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What's the best budget 223 cal semi-auto?

I shoot my pistols a lot (SigSauer P229) and have a 22 rifle that I like to shoot. Was thinking bout a AR in 223. I looked at prices of even the cheaper ones and can't afford it on my part-time grad school budget, even with a discount the gun shop man offered me. He even asked if I wanted to come work his next gun show, so I guess he likes me. I know that some Russian AKs are now made in 223 and 308, so was thinking bout them. I want an accurate semi auto military style with detachable magazines in a common centerfire caliber that is easy to buy ammo for. I'm not interested in a scope, just good sights. What would you recommend? Ruger Mini-14 $650 Lowest priced AR was like $850 I'm looking for $400 . What about the Sar .223, wasr .223 or saiga .223?

Public Comments

  1. Ruger Mini-14s are pretty affordable and are a good GP carbine/rifle.
  2. save your money and wait till you can afford a good AR you won't regret it
  3. AR's are best in that cal. I have a mini 14 also but as for accuracy they're not that great and you'llstill be spending about $500. I build my own ar's and you can build a cheap plinker ar for around $600. But if you don't feel good about building one then just save your money for the AR. I have to ak's both are in 7.62x39mm and not that accurate either.
  4. I tried a Saiga in .308, and despite the fact that the AK action is supposed to be the best action ever made, it kept short stroking and failing to feed. Several times the bolt didn't move back enough to feed the next round, or it would come down on the cartridge being ejected. While not an uncommon problem in rifles that haven't been cleaned in a while, this was a brand new one, and I had just taken it out of the box and cleaned it out. If I were you, I'd go for a Mini-14 or an AR-15 as soon as I could. They're more dependable, parts are easier to get, and maintenance is much easier. Plus, they're not made out of stamped sheet-metal, that's always a plus.
  5. Hmmmm... www.class3guns.com has a Olympic arms AR for only 699...
  6. Save your money, wait and buy a AR when you can afford it. These are the best functioning of all of the autos as well. You will not regret the wait.
  7. I would recommed the Ruger Mini-14
  8. Your best bet is to build an AR yourself. It is not hard at all and you can order all but the lower over the internet. For more information on building your own AR head on over to http://www.ar15.com/ There you will find all the info and more about building your ar. Then you can order parts over months and spread the cost out over a longer period there for not putting you in a financial bind. Believe me I know how you feel I am a full time college student and shoot as well.
  9. Kel-Tec SU-16A $480+ new, in some places but you got shop around. Yes its .223 caliber, and its M-16/AR-15 compatible with magazines. http://www.galleryofguns.com/gungallery/PowerSearch/showimage.asp?img=SU-16.jpg I dunno about the sights here since your on a budget, but the SU-16C model has iron sight similar to the M-16, although it cost maybe $50 more.
  10. For that budget I don't think you can get into even a used AR-15, but I have seen some used blue mini-14's around that price. Check out item OY312, I bet you could get them come off 50 bucks. If that's your real picture I know you could charm me to come down on the price. I have a Smith&Wesson M&P-15, it is sweet. http://www.fountainfirearms.com/invlist/rifle_list.htm . .
  11. CMMG has "bargain bin" ARs for $550. Do an internet search to find their website. I haven't heard any negatives from people who are buying these. Otherwise.... A good old Ruger
  12. The Ruger Mini-14 has a reputation for very lack-luster performance and not working with high capacity magazines except those made by Ruger. Unfortunately, ruger made very few magazines before Bill Ruger decided he didn't think us poor civilians should be allowed to have them. I'd second the suggestion fo the Kel-Tec SU-16A,B, or C, which you should be able to get for a bit over $400 For a real bargin i'd choose the Saiga, it is Russian made, brand new, and a great bargin. Many of the WASRS and SARs are Romanian in origin, and are of lesser quality, and are made from reassembling piles of disassembled parts. Who knows how good the parts on a particular model are, and how well they are put together...but that is why they are the price they are. The only reason I would choose a WASR over a Siaga is if the presence of a pistol-grip is important to you. Siagas can be modified to have a pistol grip but it is quite a bit of work. Also Saigas cannot accept AK style hi cap magazines without moddificaction, but as you are going .223, this will be of much less imprortance to you.
  13. For the money I think a Ruger Mini-14 is hard to beat. I have 2 of them, one that I did a complete camo job on for hunting with the normal wood stock and a scope, and the other with a folding stock that I keep around for home defense if I don't have one of my 10mm Glocks in my pocket and I get surprised. If you don't already reload please consider doing it. I can make rounds that shoot a lot better than factory ammo. If that's you in the picture I know why the gun dealer likes you, brains, beauty, and you like guns.
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