OK FReepers, it's the zombie apocalypse. What battle rifle should I buy?

Me | 24 May 2014 | Me

[Drew68]

There's probably a few threads already but I've been here 14 years and rarely post vanities. So indulge me.

I've got about $1600 +/-$200 to spend. I certainly don't need to spend it all.

I want a good semi-auto rifle.

What to get?

Currently, I have a Maverick 88 12 gauge shotgun. I have a .45 1911. I have some Smith and Wesson Glock copy in .40 cal that a buddy needed money for. I have a Ruger 10-22. I have a Winchester 30-30.

I'm missing something. A semi-auto rifle.

Lately, I've been a strong proponent of something in .308/7.62 NATO and leaning towards a DS Arms FAL or a PTR-91. However, nothing beats a Kalashnikov. And AR-15s are the most popular rifle in the world.

What say you all on this Saturday night?

[Drew68]

If you like .308, try an AR-10. You can find a decent one for about 1k.

A buddy of mine has one but I'm just not sold on Stoner's design. As an AO in the Navy, I've had to break these weapons down to clean them. Too much work.

Sure, they're light and accurate as all hell but they foul quickly.

Honestly, I'm not really considering an AR-10. I've always thought the FAL looked like the coolest rifle. Think of those Rhodesian bush warriors wearing boonie caps. Just looked cool.

That's what I really wanted.

Then I discovered the PTR-91. Loose tolerances, from what I've read, basically the AK in the .308 world.

[Vince Ferrer]

Yeah I know, I thought I hit preview.

[Drew68]

Eh, still don’t know how much you plan to spend on ammo. You need to budget for target practice.

I'm not going to pretend to be a sniper. Figure 500 rounds to break in the rifle, clean it and leave another 500 rounds waiting in a can.

Don't need mountains of ammo. They're will be plenty when the SHTF.

[familyop]

Are you in the suburbs? If so, no episode of suburban, asymmetric interlocking fire would be wholesome without the 50 BMG.

50BMG Armor Piercing Incendiary -vs- ENGINE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pEylQ2G5-U

Be the boss neighborhood guy! Wear general's rank (as seen on police)! Get it now!

[Vince Ferrer]

Get wood. The ‘thock’ won’t carry as far as the ‘ping’. Noise discipline, and all that.

Aluminum doesn't break like a wood bat does though. I could put some tape on it to muffle it.

[JimBianchi11]

Colt M4, ACOG scope and a professional 3day rifle course.

should be about $2 to 3k total

You will be better prepared than 90% of the people out there.

[FredZarguna]

Chainsaws absolutely.

All of the old school hatchet and ax men who've spent a weekend with me and Mrs. Z send us thank you notes: "You've opened my eyes. I'll never go back to chopping up zombies by hand again."

[And no, the noise does not draw them. They recognize the sound of a chainsaw and leave our cabin alone.]

[FredZarguna]

She already thinks I'm half homicidal.

Women don't mind if the homicidal half is from the waist down. It's the upper-homicidals they dislike.

[FredZarguna]

You hit them with the label up.

[Vendome]

Spingfield M1A, 18” barrel. “Always shoot a large man, with a large caliber bullet”.

[RedHeeler]

Give up, do not fight. Give up, do not fight. Give up, do not fight....

[ProtectOurFreedom]

It was a tongue-in-cheek British saying to your own correction.

[Drew68]

Are you in the suburbs? If so, no episode of suburban, asymmetric interlocking fire would be wholesome without the 50 BMG.

Funny you mention this. As an Ordnanceman, I have access to a Ready Service Locker containing thousands of rounds of .50 cal.

I would never pilfer from the U.S. Navy. Leavenworth and a dishonorable discharge, no thanks.

However, in the zombie apocalypse, I'd be less concerned with the UCMJ. This being said, .50 cals are fun to shoot but I'm not going to be grabbing a GAU-21 as my SHTF rifle.

[familyop]

"What to get?"

Ask yourself, "What do I want the bullet to do?" Write down the answers. Base your choice of a rifle on the answers regarding potential target type(s), likely ranges (terrain), best accuracy required, terminal ballistics, etc.

[AlaskaErik]

I would have an AR-15 and an AK-47. When the SHTF, those who unsuccessfully attack you are bound to have one or the other ammo type.

[Drew68]

Spingfield M1A, 18” barrel. “Always shoot a large man, with a large caliber bullet”.

You mention the Springfield. Also in my price range. I really like the SOCOMs. My only aversion is they're not battle-tested. We fielded this rifle for a few years in 'Nam and then scrapped it for the "Made by Mattel" M-16.

Are they reliable or not? I dunno.

Badass f'in weapon, though.

[RandallFlagg]

WOO-HOO!!!
Another gun p0rn thread!!!


My contribution.

[Drew68]

Ask yourself, "What do I want the bullet to do?" Write down the answers. Base your choice of a rifle on the answers regarding potential target type(s), likely ranges (terrain), best accuracy required, terminal ballistics, etc.

Yep. And everytime I do this, the one weapon that comes out on top is the Kalashnikov.

The only drawback is U.S. forces don't use any weapon that chambers 7.62 x 39, so the opportunity to pilfer ammo in a SHTF situation is nil.

[Captainpaintball]

I need to know what that is, and where I can get one, if it is real .

[ChildOfThe60s]

Ammo will be currency. There may be a lot around, but I’m not convinced that would be the case. But you will have to barter for it. No matter how much of it there is out there it won’t be easy to get cheaply. We should all have learned that lesson from the Obama shortages. When you bring survival into the mix, it will really change the equation.