RE: Help:What semi-auto carbine to get??
 

The M1 Carbine is reliable, and OK for shots at game the size of coyotes out to 50-75 yards. The SKS' s I have fooled with have ALL been MORE accurate than M1 caebines, or the Mini-14' s and Mini-30' s I have shot! I recommend you get a Browning BLR in .257 Roberts, or 7mm/' 08. They are as light and handy as any semi-auto carbine, are much more accurate, and plenty fast to operate too!:D

RE: Help:What semi-auto carbine to get??
 

Ok, this is really surprising, but my paratrooper (shorter version) SKS (without a glass) weighs in at a half pound HEAVIER than my Ruger M77 Standard (with a glass) (both unloaded), my 77 is 7.34#, my sks is just under 8 (depends on magazine, 7.79# with standard box without my plug, and 7.92# with a 30rnd mag). A carbine would be lighter, I think, I' ve never weighed mine on a regulated scale, my bathroom scale shows it lighter though. The SKS is easy carrying, and has a folding stock, so I think that' s why it seems lighter.

My best SKS cost me $200, my carbine was $335+tax, I got the bayonet, box mag and three high cappers with the sks, and a ten rnd and a 30rnd with the carbine. I love my carbine, it' s a great bunny gun, and a great CLOSE range deer rig, I usually get roughed up single holes at 75yrds, and snowmen at 100yrds, but 150 is already out to 2" usually (never used handloads, might improve this), it could hit what I want out to 200yrds, but the power factor comes into play, it' s not that stout and there aren' t a lot of good bullets available for it from a deer standpoint. My SKS on the other hand, gives 2.5MOA performance out to 250yrds (6.75" groups), and with the power of the cartridge, I' d consider it to be a solid 200yrd deer rifle, with 250yrds being a pinch shot. Ammo for the SKS is slightly cheaper in surplus stuff, and slighlty more expensive in hunting grade stuff, so it might even out, but as far as it goes, I like SKS' s, the 30' s are great carbines, but I' ve got other carbines in .40S&W and 9mm, even one in .45acp that are lighter, smaller, and even cheaper to shoot. What you might consider, is a high point carbine, you don' t need the power of a SKS to shoot raccoons and such, but you don' t want to pay so much for that limited range weapon. PLUS, it' s a WHOLE lot lighter than the carbine ever thought of!! You can buy the carbine, then for another $100 bucks buy the pistol when you' re old enough that runs on the same mag.



One big thing to remember, in most states for most seasons you only get a five rnd mag cap while hunting. I don' t know what state you' re in, or what you' re small game regs are, but you' d better be able to prove that you' re plinking small game and not poaching larger stuff (here in KS, hunting with a high cap can be considered poaching!)

RE: Help:What semi-auto carbine to get??
 

have you considered any of the marlin semi auto' s that they made a few years back in , 45 acp , 40 s&w , 9mm . there are sure to be some used ones out there??

a used rifle would be more affordable and you' de be able to get more for your dollar :D:D:D

RE: Help:What semi-auto carbine to get??
 

The pistol cartridges may lack a little power but not accuracy. I had a 357 Ruger and a 610 S&W revolvers which would both group under 2 inches at 100 yards. A friend of mine has a Marlin 9mm carbine that shoots very well and uses S&W 9mm magazines.

RE: Help:What semi-auto carbine to get??
 

I also own and use a Ruger P4R (with ghost ring sights). It is chambered for .40 S&W and uses the same magazines as Ruger' s P94. It is a great little carbine but the price is much steeper than you were originally considering. However if you have raised your ability/willingness to spend more....then consider the nice Ruger carbines. (Not to mention their .44 semi-auto as well).