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Best Semi-Automatic Rifles

6 semi-auto rifles and specs

There are a lot of different firearms options available today. This creates a problem with purchasing a new gun for both first time owners and long time gun-users.

This is especially true in the realm of semi-automatic rifles. Some designs are respected more than they should be, while others are hampered by previous flaws that have been fixed over time.

The question of which is the best design is still widely debated. However, within the last 20 years this question has gotten several answers, many of which depend on your goals and needs rather than any inherent design.

We’re going to go over which designs you should consider, some factors regarding semi-automatic designs, and some off-the-shelf options available to you.

View Semi-Automatic Rifles

Top semi-auto rifles at a glance

For general use, a Modern Sporting Rifle (MSR), also known as an AR-15, is the best semi-automatic rifle in the US. It comes in multiple calibers, has great aftermarket support, and is widely available. It is closely followed by the Ruger 10/22.

This paints us a very broad picture in terms of performance, cost, and preference. So we’re going to break down what we’re looking for in a semi-automatic rifle and some of the major variations available to us today.

Semi-Automatic Rifle Comparisons

Barrel Length Sights Capacity Caliber Modularity Semi-Auto System
Colt LE6920 AR-15 16.1" A2 Front Sight, Magpul MBUS Flip Up Rear Sights 30+1 5.56x45 mm Picatinny sight rail and foregrip Direct Impingement
Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Volunteer XV 16" A2 Front Sight, Magpul MBUS Rear 10+1 (Colorado compliant) 5.56x45 mm Sight rail, BCM Gunfighter Forend Direct Impingement
Ruger 10/22 Semi Automatic Rifle 18.5" Standard Front Post, Rear Notch 10+1 .22 Long Rifle Model Dependent Direct Blowback
Zastava ZPAPM70 AK Hogue 16.3" Traditional AK Front and Rear 30+1 7.62x39 Picatinny rail attachments Long Stroke Gas Piston
Ruger Mini-14 18.5" Protected Front Sight, Ghost Ring Rear Sight 5+1, 20+1 Model Dependent 5.56x45 mm Picatinny rail mount Long Stroke Gas Piston
FN 15 Tactical II 16" None included 30+1 5.56x45 mm FN Rail system and M-LOK mountings Direct Impingement

Picking a semi-automatic rifle

Choosing a firearm is a very personal task. This is because each individual’s needs are different depending on where they live and what they need the rifle for.

For example, a rifle for home-defense is not going to have the same needs and parameters as a rifle intended for plinking or pest control.

However, many rifles can have the same parameters that we are looking for in order to make them a viable option.

Parameters

There are a few parameters we should strive to have in our semi-automatic rifle. These focus on the performance of the rifle, how easy it is to maintain, how easy it is to support in our area, and if we can improve it as we develop as end-users.

Let’s start off with reliability.

1. Reliability

Reliability is the firearm’s ability to function under normal and adverse conditions. Ideally, the firearm will function as intended for several thousand rounds.

This puts stress on the rifle itself and a good rifle will be able to function during this time. Many high-end rifles can get near the two-thousand-round mark easily, and only begin to malfunction when there is too much carbon build up in their system.

Cleaning or lubricating those types of rifles when malfunctions occur will bring it back to working order.

However, a majority of low-cost options cannot deal with these high round counts. Depending on the design, this is to be expected and is not necessarily a deal breaker. But if the rifle is for something like self-defense, it would be better to emphasize reliability.

If a firearm malfunctions in ideal conditions (properly cleaned, non-dirty environment, good ammunition) it should not be considered as a hard use option. But if you intend it to be something less serious, then you can overlook reliability as a major factor.

2. Market support

Market support is the next step in selecting a semi-automatic rifle. This is the ability to get parts, add-ons, or other services for your particular rifle.

Firearms are like cars in this respect. As cars age, the availability of their model of parts gets lower and lower. It’s the same with firearms. If you cannot get replacement parts easily for your rifle, it is better to avoid the gun if you intend to use it regularly.

A collector’s piece does not have to be easily serviced, but a hunting or self-defense rifle will need more support. If you use your semi-auto rifle a lot you need to have extra parts on hand, especially since these parts are usually cheaper than a new rifle.

3. Availability

Whether a firearm is available in your area can change your plans of what you want to buy. Some locations such as California restrict what is allowed to be purchased.

Now most locations won’t have these restrictions but if you’re buying local, sometimes the supply chain just doesn’t allow for the rifle you want to be in stock.

Availability is similar to Aftermarket Support in that if the rifle is readily available and the infrastructure is in place for it, it will be a better option than an overall better rifle that you can’t get or maintain.

4. Modularity

Modularity is a modern concern with rifles. The ability to add-on sights, lights, or other accessories is important, especially if you only want to maintain one rifle.

Being able to upgrade your rifle as you develop your skills or figure out what you actually need will save you in the long run if you can easily swap accessories in and out.

Now this doesn’t apply to all rifles, but it can be helpful, especially if you are looking to get the most out of your purchase.

Types of actions

With those parameters in mind, let’s look at some of the semi-automatic actions that are available today.

1. Direct Impingement

Direct impingement systems have the gasses produced by the propellant directly interact with the bolt carrier.

While it is not a true direct impingement system, the gas system on a Modern Sporting Rifle (MSR) or AR-15 is referred to as a direct impingement system. Within the AR-15’s system a small gas tube directs the gasses into the bolt, which is then cycled by the force of those gasses pushing on it.

These types of systems are very reliable, especially in a closed system. Like any action, if too much dirt or mud gets into them, they can fail. It’s just harder to do with a direct impingement system.

2. Direct blowback

This older design is best paired with low recoil ammunition. Because of this, many firearms chambered in .22 Long Rifle are direct blowback firearms.

This is also true of certain pistol caliber carbines. What this means is that the weight of the bolt carrier itself is what keeps the chamber closed while the bullet is being fired. The force of the bullet firing then pushes that bolt carrier backwards, cycling the action.

These are simplistic designs but can produce more felt recoil than other designs because of the weight of the bolt required.

3. Gas piston

Gas piston systems feature a piston that acts on the bolt carrier. When fired the gasses act on this piston which then acts on the bolt carrier in order to cycle the gun.

There are two options: Long stroke and short stroke gas pistons.

Long stroke gas pistons have the piston attached to the bolt carrier. Rifles like the AK family of rifles and the M1 Garand feature long stroke gas pistons.

Short stroke pistons feature a piston that is not attached to the bolt carrier. The piston hits the bolt carrier like a pool cue pushing the carrier back in order to cycle the gun. One of the more famous examples of the short stroke piston is the FAL family of rifles.

4. Roller-delayed blowback

On the more technical side, we have the roller-delayed blowback system. This system features small rollers that hold the bolt carrier in place.

When the gun is fired, the pressure in the chamber builds to an appropriate level to overcome the rollers holding it in place. Once the rollers are defeated, the breach is unlocked and the bolt goes backwards.

The gun cycles and resets both the carrier and the rollers. The primary examples of this type of actions are Heckler & Koch firearms like the MP5 and the G3.

While these designs can be robust, they are harder to maintain without proper instruction.

Major semi-auto platforms: pros/cons

Now let’s look at the individual platforms on the market today. These are going to be the major variations and cover a broad cross-section of the firearms world.

While there are other options, these are some of the more refined options available.

AR-15/Modern sporting rifle

Within the US, your best option is going to be an AR-15 or Modern Sporting Rifle (MSR). This is because it has over 60 years of development behind it.

Additionally it is widely available, extremely customizable and comes in a wide range of styles that can suit your needs.

Pros

  • The AR-15 is chambered primarily in the 5.56/.223 cartridge. This round has become the primary cartridge for self-defense and can also fulfill pest control roles in addition to hunting roles where allowed.
  • Due to this cartridge, the MSR is very controllable. Combined with the overall light weight of the rifle, it can be used easily by more individuals, especially those who have smaller frames or are less strong.
  • The MSR has 20-30 round magazines as its standard capacity magazine. This means reloading is less likely in self-defense scenarios, especially when compared to shotguns or handguns. This makes it a great home-defense option.
  • It is also very easy to accessorize an MSR. Red dot sights, magnified optics, bipods, and lights are all compatible with many different MSR models. This means we can take an already controllable firearm and make it easier to use.
  • The ammunition for it is widely available both online and in stores and it has a broad aftermarket to choose accessories from. Parts are readily available and all but the most restrictive areas require any negative modifications to the rifle.
  • There are also multiple different variants that use different ammunition if you don’t prefer 5.56 as your round. The AR-308 variants using 7.62x51 or .308 have become more reliable in recent years. Other variations are more one-off designs, but there is an MSR in a chambering you want if you don’t want the standard 5.56 option.
  • The MSR is also more easily converted to be a left-handed or ambidextrous platform than other designs. This means you can tailor it to meet your hand or eye dominance instead of being locked into a right-hand-only rifle.

Cons

  • The primary drawback of the AR-15 platform is the wide range of quality on the market. Good MSRs are going to be closer to $1000 or more.
  • The reason is that these more expensive rifles are going to be closer to the minimum specifications for the rifle design. The even higher end versions are going to have equal to or greater quality control in terms of maintaining the proper specs for the rifle.
  • These specs are important because they impact the reliability of the rifle. If a gas port is not the right size the rifle can either cause itself damage or not cycle properly.
  • The lower cost MRS have a higher chance of coming apart and experiencing a malfunction sooner than more expensive options. This doesn’t mean high-end rifles can’t malfunction, just that they can be safer when they do malfunction.
  • That higher safety margin comes at a price not everyone can afford which makes selecting the right MSR harder than it should be.

Ruger 10/22

Ruger has nailed down their primary semi-automatic rifle, the 10/22. This rifle is arguably the first firearm new shooters ever encounter.

This is because it is chambered in a very accessible round, is easy to control, and is not that expensive.

While it is a great training firearm it can also serve in light hunting tasks. If you want to hunt squirrels or other small game animals at closer ranges, the 10/22 will allow you to do so easily.

Pros

  • The Ruger 10/22 is affordable and reliable. There are numerous add-ons and magazine options designed specifically for this platform.
  • If you’re looking for a rifle that does not break the bank and offers a decent amount of utility, this is the rifle to pick-up.
  • It also is widely available and legal in most locations. The ammunition is one of the most common rounds on the market with numerous different loads to meet your needs. This is compounded by a wide variety of models to choose from.

Cons

  • If you’re looking for a self-defense rifle, this is not a good option. While it sometimes might be pushed into the home-defense role it does not excel at it. This comes from the lower performance of .22 Long Rifle when compared to rifle ammunition.
  • Another drawback is that aftermarket support can be expensive, especially if you’re on a budget. If you are not comfortable with $20-$30 per magazine you will more than likely only have the magazine that comes with the gun.

AK-47/AKM

The modern AK platform is a great hobby rifle. It brings a controllable intermediate cartridge with its primary chambering of 7.62x39.

While it is an iconic and reliable firearm, in the US there is not as much support or quality options available, especially when compared to the MSR/AR-15 market.

But if you do have or want one, it is the next simplest design you can get.

Pros

  • The magazines of the AK are very durable and there are a lot of compatible surplus gear that fits AK equipment.
  • The terminal ballistics of 7.62x39 is better for defeating barriers and will work on medium sized game. Ammunition for the AK can be more affordable than 5.56 but can also be more heavily impacted by a lack of supply.
  • While some claim that the AK will never jam, it can but at a lower rate than some other designs. Any gun run hard enough will eventually experience a malfunction. The AK is no different, but like the MSR it can power through a lot if it is properly maintained.
  • It also deals with cold weather more easily than other rifle designs.

Cons

  • While the modularity of the AK has grown, it is still not as accessible as the MSR’s accessories. Quality mounts and optics will be rather expensive to add to your rifle, and the aftermarket is not as strong as some would like.
  • If you do choose to use an AK style rifle, be prepared to either run it as a very bare-bones rifle or to put a lot of time, effort and money to get accessories for it. Additionally, the fit and finish of some AK options is not the greatest, so you should be prepared to tinker on the rifle to get everything working properly.

G3/CETME

The G3 or CETME line of rifles was developed to produce a 7.62x51 rifle to rival the AK. It needed to be easily mass produced and distributed.

It succeeded in both of those goals. However it was quickly outshined by the development of lighter rifles using 5.56 instead of the heavier 7.62x51 cartridge.

For its design, it was a lighter battle rifle with decent range, however technological development has expanded since it was first introduced.

Pros

  • The G3/CETME design is reliable and allows for a lighter rifle in a full powered cartridge. As time went on, numerous modifications were developed for it, allowing for some modularity.
  • This is achieved by adding newer rails and mounting options to the gun. However, it does have a certain appeal as a very slick rifle to use without many modifications.

Cons

  • The drawbacks of the G3/CETME rifle line is that there is not a lot of aftermarket support for it. Most of these styles of rifles in the US are made from parts kits in order to comply with US import law.
  • This means a perfectly good G3 has to be cut up and shipped into the US where new parts need to be fitted to the parts kit to make a usable rifle.
  • Not every assembler will do a good job, so there are a wide range of quality when it comes to these guns.
  • Additionally they are not ambidextrous friendly. The charging handle on the G3 is set up to be used by the non-dominant hand. This means special conversions of the gun have to be made for it to be comfortable for a left-handed shooter to use.
  • Getting a G3 style rifle modified is also expensive, because the rails and other mounting options are not readily available in the US. This relegated the G3 to being another project rifle.

M14/M1A

The M14/M1A fills a similar role to the G3 in US history. It was an attempt to improve the firepower of the individual soldier as the US transitioned from the M1 Garand in .30-06 to a new rifle in 7.62x51.

Since it was supposed to be a widely used battle rifle, its accuracy standard does not match our current standard today. Modern accuracy standards expect 1 or less MOA performance out of even our most basic hunting rifles.

Older accuracy standards of 3-4 MOA are not compatible with our modern take on accuracy. The M14 was designed to meet those standards and it met them well. But since these rifles were heavily accurized in the 1960s and beyond, many people confuse the accuracy of these specialty M14s with the standard M14.

Pros

  • If you want a classically designed battle rifle or need a less tactical looking rifle, this is a great option.
  • It provides a decent capacity of 20 rounds and has acceptable performance in terms of accuracy. You can squeeze a lot out of the platform but it takes more effort and cost than the off-the-rack rifle will be.
  • If you prefer a heavier cartridge, the M14 and the M1A models will provide you with 7.62x51/.308 loadings and 6.5 Creedmoor.

Cons

  • In terms of reliability, the M14 is very situational. If you live in an area with a lot of light dust or sand, the M14/M1A’s open action makes it a liability. This was known to be a problem with the original M1 Garand designs and the soldiers were trained to work around it.
  • If you intend to keep the rifle out in the elements like any other modern design you are going to have a higher likelihood of reliability issues.
  • Magazines and other accessories are going to be harder to come by, but not impossible to obtain. However the cost to maintain the rifle will be overall higher than an MSR.

Mini-14

The Mini-14 is the smaller sibling of the M14, the rifle was scaled down to fit the 5.56 cartridge, and quickly became a good alternative to the MSR/AR-15 in restricted areas.

While it is primarily a 5.56 gun, the Mini Thirty variant is chambered in 7.62x39. This makes it a viable option for those living in locations where the AR-15 is not allowed or supported by the local infrastructure.

However, while this rifle was a good idea on paper, the practice was not as impressive. There were accuracy and outfitting issues with the Mini-14 making it a less desirable rifle.

Pros

  • This rifle is legal in more areas than the AR-15/MSR line of rifles. This means you can now get a rifle in an intermediate cartridge without having to get a specially modified AR-15.
  • There is some modularity, but it faces the same availability issues as the M14/M1A. Which makes running this rifle without modifications or with very few modifications your most likely option.

Cons

  • The quality control on the Mini-14 is one of the greatest concerns. The screws tightening the barrel have been known to be uneven which has resulted in wandering zeros for the rifle.
  • This means either more end work for the user or an inconsistent pattern for your rifle. Additionally the Mini-14 takes proprietary magazines. This is not something unique for this rifle, but most of the 5.56 support is geared towards MSR style rifles. This makes magazines for the MSR easier to acquire and more cost efficient.
  • However they can not be used with the Mini-14 resulting in a greater chance of you having only a handful of magazines available.

Top Picks

Let’s go over some of the best options you have available right off the rack. Most options will be some flavor of MSR/AR-15 because these offer the most support, modularity and reliability.

Other options are the best example of their type while still trying to balance cost with performance.

1. Colt LE6920 AR-15

The Colt LE6920 is a great balance of reliability and cost. This model features a lot of potential as both a stand-alone purchase and a basis to build off of.

It features a classic A2 front sight combined with a back up rear sight by Magpul. The flat top receiver allows you to mount red dots and other optics with the Picatinny rail. This rail extends to the front sight allowing you to add lights or lasers to the gun.

The chrome lined barrel will help with fouling and dealing with some corrosive ammunition, but you should always wash out your bore when shooting corrosive ammunition.

The barrel is free floated to help keep accuracy while resting the rifle on hard surfaces. There are also some models designed to be California compliant with the necessary modifications.

This model is really the lowest you should go in terms of price for an MSR/AR-15. It has the minimum features required to make it a good rifle, but the modularity of the rifle allows you to update the furniture for more mounting options, or run the rifle as is.

Colt LE6920 AR-15 Specs

Barrel Length 16.1 inches
Sights A2 Front Sight, Magpul MBUS Flip Up Rear Sights
Capacity 30+1
Caliber 5.56x45 mm
Modularity Picatinny sight rail and foregrip
Semi-Auto System Direct Impingement

2. Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Volunteer XV

This Colorado compliant option gives you a great base rifle. The M&P Volunteer brings a number of upgrades to the standard MSR rifle.

These upgrades include a BCM Gunfighter forend, a B5 grip, and a B5 Bravo stock in addition to a flat faced trigger.

The basic iron sights means this rifle is ready for use out of the box, although the magazines might need some upgrades if your local laws permit them.

The out-of-the-box modularity makes this a good option if you want to jump directly into accessorizing your rifle but still want iron sights on your gun. The flat top allows for any Picatinny compatible optics to be mounted with ease.

Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Volunteer XV Specs

Barrel Length 16 inches
Sights A2 Front Sight, Magpul MBUS Rear
Capacity 10+1 (Colorado compliant)
Caliber 5.56x45 mm
Modularity Sight rail, BCM Gunfighter Forend
Semi-Auto System Direct Impingement

3. Ruger 10/22 Semi Automatic Rifle

This Ruger classic is great if you need a secondary rifle or a more utilitarian firearm. The Ruger 10/22 Semi-Automatic Rifle is one of the most prolific .22 Long Rifle options today.

It comes with a 10+1 rotary magazine and has the ability to be upgraded to higher capacity magazines.

This model features a polymer stock, this helps keep the firearm consistent across a wide degree of temperatures. Other models feature different stocks for your preferences, but a good synthetic stock will last longer than a wood one.

If you’re looking to hunt small animals or just enjoy an afternoon of target practice, this rifle will provide hours of enjoyment without the high cost of ammunition.

Ruger 10/22 Semi Automatic Rifle Specs

Barrel Length 18.5 inches
Sights Standard Front Post, Rear Notch
Capacity 10+1
Caliber .22 Long Rifle
Modularity Model Dependent
Semi-Auto System Direct Blowback

4. Zastava ZPAPM70 AK Hogue

This AK style rifle by Zastava features an improved stock, grip, and forend.

The adjustable stock allows you to get a better length of pull on the rifle, similar to how an AR-15 would. This is an improvement over the fixed stocks most AKs come with.

The forend allows you to mount Picatinny rails which in turn allows you to mount lights and grips onto the rifle itself. This modularity alone puts it in front of other AK offerings as it can now be used for a home-defense rifle.

The grip features an interior storage compartment for things like batteries for your mounted light. The integral mount on the side allows you to add a traditional rail mount for optics without attaching the sight rail to the rear dust cover.

While this is not an ideal solution it does allow for further modularity in terms of rights for your rifle. This side mount is not included but the mounting hardware is located on the side of the receiver.

While this rifle does have a steep price, it comes ready for use and ready to upgrade without having to search for the compatible parts for the AK model.

Zastava ZPAPM70 AK Hogue Specs

Barrel Length 16.3 inches
Sights Traditional AK Front and Rear
Capacity 30+1
Caliber 7.62x39
Modularity Picatinny rail attachments
Semi-Auto System Long Stroke Gas Piston

5. Ruger Mini-14

While it is far from the best option, the Ruger mini-14 allows you to arm yourself in a restrictive environment.

As it complies with many ban-states’ regulations, it allows for a rifle chambered in an intermediate cartridge to be owned when it otherwise would not be allowed.

It does feature integral scope mounts, so you can modify the rifle for better accuracy. Be sure to check to see if your rifle’s zero wanders before you consider it for your main firearm.

If it does have a wandering zero, find the correct torque weight for the screws and get a measure torque wrench and get the screws evenly tightened.

Ruger Mini-14 Specs

Barrel Length 18.5 inches
Sights Protected Front Sight, Ghost Ring Rear Sight
Capacity 5+1, 20+1 Model Dependent
Caliber 5.56x45 mm
Modularity Picatinny rail mount
Semi-Auto System Long Stroke Gas Piston

6. FN 15 Tactical II

If money is no object, the FN 15 is the best option you can get. It features a highly customizable forend, and a collapsible stock.

This is not the basic rifle most people start with. If you get this, you need to add your own sights and modifications.

The Picatinny rail allows for a wide selection of optics and back up sights. The M-LOK mounting points allow you to add whatever lights and lasers are compatible with the mounting system.

This is not the beginner’s rifle, but a rifle for the dedicated shooter who isn’t afraid to put more money into a gun for reliability and modularity.

FN 15 Tactical II SPECS

Barrel Length 16 inches
Sights None included
Capacity 30+1
Caliber 5.56x45 mm
Modularity FN Rail system and M-LOK mountings
Semi-Auto System Direct Impingement

Conclusion

What semi-automatic rifle you choose will come down to your environment and your preferences.

While rifles like the FN 15 have a lot of long term potential, they have a price that does not make them as accessible to the average individual.

The Mini-14 might be the only available rifle you can access and will have to fill the role a better rifle usually fills.

In the end, you need to practice and train with the rifle you can afford to buy and supply. If that is not the best semi-automatic rifle, you have to work with what you have until you can upgrade if possible.