First B/G Semi-Auto Centerfire - Which One?

grayrc

grayrc

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Ok, before I get flamed for asking what is probably the 2nd most FAQ on the board next to 'which gun for bear/zombie defense?'... I swear I tried using the search engine...

After ditching my guns in a moment of pre-nuptial stupidity, I'm now using 'mid-life crisis' as my excuse to gear up again ;) and am looking for my first Black/Green rifle. The wife & kids still have me on a limited gun budget, so I can't justify an Armalite or domestic brand (?), and I don't mind a project gun that I can develop over time, but ultimately am not wanting to spend much more than ~$1000 for the finished product (he says...). I can do restricted, can't do prohibited. Cheaper Ammo would be a plus - I'm not a reloader (yet) and I don't plan to use this for hunting (see mid-life crisis, phase 2). This is going to be taken to the range and used to make empty casings. I'd like the gun to be able to put rounds on the paper at 250 yards with iron sights (even if I can't). Previous expience with FNC1s (I loved them), and a semi-auto AK variant (I don't miss it).

Should I be looking at an SKS (Chinese or Yugo?), an AK variant (the VZ-58s), or should I join the long list of GunNutz laying awake at night for any word on the long-awaited M305/M14-S shipment? Anything I've missed?

Thanks guys -
Gray.
 
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Look at AR-180B (~$1000, non-restricted), or look at lesser-known AR15 manufacturers (you might get away with $1200 for one).

Factory .223 is fairly cheap. You can find lots of sources with prices around 30 cents per round.
 
Yep - the search function sux.

If you like bigger bore diameter, it's hard to beat the M305. You can use the extra $$$ to buy ammo. Can't loose on the re-sale either. All kinds of upgrades available if you choose to do so.

I do love the AR based rifles too in that they are cheaper to feed, but a little more up-front expense. Just tell the wife that they all cost the same ;)
 
I'd say go for a CZ 858 or wait for the M305. While you'd spend more on the CZ initially, the M305 upgrades would balance the scale the other way. I enjoy both of mine regularly. You'd probably miss the big bore thrill quickly if you bought yourself a poodle shooter.
 
You said you had experience with AKs and didn't care for them, and then suggested that the VZ 858 was an AK varient. You may want to give it a try sometime, although it looks vaguely AKish it is not a varient and operates and shoots quite differently. You may end up liking it more. Don't discount it without at least checking it out.
 
redleg said:
You said you had experience with AKs and didn't care for them, and then suggested that the VZ 858 was an AK varient. You may want to give it a try sometime, although it looks vaguely AKish it is not a varient and operates and shoots quite differently. You may end up liking it more. Don't discount it without at least checking it out.
Click to expand...

Thanks - I took a quick look at the VZ-58 and assumed it was an AK variant. I will have another look. I know I sounded inconsistent re the AK -> unfortunately it was 20 years ago, and I can't for the life of me remember any details about what mine was other than that I had a semi-auto only "AK" (and as I recall at that time I was using unblocked 30 round mags... sigh). I had to decide between feeding the gun or feeding myself, so we went our separate ways. I wonder where she is now... ;) Anyhow, at the time I was in the reserves and spending a lot of time with the FN (A1 & A2) and it just made the 'AK' feel ... cheap (and it was the "enemy's" weapon so I was probably biased against it) - I've never lusted after another one. I'm definately inclined more towards the 7.62 x calibers (vs the .223), although I got out just before they upacked the first C7s so I may not know what I'm missing.

hr = thanks for the link - read the thread and it piqued my curiosity = now I need to figure out why some of the VZs are restricted and some are NOT... <edit: barrel length of course ... thanks hr>

/gc
 
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grayrc, the VZ58 and the CZ858 are the same thing execpt for the barrel length which turns it from restricted to non-restricted, Homesick has the CZ in his review (longer barrel) that's all.. being non rest, you can shoot in the gravel pits, i suppose

*Edit, too many damn numbers why cant they just call it "short czeh poodle gun" and "longer czeh poodle gun"
 
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