[Drew68]

Nyet.

Seriously. I've been leaning FAL and then I read on the interwebs that they don't like steel ammo. They're finicky. The PTR-91s, with the CETME-designed delayed blowback will spit out cheap steel ammo with no prob.

So CETME, right?

Well, when I went to handle one, the salesman put a Serbian Kalashnikov in my hand. 2/3rds the price. Beautiful weapon.

Used to own a MAC-90. Indestructable. But I don't really want a SHTF rifle that is chambered in non-USA ammo. Then again, doesn't really matter because when TSHTF, guns and ammo will be lying all over the place.

Confused....

[Charles Martel]

Given the fact that most com-bloc calibers are not manufactured here in meaningful quantities and that importation of that ammo is therefore vulnerable to the whims of our domestic enemies, your leaning towards NATO calibers is logical. Especially 5.56, since so many agencies use it.

You need not have an AR, but it might be smart to choose something that uses AR magazines (Kel-Tec, etc.). It makes sense, given what's out there.

An inexpensive .308 bolt-action with scope (Ruger American, etc) would be better for the heavier cartridge.

[Grimmy]

AKs are made in 308. Vepr makes one.

And, I’m fair sure there’s after market stocks of all sorts and types, even bullpup if you’re concerned about close quarters.

[doorgunner69]

I owned a HK-91 for a few years. Never took a shine to it. Nasty recoil impulse. Bitch to clean the chamber.

I learned shooting on the M-14 and would have gone M-1A had they been finished like mil-spec at the time. They were very rough so I just passed. Had a Colt H-BAR (5.56mm of course) for a bit, loved it, but went bolt action for a spell.

Back to AR now, my own build based on a DPMS receiver in 7.62 NATO, and it is just about perfect with a high quality barrel, JP trigger, open or scope sights as I feel the urge, MI handguard, and ACE buttstock that I like, etc. Barely over 8 pounds.

The modularity of the AR is hard to beat if you like fitting the gun to yourself. I have the caliber I like and a gun that fits and works perfectly.

[Lumper20]

I recall when our recon teams were forced to carry AK’s in Cambodia in late 68 and no CAR 15’s. Well I can state more then one 10 and 11 were not happy. The reason I preferred the CAR 15 is the size and especially the weight of the ammo. Carrying 20 mags of 5.56 x 18 per clip in ammo pouches plus another 20 in a pack is not as heavy as carrying the same number of 7.62. It really depends on you. A friend bought a rifle like Tom Selleck carried on the Aussie Western. He loads his own as those rounds are expensive. Well, I went to the range at Campbell with him. He hit targets at 1,000 and further.