I have a number of 'Black' Homeland defense rifles.
I have switched to H&K style rifles for my rifles (I have a CETME in 7.62 NATO and a C-93 in .223)
I want a PTR 91 in 7.62 NATO with a welded scope rail and a PTR 32 in 7.62x39 when they fix the metal mag issues
I have hated AR's since the 1970's and have not been convinced they have improved enough
AK's are my recommendation for a homeland defense rifle on the cheap ($249 a case for ammo)
the AK 74 is better on ammo costs but mags are hard to find and if imported ammo dries up it is a problem
The PTR 91 is what I recommend for a 7.62 NATO, accuracy is about 1 MOA and it hits hard and is as reliable as an AK
In .223 the H&K is great but mags are $50 a pop
the AR is a better choice in .223 as far as price and accessories but I won't have one myself, your mileage may very.
Mini-14's, KelTec's, etc. are not cut out for SHTF use, too fragile in the long run
just my .02
Agreed, though more for accuracy than fragility in the mini-14's case. Mine ran great, the accuracy just sucked. The Kel-tec, well, its a kel-tec. Fine for a boat or truck gun, and plenty enough to say "Get off my lawn", but not for SHTF either.
MY only quibble is with your choice of the HKs,. They are great rifles, pricy but great, but the problem is mag and ammo availability. I'm not the ARs number one fan. You've heard me piss and moan about mine often enough. But its very (in fact surprisingly) accurate, its yet to to jam other than a FTF that I cleared by racking the charging handle, and most of all? If the zombies come there be plenty of battle field pickups in every cop car, and military unit and tons of private homes. Ammo, mags and parts. It ain't the ideal rifle by a long shot, but they're common as dirt, and for a "Holy Crap" gun? That's a huge plus. Its why I initially bought a Glock in 9mm when all the PDs issued them. Now I'd look at one in .40 for the same reason if I didn't have so many mags and a bunch of ammo. I'd rather have an AR with a dozen mags than an HK with one if things get unpleasant. On the range it would be the reverse, but since I can't afford both, I compromise and go AR. YMMV.