[suptra25]

Let me start off by saying that i am more of a pistol shooter than anything, but ive become more and more intrigued thinking about rifles. I would like to stay under $1000 and still have something that is fun to shoot, relatively inexpensive parts/ammo and will stand the test of time. I would prefer semi-auto (only because im not quite sure how id go about finding a full-auto ) and i also like the whole tactical look. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated... And also if you want to post pics of your rifles and approximately what the setup would run.

[mrnole2u]

You might consider a quality AK, you can get an arsenal or IO for under $1000, reliable, easy to operate and maintain and fun to shoot

[locutus]

You can get a good AR-15 in that price range.

[UrbanNinja]

If you're new to rifles.. I would go with an SKS or an AK. You can get them both very cheap and add all the "tactical" stuff you want.. and you'd still be under the price tag of a stock AR with plenty of change for a couple rounds of ammo (couple thousand rounds if you buy an SKS).

Not to mention if you buy an SKS or an AK and decide you don't like rifles.. you wouldn't have wasted a ton of money.

[ScottA]

Pluses for an AR and why I purchased one (from another pistol shooter).

• Incredibly easy design to maintain. You can't get much simpler than the takedown of an AR.
• Customizable to your heart's desire. No other platform has as much aftermarket material available.
• Inexpensive 223 round options.
• It is just plain fun to shoot.
  
  I spent approximately $660 on a mid-level upper from PSA, and a low-level lower from Plum Crazy. With your budget, I wouldn't have gone with the PC lower. Probably would have picked up an RRA. If for no other reason than it's a local company and they get good reviews.
  
  

[canebrake]

Originally Posted by suptra25

Let me start off by saying that i am more of a pistol shooter than anything, but ive become more and more intrigued thinking about rifles. I would like to stay under $1000 and still have something that is fun to shoot, relatively inexpensive parts/ammo and will stand the test of time. I would prefer semi-auto (only because im not quite sure how id go about finding a full-auto ) and i also like the whole tactical look. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated... And also if you want to post pics of your rifles and approximately what the setup would run.

Finding a full auto is simple, cash bucks.

Oh yea, your $1K budget needs to be upped by a magnitude, to well over $10K.

[BLUNTTrauma72]

Originally Posted by UrbanNinja

If you're new to rifles.. I would go with an SKS or an AK. You can get them both very cheap and add all the "tactical" stuff you want.. and you'd still be under the price tag of a stock AR with plenty of change for a couple rounds of ammo (couple thousand rounds if you buy an SKS).

Not to mention if you buy an SKS or an AK and decide you don't like rifles.. you wouldn't have wasted a ton of money.

^^^^^^^^^^^
I think he's right I'm still pretty new to rifles and I went the SK route and I'm getting better every day

[BenLuby]

Originally Posted by suptra25

Let me start off by saying that i am more of a pistol shooter than anything, but ive become more and more intrigued thinking about rifles. I would like to stay under $1000 and still have something that is fun to shoot, relatively inexpensive parts/ammo and will stand the test of time. I would prefer semi-auto (only because im not quite sure how id go about finding a full-auto ) and i also like the whole tactical look. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated... And also if you want to post pics of your rifles and approximately what the setup would run.

You can order a very nice and easy to build AR kit from Palmetto State Armory for about $800 total, toss in another $75 for irons, and you're ready to play.
AR is nice because with one rifle and a few uppers (takes less than thirty seconds to swap them out) and mags, you can have multiple calibers for plinking or hunting.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/rifle-kits.html

[therewolf]

Unless you have your heart set on an AK, I would consider the

machined receiver and longer sight radius of an SKS.

There are a lot of tacticool stocks which bolt on,

straight from the box.

for @500 bucks, you could have a rifle with matching serials,

the tac stock of your choice, and a 440-round spam can of

ammo.

Of course, if extreme accuracy is important to you, you will want

to get an AR...

[hawkguy]

i have a stainless mini 14 ranch rifle and a S&W M&P 15 sport. they both shoot 5.56/.223. i got both for under $700.

the mini is more of a "classic" beauty. looks like a "mini" M-14, which i guess was the point.

the S&W is a lower priced AR. nothing but good things to say about it so far.
runs like a dream.

if "more tactical" is your preference, i think the S&W is a great little gun. ready to go, at a good price.

both guns make great range toys/plinkers and will do in a pinch for HD, truck gun, most varmit hunting etc. imo, though a bit pricey, 223 is a real pleasure of a round to shoot. no recoil, and just blows stuff away. wide variety and supply of ammo.

and imo, a 22 auto loader is also a choice you can't go wrong with. get a 10/22 and shoot all day (500+rounds) for what it costs to buy 50 rounds of 223. i would really consider it this option as well.