Carbines

[rbruce]

I'm looking for a good carbine to take in a bug-out situation, for self-defense purposes. It should be:


light-weight
reliable
light-weight ammo
cheap

I want something in a pistol, or light rifle, caliber to keep weight down. I don't want to take an AR-15, because I'm don't like the lack of stopping power out of the short barrel. From a thread on another forum I thought an M1 Carbine would be good, but a lot of people were concerned about the lack of stopping power. I considered either a FAL, or JLD PTR-91, but they're both a little heavy, especially when you add in ammo weight. Any other ideas?

[WT351]

Does it have to be a semi-auto?

If not, consider some of the lever action rifles. I like the .357, but if you feel you need something heavier go with .44. Of course you can go heavier (45/70, .450, .444 etc), but the ammo gets both heavy and expensive at that point. 30-30 is always an option as well.

Ruger makes a semi-auto "patrol carbine" in .40 (and 9mm as well). I don't have any experience with shooting it, but I have handled it. It handles like any other rifle and uses pistol mags. It is similar to Marlin's Camp rifle, which they made in 9mm and 45.

I'm not going to try and change your mind, but if you find a rifle you really like, don't dismiss it solely on it being .223. Especially when stacked up against pistol calibers it is not too shabby a round.

[wes]

I'd say, based on no practical experience, that the AR would be better simply for the fact that ammo is easier to come by in a real "bug out" situation. Something in 9mm may be appropriate too.

Perhaps a 12 gauge pump with extended mag?

Or perhaps a 10/22?

[swampwolf]

I dont know why more people dont go to lever actions for self defence. They have alot of thing foing for them. I have been looking seriously at a .44 mag Win. 94 Trapper:

1. 16in barrel, short oal but you can still cut off more of the stock and still be legal.

2. Very light

3. Also shoots .44spl.(doh)

4. Holds 9 rounds and is quickly reloaded.

5. Does not stampede sheep.

6. You can get tritium ghost ring sights for it.

I guess they arn't hi-tech enough. :idunno:

[wes]

Lever actions, personal experience here, would be an excellent choice. Ammo still comes to the forefront though. I'd be a bit worried about cleaning it as well. The other guns come apart more easily for cleaning.


I think the parameters of usage need to be more rigorously defined as well.

[swampwolf]

Yeah(, Ive never taken a lever gun all the way down. Looks like it might be a Chinese puzzle. Hell, Just open her up, blast her out with carb cleaner then let it dry and lube it.

[swampwolf]

Yeah(, Ive never taken a lever gun all the way down. Looks like it might be a Chinese puzzle. Hell, Just open her up, blast her out with carb cleaner then let it dry and lube it.

I think they would make a good home defense gun, a truck gun or a camping gun. I would want something else in all out battle.


(Sorry, I hit the quote instead of the edit button)

[bart-1]

UZI!! in a neck holster!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/bart-1/178_7807.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/bart-1/178_7818.jpg

[rbruce]

Thanks for the replys guys.


I'm not going to try and change your mind, but if you find a rifle you really like, don't dismiss it solely on it being .223. Especially when stacked up against pistol calibers it is not too shabby a round.

I didn't really think of it that way. Any other cool carbines out there.

[Harley Rider]

M4 with a combat sling! Hands free. No neck holsters! ;)

Allen :)

[beherethen]

I have two words for you.........Kel-Tec

[Mike Stewart]

R,

The Ruger Mini 30 might be one worth looking at.

We have one that is Accurized-- Bedded & Cryoed BBL. Custom Trigger--Scout Scope set up. It is now very accurite--small in size--medium weight for it's size and very fast to the shoulder and target.

7.62x39 is commonly avalible now and it has all the power of a 30-30 but no real percieved recoil. You can get 5, 10 ,20 & 30 shot mags.

If you use a folding stock ( Ours does not have one) it will fit in a good size Bug-Out-Bag.

Mike................................ :idunno:

[Matt Cucchiara]

Who's complaining about a .223 not having enough stopping power? If the .223 wont work for ya stay the hell away from a .30 carbine! I would go the .223 route for reasons already mentioned above. I like the Ruger Mini 14 in stainless, thats what I have. I also have a Winchester 92 in .44mag short rifle and will be getting the new carbine whenever they finally come out with it, anytime now. Marlin made a cool .45 carbine that actually takes the 1911 pistol mags, so if your allready carrying a 1911 the ammo and mags are interchangable. If money is not an issue check out the new M1A Socom 16, very cool but about $1600-$1800 bucks.

[MadDaddy]

:love: love that gun, too bad it is so bamned pricey:elsaddo:


If money is not an issue check out the new M1A Socom 16, very cool but about $1600-$1800 bucks.

[BoerBoelGuy]

Since someone already mentioned her. If you have a Same Cal. as your sidearm than the Sub2000 MAY be the way to go? This one is a bit "Tricked" out BUT stock they can be had pretty cheap. This one is in Glock .40 configuration. Enjoy. (the Schere is cool for the range but for the house we use G22 hicap).

[BoerBoelGuy]

Again has a bit more on her than you would need BUT the Saiga-12 shotties are a steal IMHO. Get one you wont be sorry. This has Gas tube mounted laser and 8 rd. mag. Barrel Comp and threaded internally for chokes. First several rounds are downrange before the hulls hit the floor. Gives the Benelli's a run for their $$$ :-) Enjoy. Not a carbine but VERY cost effective and versatile, REAL lightweight!

Loandr.

[BoerBoelGuy]

Being fairly pathetic around detailed mechanics :-D Im a BIG believer in the KISS principle....Hence big on "AK"'s and glocks... Your Romanian varients are more than accurate "enough" and Cheap enough. :-) Rifle, anyhow (not ammo) is light weight and packs pleanty of punch, can't beat the AK for reliabilty as well. SKS is another option BUT not as compact and easy to reload, while fairly more accurate. Enjoy

This one is a Bulgarian SAM7s with Blonde Bulgy Furniture and goodies :-).

Loandr.

[BoerBoelGuy]

As far as lever actions go, GREAT option, my fav. being the marlins since a bit more robust and more scope mount friendly being side eject. The 1894P in .44 mag. (also handles specials) is my Fav. with 16 inch hooded ported barrel and 5.5 lb. weight. great BRUSH gun or otherwise. sorry no pic :-)
Loandr.

[beherethen]

The Kel-Tec carbine also comes in .223

[BoerBoelGuy]

While I love the SU-16's for cost and convience, me thinks its a bit flimsy for more than range usage, BUT alot of guys swear buy them? :-). nice to have options.
Loandr.

[TheBadGuy]

loandr. (http://jerzeedevil.com/forums/member.php?u=753)<SCRIPT type=text/javascript> vbmenu_register("postmenu_54515", true); </SCRIPT> , I like your AK. It looks like it has a good fit and finish and nice clean furniture

[Guillermo]

M4 with a combat sling! Hands free. No neck holsters! ;)

Allen :)That would be the one for me and if a .223 won't stop they are either too far for you to worry about or have hard armor that will also take multiple hits from a .308 as well. It will put them on their ass but they probably have friends that will be pissed. You can take it apart easy and there will be parts and ammo for it way down the line. A few years from now ACOG scopes and many other goodies that are hot now will be much cheaper and yesterdays news. If not try a Winchester 30/30 and a Reminbton 870 both used for the same $$$$$.

[BoerBoelGuy]

Thanks TBG...good ole fashion AK:-).
Loandr.

[BoerBoelGuy]

OF course if ya want to get sneaky 10/22. Itergally Supessed from "Silent Delievery Systems". gotta love FL :punish: . Hogue Overmold stock. Voltq. trigger group and mount, buffers throughout. :-) All goodness.
Loandr.

[mercop]

How about a Russian M44? Small gun, kind of heavy though but cheap ass ammo and fun to shoot. The gun is around $70.

[WT351]

OF course if ya want to get sneaky 10/22. Itergally Supessed from "Silent Delievery Systems". gotta love FL :punish: . Hogue Overmold stock. Voltq. trigger group and mount, buffers throughout. :-) All goodness.
Loandr.

Nice. Very, very nice. :bow:

I love that integrally suppressed stuff. I got the chance to shoot a 77/22 a few years ago. I don't remember who did the work but it was so nice.

[rbruce]

Thanks for all the replies. I see now that comparing .223, to pistol-caliber carbines, is like apples and oranges. I think I will do just fine with my Bushmaster M4gery.:punish::-D

[WT351]

Tough to beat the M4 (or M4gery) for a good carbine. Good choice. Now it's time to get something just for fun, without all that "designated purpose" hooha. :punish:

[rbruce]

I have my "fun" gun. M1 Garand.:love::-D

[WT351]

I have my "fun" gun. M1 Garand.:love::-D

Garands are cool. Need pics though. :idunno:

[rbruce]

Check the "range time" thread a little further down the page.:poke:

[Guillermo]

There a re some fine .22 conversion units for the AR15 out there also. Intergral suppressors look great but usually have real short barrels unless thay are ported. If I went to that much trouble to get one I would avoid one in a "shit hits the fan" situation. Stick it in their mouth if you want quiet;-)

[rbruce]

Thanks for all the replies. I see now that comparing .223, to pistol-caliber carbines, is like apples and oranges. I think I will do just fine with my Bushmaster M4gery.:punish::-D

Now the prices of 6.8 SPC uppers, and ammo, just need to come down. :firedevi:

[BoerBoelGuy]

Now the prices of 6.8 SPC uppers, and ammo, just need to come down. :firedevi:
ahmen.....being fairly blind out past cetain distance I kind of limit myself to 100yds. (farther than that and im just spaying lead :-) hence would love something in .50 Beowulf IF mag. capacitys were over 10rds. Oh well, NO free lunch i guess.

Loandr.

[rbruce]

Yeah .50 Beowulf is cool too. If I had the money I would have uppers, for my AR, in .223, 6.8 SPC, .50 Beowulf, and .50 BMG.:marty: