I’ve developed an obsession with guns for the better part of this year, and I keep coming back to considering a .308 battle rifle as a first purchase. This is despite the fact that I haven’t been shooting in over a decade and would probably be better served with something in .22lr like a 10/22 or cheap Marlin so I can learn the basics of handling and marksmanship on a budget. We’re trying to be frugal, and it’s tougher I justify multiple guns at the moment, and the idea of a .308 as general purpose emergency self defense/hunting weapon is appealing.
Plus surplus G3 variants aren’t going to be around forever, and the market is pretty good for them, moreso than the FAL.
There’s something about the C308 that just grabs me. Maybe it’s the currently available model with the
sexy wood furniture.
Any thoughts on Palmetto State Armory? They have complete uppers and lowers that can be smacked together for a $350 rifle. It seems a little too good to be true, and less appealing since completed Ruger and S&W AR’s are sub $500 right now.
The AR platform seems like the most reasonable choice if you’re only going to have one or a few guns, but I’m in a state that’s pushing hard for gun control next legaslative session, so I’m not sure. Maybe all the more reason to get one now?
Or maybe stick with something less scary looking and less likely to be banned, like a mini-14 or an
SU-16. I’ve handled the latter and it just feels great. It’s a light rifle, and they make a version with a folding stock that can fire from folded position. Although I wouldn’t get that version without seeing in person how stiff and durable the stock feels.
Also I’m not sure if gun control advocates will fall for the same kinda of shit they did with the AWB, so maybe the lack of pistol grip won’t matter so much.