Should I Standardize Calibers???

[witchdoctor]

I am debating about standardizing my weapons calibers. I have several different rifle and pistol calibers, but which ones should I concentrate on. I have thought about selling my AK and associated gear, in favor of more .308 gear and a M1A. I have an M4 with plenty of gear and mags. My pistols I am going prepare all bug out gear around my .40S&W caliber weapons.

So the question is:

should I keep my AK and gear and save up to buy a M1A and gear?

~~~OR~~~~

sell my Ak and gear to buy an M1A and gear and make the M1A my primary weapon system?

[Dr. X]

By all means, standardize. I finally have my calibers down to .22, .45, .308, and 12 ga. Because of this I have been able to concentrate on mags and ammo.
I think yer makin' a good move on the .308 upgrade but I like the FAL better, it's a tougher rifle in the SHTF scenario, IMO.
You already know my answer to the question, don't you?

"sell my ak and gear and buy a FAL and gear and make the FAL my primary weapon..." :D

(I fixed the answer just a little...)

as ever,
Dr. X :cool:

[MdlMkr 7.62]

I agree with the good Dr.

If you're on a tight budget the .308 MBR is a great choice for all around gun. I like the M1A but it is expensive and the mags are pricey too. For the price of 10 M1A mags you can buy 50 or more FAL mags. The spare parts are more expensive too.

I personally do like the AK platform because it's compact and still has decent short range power. The ammo is still reasonable too (stock up NOW). I guess it depends on your budget. If you can diversify, go for it. If you diversify (with popular calibers) you have a better chance of acquiring ammo you can use in a SHTF situation.

If you go for the deversify route I'd stick to the more popular calibers, .22LR, 9mm, .40 S+W, 45ACP, .223, 7.62x39, .308, 30-06. Getting into off the wall calibers is going to get expensive and a logistical nightmare.

Listen to what Dr. X has to say :cool:

7.62

[Blue Max]

As par, the good Dr. Ecchs and MdlMkr 7.62 have sound advice. Minimizing is key in a minimalist lifestyle. My wife and I have narrowed our "keeper" calibers to 22lr, .223, 308, 40S&W, and spare parts. These are the rounds we have been accumulating for a few years now. As 7.62 noted, off the wall calibers, while they are fun to shoot and perform well, they may be hard to come by. This presents problems for bartering, and supplying yourself and group with ammunition. If you have odd caliber guns, keep enough rounds for the repective rifles, so they are valuable trade items. Otherwise, a fire-stick w/o fire is just a stick. 8mm and 54r ammo is cheap, and a tuna can of rounds will make that Mauser and Mosin worth a lot more in an exchange.

Blue Max

[Ryder]

The calibers I use are 22LR, .223(5.56), 9mm, 45ACP, .308(7.62), 7.62x39 and 12ga. I've been doing this since the early 80's and was fortunate enough to get the vast majority of my arms and ammo before all the crazy price increases. I remember $67 per 1000 rnd case of 7.62x39 and $147 per 1000rd cases of Portugese 7.62x51.

I'm at the point now where any more ammo I buy is just more iceing on the cake. If your not at that point right now then you need to chose ONE pistol, rifle and shotgun caliber and dump as much cash as you can into getting MORE!

[Bidah]

I would standarize as much as possible, and this is just for more than ammo. We have settled on standard weapons and calibers. While I have an odd fun one here and there, they are also common, available calibers. If you have a need for .308, then by all means get one. I would probably get one anyway.. :) My *problem* is that my FAL is not the standard, and although I love the rifle, I only have one, and my wife can't shoot it anyway (wayyyy to large for her). So, togetther we use an AR, and when I am by myself I use the FAL, sometimes the AR. This will also simplify training as well. For *me*, the FAL is very close to an AR, while the M1A is not. It is a fine weapon anyway.. :D

-Bidah

[GS Rider]

While I hate to go against the flow I can't agree with getting rid of the AK. If you have your AK set up the way you like with mags,ammo and web gear then keep it. Unless you have some preban AK worth big bucks how much can you really get for it? I like the AK as a back up weapon. If you want a 308 that is great but ammo is very expensive right now, If your wife is going to use a AR15 you may also want to use the same type of weapon. You know the whole 2 is 1 and 1 is none thing. You can also buy the lower and upper parts for the AR as needed or as funds become available. Mags for the AR are cheap right now. Ammo not so much but it is still more available than 308. Also web gear for the AR is common and cheap. I don't use the AR platform for my SHTF weapon but in your case there seems to be several reasons to go with this weapon. Lets say that you do get a second AR system if you are really in a bind financially you could then sell the AK but I still wouldn't recommend it. If you go with a AR system you can find good deals on post ban models with no threaded barrels.The British or Asian Steel Mags from CDNN are good. And while I don't know where to get a good price on ammo I do like Pats reloading for their 223 prices on components. Remember that in 3rd world countries most of those guys bury or neglect there AKs and yet it still fires. And in a post ban world that AK may be worth its weight in gold.

[funfaler]

To sell the AK would not take you a long ways toward getting an M1a. A normal AK would bring @ 350-400, that would be about 1/3 of what you need for just the rifle. Hard to say, I am about die hard 308 as you can get, but I am also against selling rifles. Maybe I am the wrong guy to be posting here;)

If I could have one rifle, it would be an M1a, then FAL, then AR. Once I had a 308, I would consider the AR15. Not much of an AK guy, but have an SKS or two.

If you can keep what you have and put your efforts toward getting into a 308 platform, that would be the route to go. I would keep the AR, sell the AK if I was going to thin the herd. The AK and AR are different tools for the same job, but the M1a is a better tool for a different job, it will do what the AK/ARs can not. Worth the effort to get one.

Good luck,

[witchdoctor]

I have had the chance to put rounds down range with both the FAL and the M1A. I personally like the M1A better, plus it is a little cheaper initially. I am going to get one sometime this year, for sure.

I have a Vper AK which is worth about $650ish, but it is a heavy barreled high-end AK. I really do not want to sell it, but I really need a 308.

I am trying to standardize so when SHTF I have enough ammo for my weapons, as well as minimum types of ammo to transport. I have a set up for the AK that makes it my primary battle weapon, the AR is my back up. I am still 308-less at the moment and want to get a full-size M1A w/ scope for my primary weapon. I do not have a wife, I have girlfriend who cannot shoot and is not into the survival thing at all. She thinks all my guns, ammo, and gear is a waste of money.

The last option is to keep the AK, save up money and buy a M1A. Then take the AK and put it in a Pelican case somewhere and forget I own it.

For the record, I have the 22lr and 12ga covered.

[MdlMkr 7.62]

[QUOTE=witchdoctor;3190] I do not have a wife, I have girlfriend who cannot shoot and is not into the survival thing at all. She thinks all my guns, ammo, and gear is a waste of money. QUOTE]

I had a wife like that. I divorced her and married a lovely woman who is on the same page as I am. My dad used to say " a burr under your saddle while you are dating is a bone in your throat when you get married". Just my .02

7.62

[funfaler]

You made mention of "transporting" ammo, I assume you are referencing in a SHTF situation. If you have plans to bug-out, then you need a location to bug to, that should be where you store a bunch of ammo, food, gear and such. Planning on taking it with you is a dicey proposition, and difficult (it this is your desire, I suggest a "bug out trailer"). You would be well served to designate a primary rifle and side arm. Concentrate on supplying these well, training with them and using them during the SHTF/Bug-out process. The others would be either at your bug out location or set up in a grab and go set up, with the bulk of the ammo at the bug out location. The prospect of hauling several Ks of ammo while trying to get out of Dodge is not a good plan.

My personal thoughts on the AK, is that it is a carbine class rifle. It is best light and fast, same with the ARs. To have a heavy one is counter to its intended design. If it was me (and it ain't, and FREE advice is worth what you pay for it) I would liquidate the AK. You can replace it with a cheaper version if you still want to keep the platform, or even an SKS if you have a good store of 7.62x39. I like having several of all, so I am not one to preach "standardization", but to get you into 308, having to give up the AK is a small trade, in my mind.

Tough spot to be in, the only guns I have been able to sell are the "hunting" only type guns that I never used any way. I like good tools;) Good luck.

[MdlMkr 7.62]

You made mention of "transporting" ammo, I assume you are referencing in a SHTF situation. If you have plans to bug-out, then you need a location to bug to, that should be where you store a bunch of ammo, food, gear and such. Planning on taking it with you is a dicey proposition, and difficult (it this is your desire, I suggest a "bug out trailer"). You would be well served to designate a primary rifle and side arm. Concentrate on supplying these well, training with them and using them during the SHTF/Bug-out process. The others would be either at your bug out location or set up in a grab and go set up, with the bulk of the ammo at the bug out location. The prospect of hauling several Ks of ammo while trying to get out of Dodge is not a good plan.

My personal thoughts on the AK, is that it is a carbine class rifle. It is best light and fast, same with the ARs. To have a heavy one is counter to its intended design. If it was me (and it ain't, and FREE advice is worth what you pay for it) I would liquidate the AK. You can replace it with a cheaper version if you still want to keep the platform, or even an SKS if you have a good store of 7.62x39. I like having several of all, so I am not one to preach "standardization", but to get you into 308, having to give up the AK is a small trade, in my mind.

Tough spot to be in, the only guns I have been able to sell are the "hunting" only type guns that I never used any way. I like good tools;) Good luck.


+1

7.62

[sparkky]

as usual, nothing but good opinions being offered here.
I guess I'll take a little different twist on your situation.
sounds like you have your mind made up on getting a .308 MBR so go with it. I, too, am a FAL guy but your choice isn't a bad one, just a different one.
I noticed you mentioned "saving up" for the new addition. That's the way I"d have to do it too so I can identify with your logic and reasoning but that makes TIME an issue to be considered, and that's my twist.
selling the AK would for sure give ya a jump start funds wise towards the MBR. you have to decide for yourself your "comfort zone" regarding mags, ammo and parts to keep on hand AND the time frame you think you have to do it.
I don't think the HR1022 will gain much support NOW but should it start to gain some steam you will be combating a "feeding frenzy" the likes many have never seen. you just think ammo and shit is high now. just wait.
I, personally, would shit or get off the pot with the MBR. I hate to recommend selling the AK but I think I would. Sell it with ONE mag. Sell the mags and gear separate to get a few extra bucks. Put some post on/monitor some gun boards looking to trade AK ammo for .308 and AK mags for your .308 mags. Even work your AK in a trade for the .308 you want.
Standardization is a smart move IMHO. started it years ago myself. as mentioned above, I started several years ago before prices went crazy.
Good luck.

[MdlMkr 7.62]

"Sell it with ONE mag. Sell the mags and gear separate to get a few extra bucks."

+1 on that. Selling it as a package and you'll be giving away the goodies. Sell 'em separate or keep 'em for a rainy day

7.62

[Oswald2001]

Commonality is a good thing.

Commonality of calibers, firearms, mags and web gear.


I have several Galils.

I might consider a .223 Saiga at some point, but, only because it is an AK action (like the Galil), I already have .223 weapons, I can convert it to accept Galil mags (of which I have many) and all my web gear can be used without alteration.

[MdlMkr 7.62]

Converty what to take what mags? I know there's a conversion to the Galil to take AR mags.

7.62 :cool:

[witchdoctor]

Yes, well I will unfortunately be hauling all my ammo with me... sucks to be a low paid county employee sometimes.

I will be looking to make the M4 my standard battle / bug-out weapon for now. Until I can purchase a M1A. The AK will most likely be moved to a different location and stored with mags, ammo, and gear.

[MdlMkr 7.62]

Yes, well I will unfortunately be hauling all my ammo with me... sucks to be a low paid county employee sometimes.

I will be looking to make the M4 my standard battle / bug-out weapon for now. Until I can purchase a M1A. The AK will most likely be moved to a different location and stored with mags, ammo, and gear.

Hard to wrong with any of the 3 rifles mentioned in a SHTF situation. There are better ones for specific purposes but the 3 listed will do the job well

7.62