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Semi auto recommendations, less than $400

jonk
This will be a personal call but I am interested in what you all think as I don't personally know a whole lot about semis, esp, com bloc stuff. My interests lie more in old bolt actions...

That said I am thinking of adding to my small but growing semi auto milsurp collection. I currently have and M1 Garand, Norinco SKS, and MAS 49/56. I'll have about $400 to spend, though I could go a tad over that if need be. I know there are a bajillion AK variants, and a whole lot of other stuff. I reload so oddball ammo is no problem. Here is what I have been thinking of.

1. M1 carbine
2. AK or variant
3. Ljungman
4. Hakim
5. CETME
6. FN-49

I know the AK can be had for well less than my top price. I know that the others would be pushing my price, some going over, some not. I know someting about each of the guns listed. While you are welcome to comment onthem as well, what I really want to know is, what other guns am I missing? That is, what isn't on my list? Of course I'd really like the Johnson 41, G43, etc, but unless it is a total wreck I'd never get either of those at that price. So?

"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • bobski
    get the carbine.
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  • BOBBYWINS
    I agree."Get the carbine"

    Happy New Year!!
    BW

    IT'S WHAT PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THEMSELVES THAT MAKES THEM AFRAID.
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  • hughes1
    I know your price range is $400 or less, but you can assemble an AR-15 for around $500 from Olympic Arms, the savings in ammo 223 compared to an .30 carbine will make up the differance in a couple range visits. Olympic Arms sells the lower receiver for ~$100 and has kits to complete the rifle for ~$400 = $500. Or you may consider buying an Olympic Arms "Plinker" model for just over $400 which is a complete rifle and come with a lifetime warranty as do all of Olympic Arms AR's. (and no I don't work for Olympic Arms, I just like their stuff!)
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  • gap1916
    My choice would be the AK varient. If you are going to shoot it you will be using the same ammo as your SKS. The SAR-1 is well with in your price range and is a very reliable rifle. My 2 cents.

    Greg
    Former
    USMC
    ANGLICO
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  • jonk
    Actually I was leaning toward the SAR-1 or SAR-2; though the 2 takes the 5.45 ammo, it is still pretty cheap ammo. Though I'd rather have the 1.

    So far as the AR goes, if I get one, I would rather get a good one than one i put together myself using bargain bin components. I have never been a fan of the looks of the gun, so the only use it would see is in the occasional competition, so I would want match grade from the start. Plus I don't know beans about how to put one together, though I'm sure I could figure it out. Lastly, I don't have an FFL; by the time I paid transfers on components I might as well just buy one.

    Though the carbine might just win out if I see a nice one in the near future.

    "...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf
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  • nmyers
    If you decide on the carbine, ONLY buy one that is USGI.

    Neal
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  • hughes1
    If purchasing a .30 carbine, I would avoid the Universal Carbine brand. My buddies have owned three of them and they are junk. Many component failures, feeding problems, poor accuracy, you name it, it has gone wrong - USGI would be best, but may cost you close to $500 for a nice one. My two cents.
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  • stubdog69
    the ak variant would be nice to plink around with and you wouldnt have to worry about reloading with the current price of ammo. is you want something more accurate, you will definitely have to spend more money.
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  • dotcom_guy30
    if $400.00 is your buget i would look into an fal spinoff but look into metric rifles more power than an ak knock off and can shoot for about the same money as far as ammo

    the thing that scares me is that we could be living in someone else's own reality
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  • l-girl
    I happen to own each of the items you are considering and, if I had to do it at today's prices, this would be my order of purchase:

    1. M-1 Carbine - fun, well made (don't get a Universal)

    2. FN49 - in 8MM or .308 (a poor man's M-14), solid and reasonably accurate

    3. Ljungman - very accurate, but a little strange to operate

    4) Hakim - the Ljungman's first cousin, not as well made and just as strange to operate, but very well balanced for a big rifle, fun to shoot.

    5) CETME - more of a blaster, a poor man's HK

    6) an AK variant - not very accurate and they are ubiquitous and always will be

    Have fun!

    Best regards,Rich
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  • hughes1
    Another thought might be a Russian Saiga in .308 cal., typically sell new for well under $400 and are designed after the AK action with a hammer forged match grade barrel and hunting rifle style wood or synthetic stock. I heard good things about them both in quality and accuracy, plus they come drilled for an AK scope mount. See item Item #14780979 as an example.
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