Top Selling New And Used Semi-Automatic Rifles Of 2018
BY Herschel Smith
5 years, 5 months ago
Via Ken’s place, American Rifleman has the top selling new and used semi-automatic rifles of 2018.
How weird am I when I’m not interested in a single rifle on the list, not even an M1 Garand? If I had my choice given everything else being equal, I’d take an AR-10 over an M1 any day. Many manufacturers are making better pistol caliber carbines with AR functionality than the Kel-Tel Sub-2000, and I don’t like the Bullpup design for any gun with it’s chamber closer to the ear.
The Ruger 10/22 is the only gun that makes sense to me. I suppose if you’re into budget or rack ARs, one is a lot like the other, and perhaps there’s a place for a rack AR if you’re looking for backup, replacement parts, and so on. Otherwise, you get what you pay for. Feel free to post your thoughts.
On May 8, 2019 at 10:51 pm, Ratus said:
After looking at the list, I’ve shot a fair amount of them.
The Sub2k is a decent light (at around 4lbs) and handy little gun (16″ folded, 29″ deployed) compared to a lot of the other pistol caliber carbines of the same age (first produced in 2001) and even some of the newer ones. With Gen1 models taking SIG 226/S&W59/Beretta 92 magazines with just a swap out of the magazine catch or Glock magazines. I haven’t kept track of current Gen 2 magazine compatibility.
The M1 Garand is a decent rifle (assuming that it’s a USGI gun) that is still a viable option for those who live in a state that infringes on their rights.
The next couple of rifles are easy to understand as M1 carbine surrogates with both being around the same size with a familiar operation and “non- threatening” fudd-ish appearance.
Ruger PC carbine is a nice and solid, but heavy at around 7lbs+, PCC. Is able to take Glock magazines with the included parts in the box.
The Mini14 is the less desirable, because of the price of a new one is way more than a decent AR and the accuracy of the older models leave a lot to be desired. Add to this the expensive proprietary magazines. It was a good gun for it’s time, but that time has passed.
The RDB does not have the chamber near the ear, it’s a multi-lug rotating bolt, gas piston operated rifle with the chamber location about 3-4″ closer than an AR about where the pistol grip is.
There are some good entry level AR-15s (S&W Sport, Ruger AR 556, etc) and a really bad one like the DPMS Oracle.
On May 8, 2019 at 11:20 pm, Ratus said:
On the subject of “budget or rack ARs”, I’d rather someone have one and shooting it, then waiting for that perfect “Tier 1 operater level” AR $1500- 3k+ AR that they will never shoot or can’t afford to.
Also, with the glut of ARs on the market you can get a Ruger MPR, with a free floated 18″ cold hammer forged nitrided 1-8″ 5R barrel and 4.5lb trigger, all for around $600.
It’s basically a ready to go “DMR in-a-box”.
On May 9, 2019 at 9:06 am, TRX said:
I’m not seeing anything there that interests me. Lots of tacticool-wannabe stuff there, that makes my poor old Kalashnikov look downright plain. And I have my Remington Model 8 for my “just a rifle” semiauto needs.
The Model 8 is long-recoil semiauto, .30 caliber, has a stripper-fed box magazine, and is a “takedown” design, coming apart at the trunnion without tools. Designed by John Moses Browning. The very essence of a modern sporting rifle, and only 114 years old…
On May 9, 2019 at 9:39 am, Chris Mallory said:
I have owned both the Sub2K and the Ruger PC carbine. I still own the Ruger.
I found it next to impossible to get a proper cheek weld or sight picture using the KelTec.
That is biggest complaint about the AR platform. I cannot stand the stock. Give me a traditional stocked rifle any day of the week.
On May 9, 2019 at 12:04 pm, MTHead said:
With the invention of CMMG 22 conversion kit for AR15’s. the 10/22 is obsolete in my book.
As for rack grade AR’s. you can turn one into a tier 1 shooter. Like I use to tell folks. get the AR. sights, mags, ammo. then all the trigger time you can get. that’s the best way to figure out what you want on YOUR tier1 build.
On May 10, 2019 at 10:48 am, Ben338 said:
I love my Garand. It my no be the best practical option for sporting or self defense uses, but it has “soul” and is awesome fun to shoot.
On May 10, 2019 at 10:49 am, Ben338 said:
Typos: “may not be.” I hate touch screen….