Requesting Opinions on Carbine Selection

[Sethsquatch]

Hi, I'm in the process of selecting a lightweight "Katrina rifle."  Any opinions out there on the relative merits of the following carbines? 

- Ruger 556
- HK416
- Ruger Mini-14 in 6.8
- Robinson XCR in 6.8

Thanks!

[GUNS-R-US]

While I don't have any personnel experience with any of the carbines you listed. I think I would stay away from the 6.8 SPC for a "Katrina rifle" because the ammo may be difficult to find in a pinch. I would stick to a 5.56 or 7.62 cambering. I also think I would stay with a rifle that used standard AR-15 Mags as they are more common and easier to find if things go to Hell in a hand basket!

[fightingquaker13]

I agree with the previous post. An SHTF rifle should always be chambered in common calibers. The best cartridge in the world is useless if you can't find it. My rule of thumb is that if I can't buy ammo for it a Wal-mart, I don't want to own it. Given your (and my needs, since I'm a Florida boy) you are looking for a gun that is reliable, accurate enough at a hundred yards, has hi-cap mags, and frankly looks intimidating enough to persuade the looters to look elsewhere, and will do for hunting in a pinch.
My reccomendations are:
AR-15, you can find them for around $750 or less if you look, cheap mags, affordable but not cheap ammo
AK-47 (my first choice for you) reliable and cheap. Classic arms and k-var are both having huge sales. You can get a converted Russian for $500 at k-var and a Rommanian Wasser for about $400 at Classic arms (both are very reputable companies). The Ak offers dirt cheap ammo, but slightly higher priced mags, $20-$30 vs $15 for an AR. It will also go bang period. You sacrifice some accuracy, but at down the block ranges, who cares.
Kel-Tec SU-2000 This a folding stock pistol caliber carbine that is designed to accept hand gun mags. It comes in 9mm and .40. If you order in say, Glock, it will be interchangeable with your handgun. I prefer a rifle caliber to a pistol caliber carbine, and am not a huge fan of Kel-tec, but lots of folks love these.
M-1 carbine, a classic for a reason and just fine for doing busines three dors down. I would hugely prefer an AR or AK, or even a mini-14, but still a valid choice.
Lever action in .44 mag, 30-30 or .308. Slower, less capacity, but it will do the job and not scare the neighbors.
Good luck
FQ13

[tombogan03884]

I'd go with the Ruger 556, Common caliber, Mags and parts.
H&K hates civilians, replacement parts may not be available when you need them.
Mini 14 ,Requires special mags and is not as accurate as anything else you listed.
The Robinson may be a fantastic rifle but if you can not be sure of getting ammo do you REALLY want to trust your life to it ?

[DonWorsham]

For the ones you listed I'd go for the Ruger for the reasons previously stated.

[Sponsor]

[twyacht]

An AK type will be less expensive, ammo is "cheaper", and in a Katrina situation, you may have to wade/swim and have a submerged rifle, mud, debris, trash, dirty, nasty environment.

That is what the AK was designed to work in and you'll be defending yourself at shorter ranges which suits an AK fine.

I have a Sig556, and would rely on it without hesitation in a Katrina situation, but for your specific question, an AK variant, not Romanian. There are better one's out there.

Just my .02 cents.

[alfsauve]

If AK design is what you decide, look at other ammo choices.   As others have said, 6.8 might not be that available.   I wouldn't ever rate 7.62x39 that high myself.   Sure there's a lot in the gun stores, but that's not where you'll be getting ammo when the SHTF.   

I'd stick with .223 or 9mm. Possibly .40 & .45.   Oh heck, get one in every caliber.

[tombogan03884]

 Have to disagree somewhat with TW and Alf. If you do go with an AK don't get anything But a 7.62X39 they have been importing the ammo for over 20 years, that's longer than they have been MAKING 6.8, and it is heavy enough for deer as well which neither the 5.56 or 5.45 are. Even Romanian AK will give good service even if they are not the "best". With an AK you do not need the "best". The other rifle I would suggest (and I'm surprised BM has not already ) is the SKS, while the standrs Magazine is only 10 rounds, it has all the other benefits of the AK, is even LESS expensive and there are no detatchable magazines to fail or be lost. (Not to mention not having to spend $20 to $30  a pop.)

[twyacht]

Agree with the SKS, preferably Norinco, (back when they were $99 in the crate, smothered in cosmoline, I should have bought a six-pack),...

The "Katrina" rifle is a beater. One that can be wet, dirty, trashed, dragged, used as a tool/club, etc,... and will go bang when required.

6.8 is a great obscure, expensive round. But not practical for the scenario in the OP.

TomB is correct for the SKS, there is a used one at a local store for $400 dollars. (note first parentheses in this post).

Lots of accessories for the AK and SKS also.

Plus a Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 12g works just fine in a Katrina situation...

[Overload]

Consider how you're going to carry it.  If you're in a car, a folding stock, like the XCR and mini 14 can mount would be an advantage.  They're also easier to hide in a viola case or some other bag so it looks like you're not carrying a gun.  On the other hand, if you're planning on it being a patrol rifle, hanging from a 1 pont sling, the folding stock isn't an advantage.

As far as ammo goes, you should have enough ammo on hand in a Katrina situation to last the length of the disaster, so any unusual (currently) caliber like 6.8SPC is OK.  If you're expecting a long term disaster, like TEOTWAWKI, I agree that going 223 would make sense, but in that case you'd want an AR15 for parts availability too.

Back to specifically Katrina, in was in a hot, wet area.  Rust will be a problem, and was.