EBG Choices

[Countryfried Frank]

Mrs. C. has greenlighted an EBG as a Christmas present for me. I had an AR style rifle in a previous life and I enjoyed shooting it but I want to take the opportunity to add a little variety. Additionally, the budget I've been give is a firm 600USD. That leaves me with an AK, used Mini, SU-16C or S-16CA. If there's another EBG I'm missing please let me know. As it sits right now I am leaning towards the SU-16C or SU-16CA. I like handloading and the .223 seems to be better suited to that than the 7.62x39 and I also like that the SU-16 uses AR mags. Not that Mini mags are hard to find, just AR mags are everywhere. I hate the sights on the SU-16A/B but I'm torn between the trick, folding stock where the rifle operates folded and the less trick folding stock with storage for a magazine. I have trolled ktog a bit and gotten a few tips and ideas for upgrades but I would like opinions from someone who doesn't have a dog in the hunt which leaves me with two questions. First, does the SU-16x suck and why? Second, assuming it doesn't, SU-16C or SU-16CA and why? Thanks in advance for your opinions.

[45Badger]

You can snag a good used AR for $600 if you are patient.

[Norsesmithy]

For a FIRM 600, a person can build an AR-15 that's got every "must have" "fighting carbine" feature (as determined by internet commandos on BARFCOM), if one can get a 10 dollar FFL transfer and are willing to wait for a Surplus Arm and Ammo lower to come in stock at AIMSurplus, or for another lower (like Palmetto State) to go on sale for 60 bucks or less, and are willing to settle for the crappiest rail mounted UTG brand rear sight, and basic furniture.

Or a person can choose to forgo chrome lining (which will increase your preventative maintenance requirements, shorten your barrel life, and increase your accuracy), saving 45 bucks, for a nicer sight, stock, or handguard set (or a more expensive lower), or a person can forego M4 feed ramps and choose an A2 upper (with fixed carry handle).

A person can do this by purchasing a rifle kit from Del Ton.

One my ARs is a Del Ton kit rifle, and while I'd probably option it different (it's a 20 inch HBAR, and weighs a million pounds), if I were to buy it all over again, I still really like it, and it's been an excellent rifle.

I know that Del Ton didn't always follow all of the QC steps listed in the chart, but that's changed in the last year (though, frankly, my rifle, which is pre-new-QC-steps, is made of better components than the RRA and CMMG rifles I've seen, used, and owned).

[Cuda66]

For $600, you can get a nice new PSA rifle...

http://www.palmettostatearmory.com/9007.php

Or just get a complete upper from them--including BCG and CH--for $379.

http://www.palmettostatearmory.com/8995.php

You should be able to put together a lower for around $200...

[zero]

If you like .223 and wanna add diversity with an ak, have you pondered about the saiga .223? I bought one and then converted it with all the parts and all that jazz, it shoots super smooth and super light, if your willing to do a little home smithing you can do all that for less than 500.

[Countryfried Frank]

I ended up getting a Mini-14 Ranch Rifle in .223. I used to have an AR and liked it quite a bit but I have decided to take the opportunity to broaden my exposure to different types. I was really interested in the concept of the Kel-Tec SU-16 but I couldn't find anyone outside of KTOG that claimed to have a good, first hand experience owning one and I didn't wnat to be the first penguin off of that iceberg. The SKS was the dark horse in this race. The Mrs. likes the way they look and even though I've read that 7.62x39 isn't ideal for reloading it is dirt cheap. Tapco has some interesting stocks and upgrades for it too. I ended up with the Mini mainly because it is based off of the M1A. I get some experience with the design while I play with a relatively cheap shooting, low recoiling rifle that still has a ton of available upgrades and mods. Another selling point for me is that I can make it go from looking 'tacticool' with the composite stock and standard magazine to boring rifle with wood stock and 5 round magazine in about 30 seconds. I've read that the standard barrel had accuracy issues so I got one with the heavy barrel and I can confidently say that so far it is as accurate as I am. It's already had a trigger job (huge improvement) and a second stock (composite) and optic are on the way. Another selling point for me is that I can make it go from looking 'tacticool' with the composite stock and standard magazine to boring rifle with wood stock and 5 round magazine in about 30 seconds.

Thanks all for the advice. I will probably end up with one of the Palmetto stripped lowers sooner or later just to keep around for a rainy day.

[zero]

How does the mini do with crap steel ammo like herters or wolf?

[Countryfried Frank]

I haven't tried. So far the only thing I've fed it is American Eagle and handloads. It eats both of those with no problem. I have no plans of feeding it steel but if you're really interested PM me. I'm planing on going to Bill's Robbinsdale next weekend and wouldn't mind bringing it along.

[Daddyo]

I have an SU16A, and I love it. Sights are ugly as sin but functional. I have a little trouble feeding from the factory mags, but no problems at all with Brownell's 30-rounders. I could send the factory mags back and get new ones, but I'm lazy. I had a few problems early on with failure to extract, but polishing the chamber with a nylon brush cleared it up and my understanding is that the new ones with the chrome barrel don't have this issue.
Been thinking of trading it for a -CA for the shorter barrel and better sights and transferring my pistol grip and side folder.

[Countryfried Frank]

Agreed on the stock sights being ugly. I was concerned that the plastic front sight would get beat up. The A and the B were never an option for me because of that.

[FJ540]

Frontiersman has a Feather AT-9 for $675 that's worth looking at if you want a different flavor of EBR. 32rds of 9mm is a lot of fun on paper.

This one is in rough shape (not mine or the one I'm talking about), but you get the idea:

[plink]

Been looking at the su-16 as well. I've seen both the C and CA in person. The C's stock felt solid enough to do it's job (another weld point for stability) but I could twist it a bit if I tried. The CA was a pretty run of the mill stock. If you like the C's feel then the folding option is kinda hard to argue with, the CA was a little more standard feeling. IMHO

But, they're both light as hell.