First centerfire rifle

JimmyR · October 12, 2013, 04:02 AM

OK, folks, I'm looking for opinions and reccomendations.

I currently own 2 .22 LR rifles (a 10/22 and a Savage Mk II bolt action) and a semi auto shotgun (Ted Williams).

I'm thinking about adding a centerfire rifle to my arsenal. My primary purpose would be range use, and probably keep it behind the bed for HD. I live in a 2 bedroom townhouse in a rental community, with neighbors close by, in a fairly suburban area. A major limitation is that my main range that I go to is an indoor, and only goes to 25 yards. Maximum caliber is .308, and that when they aren't refurbishing the backstop. I have a public outdoor range nearby, but it's a public range, and I would rather not go there with some of the stories I have heard.

I am just beginning my search, and debating what style long gun to get.
I am debating between 3 options:

1) AK 47/74- I like the nice, simple functioning (i do CC a Makarov), and the ammo is affordable. I am especially interested in the AK 74, with the cheaper cost of the 5.45 ammo compared to 7.62.

2) Pistol Caliber Carbine- I already have plenty of 9mm and 45 ACP, and adding the carbine would be a natural progression. The pistol caliber would be easily sufficient for my indoor range, but most mags for the carbines are much lower capacity. I also currently do not own any firearms that have partnering carbines. I have seen a lot of Hi Point Carbines for sale locally for $200-$275 in varying conditions, and I really like the Beretta CX4, except for the price tag.

3) AR-15- 556 ammo is very available around here, and the AR platform is so versatile, it could be used for most any function. They are more complicated to care for, but durable when maintained.

I haven't set a budget yet, but I'm thinking to keep it under $800. I buy used most of the time, and that would probably how I would make my purchase. I also have next to no rifle experience, so simplicity is a plus.

RaySendero · October 12, 2013, 07:00 AM

Quote:

JimmyR wrote:

I have a public outdoor range nearby, but it's a public range, and I would rather not go there with some of the stories I have heard.

Take your 22 rifle and go try that public range - See for yourself!

g.willikers · October 12, 2013, 09:44 AM

The trick with going to a public range is when you go.
At ours, late afternoon, during the week, there's rarely many people there.
Plenty of elbow room for a safety buffer.
Most of the scary folks are there on weekends.
The same is probably true for your indoor range, and evenings, if they're open then.

October 12, 2013, 04:02 AM	#1
JimmyR Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2012 Posts: 1,273	First centerfire rifle OK, folks, I'm looking for opinions and reccomendations. I currently own 2 .22 LR rifles (a 10/22 and a Savage Mk II bolt action) and a semi auto shotgun (Ted Williams). I'm thinking about adding a centerfire rifle to my arsenal. My primary purpose would be range use, and probably keep it behind the bed for HD. I live in a 2 bedroom townhouse in a rental community, with neighbors close by, in a fairly suburban area. A major limitation is that my main range that I go to is an indoor, and only goes to 25 yards. Maximum caliber is .308, and that when they aren't refurbishing the backstop. I have a public outdoor range nearby, but it's a public range, and I would rather not go there with some of the stories I have heard. I am just beginning my search, and debating what style long gun to get. I am debating between 3 options: 1) AK 47/74- I like the nice, simple functioning (i do CC a Makarov), and the ammo is affordable. I am especially interested in the AK 74, with the cheaper cost of the 5.45 ammo compared to 7.62. 2) Pistol Caliber Carbine- I already have plenty of 9mm and 45 ACP, and adding the carbine would be a natural progression. The pistol caliber would be easily sufficient for my indoor range, but most mags for the carbines are much lower capacity. I also currently do not own any firearms that have partnering carbines. I have seen a lot of Hi Point Carbines for sale locally for $200-$275 in varying conditions, and I really like the Beretta CX4, except for the price tag. 3) AR-15- 556 ammo is very available around here, and the AR platform is so versatile, it could be used for most any function. They are more complicated to care for, but durable when maintained. I haven't set a budget yet, but I'm thinking to keep it under $800. I buy used most of the time, and that would probably how I would make my purchase. I also have next to no rifle experience, so simplicity is a plus.

October 12, 2013, 09:44 AM	#3
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	The trick with going to a public range is when you go. At ours, late afternoon, during the week, there's rarely many people there. Plenty of elbow room for a safety buffer. Most of the scary folks are there on weekends. The same is probably true for your indoor range, and evenings, if they're open then. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”