[easterner123]

If you want a rifle that shoots .223 ammo, and has some cool furniture available, get the Mini-14, its California legal, and can take anywhere from 5-30 round mags (I'm sure there are even larger specialty magazines).

The SKS is a down and dirty workhorse. It is reliable and the 7.62x39mm round is a sledgehammer. However, it does not have quite the accuracy of a Mini-14 or AR15 style rifle. A good overall rifle, and ammo is pretty cheap for a centerfire rifle.

My advice on a "Militia" rifle is act like our founding fathers, use what you can get and adjust how you use it accordingly. Good luck in your search, and make sure you do your homework before you even go into a gunstore.

[DocWard]

I have seen this question pondered a time or two and I always think to myself that the militia concept allowed for the members of the militia to bring whatever weapon(s) they used for personal defense and hunting with them to battle. So, my answer is always "what do you feel comfortable shooting and what do you shoot well." Bolt action in .270? OK. Lever action in .44 Mag? Bring it. If it happens to be an AR, M1, M1A or an AK, great! But don't feel you "have" to have a modern military style rifle to get the job done.

Find a platform that works well for you and practice, as opposed to forcing yourself to use a platform that you aren't comfortable with or don't like shooting.

As for the hypothetical SHTF situation, my thoughts have also evolved there as well. These days, even though I am keeping hold of my semi-autos, I am also planning on keeping my revolvers and lever actions near at hand also. Why? Simple. As time goes on, ammunition could be in short supply, particularly jacketed ammunition. People who can cast their own bullets out of lead will have the ability to reload for longer, assuming they have brass, primers and powder. It is also my understanding that autos don't like cast bullets so well, and some not at all.

[oldcrankyman]

I'd suggest what I bought, a Mini 14. Pretty cheap, reliable as hell, you gotta work hard to make it stop shooting. Be aware that in CA, anything over 10 shot mags will be illegal for the Mini, but there's no limit on how many you can have...yet.

Doc makes some good points regarding reloading and ammo availability. I'm thinking I need a good bow also.

[M14sRock]

Originally Posted by oldcrankyman

I'd suggest what I bought, a Mini 14. Pretty cheap, reliable as hell, you gotta work hard to make it stop shooting. Be aware that in CA, anything over 10 shot mags will be illegal for the Mini, but there's no limit on how many you can have...yet.

Doc makes some good points regarding reloading and ammo availability. I'm thinking I need a good bow also.

That is false. If someone owned the mags prior to the ban they are fine to use. The impetus is on the DOJ to prove you did not own them prior to the ban.

[DocWard]

I have to agree, I like my Mini as well, and plan on doing a lot more shooting with it this year.

I have a bow, the original "militia" weapon, now if I can learn to hit the broad side of a barn with it!

[Steve65]

Originally Posted by DocWard

I have seen this question pondered a time or two and I always think to myself that the militia concept allowed for the members of the militia to bring whatever weapon(s) they used for personal defense and hunting with them to battle. So, my answer is always "what do you feel comfortable shooting and what do you shoot well." Bolt action in .270? OK. Lever action in .44 Mag? Bring it. If it happens to be an AR, M1, M1A or an AK, great! But don't feel you "have" to have a modern military style rifle to get the job done.

Amen! The original militiamen grabbed whatever they had over the door and went to fight.

[Johnny357]

On a tight budget, and following the rule of "two is one and one is none", here is my thinking in answer to the OPs question:

Long gun for sniping and large game taking:
primary: SVT-40 with scope
backup: Mosin 91-30 with scope

Carbine:
primary: SKS with shermic bullpup configuration
backup: SKS with original furniture

Daily Carry:
.357 Magnum revolver

With this setup you are ready for just about any scenario, with hardware that will last, and all under the price of one high end modern gun.

[Laufer]

Although I know nothing about militias, would it be very critical in an "extremely remote scenario" to have members (who all have in common) one or two rifle calibers, if not rifles?

This might be very unrealistic, but over time people could focus on .223 and 7.62x39, but leave .308/NATO 7.62 as a secondary system.
There are quite a number of CMP and other Garands around.
At our gun shows, 30-06 Garands seem to be as common as the "AK clone" or SKS, maybe because they mark up CMP rifles for a $200-$500 profit.

Another hang-up now is that .308 costs a good bit more as do almost all rifles in that caliber; even the Saiga?

[goretro77]

You'll need a bow and you'll need your rifle.

[FaTmAn]

"Now, I am surprised that none of the AK guys have stopped by. The rifle is cheaper, it's easier to maintain and right now there is ammo available. So, if cost is a factor, it's a decent option." JD


Im an AK guy and think as for ruggedness and dependablity there is no better rifle. The ak can take a beating and keep on ticking They are simple to use simple to maintain. There might not be as many styles as the AR but there are still alot of stuff you can get to make a better combat ready rifle.

The Ak-47 is the 7.62 round very deadly round easy to get online and most gunshop's carry this round.

the Ak74 is the 5.45+39 This round is the little brother but is just as deadly something to do with the bullet tumbling The russian spetzna's use this rifle as for ammo easy to find online. I have found difficult to find in shops.

Any way you go having a AR or AK is better then having none good luck