic rifle purchase. Relatively new shooter here - over the last year I've gotten my hands on a pair of second hand Glock 21 gen 3s via the calguns forums as well as my kel tec ksg, also via the calguns forums.
Have at least 500 rounds thru each of those three firearms, really enjoy shooting all of them.
Given the magazine capacity restrictions we have here in California, I went with those three guns cuz I figure if I'm stuck with 10rd limit, may as well be shooting as big a piece of lead as possible. Especially if a self defense situation should ever arise.
Anyhow, with all that in mind, I've basically narrowed my first rifle purchase to either an ar in 300 blackout or an ak.
Not trying to start an ar vs ak debate, but if anyone has both rifles, has had both rifles and gotten rid of one, or if both those rifles are inappropriate for an apt dweller like me, etc,I would appreciate your input.
Thanks all,
W

[ChuckDizzle]

Why would any type of gun be bad for an apartment? Stick with an AR in 5.56. I have never understood the fascination people seem to have with .300 blk.

[Euphoria526]

Why would any type of gun be bad for an apartment? Stick with an AR in 5.56. I have never understood the fascination people seem to have with .300 blk.

As far as I understand because it's a .308 necked down to a 5.56 cartridge.
Only need to swap out a barrel and use the same as 5.56 mags also.
I do not own one but am looking into the round as well.
Also it seems a bit useless unless using a suppressor, which we can't have anyways

[pdoggeth]

I second the notion of getting an AR in 5.56. 300 Blk is expensive unless you reload.

Now, to answer the question of whether you want AR vs AK... since it's your first rifle I'd stick with AR. I actually have both, but accessories (That work and are compatible) are slightly harder to get on for the AK because of the multitude of slight variants.

The only concern I guess you should have about having a rifle in an apartment is transporting between your car and the apartment. It's best to do it in a manner that doesn't freak out the non-gun folks, but usually if it's in a secured container no one will really notice (too much).

[ChuckDizzle]

As far as I understand because it's a .308 necked down to a 5.56 cartridge.
Only need to swap out a barrel and use the same as 5.56 mags also.
I do not own one but am looking into the round as well.
Also it seems a bit useless unless using a suppressor, which we can't have anyways

You sound like me a couple months ago. Thought about putting an upper together. Then looked into the specs on the performance of the round and concluded the same regarding a suppressor. Seemed more reasonable to build a 9mm ar carbine if you want to throw 125 gr pills.

[Lightstrider]

My first was a Colt AR, then Polish Tantal, then M1A, then AR10. Now I wish I just had that Tantal back so next for me is probably Saiga conversion but since it gona take time maybe Ill build one.

First you should figure which feels more comfortable, AK ammo is cheaper, but both for an apt are gona shoot through anything.

[eastmanwes]

Thanks for the responses everyone.
@chuckdizzle yeah don't have a problem with a rifle in my apt, just figure if I'm stuck with 10rds I might as well shoot the bigger rounds. Honestly, being a relatively new shooter as I am, if a self defense situation were to come up, I would feel better about having a G-17 with a full mag vs G-21 as I do, for example. Or for a rifle just not having a neutered magazine... but since we live where we live, the calibre question has been on my mind.
@pdoggeth yeah I def feel like the only non-'non-gun' guy in my area for sure, haha... I have a non-descript locking case I carry my KSG in to the range, so would probly just use that for my rifle as well.
@Lightsrider appreciate you chiming in. My gut is leaning towards an AK, I have shot one a few times and it felt good in my hands. I also like the cheaper ammo situation as well! That never hurts...

[Bansh88]

If you live in the city, in an apartment, I wouldn't sleep another night without a good rifle.
I have both ARs and AKs. I love my AKs much more. Honestly, having a flashlight and an Aimpoint on my ARs makes them more likely to be a go-to gun. But in general, I have more confidence (the rifle as a machine) in my AKs.

**you don't have to address each point by name.

[golfish]

I agree with the AR guys because you can swap the upper in 10 seconds and shoot the cheaper 5.56/.223

[Euphoria526]

Buuuuuut I've also been into ak's and not owning one, well at this point makes me want one, but I want a non traditional type ak with an at type stock so I don't get slapped in the face *cough cough WASr cough* and have milder recoil.

[anothergunnut]

Buuuuuut I've also been into ak's and not owning one, well at this point makes me want one, but I want a non traditional type ak with an at type stock so I don't get slapped in the face *cough cough WASr cough* and have milder recoil.

The "slapped in the face" is the Yugo PAP rifles, not the WASRs. I have an NPAP with an AK74 style brake on it and don't find the recoil to be a problem.

[Metal Fiend]

Get all 3

[dyson]

If you're a new shooter i'd go with .556 and stack up so you have plenty to practice with. Shoot a lot if you can.

[ChuckDizzle]

If you're a new shooter i'd go with .556 and stack up so you have plenty to practice with. Shoot a lot if you can.

The best part is the cheap surplus 55gr is a decent personal defense load. It actually performs better than many boutique "defense" cartridges per FBI specs.

OP, I understand penetration concerns but the hard reality is that any cartridge capable of producing involuntary stops is also likely to penetrate most residential walls.

[NATEWA]

ar15 or ak47??

Tough call but I'd go with the ak47 if your main use is for self defense. I have both (ar 15 in 223/556) and always grab my ak when I go to the range.

If I were to get an ar15 in another caliber, it would be 6.5 grendel.

Either way, you can't go wrong.