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Selecting a Rifle for a Budget-Constrained Prepper

Dear JWR,
I have first taken the time to read through your previous posts on Main Battle Rifle (MBR) recommendations before asking this question, but have not found what I am looking for. I am sure you receive an over abundance of firearms questions but any help would be greatly appreciated.

Due to financial restraints I am the weak link in my group so far in preparedness. I have chosen to spread what resources I do have at my disposal evenly rather than focus only on firearms as too many seem to do. I feel a need to escalate all of my preparations due to present day situations, but 1.) I live in Central Illinois with all ridiculous gun control that comes with living in the same state as Chicago, and 2.) If we are less than a year away from a Democrat-controlled White House and Congress I fear further gun control restrictions. So I am trying to purchase my firearms as soon as possible.

I am planning on purchasing a Model 1911 .45 ACP , an AR-7 .22 Long Rifle survival rifle from Henry (which can be disassembled stowed in its waterproof stock), a shotgun, and a MBR. For magazine and ammo interchangeability we are all keeping with .45 pistols, 12 gauge shotguns and .22 rifles. The other members already have [.223] AR-15s and we are now adding .308s. Due to my budget I am opting for less expensive alternatives to the rest of the groups collection, i.e. a Taurus 1911 instead of their Gold Cups, a Mossberg 590 instead of their Remington 870s. I will most likely not be able to purchase both an AR-15 and a .308 MBR, so if forced to choose one I am going with a .308.

I have looked into Springfield M1As, FN FALs, HK91s (and PTR91 HK clones), all leading me toward a $1,500 to $2,000 price range, it seems. I have noticed several times CETMEs and Century Arms FN clones, but have noted your objections to them. Is there anything in particular that is the problem with these alternatives that can be addressed by upgrading parts or having a gunsmith make some modifications? Or are these rifles just clusterflops? If I can purchase a CETME for $500 and spend $200 having a gunsmith work some magic the savings over an HK or FN FAL would almost leave enough to make all my other firearms purchases.

I realize that saving a couple dollars is not worth being caught in a situation where you have a .308 paperweight in a firefight. I just am not sure if you are stating that one is much preferable to the other out of the box, or if there is nothing that can be done to bring these alternatives up to spec. If you could shed some light on the shortcomings of these budget rifles I would be very interested. Thanks for your help, and all your work. - Eric in Illinois P.S.: Pony up the 10 Cents, people!

JWR Replies: I can appreciate your budget concerns. You are not the only prepper with a tight budget!

The main complaint that I've heard about both the Century Arms L1A1 Sporter (inch pattern FAL clone) and the various CETME clones is unreliable feeding. These can be traced to either receiver dimensional quality control or a Neanderthal approach to assembly. (Namely, lots of grunting and head scratching, followed by WECSOG sledgehammer pounding and copious grinding.) The bad news is that these feeding problems are difficult to isolate and resolve. but the good news is that these problems are not universal. (Roughly 40% of these rifle function like a champ.) Therefore, if you have the opportunity to buy one these rifles, I recommend that you first make inquiries about how well it functioned at the range and if the magazine well "feels" right with standard, unaltered magazines. (Many of these rifles have dimensional problems wit their magazine wells, making them "tight" so that it is difficult to insert and remove magazines quickly. If you get a positive report on both counts, then ask the seller if you can test fire the rifle before you buy it. Be sure to put at least 80 rounds of standard ball ammunition through the rifle. If it feeds and functions well, and magazine insertion does not require Herculean strength, then buy it! (If not, then politely pass, and continue your search.)

FWIW, my current favorite MBR recommendation is the the excellent Vector V-51 clone of the HK91. These are built in Utah, using German Army surplus HK G3 parts sets, with seven US-made parts to comply with US Code section 922(r). The Vector rifles have a great reputation for function, reliability, fit, and finish. The good news is that they can sometimes be found in used condition for as little as $675 to $725 at gun shows. The JLD PTR-91 is a fairly close second choice, and can be found for about the same price, or perhaps a bit less if you are lucky.

These days, with the profusion of military surplus G3 magazines on the market--often less than $2 each, if bought in quantity!--I consider HK91 clones to be the best rifles for the money, Spare parts for HKs are also quite reasonable. You can find complete G3 parts sets (with everything except a receiver) for around $275. (BTW, that would be unheard of for an M14 parts sets. Presently, complete M14 bolts are $120 each, and both operating rods and barrels sell for around $250 each!)

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