CDNN has the PTR-91 (H&K 91 copy) listed for $899 and this is probably the number 1 TEOTWAWKI, Road Warrior rifle around. The H&K, CETME, PTR type rifles are every bit as reliable as the AK (Assuming they are set up correctly, which many of the CIA and other imported and assembled rifles are not) and broken parts are as rear as hens-teeth in semi-automatic models (FA versions can be beaten to death in as few as 50,000 rounds). The roller-locked action is very forgiving of headspace, it will fire just about any load light or heavy (I have even fired Light-magnums in mine, though I don't recommend a steady diet of those) and requires no adjustments or modifications to do so. As far as replacement parts, I would get a couple firing pins, two full spring replacement sets, a few replacement rollers (1 standard, 1 +2 and 1 +4 set, these are how you reset the headspace if ever required) and a couple of replacement trigger packs as I find the trigger system difficult to work on. The odds are that most of these will never be needed but they are good to have. Magazines are dirt cheap right now too, some places have them for under $5 each if you buy 5 or 10 at a pop. I would get a pile of Wolf ammo for practice and everyday use and a smaller quantity of reloadable ammo for later-on, and yes you CAN reload ammo fired out of these weapons, the flute marks and the dent will come out then you resize the brass, though it will reduce the number of times you can reload the brass so keep track.
The other weapon I would recommend is the AK. They are dirt cheap, reliable and also almost never break anything. The Yugoslavian and Bulgarian models are probably the best right now (the Russian models are fine too but more difficult to find right now) and the Romanian ones are the cheapest. Once again the CIA models need to be checked carefully for proper assembly as many have the front sight or the gas block assembled in a canted position. The AK lacks the power of the PTR but it is cheaper to feed and many of the parts are easier and cheaper to get. People will tell you that the AK is less ergodynamic than an AR, but in reality the problem is that it is not an AR and if you try to operate it like an AR it doesn't work well. Go to Gabe Saurez Warrior Talk forum (or better yet go to one of his AK classes) and learn to operate it like an AK and most of these issues disappear. Replace the trigger with a "Red Star Arms" trigger group and you will be surprised how big a difference in accuracy and shootablilty you get. You can get an AK in 7.62x39mm or 5.45x39.5mm, the 7.62 is better for penetration while the 5.45 is cheaper and much more accurate as well as being effective at up to 500 meters as opposed to 300 for the 7.62.
Lastly there is the Romanian PSL"Sniper rifle" (it isn't really, it is more of a designated marksman rifle), this is a AK blown up to accept the 7.62x54r round and made more accurate. This is another very reliable rifle and the '54r round has nearly as much power as a 30-06. This is limited to 10 round magazine but realistically this is less of a handicap than many believe, provided you learn to shoot it well. The best ammo is the 7n1 Russian sniper ammo (more expensive and harder to find but well worth the effort and expense) but the Wolf 147gr ammo is said to be almost as good (DO NOT USE the heavy 150+ ammo, it can damage the weapon). Get extra firing pins (spring-loaded one by preference) and replacement springs and install the "Red Star Arms" trigger for improved performance. The PSL runs in the $800 to $900 range with scope and magazines are $20 TO $40. The ammo is a lot cheaper than 7.62 NATO as well, avoid the 7.62 NATO versions of this weapon as the magazines are a big issue with these. Also, this weapon was designed for accurate slow-fire as opposed to hosing down the landscape, accuracy decreases as it heats up.
I wouldn't worry about what the government does with imports, get the weapons, parts and ammo now and you won't have to worry about it. For you the AK will let you get the most bang for your buck as 7.62x39 is running $180 to $200 a case and 5.45 is $120 to $150 a 1000 (a full case of surplus 5.45 is 2160rds in 2 sealed tins which is great for long-term storage and can be found for as little as $210). $1000 would get you a WASR AK-74 ($350) 10 magazines ($200) the trigger and parts ($150 or less) and 2000rds of ammo ($300 or less). Later, you could concentrate on buying more ammo and/or mags as you get the cash.
With the others you pay more but you get much more effective rounds, although the PSL has a much lower ammo cost at about $150 a 880rd case for surplus light ball and Wolf running under $300 a 1000rd case and the 7n1 ammo running $150 a 440rd tin (when you can find it). 7.62 NATO is running over 50cents a round just about everywhere so expect that if you go for the PTR or something similar.
Hope this helps.
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