One of the best rifles I've found in a typical military (easily available) cartridge is the Kel Tec SU-16 series (I own a SU-16a). Kel Tec firearms are made in the USA, right down in Florida. This rifle has a gas piston system, you can fire hundreds of rounds without needing to clean or worry of jamming. VERY clean.
It's also quite light-weight, meaning you can carry more ammunition (it does take standard AR-15/M-16 magazines - I have a dozen Magpul PMAGs). It folds in half making it easier to carry/conceal as needed. And it doesn't look like the traditional "evil black rifle" so it doesn't draw attraction (until you slap in a 30 round magazine).
With a 3-9 variable scope on top, it's plenty good out to 200 yards. No problem close-in as well.
Now, if you're looking for something a little more up-close-and-personal (self defense/home defense at ranges of 75 yards and less only) then their 9mm carbine - the SUB2000 - is a definite winner. Folds in half as well (down to 16" long - tiny!), is light, and takes the ubiquitous Glock G17 magazines. Many will mock a 9mm as underpowered, but coming out of a 16" barrel, that "wimpy" round packs more energy than a 357 Magnum. Plenty to get the job done.
You can usually find an SU-16 variant for $600 or less; the SUB2000 for $300 or less. Affordable, highly reliable, easy to clean, standard-magazine using, US built firearms. Yes, I'm a fan of the Kel Tecs; for the price of a typical DPMS AR-15 rifle, I have an equivalent (SU-16A), a very compact carbine (SUB2000), and a pair of conceal carry/personal defense pistols (A P32 and a PF9). And a few hundred rounds for each.
And for those who WILL tell you "it's a toy" ask them if they would do this to their AR-15. You can read the entire torture test procedure here - it's plenty tough, doesn't jam (gas piston operation like the AK means spent gas doesn't dump back through the chamber like on a standard AR-15), very light (don't underestimate the advantage of saving 4 pounds - that's a few extra magazines), and low cost.
Hmm, that Kel-Tec sure does look interesting! Agree 100% on the gas piston points.
How does it compare to the CMMG gas piston M4?
The US military has been using M-16/AR-15 type rifles for over 40 years with very good results. They work well. I carried one in the Army for over 20 years and have a few now. They are light, accurate and lethal. They are easy to train people to shoot well with and not hard to maintain if you are so inclined. They are very accurate and they don’t kick. I also have a couple of AKs and they have their uses but they are basically junk and they are not very accurate compared to an AR or just about anything else. AKs were designed for illiterate peasants to use and it shows but they are the best stash in the trunk and forget about them guns you can buy. It all depends on what you want to do with the rifle. If I knew I was not going to have any access to cleaning supplies for an extended period of time than I would want an AK, otherwise I definitely prefer an AR type of rifle.
That RFB rifle looks intriguing but I wonder about the reliability of the forward ejection system.
Dunno. As the biker said, "if you've got a ten dollar head, buy a ten dollar helmet."
If you want to slog arount in the mud and sand, like pretty good chances at a 100 yd shot, and too tired to clean a weapon, buy an AK.
You wanna make the 700 yd shot, buy a 7.62, Remington BDL is a good choice.
Do our boys carry an M4 because it's a toy? Our boys are the kick ass best on the planet. Got evidence otherwise?
I guess any excuse for Saturday night gun pr0n is a good excuse for a ping.