I am in the market for a new toy. Looking at a black rifle for some fun in the bush. I would like to keep it around $1k if possible. I don't want a pistol caliber as I already have a sub 2k. I was looking at the T97, CZ VZ58, etc? Caliber isn't a huge concern. I am wondering if the T97 is the best choice. I have an sks so I could potentially replace the stock with an archangel and get it close to the CZ? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
$1000ish NR black rifle choices?
- Thread starter laker415
- Start date
If I go the T97 route I will be getting the flat top upper. I saw that thread below mine after I had already made this one, but a lot of mention is made on the su-16 which in Stock form I don't care for but it seems to look appealing in AR furniture.
Dorian Gray
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Mini-14, vz-58, t97, su-16.
Those are the options you have that I can think of. I had a mini-14. It was great but I wanted a Tavor so it moved to a different CGNers address. I had an 858 and it went the same way for the same reason. I dunno about the T97 or SU-16 but the polymer receiver on the SU-16 would cause me to stay away from it. I'd go T97 and invest in the FTU. Hell, you can buy them already installed now.
Those are the options you have that I can think of. I had a mini-14. It was great but I wanted a Tavor so it moved to a different CGNers address. I had an 858 and it went the same way for the same reason. I dunno about the T97 or SU-16 but the polymer receiver on the SU-16 would cause me to stay away from it. I'd go T97 and invest in the FTU. Hell, you can buy them already installed now.
onetwentyish
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East Central AB (AKA Northern Texas)
This
Or if you feel the necessity buy twice and cry twice, get the T97 with an FTU and LHG when it is released.
Then proceed to buy a Tavor if you enjoyed the bullpup, or as I know cr5 would say, buy an ACR and do NR barrel conversion and de-register it. But that is for another day a few months from now as you want a toy today instead of saving for a worth while platform.
Or if you feel the necessity buy twice and cry twice, get the T97 with an FTU and LHG when it is released.
Then proceed to buy a Tavor if you enjoyed the bullpup, or as I know cr5 would say, buy an ACR and do NR barrel conversion and de-register it. But that is for another day a few months from now as you want a toy today instead of saving for a worth while platform.
football37
Member
- Location
- Southern AB
My 7.62x39 CSA VZ-58 has served me well. I haven't shot a T97 though. Probably 1500 rounds through my VZ and no malfunctions of any kind, even when using steel cased, corrosive surplus ammunition. I have also shot around 300 non corrosive Russian made rounds, and a few boxes of soft point. It also shoots much tighter groupings than my Norinco SKS. It shoots while using standard iron sights around 2" resting at 100 yards whereas my SKS shoots around 4". Seems like a quality made rifle to me. No complaints.
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The following is from my personal experience with each rifle.
SU-16, cheap, not accurate with 5 different types of ammo we tried, and by the time you spend the money putting on the extras to make it acceptable cosmetically you may as well have just bought something else.
Mini-14, not worth what they sell for. Mine was a 1997 built stainless ranch rifle with a 1:7 twist and while it was reliable with expensive magazines it was minute of barn door and was so overgassed it would throw brass 30 feet to the right hitting other shooters at the range.
I've only shot a T97 once but I wouldn't waste my money on one. Here is why. The rifle shot well and was fairly accurate but it is going to cost you $1000 for the rifle then another $400 for the flat top upper. What do you have after you spend $1400? A rifle with no warranty and no parts availability. No thanks, not for me.
AR180B-2, best non restricted semi auto rifle I've owned for under $1500. As accurate as any other NR rifle we have available to us and mine was 100% reliable. Rifle is light and simple. No need for tacticool garbage. Just buy mags and ammo.
SKS cheap reliable fun but not a black rifle.
CZ series, never owned one but shot a few. Better than an SKS but not a black rifle.
Not sure if I missed any.
If you can't spend more than $1000 keep saving, you need close to double that for a good non restricted black rifle.
Best option for $1000 or slightly over is to buy an AR. Not non restricted but the best black rifle out there dollar for dollar.
Good luck
SU-16, cheap, not accurate with 5 different types of ammo we tried, and by the time you spend the money putting on the extras to make it acceptable cosmetically you may as well have just bought something else.
Mini-14, not worth what they sell for. Mine was a 1997 built stainless ranch rifle with a 1:7 twist and while it was reliable with expensive magazines it was minute of barn door and was so overgassed it would throw brass 30 feet to the right hitting other shooters at the range.
I've only shot a T97 once but I wouldn't waste my money on one. Here is why. The rifle shot well and was fairly accurate but it is going to cost you $1000 for the rifle then another $400 for the flat top upper. What do you have after you spend $1400? A rifle with no warranty and no parts availability. No thanks, not for me.
AR180B-2, best non restricted semi auto rifle I've owned for under $1500. As accurate as any other NR rifle we have available to us and mine was 100% reliable. Rifle is light and simple. No need for tacticool garbage. Just buy mags and ammo.
SKS cheap reliable fun but not a black rifle.
CZ series, never owned one but shot a few. Better than an SKS but not a black rifle.
Not sure if I missed any.
If you can't spend more than $1000 keep saving, you need close to double that for a good non restricted black rifle.
Best option for $1000 or slightly over is to buy an AR. Not non restricted but the best black rifle out there dollar for dollar.
Good luck
andrew3081
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Vancouver, BC
Thueron Defense is a better pistol carbine rifle.
onetwentyish
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East Central AB (AKA Northern Texas)
DO.
NOT.
DO.
THIS.
an SKS is just an SKS. They are clumsy at mag changes (at best) and best left for stripper clips.
The wood stock may have to short of a length of pull, but you can add a rubber butt pad to make it longer.
Your absolute cheapest option for a decent "tactical" rifle out of the box is a CSA VZ58. If you care to spend some modding, a T97NSR is the way to go as long as you install an FTU shortly after purchase. (You will see why)
onetwentyish
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East Central AB (AKA Northern Texas)
You do realize that all platforms that take the stanag (AR) format of magazine can use AR pistol mags right?
Also, if you really like to exercise your rights and push the limits of what our laws confine us to...
[youtube]Bt9a_QPFd50[/youtube]
An awesome vid from our local CGNer TV-PressPass
