Good compact semi-auto rifle?

[Modelworks]

Shotgun
Easy to find ammo and in a hurry you can still hit your target.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
Forward ejection is the bomb. Even the civilian variant can take the 50rnd mag's with no modification if you can find them.

The P(s)90 doesn't have forward ejection. The ejection port is in the main grip and ejects straight down. The FN2000 is the one with forward ejection.

I would like to get a PS90. I bought my RRA ar-15 a week ago and the next day at another gun shop I found a PS90 with brass catcher, 2x50Rnd bags, tri-rail top with the optic on it for $1200 on the used wall. I would have bought that in a heart beat, if I hadn't already plunked down the money on the AR and extra p-mags.

You're right, my bad - but it amounts to the same thing - no casings for lunch.

 

[sdifox]

this shotgun the AA12. just have a few clips ready. fill the magazines up with slug (or larger diameter buck) if you are going up against zombies.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/78284/automatic_shotgun/

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
If you're worried about zombies, I'd get a semi-auto 12 gauge shotty.

I'd rather have a semi-automatic rifle. Comparably, you'll be able to carry much more ammo due to the size of the ammunition and the range is much farther.

This is also assuming I practice my marksmanship and can hit anything besides the broad side of a barn.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Katanand45
A good compact rifle that is Commiefornia legal? :laugh:

Here's a better idea, move to a free state before SHTF.

I have a MAK-90 with about a dozen 30rnd magazines. Think that will suffice?

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Originally posted by: Colt45
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wi...ommons/7/75/Aks74u.jpg

At least someone knows what they are talking about

Krinkov in 7.62 or an 18" para-FAL would be tough to argue with

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: JDMnAR1
A Mini-14 is a good choice - fairly compact, inexpensive, ammo pretty easy to find. If a stock Mini-14 is too large, you can always go with a folding stock from someone like Choate.

It is common knowledge that assault rifles are fairly ineffective at stopping a zombie attack.

Shotguns are where it's at!

 

[Throckmorton]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: JDMnAR1
A Mini-14 is a good choice - fairly compact, inexpensive, ammo pretty easy to find. If a stock Mini-14 is too large, you can always go with a folding stock from someone like Choate.

It is common knowledge that assault rifles are fairly ineffective at stopping a zombie attack.

Shotguns are where it's at!

Max Brooks says to use a hunting rifle. Shotgun pellets may not even penetrate the skull

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: JDMnAR1
A Mini-14 is a good choice - fairly compact, inexpensive, ammo pretty easy to find. If a stock Mini-14 is too large, you can always go with a folding stock from someone like Choate.

It is common knowledge that assault rifles are fairly ineffective at stopping a zombie attack.

Shotguns are where it's at!

Max Brooks says to use a hunting rifle. Shotgun pellets may not even penetrate the skull

you are using the wrong ammo Birdshots are for birds, for zombies, you use large calibre buck shots or slugs.

 

[JDMnAR1]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: JDMnAR1
A Mini-14 is a good choice - fairly compact, inexpensive, ammo pretty easy to find. If a stock Mini-14 is too large, you can always go with a folding stock from someone like Choate.

It is common knowledge that assault rifles are fairly ineffective at stopping a zombie attack.

Shotguns are where it's at!

And had the OP inquired about a shotgun, I would have gladly suggested a Mossberg 590 or maybe a Mossberg J.I.C.. However, he asked about a semi-auto rifle, thus my Mini-14 recommendation. Reading comprehension FTW.

 

[adairusmc]

Originally posted by: JDMnAR1

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: JDMnAR1
A Mini-14 is a good choice - fairly compact, inexpensive, ammo pretty easy to find. If a stock Mini-14 is too large, you can always go with a folding stock from someone like Choate.

It is common knowledge that assault rifles are fairly ineffective at stopping a zombie attack.

Shotguns are where it's at!

And had the OP inquired about a shotgun, I would have gladly suggested a Mossberg 590 or maybe a Mossberg J.I.C.. However, he asked about a semi-auto rifle, thus my Mini-14 recommendation. Reading comprehension FTW.

I dont know why you would recommend the mini-14. Not a good SHTF rifle when you can't hit the broad side of a barn with the thing - from the inside of the barn.

Plus, mags are expensive and much harder to find than AR mags.

 

[OS]

for communist california;

you can look into a saiga rifle, it is an AK based design, they are $350ish, it comes in .223, 7.62, and .308. You can get a 16" or 20" long barrel, but you'll probably want 16" with your criteria.

if you want just a regular shotgun, big5 has pump mossbergs often on sale for $250ish.

visit calguns.net for how to buy/build a CA legal autoloading rifle
and remember to vote

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Gee, I often worry about what kind of firearms I need when the zombies finally come.


If you need a SHTF gun you need an AK variant chambered in 7.62x39mm. Plenty of ammo in both NATO and commie countries, powerful, reliable, proven, easy to find parts and magazines.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
Gee, I often worry about what kind of firearms I need when the zombies finally come.


If you need a SHTF gun you need an AK variant chambered in 7.62x39mm. Plenty of ammo in both NATO and commie countries, powerful, reliable, proven, easy to find parts and magazines.

Saiga. Based on the AK-47 and so is very reliable. Comes in .223, 7.62x39 and .308. Take your pic. Also california legal. Has removable magazines. Can use AK47 magazines with slight modifications.

Otherwise, if you're interested, you can create a california legal AR-15. You either can get rid of the pistol grip and replace with a monsterman grip or use a prince 50 kit or bullet button. With the prince 50, the magazine is attached, but with a little allen wrench, you can turn it back into removable magazine mode for SHTF situations. The bullet button is an enclosed button you must use a "tool" to remove the magazine. Called such because the tip of a bullet is often used.

Damn you OS, beat me to the saiga.

EDIT: Also, all .223 ammo can be used in a rifle chambered for 5.56, but not all 5.56 can be used in .223 chambered rifles. There are pressure differences and 5.56 can cause damage/injury to the gun and the shooter.

Oh well, since I have nothing better to do, I'll continue in my thoughts. Remember, you need all sorts of weapons for different ranges, and you also have to think about ammo availability as well as portability.

30-06 and 308 are very good for your long distance rifles, rounds have been around and are plentiful due to military as well as hunting. Rounds are heavy though. I figure this is last on my list, my Mosin Nagan in 7.62x54r will due for now.

Then you need a carbine of some sort, short barrel, where the M4 will come in or the Saiga/ak47.

Shotgun, short barrel, might as well get a magnum variety to chamber 2 3/4, 3 and 3 1/2 to use whatever you find. Pump, less moving parts, less to worry about cleaning/failure.

Sidearm. Full-sized will have larger magazine capacity as well as lessoned recoil and site radius, but if a katrina situation evolves where "law-enforcement" goes around disarming everyone, a hidden compact might serve you better. As much as I like my sigs, I'll have to go tupperware for this one.

Controversial: .22lr. I like this round, I feel that it has shown time and time again it has the ability to kill someone. In the case of zombies, popular belief says you have to destroy the spine/brain matter. .22lr can do that, most common variants are 1200" fps, enough to go in and scramble around. Also very very common, light and plentiful. Useful for hunting small game for food.

 

[JDMnAR1]

Originally posted by: adairusmc
I dont know why you would recommend the mini-14. Not a good SHTF rifle when you can't hit the broad side of a barn with the thing - from the inside of the barn.

Plus, mags are expensive and much harder to find than AR mags.

I haven't encountered any accuracy issues with mine, so obviously YMMV.

Yeah, a google search for 'Ruger Mini-14 magazines' turns up ony 15,300 hits versus 450,000 hits for 'AR-15 magazines', so you are 100% correct as to availability. Pricing varies - some places I have seen both mags side by side and the Ruger variant is $5 cheaper, and other places the AR is cheaper.

 

[mordantmonkey]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands

Originally posted by: tenshodo13

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
If legality is no issue I'd LOVE a P90. If you have to stay legit then you're stuck with a PS90. Still by far my favorite pdw.

Why? Ammo is pretty damn expensive, and it has no stopping power against someone who isnt wearing body armor.

No to mention its not exactly easily concealable.

That being said, the design is sexy.

Ammo is expensive, but it's got way better ballistics than any smg due to the 5.7x28 (versus standard 9mm or .45). To get anything better you have to move up to a full size rifle. Remember that a pdw isn't an assault rifle...it's for cqb. You can't find too many smaller weapons in the same category out there.

It's the most ambidextrous weapon I've ever held, and in fact the most comfortable overall. Forward ejection is the bomb. Even the civilian variant can take the 50rnd mag's with no modification if you can find them. Recoil is AMAZING for the overall tradeoffs.

I've fired a lot of weapons, and within it's category nothing else even comes close for me. The only downsides are ammo cost, and ammo rarity.

all good points. but this last one is what precludes it from being considered for post-apocalyptic/zombie infestation situations. we've all seen the movies. if you're going to survive for a length of time, you're gonna need to scavenge some ammo at some point.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: lozina
I must say I am pretty surprised though to see someone talking about SHTF scenarios here and being prepared- I thought I'd never see some of the same discussions on the survival forums I read being talked about here!

Out of curiosity- any of you read the famous SHTF internet novel "Lights Out" ??

sorry for going off-topic there, OP

edit: link to: Lights Out

its a bunch of nerds talking about zombies. this is not a serious discussion.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
Saiga. Based on the AK-47 and so is very reliable. Comes in .223, 7.62x39 and .308. Take your pic. Also california legal. Has removable magazines. Can use AK47 magazines with slight modifications.

Otherwise, if you're interested, you can create a california legal AR-15. You either can get rid of the pistol grip and replace with a monsterman grip or use a prince 50 kit or bullet button. With the prince 50, the magazine is attached, but with a little allen wrench, you can turn it back into removable magazine mode for SHTF situations. The bullet button is an enclosed button you must use a "tool" to remove the magazine. Called such because the tip of a bullet is often used.

Damn you OS, beat me to the saiga.

yeah I am looking around to get a saiga, the price can't be beat.

you can also use;
http://www.californiarifles.com/
for a ca legal AR stock

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: mordantmonkey

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands

Originally posted by: tenshodo13

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
If legality is no issue I'd LOVE a P90. If you have to stay legit then you're stuck with a PS90. Still by far my favorite pdw.

Why? Ammo is pretty damn expensive, and it has no stopping power against someone who isnt wearing body armor.

No to mention its not exactly easily concealable.

That being said, the design is sexy.

Ammo is expensive, but it's got way better ballistics than any smg due to the 5.7x28 (versus standard 9mm or .45). To get anything better you have to move up to a full size rifle. Remember that a pdw isn't an assault rifle...it's for cqb. You can't find too many smaller weapons in the same category out there.

It's the most ambidextrous weapon I've ever held, and in fact the most comfortable overall. Forward ejection is the bomb. Even the civilian variant can take the 50rnd mag's with no modification if you can find them. Recoil is AMAZING for the overall tradeoffs.

I've fired a lot of weapons, and within it's category nothing else even comes close for me. The only downsides are ammo cost, and ammo rarity.

all good points. but this last one is what precludes it from being considered for post-apocalyptic/zombie infestation situations. we've all seen the movies. if you're going to survive for a length of time, you're gonna need to scavenge some ammo at some point.

My shotgun is a 12, my pistols are both .40, my assault rifle will be 5.56, and my long rifle will be .300. I'll have plenty for those, so I don't mind one obscure size in my cqb.

 

[Dorkenstein]

I had built myself an AR-15 Bushmaster a few years back. Good times.

 

[adairusmc]

Originally posted by: JDMnAR1

Originally posted by: adairusmc
I dont know why you would recommend the mini-14. Not a good SHTF rifle when you can't hit the broad side of a barn with the thing - from the inside of the barn.

Plus, mags are expensive and much harder to find than AR mags.

I haven't encountered any accuracy issues with mine, so obviously YMMV.

Yeah, a google search for 'Ruger Mini-14 magazines' turns up ony 15,300 hits versus 450,000 hits for 'AR-15 magazines', so you are 100% correct as to availability. Pricing varies - some places I have seen both mags side by side and the Ruger variant is $5 cheaper, and other places the AR is cheaper.

well, you can get USGI 30rd AR mags online for $9.95 with enhanced followers and upgraded springs. I have yet to see a ruger 20 or 30rd mag (not an aftermarket POS mag, the real ruger mags) for even close to that.

I did used to own a mini-14 myself, then I got black rifle disease.

 

[Darwin333]

Although not my favorite rifle to shoot, if I could only grab a single rifle in a shtf scenario it would definately be my AK-47. Very easy operation, easy to procure ammo (and cheap to stock up on), very low maintenance and ultra reliable. A folding stock could help in size but if the shit does hit the fan again I would much prefer a slightly larger rifle than a smaller submachine gun.

 

[Josh]

Originally posted by: adairusmc

Originally posted by: tenshodo13

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
If legality is no issue I'd LOVE a P90. If you have to stay legit then you're stuck with a PS90. Still by far my favorite pdw.

Why? Ammo is pretty damn expensive, and it has no stopping power against someone who isnt wearing body armor.

No to mention its not exactly easily concealable.

That being said, the design is sexy.

No kidding. If someone shot me with one of those, and I found out about it, I would be PISSED!


I already have my SHTF setup going, and it isnt just one rifle.

SHTF handgun box

SHTF carbine

SHTF Battle rifle

All of those stay loaded, and in soft cases, ready to grab at a moments notice (exception are the handguns, which is a hard case). There are a total of 12 loaded mags with the AR (10 in pouches, and two with a mag coupler loaded in the rifle). There are 6 20rd mags with the m1a in its soft case (5 in pouches and one in rifle).

There are two .45 (HK USP45 Tacitcal and 1911) handguns with 108 rounds of ammunition, 1 glock 19 9mm with 162 rounds of ammo, a .22 LR pistol (Walther P22, soon to be replaced by Sig Mosquito), and the S&W .460 - which can also shoot .45 Long Colt and .454 Casull. 15 rounds total for that monster.

I also keep them loaded and ready just in case I decide I want to go shooting, they just dont sit there until something is about to happen. If I had to scrounge for ammo I should be able to find something that will fit one of those.

I will probably have my CCW with me if I have to bug out as well.

Just out of curiousity...what sort of scenario would prompt you to "bug out"

 

[Raduque]

Man, all this gun talk makes me wish I could afford a new gun.

Nice guns are expensive. I'd like a good AR with a good set of sights, a comfortable stock and a light, and that's extremely expensive.

Guess I'll just have to spring for a pump-action 12 and a bunch of 00 in case zombies ever strike.

 

[yuppiejr]

How about something like this:

http://www.centuryarms.biz/pro...il.asp?prod=HG1295%2DX

Product ID: HG1295-X
AK Pistol, Cal. 7.62x39mm

Accepts all double stack AK magazines! All metal and wood is refinished. The barrel is new US manufacture (no chrome bore lining). Comes with 2 20 rd. double stack mags. BATF compliant. Barrel: 12 1/4?, Overall: 21 3/4?, Weight: 5 1/2 lbs. (w/o magazine).

... if you really want to be a geek, slap a 50 round banana magazine on..

http://www.centuryarms.biz/proddetail.asp?prod=MA1047

... or a 100 round drum:

http://www.centuryarms.biz/proddetail.asp?prod=MA1071

.. I'd probably opt for a full size model with a folding stock, but if you are serious about getting as compact as possible this should do the trick.