A Penny for Your Thoughts

[MaliStaff]

Alright compadres: I'm in the market for a new firearm, and I could really use your sound advice. My current collection is rather slim but does include a Mossy 500, G19, and a Bulgarian AK74. I've taken fighting shotgun/pistol/rifle courses using same and my plan this year is to continue taking re-quals to stay sharp.

As of late, I've been considering either an entry-level AR or WASR, but I'm not dead set on either one just yet. My budget is $1k. Just looking to add to my collection at this point.

What would you guys recommend?

TIA

[SonofWWIIDI]

Build your own AR. Either from a stripped lower, or if you're handy with a router/drill press, an 80% lower.

You can customize it exactly how you want it. Money is really the only obstacle, well that and some asinine kommiefornia laws.

And it's fun...or so I've heard.

[stevec223]

I'd probably get a 308 bolt rifle... Quality Tikka lightweight and a Leupold 3x9x40 for less than a grand ... Great hunting rig or SHTF rifle in a nato caliber... That would cover your long range useage... A ar after would cover your semi-auto nato weapon ,,, and a very nice adaptable rifle also... Maybe dros a stripped lower with the 308 and slowly pick up parts when you can... Good shooting !!!..

[MaliStaff]

Thanks for chiming in. Yeah I've heard building an AR is the way to go in terms of cost saving and customization. Unfortunately I lack the tooling which I assume is required to do the job. Given this would be my first AR, I'd prefer to buy a completed one first. Then, if I find that the rifle grows on me, perhaps then I would consider building one. I was actually looking into getting a Colt LE6920 CA, but they're nowhere to be found.

[Killer Bee]

Thanks for chiming in. Yeah I've heard building an AR is the way to go in terms of cost saving and customization. Unfortunately I lack the tooling which I assume is required to do the job. Given this would be my first AR, I'd prefer to buy a completed one first. Then, if I find that the rifle grows on me, perhaps then I would consider building one. I was actually looking into getting a Colt LE6920 CA, but they're nowhere to be found.

solid decision and solid model choice, lack of that Colt's availability is testament to that..

good luck

[MaliStaff]

I'd probably get a 308 bolt rifle... Quality Tikka lightweight and a Leupold 3x9x40 for less than a grand ... Great hunting rig or SHTF rifle in a nato caliber... That would cover your long range useage... A ar after would cover your semi-auto nato weapon ,,, and a very nice adaptable rifle also... Maybe dros a stripped lower with the 308 and slowly pick up parts when you can... Good shooting !!!..

Funny you mention a bolt rifle - I was thinking about this as well, but didn't know enough about the platform to identify good ones from bad ones. I'll read up on the Tikka and your recommended scope. Also not a bad idea dros'ing a lower at the same time and collecting parts over time. I appreciate the advice!

[tradecraft]

It's an election year and ARs are dirt cheap right now. How could you go wrong?

[Agent 0range]

I'd probably get a 308 bolt rifle... Quality Tikka lightweight and a Leupold 3x9x40 for less than a grand ... Great hunting rig or SHTF rifle in a nato caliber... That would cover your long range useage... A ar after would cover your semi-auto nato weapon ,,, and a very nice adaptable rifle also... Maybe dros a stripped lower with the 308 and slowly pick up parts when you can... Good shooting !!!..

Sound advice here. You could get a basic Remington 700 and customize it the way you want. Also, get the stripped lower and pick up parts as your budget allows. This ensures you get exactly what you want without a bucket of spare parts when you're done. If you buy a completed upper, the hardest part will be assembling the lower which is actually very easy (watch a couple YouTube videos) and you won't have to buy a bunch of tools for the job. After those are done, start looking for a good wheel gun.

Please send tracking info for my penny.

[Divernhunter]

^^^^Or your could just get a Tikka and be done with it, having a better rifle than a Rem and not needing to spend a bunch on all the modifications. The only thing you should do with aa Tikka is replace the recoil pad with a Limbsaver Direct Replacement recoil pad. Two Philips screws and you are done.

My suggestion is to go look at different rifles and buy what YOU like and fits YOU. NOT what someone else, especially someone you do not know, tells you that you should buy.

[calif 15-22]

It's an election year and ARs are dirt cheap right now. How could you go wrong?

This
I would vote buy rather than build. You can get a very nice AR for $1000. Building is fine if you are going for a specific purpose build, but starting with a factory build is very easy as well.

M&P makes a very nice entry platform that you can build upon.

Good luck.

[Sunday]

I would buy another Glock 19 and more mags and ammo for what you already have.

[Agent 0range]

^^^^Or your could just get a Tikka and be done with it, having a better rifle than a Rem and not needing to spend a bunch on all the modifications. The only thing you should do with aa Tikka is replace the recoil pad with a Limbsaver Direct Replacement recoil pad. Two Philips screws and you are done.

My suggestion is to go look at different rifles and buy what YOU like and fits YOU. NOT what someone else, especially someone you do not know, tells you that you should buy.

Hi pot, meet kettle. Clearly you know better than anyone what OP needs so it's ok for you to tell him what to buy and everyone else should keep their opinions to themselves.

I never said "you should buy this." I offered a simple suggestion. Some people like to customize their rifles to fit their needs and wants and there are plenty of options for a 700.

[dwalker]

Do an AR, its the lego set of the gun world. also, I would add a 22. pistol at some point, either a revolver or a Ruger MK2 or Buckmark.

[adamjay]

Hard to suggest, not really knowing too much about your objectives and interests. For me, a functionally well rounded and versatile collection is a motivator. On that note, I'd be looking for a full power caliber like a bolt action .308, probably scoped. I'd also be looking for a .22 rifle. I'd also be working to ensure my shotgun had a range of capabilities (barrels, chokes, etc).

AR15 is an obvious choice, even though you've already got that functional slot filled with the AK.

The more you identify your personal objectives, the clearer your choice will become. Good luck with your purchase.

Should I expect my penny by PayPal or USPS money order?

[Divernhunter]

Agent Orange--- Look at his first post.--He is NOT very experienced so to buy any rifle and then proceed to modify it a bunch is probably not a good idea. Once is an expert such as you then great. As a beginner it is probably not the best choice.

Where did I say I know better and anyone else?
Where did I say others should not say other should keep their opinions to themselves?
You just looking for a fight or just not able to read and understand what I wrote?
I just tossed my opinion made from very much experience out there. Much like you may have. I do not know, or care, about your level of knowledge but if you are working over rifles so they do as you want you probably have more knowledge than the OP. Maybe he should learn to crawl and walk before trying to run.

The BIGGEST thing is my last statement about trying rifles out and buy what he LIKES and FITS him. Not so much what others TELL him to buy. You seem to completely missed that in your haste to attack me. However if you feel that is a wrong way to do things then you are just a waste of air as far as I am concerned.
I will not get into a shouting match with you on the forum. If you want to talk we can by PM and phone. Otherwise I will not continue this here. Have a nice day.......or just go away. Advise from people like you is why so many people show up at the range and are all messed up not able to enjoy the sport. Then ask for help from someone willing to take the time to actually help them