Posted: 4/11/2005 8:30:18 PM EDT
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Hey guys Didnt know what forum to put this, so I put it here. Hope its in the right spot! For my first gun that I actually own, I'm debating between a 12 gauge, AK variant, or AR15. I dont want to spend a TON of money. I figured I could build an AR15 for around 500-600? 215 or so for an assembled lower, and 350 or so for a used upper? That sound right? Only downside I see on the AR is that its the most expensive, and ammo costs about 50 bucks more for a case of 1000 than 7.62. Shotgun wise, I was looking at the remington 870 synthetic express. How are these quality wise? Its only 250 bucks so its definately the price winner. AK, I was debating the SAR-1. Do these come in synthetic or just wood? I suppose someone makes synthetic for them. How accurate are these usually? I like this as it is reasonably priced and the ammo is the cheapest. If anyone can give suggestions that would be great! Or steer me in the right direction if I am totally off!! |
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out of those 3 choices i would choose the AK if you are just wanting something to take the range and play around with. it would make a great first gun i think. i just built mine for about $250 since a friend has tools he let me use. the shotgun is great to have...especially for home defense. tha AR is the most expensive, costing around $600-700 if you build it yourself. the AK is the cheapest to shoot and you can get some that rival the AR in accuracy. you can choose wood or synthetic stock, whichever you prefer. you can check out the ak-47 side for more answers or the ar-15 side if you go that way. i havent been to the ar side so i cant speak for that but i know the ak side is awesome. everyone there is more than willing to help you out and they give great advice. good luck in your decision |
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Remington 870's are great, the benchmark by which all pump shotguns are judged. They area also the simplest to operate, plus you can shoot trap/skeet/sporting clays with it (moving targets=assloads of fun). I have no firsthand experience with AR's or AK's so I won't waste your time by pulling something outta my keister on these. |
| depends what you are wanting to do with it. All the weapons you mentioned are fine, but they all have slightly different puropeses. One think that I recomend all first time purchasers to do is take a safety corse or go out shooting with someone who has experience with firearms. They can not only teach you proper safely but proper techneque as well. If you know how to shoot already and know the basics of firearms safety then great for you! One think I might recomend is getting a cheap 22 first, if your a true begginer. A decent one can be had for 100 to 150. A 22 will allow you to shoot alot and learn proper techneque, there is basically no recoil. As far as the guns you mentioned, the AR will be more accurate, and is more refined than the other two. The AK is great for plinking and such, both are good for SHTF. The shotgun is a jack of all trades, I have a 870 express and if I could only have one gun I think this would be it. I can hunt anything with it, and swap out a berral and it is a decent Defensive gun. Dont know what will fit your needs but thats my opinion on things. |
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Welcome to the site. The 870 is a great gun. You can't go0 wrong with that model of shotgun. I wouldn't recommend this as a first gun though. Get something to plink with. I love my AR but it deffinately is more expensive, the ammo too.m to build on your own without help or previous experience with the gun could be bad. An Ak isnt a bad choice. The gun is affordable, the ammo is cheap and they are fun hardy guns. So as advice to someone on a tight budget, I would go with an ak. the sar-1 is a good choice. Hope that helps, and again welcome |
+100 Great advice |
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If this is really your first gun purchase I'd DEFINATELY recommend going with a rifle/carbine, and NOT a shotgun. I think you'll have much more fun at the range...Also, you don't always need a friend to toss Clay Pigeons for you if all you have is a shotgun. Personally, an AR or AK is FARRRR more versatile than any shotgun. Although I assume that you'll be getting more guns over time, for now I would not want the only thing in my collection to be a shotgun. If money is an issue, get the SAR-1. They are fine rifles that'll probably outlast you, but they are no match in accuracy against an AR. Since this is your first purchase, I say do it right, don't settle for something just because it's cheap, and just get yourself a nice affordable AR-15. Welcome to the board, and to the addiction. Most of all BE SAFE!!! The greatest enemy to gunowners are gunowners themselves. |
| Either an Ak or AR. I find that 7.62x39 is $100 and .223 is $125. You cant go wrong with an either. If your low on cash get an AK if you dont mind spending big bucks go with an AR. Shotgun is fun but not the greatest target shooting gun. Ammo will cost more and personally I dont enjoy destroying the target with 1 or 2 shots. |
Well I would say in true Arfcom fashion get both. Since you are looking at spending $500-$600 dollars on an AR why not hold off on the Ar and buy an AK clone and a 12 Gauge. You can pick up an SKS for $150 and you can get a good 12 gauge for $200 then you can spend $125 for a stripped Ar lower and build as money allows.
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If money is tight, get the AK. Shop around. The Bulgarian, and Norinco AK are very good quality, and can be found cheap sometimes. If it has the thumbhole stock, you can change it out later with the correct addition of US made parts. If you spend the extra money on the AR15, you get more accuracy, and the ability to change/upgrade your setup later. You will catch the blackrifle disease! Don't bother with the shottie for now, unless you will be shooting skeet of birds. |
| Go with the AR. Built your own. There is plenty of help on this site for that. Also the AR has damn good resale value. In my experience much more accurate than AK. My last built AR is a Mr.1upper on a Oly. Receiver. I get one half inch groups at 50 yds with it. It is the light barrel 16 inch carbine. Very handy light weapon that is accurate and hard hitting. You will not be sorry. |
If you enjoy shooting skeet and hunting birds go with the shotgun. AKs are hard to shoot accuratly. The damn stock is way to short for myself. They alright for plinkin however and they also go bang everytime you pull the trigger. I know the AK fans are going to flame me but I cannt shot the gun accurately. |
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Start with the shotgun. It will always be the most versatile gun you own, and of the 3 you mention, the only one you can depend on to put something down-- no questions asked --with one shot. The load options are pretty versatile as well: bird shot, buck shot, rubber coated shot, slugs, etc. Add an AR later. Never, never succumb to the temptation to own a cheap, pinko commie POS AK rip-off. Unless you just need a tool for driving tent stakes. 
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you sir took the words out of my mouth +1000000 |
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Anyone in Colorado willing to let me shoot their gun a couple times? here Wanna see how much recoil the AK has, does a brake help alot? I want something my g/f can go shoot too, shes fairly small and a shotgun is a little too much for her i think, have to have her shoot ours sometime! |
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if you are on a real tight budget, go with a cheap AK--ammo, mags, and drums are cheap h/w, i would pick the AR--wolf ammo 1000rnds will run you $100, and mags/parts can be found for cheap at the EE the AR looks better, shoots better, and handles better than the AK imo as to the shotgun, its nice to have, but ammo is more costly and its range is limited |
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Well whats the cheapest you think I could build an AR for? I saw the completely assembled stag arms lower for 215. I have no problem putting it together myself, just when that store will do it for 8 dollars or so, its not worth it to put it together. I see bare uppers for 100 bucks or so? All those need is a bolt and barrel, and what else? |
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I'd get a .22lr rifle first. Learn to shoot it open sights until you can hit any target from 0 - 100 yards without any problem. Then get a .22lr pistol and do the same thing. Learn to shoot it until your hell on wheels. 525 rds of .22lr ammo will run around $10. If you shoot that much every week for a summer, that's more shooting than many folks will do their entire life. After you get the basics down, then you will be ready to buy a high speed / low drag weapon. $0.02 |
Take a look around this forum, AR15.com Build it yourself AR Forum. I built my own first AR for about $550. Then I bought an AK... but I had a .22 and a shotgun first. If you don't own any firearms at all... I suggest you go buy a Ruger 10/22. AR's/AK's/12 gauge's are wicked cool and lots of fun, but good .22 rifle will cost less than $200, and the ammo is dirt cheap. When it comes to a gun that you want to go have fun shooting with for a first gun, a .22 is the best. You can buy almost 1000 rounds of (good) .22 for the price of 200 rounds of (really cheap) .223. When it comes to having one gun right now that you can take a shoot for not too much money, and that is what you want to do with a gun is SHOOT IT!, then a .22 won't get you wrong. |
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Buy a Ruger 10/22and a bunch of ammo. Learn how to shoot a rifle. Later, pick up a Ruger Single Six in 22LR and learn to shoot a pistol. Finally, get a 870 in 12 gauge. and learn to shoot it. Sporting clays is an excellent tool. Your choices are too specialized for the most part. Practice is what you need and practice means money and 22 gives you the most bang for the buck. After that, buy whatever strikes your fancy. |
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If your goal is to just shoot; it doesn't matter. Get your AK and a case of Wolf. If you want to learn to shoot; get a good .22 and as soon as you get it zeroed get off the bench and shoot the positions. Instruction would be good, books will help but disipline is everything. No training is better than competition. Regards, Mild Bill |