Best rifle for me, advice?

[hpcatx]

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?

Looks like they don't currently have M1 Carbines except for auction, but do still have various grades of M1 Garands: http://www.odcmp.com/sales.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Even though it's a not piece of history like the M1, I'm still feeling the Ruger Mini itch more.

[hpcatx]

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

[ Image ] [ Image ]

They look pretty, but I can't imagine trying to hold it one-handed while trying to swap out mags... I'm guessing the wood furniture adds to the weight considerably, but I could be wrong.

[Wodathunkit]

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?

Perhaps.... viewtopic.php?f=20&t=63166" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[urnoodle]

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?

I've only seen the M1 Carbines on Gunbroker so I think they would be a little hard to find.

[Chris]

Pssh. Semi autos are so do out. Precision rifles are where it's at.

[The Annoyed Man]

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.

It's not just the loss of balance, but adding wood furniture will significantly add to the AR15's weight, canceling out one of its more desirable features: light weight. Gain in weight translates into less handiness/maneuverability. Nice wood might make for a pretty rifle, but it is a pretty rifle that won't serve you as well. I like a nice wood stock as well as the next person, and I have two shotguns and a bolt rifle with nice wood stocks; but putting wood furniture on an AR is a mistake.

Just my 2¢. YMMV.