Semi Auto Rifle for Lower Income Home

[MaBoomStick]

So I'll be brief. Me and my fiance life in a small, but decent apartment. Most of the money we make goes to bills or saving up for Carrie's college. And i'm perfectly fine with that, as will live comfortably. The problem I noticed, was that in NY, for compliant firearms, there is no defensive firearm that is normally priced in the $500 - $600 range. I DO know of PCCs, but they are banned because of mags being in the grip (Kel Tec Sub 2000, Hi Point Carbines, etc.)

I'm just a little confused as to why there isn't something like the Marlin Camp Carbine being produced anymore. I've seen plenty of people who say they would love one. And I kid you not, if there was a PCC in 9mm - 40 S&W being produced in such a configuration and at a affordable price point, my wallet would puke out all the money it could if it meant I could have one. I mean, the only semi auto rifle in a decent caliber I can afford (and eventually I'll post pictures of) is a Yugo SKS. But that is because it was made by cheap labor 20+ years ago. They are no longer being manufactured, so there will be limited parts availability.

I guess maybe it's asking too much, but in a traditional stock, a semi auto rifle in that price range would make a ton of money, and people like me could afford it.

Then again, maybe i'm just crazy....

 

[stuck in ny]

Check Palmetto State Armory website. Order an upper, a lower an a2 fixed stock lower parts kit, a spur grip a hooked billet "pat Henry" trigger guard (makes the spur much better), jb weld a cover on muzzle threads, grind the bayo lug off, assemble. There you go!

 

[MilesTeg]

Build an AR with a thordsen stock.

FRS-15 Stock Kits - FRS-15 Rifle Stock | Thordsen Customs
PSA 16" Midlength 5.56 NATO 1:7 Nitride MOE ODG Rifle Kit - 516444601

Throw in $100 lower from a local FFL and your done other than mags and ammunition.

 

[libertysnake]

So I'll be brief. Me and my fiance life in a small, but decent apartment. Most of the money we make goes to bills or saving up for Carrie's college. And i'm perfectly fine with that, as will live comfortably. The problem I noticed, was that in NY, for compliant firearms, there is no defensive firearm that is normally priced in the $400 - $500 range. I DO know of PCCs, but they are banned because of mags being in the grip (Kel Tec Sub 2000, Hi Point Carbines, etc.)

I'm just a little confused as to why there isn't something like the Marlin Camp Carbine being produced anymore. I've seen plenty of people who say they would love one. And I kid you not, if there was a PCC in 9mm - 40 S&W being produced in such a configuration and at a affordable price point, my wallet would puke out all the money it could if it meant I could have one. I mean, the only semi auto rifle in a decent caliber I can afford (and eventually I'll post pictures of) is a Yugo SKS. But that is because it was made by cheap labor 20+ years ago. They are no longer being manufactured, so there will be limited parts availability.

I guess maybe it's asking too much, but in a traditional stock, a semi auto rifle in that price range would make a ton of money, and people like me could afford it.

Then again, maybe i'm just crazy....

If you have a pistol license, have you considered a glock 43? they run about $439 last I checked. Holds 6 rounds. Conceals easy as well. Reliable.

 

[Phazer]

These guys did a series of videos on their recommendations for a home arsenal (pistol, shotgun, rifle) on various budgets.

Here is their $500 arsenal:

 

[Plater1]

I would go with an SKS. They made millions of them and parts are available and dirt cheap. If your looking for home defense only, i would go with a pump shot gun NOT a rifle or carbine.

 

[dsdmmat]

You are not going to find anything close to what you want cheap, even the SKS you mention are selling for 350-450. I got mine for 180 about 15 years ago and still haven't taken the cosmoline off of it. Even used camp carbines are going for double what they sold for new. I have seen one new ARES SCR on the shelf at my base PX and they want 966 bucks for it. I picked up my first one for 670 new.

A couple of response you are not going to find decent guns cheap, labor prices, insurance, taxes, lawsuits and other regulations. Try to save 20 bucks a week if you can or take a second job for a couple hours a week, take your lunch to work everyday, make coffe at home and bring it to work, drink water instead of soda. There are things in every budget that can be trimmed for a short time if you have a goal.

Finding firearms used: you have to look them over real well, you don't want to buy someone else's problem. If you don't know what you are doing grab a buddy that does and go looking. Used guns can be either a bargain or a nightmare.

You can build your own cheap if you are over 21 (stripped lowers are sold as other, and you must be 21 to buy them). It makes sense on a budget. It is not going to be the top of the line for bottom of the barrel prices. I would also consider a pump shotgun they are in your price range and are decent for defense as well as sport.

I take it your parents don't have any guns they are willing to part with?

 

[togmaster]

I am not sure what your definition of cheap is but you might want to consider a Mini-14. If you can't afford new check out the classifieds for a decent used one. F/S - mini 14

 

[MaBoomStick]

DAMN DAMN DAMN I edited it. Meant to say $500- $600, but still get your point, just a dream I guess.

Mother is in jail, father in Texas.

Also just got my SKS, so I AM fine with what I have, just love having more guns

@dsdmmat when I turn 21 in April, trust me, i'm getting a stripped lower

 

[Glenn B]

The problem I noticed, was that in NY, for compliant firearms, there is no defensive firearm that is normally priced in the $500 - $600 range.

As someone already recommended, and since you seem to want a rifle, why not go with a Ruger Mini 14? Then again maybe a Mini 30. New ones fall close to your price range and used are probably within it or at least closer to your price range than new ones. For example (and I hope the link stays active) look here to see the prices in my area for new ones. If the link expires, ten go to Gallery of Guns and select firearm search and check for yourself. A brand new Ruger Mini 14, out the door for $$769.99, is not that far above your price range. Just be patient and save a little more while being so.

I'm just a little confused as to why there isn't something like the Marlin Camp Carbine being produced anymore.

As for this, I have to say that the Marlin Camp 9 was, in my opinion, an overall disappointment and poorly designed in at least one aspect. Any firearm that requires a spring to push the feed ramp into proper alignment is not something I want as a self defense weapon.

 

[Darth]

DAMN DAMN DAMN I edited it. Meant to say $500- $600, but still get your point, just a dream I guess.

Mother is in jail, father in Texas.

Also just got my SKS, so I AM fine with what I have, just love having more guns

@dsdmmat when I turn 21 in April, trust me, i'm getting a stripped lower

That 21 age limit for the stripped lowers always has made me laugh.

You can buy the full rifle at 18, and strip it to the lower, but you can't just buy the lower until you are 21.

Oh government, you the real MVP.

 

[Glenn B]

One more alternative, and I know little to nothing about the brand, is the Kel-Tec SU-16. It accepts AR15 mags and thus getting NY compliant mags should be easy. The MSRP is $676.36. I would imagine it being available at lower out the door cost at your local dealer if it is legal in NYS. I have no certainty whether or not NYS considers it an assault rifle but it does not seem to me to fit that description unless they consider the fold out forearm (it can be used as a bipod) to be a folding stock. Otherwise, I think, it would not be considered an assault rifle. That was as far as I could tell by using NY State's interactive tool to determine if a firearm is an assault weapon (what a crock of political balderdash is the NY SAFE Act).

 

[turbobike]

If you want a Marlin Camp 9mm style new rifle....I would recommend a Citadel (Chiappa) 9mm M1 Carbine...The early ones hard issues, but my later 2016 has been awesome. They do require break-in period (use 147gr at first), then it runs almost anything...Several in the $399 price range. Comes with 10 round mags, unSAFE compliant. If you get to a free-state they have 30 round Beretta 92 mags available...

 

[MaBoomStick]

@Darth Yeah a year ago I was pumped, I thought about building an AR. Right before I tried to buy it something in me told me to look up the legalities of it, (probably because of the idiotic Safe Act) when I found out, I sold all of my AR mags and just bought a shotgun.... pissed me off.

@Glenn B Completely forgot that existed, well.... I just got my SKS, put all that work into it to clean it up, and I bought the ammunition. I think I'll keep it, though now I sorta want the SU-16, I promised myself I wouldn't sell this SKS like the last one. Anyway, when I buy my AR lower this April, I can sneakily buy parts for it without Carrie knowing. A couple bucks here, a couple there... she'll never pay attention if the prices aren't in the triple digits. Although when I buy the upper I'll just get a complete one, she'll know but by that point it'll be a lil late and she'll just wont care.

@turbobike I kinda have a hard time with replicas of original designs. I wanna like it, but... aw idk maybe i'm picky, not a bad gun, just different taste.

 

[stuck in ny]

@Darth Yeah a year ago I was pumped, I thought about building an AR. Right before I tried to buy it something in me told me to look up the legalities of it, (probably because of the idiotic Safe Act) when I found out, I sold all of my AR mags and just bought a shotgun.... pissed me off.

@Glenn B Completely forgot that existed, well.... I just got my SKS, put all that work into it to clean it up, and I bought the ammunition. I think I'll keep it, though now I sorta want the SU-16, I promised myself I wouldn't sell this SKS like the last one. Anyway, when I buy my AR lower this April, I can sneakily buy parts for it without Carrie knowing. A couple bucks here, a couple there... she'll never pay attention if the prices aren't in the triple digits. Although when I buy the upper I'll just get a complete one, she'll know but by that point it'll be a lil late and she'll just wont care.

@turbobike I kinda have a hard time with replicas of original designs. I wanna like it, but... aw idk maybe i'm picky, not a bad gun, just different taste.

"Oh that, those are just gun parts honey!" Sneaky.

 

[stuck in ny]

One more alternative, and I know little to nothing about the brand, is the Kel-Tec SU-16. It accepts AR15 mags and thus getting NY compliant mags should be easy. The MSRP is $676.36. I would imagine it being available at lower out the door cost at your local dealer if it is legal in NYS. I have no certainty whether or not NYS considers it an assault rifle but it does not seem to me to fit that description unless they consider the fold out forearm (it can be used as a bipod) to be a folding stock. Otherwise, I think, it would not be considered an assault rifle. That was as far as I could tell by using NY State's interactive tool to determine if a firearm is an assault weapon (what a crock of political balderdash is the NY SAFE Act).

If a bipod is a VFG than the 10/22 Charger pistol would be an AOW.

 

[stuck in ny]

That 21 age limit for the stripped lowers always has made me laugh.

You can buy the full rifle at 18, and strip it to the lower, but you can't just buy the lower until you are 21.

Oh government, you the real MVP.

Couldn't someone over 18 but < 21 just have the gunstore guy assemble the lower on the upper that you've brought in with the threads and bayo gone and then it would become a rifle receiver that cant ever legally be a pistol?

 

[Podmonkey]

Any version of the SU16 that does not allow the rifle to be fired with the stock folded (such as the SU16 CA, the best version IMO) is NYS legal, and a good option for the OP.

 

[Bananabandit]

Sks. Cheap rifles, solid gun. Good, cheap caliber. Not many parts to go wrong. If you spend $30 for c&r, you c an get it shipped to your door. Its great!

 

[Calculon]

If you are looking to get AR parts over time be sure to get on the mailing lists for companies like:

• Palmetto State Armory
• Primary Arms
• Northern Gun Parts
• AIM Surplus
• Stag Arms
• Joe Bob Outfitters
• Midway
• Brownells
• etc.
• There's a thread on the forum where people have listed a ton of suppliers.

Also don't forget BulletGuy who's active on this forum (bulletguy.com). He can get you whatever you need.

Then plan your build and keep an eye on prices. While I have no evidence to support it, my gut tells me many of the suppliers were gearing up production last year in anticipation of a hildebeast administration. With DJT in the White House the pressure comes off and there may be excess inventory and thus sales this year.

 

[Bananabandit]

Ill add I bought 2 lowers and build kits prior to election. The fuck am I gonna do with them now?

 

[Calculon]

Ill add I bought 2 lowers and build kits prior to election. The fuck am I gonna do with them now?

Build them!

 

[MaBoomStick]

And shoot them might I add

 

[togmaster]

Ill add I bought 2 lowers and build kits prior to election. The fuck am I gonna do with them now?

Post them for sale on this forum. That way I can ask a lot of irrelevant questions about them.

 

[ECU Pirates]

Saiga .223 with 16 Inch tube. Great ny legal rifle option.


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[Phauxtoe]

TWO WORDS!

"Pump shot gun"

 

[Glenn B]

@Darth

@Glenn B ...I just got my SKS, put all that work into it to clean it up, and I bought the ammunition.

This thread ain't worth squat without photos of the new SKS.

 

[ECU Pirates]

TWO WORDS!

"Pump shot gun"

Written as three....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Airborneguy]

Why not a 10/22?

 

[Shadow2]

Basic AR can be had for $500 check out PSA web site.

Plenty of good guns in the $500 price range.
I don't think $500 is at all realistic for a complete set. $1500-$2k and that's without optics. When I got back into shooting again i went all entry level. Nothing wrong with the guns they all worked well but a few extra bucks gets you much better products.

example, I started off with Marlin 980s, $275 range, for the extra $100 the CZ452 Blew it out of the water. Lesson learned.

Low Budget aside, save the few extra dollars and buy guns in the sweet spot of price and performance.