Newbie here...need opinions on a purchase

Dragonfly4835 · 2013-08-25

Heading to the gun show. Need to know which is best to purchase....AK-47 or AR-15? L

Smitty901

· #21 · Aug 25, 2013

Dragonfly4835 said:
Thanks for your input sparky. What to you both think about the Bushmaster and M-16? I have shot the Bushmaster before. Got too close to the scope and it popped me right between the eyes.

Avoid the carbon fiber ones.

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Smitty901

· #22 · Aug 25, 2013

Dragonfly4835 said:
Smitty....I didn't realize that the gun shows were more expensive. What is the price range on an AK, AR, M16 and Bushmaster? What do you think is good to pay?

All over the place right now.
AK 47 tricky it really depends on where and when it was made 600-1100 ball park
Same with AR.
Entry level cheap carbon fiber bushy 700-900 right now
Better Ar's like Colt 6920 1059-1200 don't pay 1200 for it
Many real good AR's either DI or gas piston low of 950 to 1300
Some higher end bagging rights models 1300-2100 really not worth it
A lot depends on what is on the AR pain fore grip on most low cost higher end may have a good free float with rail system. Weather or not that is a big deal depends on you.
Either way if you buy an AK or and AR you going to need to do tour home work and learn to use the sights correctly.
Your cash but better to take your time get educated and then make the leap.

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Leon

· #23 · Aug 25, 2013

I like vz58, ak and sks platforms.

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Smitty901

· #24 · Aug 25, 2013 (Edited)

Lucky Jim said:
I'm a Brit so what the hell do i know about guns, but I do know a little bit about the laws of physics, and those laws dictate that a bigger bullet hits harder.
Left to right:-5.56mm, .303", 7.62mm

Sure, a 5.56 flies faster, but it quickly loses its kinetic energy due to air drag making it useless at longer ranges.
Also, if the target is behind light cover such as a wood fence, car, saplings etc, much of the kinetic energy is lost penetrating that cover.
By comparison an AK-47 is a cannon and it's bigger round laughs at air drag and will go through light cover as if it's not there.
Hell, Charlie used AK's in Nam, but the US used 5.56's, there's a lesson there..

Also, AK's are rugged and simple to use, anybody can handle one-

7.62X39 is a 30 but has nothing behind it so it losses any advantage real fast. The reason there is so many of them cheap and no pays any royalty for copying them.
Stake dinner says I can make 500-600 meter shots all day with a 5.56.
I do own a couple 303 Enfields I enjoy shooting 1940's vintage have any spare mags around for them hard to come by.
That must be a 303 hunting round the issue was a sharp point.

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Fuzzee

· #25 · Aug 25, 2013

I thought I'd mention that while the AR-15 is the most commonly used defensive/offensive rifle in America, there are certainly other choices besides in rifles that atleast use the same round (5.56x45mm) and often use the same magazine. Some of them might be interesting to you like,

Rifles

FNH USA - Distinct Advantage :: Carbines

Bushmaster ACR

MSAR

Robinson Armament Co - [XCR-L]

Ruger® Mini-14® Ranch Rifle Autoloading Rifle Models

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Prep4Worst

· #26 · Aug 25, 2013

All the usual true and questionable information has been stated. I am new here too, and have some simple advice. Find a local gun shop with a range. Often they are willing to help and let you try a few different options, you may have to rent the weapon and pay for ammo. After your purchase they will help with training if you'd like. You may save a few bucks at Walmart, but you will be buying from the lowest end of the spectrum. Like most items we buy in the states, you have a wide range to choose from. There are very inexpensive AR's and AK's that will need a decent trigger and additional work to make a platform you can trust.

Visit a few range/shops in your area, let them know you goals. If they treat you with less than total respect, try another shop. Chances are there are several within the Walmart radius. You will be happy with the help a gun shop can offer for about the same investment.

IMHO depending on your goals I would suggest the AR-15 in a medium quality range since ammo is more common than 7.62X39 and you will be able to fit the gun to your needs.

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rickkyw1720pf

· #27 · Aug 25, 2013

Smitty901
The center round is a 30-30 Winchester made to be shot in a lever action.
wikimedia.org/wiki/File:30-30.jpg

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tango

· #28 · Aug 25, 2013

Dragonfly, you can get new AR for $700 and up to as much as you want to spend.
Don't ask which is best--- you will get too many opinions.
Try to handle and shoot them if you can.
Buy what you like.

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IngaLisa

· #29 · Aug 25, 2013

It's still pretty hard to get ammo around here for most common semi auto rifles. :/

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Prep4Worst

· #30 · Aug 25, 2013

IngaLisa said:
It's still pretty hard to get ammo around here for most common semi auto rifles. :/

Check the online shops. I get ads constantly with all calibers available. Also, Gander MTN has shipments regularly. Ask when your local Gander gets deliveries and be there soon after if you are having issues. What are you looking for?

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Fuzzee

· #31 · Aug 25, 2013

Yeah, there's 5.56x45mm/.223 out there these days on the net. Like these guys. I used to do lots of business with them. I say used to, because they raised their prices up quite a bit playing on the scare and I don't think I'll use them anymore because of it. Other companies didn't and just sold out what they had and again when they got new in and I'd rather shop with them from now on.

.223 / 5.56 : Ammo To Go

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Prep4Worst

· #32 · Aug 25, 2013

Fuzzee said:
Yeah, there's 5.56x45mm/.223 out there these days on the net. Like these guys. I used to do lots of business with them. I say used to, because they raised their prices up quite a bit playing on the scare and I don't think I'll use them anymore because of it. Other companies didn't and just sold out what they had and again when they got new in and I'd rather shop with them from now on.

.223 / 5.56 : Ammo To Go

I agree, just wanted to offer options. I prefer local gun shops (LGS) to either online or Big Box stores like Gander. Some of the LGS's did the price gouging too. I used Ammo to Go and they were great but that was before all of the shortage scares.

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AvengersAssembled

· #33 · Aug 25, 2013

I can get ammo pretty easily in shops around here, the lowest I've seen for brass cased .223 is $8 per box of 20 rounds. Steel cased runs you around $0.28 per round in bulk. I'm glad to see more ammo on the shelves around me, with prices creeping lower. But as for being a female shooter, also, my advice is to just not get intimidated. I've shot AK-47's and AR-15's, and they've handled fine for me, but that's all based on you personally. It's best to try some out before considering a purchase, especially when making that kind of financial commitment. And do lots of research, ask tons of questions. That way you can know if you're paying a fair price, getting what would really fit your needs best, or if you're being taken for a ride.

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