Best rifle for me, advice?

[Gungirl]

I am looking to purchase a rifle this week. I am looking at a ar15 with wood stocks.
What I want is a semi auto with magazine option, lighter weight, minimal recoil. From an astetic point of view I like wood stocks.

I would like to use for self defense if nessecary ( but my pistol and shotgun are better for that i think) but be able to target shoot and or hunt for fun.

This purchase will help to round out my arsenal.

After this I will be saving for another pistol....then who knows what...

So what rifle would you suggest?

[hpcatx]

While I don't think I've ever seen an AR-15 with wooden furniture, quickly Googling it reveals they do exist. If you can find it in today's market, you might also consider a wooden Mini-14. (Or Mini-30 if you prefer it chambered in something larger than 5.56.) I don't have any personal experience with these Ruger rifles, but they're quite popular.

[K.Mooneyham]

I am looking to purchase a rifle this week. I am looking at a ar15 with wood stocks.
What I want is a semi auto with magazine option, lighter weight, minimal recoil. From an astetic point of view I like wood stocks.

I would like to use for self defense if nessecary ( but my pistol and shotgun are better for that i think) but be able to target shoot and or hunt for fun.

This purchase will help to round out my arsenal.

After this I will be saving for another pistol....then who knows what...

So what rifle would you suggest?

Though I have seen one or two pics of an AR with wooden stocks, they aren't very common at all. If you are looking for a wooden stocked semi-automatic, especially if you want it to be 5.56mm/.223 caliber like the AR, you might want to look at the Ruger Mini-14. Not quite as accurate as an AR, but still a good, handy little carbine.

EDITED TO ADD: hpcatx beat me to the punch.

[Wodathunkit]

X2 on the Ruger mini 14. That is a fine weapon that meets all the criteria you listed. Happy shopping.

[MoJo]

Many years ago in another life, a friend bought an AR15 with wood instead of plastic. The gun was very heavy, not well balanced and even though the wood was some really nice walnut it was strange looking. There are some things that should be left the way they were designed.

[urnoodle]

I too like wood stocks. I bought an AR-15 lower about a year ago and never built the AR. I kept looking at the AKs instead. I finally got a chance to shoot an ak-74 and loved it. It had very little recoil. I finally bought one but I'm sad to say it was lost in a horrible boating accident during shipping. I refinished the stock set to the russian red. It would have looked very much like the attached picture but remember mine was lost in a boating accident. All ammo is hard to find now but when the rush settles, 5.45x39 is very reasonable.

[Wodathunkit]

I too like wood stocks. I bought an AR-15 lower about a year ago and never built the AR. I kept looking at the AKs instead. I finally got a chance to shoot an ak-74 and loved it. It had very little recoil. I finally bought one but I'm sad to say it was lost in a horrible boating accident during shipping. I refinished the stock set to the russian red. It would have looked very much like the attached picture but remember mine was lost in a boating accident. All ammo is hard to find now but when the rush settles, 5.45x39 is very reasonable.

[ Image ]

Sorry for your loss

[Gungirl]

Urnoodle, so sorry for your loss. The example you posted looks very nice, such a loss.:)
I figure I would have to get a regular at z d add the furniture my self, kits are readily available on line, but the loss of balance is definitely a concern I had not considered. Thanks for the replays I will look at both tthe minis and ak.

[urnoodle]

Thank you. It's going to take some time to get over it.

[IChangIT]

+1 on the AK-74. ARs just don't look right in wood. Picked up a Bulgarian from Classic Firearms. The stocks weren't wood but they have them right now. You can find a wood kit easy enoughif you want different color. The metal parts were perfect. The "plum" stock and handguard were less than perfect so I changed it out. The replacement was not too hard...you might need to use a vise and mallet Also got 2000rds of spam can in crate of 5.45 from Weidners at less than $400. In stock right now too.

[mmay1]

Light, minimal recoil, high capacity mag, wood stock and useful for self defense and fun to shoot? Sounds like an M1 Carbine to me, plus you get a piece of history.

[Gungirl]

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I too like wood stocks. I bought an AR-15 lower about a year ago and never built the AR. I kept looking at the AKs instead. I finally got a chance to shoot an ak-74 and loved it. It had very little recoil. I finally bought one but I'm sad to say it was lost in a horrible boating accident during shipping. I refinished the stock set to the russian red. It would have looked very much like the attached picture but remember mine was lost in a boating accident. All ammo is hard to find now but when the rush settles, 5.45x39 is very reasonable.

[ Image ]

I am so sorry to hear about your loss, this appears to fit what I am looking for, I will look into it more. Those boating accidents sure seem to be a problem of late, hope I don't have one myself...I have boating plans this summer

Never thought about the possibility that changing to wood furniture could cause a loss of balance, thanks for the heads up.

Sorry for the double post, thought my risk one didn't go through!

[SF18C]

I hear tell a bunch of folks up Colorado way might be havin' a big-boat-fest come Tuesday!

[Gungirl]

Light, minimal recoil, high capacity mag, wood stock and useful for self defense and fun to shoot? Sounds like an M1 Carbine to me, plus you get a piece of history.

Are these hard to find?

[rocketsteve]

I had absolutely no idea that these even existed, but I found a some pics on Google; IMHO, these had the nicest furniture...