Best QUALITY non-restricted option under $1500?

[Brettzky]

I haven't done enough digging to find out what may or may not end up getting taken from non-restricted to banned on a whim.

So if you had 3 or 4 choices of something to pick up worry-free and reliable, and accurate.. what would you pick. 5.56 ideally.

.308 if it could double as a hunting rifle, realistically.

 

[Kezh1729]

You have to be specific, bolt or semi? What features do you want?

 

[Gatehouse]

There is no firearm NOT on Justins ban list, so none are worry free.

But for a semi $1500 rifle I would choose a MCR. I've had good success with the ones I own and they have had quite a few rounds through them with minimal problem. I Can't say the same about the WK-180.

 

[Brettzky]

You have to be specific, bolt or semi? What features do you want?

Yeah I'm not too versed on semi-auto "black" rifles. I owned a Daniel Defense for about a week several years ago and it was pretty sweet.

Looking for something fun to shoot, easy to maintain, not overly picky on ammo. Semi auto ideally. I'd just get a SIG Cross if I wanted a bolt gun.

I like the idea of bullpup rifles but a Tavor is out of my price range... kinda.

 

[6IXXER]

Yeah I'm not too versed on semi-auto "black" rifles. I owned a Daniel Defense for about a week several years ago and it was pretty sweet.

Looking for something fun to shoot, easy to maintain, not overly picky on ammo. Semi auto ideally. I'd just get a SIG Cross if I wanted a bolt gun.

I like the idea of bullpup rifles but a Tavor is out of my price range... kinda.

I think the FX9 fits your criteria pretty well.
Tavors are dope.

I have both and would recommend both

 

[.325WSM]

Yeah I'm not too versed on semi-auto "black" rifles. I owned a Daniel Defense for about a week several years ago and it was pretty sweet.

Looking for something fun to shoot, easy to maintain, not overly picky on ammo. Semi auto ideally. I'd just get a SIG Cross if I wanted a bolt gun.

I like the idea of bullpup rifles but a Tavor is out of my price range... kinda.

T-97 has been super reliable and $1500 gets one for sure.

 

[Northern Shooter]

I'd say MCR is the best of the affordable black rifle options but I believe the latest version retails for $1600.

 

[onetwentyish]

I have had experience with most black rifles over the years. If I had $2,000 to spend and not a penny more it would be on an RDB which would leave me with three or $400 left over, or in your case you might have to shop used to stay within your $1,500 budget. The value for dollar spent is unmatched by the 180's, T81's, or T97's. Honestly it even gives some of the rifles in the 2500 range a run for their money. The biggest downside to the rdb that you will have to learn to work around is not being able to easily check for a clear chamber or clear jams... I have had Barnaul hollow points turn the thing into a jamimatic but with my 77 grain ivi hollow points it'll run like a top. FMJ seems to run no problem no matter what the manufacturer/proj. weight

 

[Bartok5]

I have had experience with most black rifles over the years. If I had $2,000 to spend and not a penny more it would be on an RDB which would leave me with three or $400 left over, or in your case you might have to shop used to stay within your $1,500 budget. The value for dollar spent is unmatched by the 180's, T81's, or T97's. Honestly it even gives some of the rifles in the 2500 range a run for their money. The biggest downside to the rdb that you will have to learn to work around is not being able to easily check for a clear chamber or clear jams... I have had Barnaul hollow points turn the thing into a jamimatic but with my 77 grain ivi hollow points it'll run like a top. FMJ seems to run no problem no matter what the manufacturer/proj. weight

I heartily second this stellar recommendation. The Kel-Tec RDB is the one model that they got right. Paired with the aftermarket aluminum MLOK Rail from either Keltec or "Lucky Irishman Gun Shop" in the USA (they ship direct), the RDB is an excellent choice. Reliable, simple, adjustable gas system, durable, low-recoil, accurate to 2 MOA with bulk 5.56mm ammo, excellent trigger especially for a bullpup, etc, etc. The RDB features outstanding ergonomics and is fully ambidextrous with a reversible Charging Handle. I really like the RDB - every bit as much (if not more) than my Tavor X95. Just saying....

 

[bigmouth]

The RDB farts cartridges out the bottom near the stock.

 

[medvedqc]

is the rdb as reliable as a tavor?

 

[Bartok5]

is the rdb as reliable as a tavor?

In my experience, YES. However, this is entirely dependent upon the firer knowing his rifle and how to properly adjust and balance the Gas Setting so that the piston operates with the correct amount of propellant gas to reliably cycle the action. Not too much (increased wear and tear), and definitely not too little (failure to eject or feed). That is the single biggest complaint that I hear about the RBD - that it is unreliable. It is only that way if you fail to understand how to adjust and balance the gas so as to properly cycle the action. YMMV...

 

[thegazelle]

There is no firearm NOT on Justins ban list, so none are worry free.

But for a semi $1500 rifle I would choose a MCR. I've had good success with the ones I own and they have had quite a few rounds through them with minimal problem. I Can't say the same about the WK-180.

Agree with this. I have a WK180 generation 1.5 and while there hasn't been any catastrophic failures yet, I can't really in good conscience give a glowing recommendation for it. There are just some design flaws and some questionable choices in how they did things with it. Plus mine, like others, seem to have a faint to sometimes discernable rattling noise. It just doesn't FEEL solidly made (I know that's subjective).

It is not a good feeling every time I shoot it wondering whether it is finally the time the stupid threaded charging handle shears off or whether the piston rod breaks (though locking those gas block screws has alleviated that concern somewhat).

 

[thegazelle]

I think the FX9 fits your criteria pretty well.
Tavors are dope.

I have both and would recommend both

I would agree with you on the FX9 EXCEPT the stupid bolt lock/catch keeps going off by itself (likely due to a light spring), and the last round bolt hold open doesn't work sometimes.

Since we are in the black rifles subforum I am assuming PCCs are not what you are looking for. Tavor X95 would be my pick but that's double the budget there.

MCR may be your best bet if you are not wanting a bullpup

 

[Morc]

Does a 308 semi auto black rifle under $1500 even exist in Canada?

I'd probably third the RDB recommendation at that price range.

 

[55recce]

SKS, black rattle can and a bunch of ammo

 

[onetwentyish]

Does a 308 semi auto black rifle under $1500 even exist in Canada?

I'd probably third the RDB recommendation at that price range.

Maybe in a more traditional hunting rifle layout but nothing in the Black Rifle ergonomics, for that your cheapest is probably an RFB since the M305 got banned

 

[Northern Shooter]

Does a 308 semi auto black rifle under $1500 even exist in Canada?

I'd probably third the RDB recommendation at that price range.

The closest you would likely get to a $1500 .308 black rifle is a MRA Maverick (on sale) however they are straight pulls..

 

[thegazelle]

The closest you would likely get to a $1500 .308 black rifle is a MRA Maverick (on sale) however they are straight pulls..

I can tell ya...after owning a Renegade, the straight pull thing is highly overrated. I would have much preferred a traditional bolt action rifle operation over the straight pull. I liken it to having what appears to be a modern sports car, but with manual roll down windows. If that's the case, I would have just rather have bought that 1985 Pontiac LeMans.

 

[Brian46]

I don't consider any of the current offerings under $1500 retail as "quality"