Not really pay or do without . Other platforms out there , especially on the used market . I don’t know if ” marginal ” is correct term , for anything that isn’t popular or trendy . AR’s to me fit the term marginal . Easy to get , yes , but known for being fussy , and that horrible standard cartridge . There was an interesting editorial called ” How the US got shafted out of the FAL ” . Boiled down to politics vs. functionality . What types can you get for 7-8 bills , on the used market ? Any AK , FAL clone , Cetme/G3 platform , others as well . People don’t realize that HK didn’t invent the G3 . HK built it under Spanish license . Most changes made were mostly cosmetic , but the important parts are interchangeable . Another thing to consider is the possibility of losing it during SHTF . If it takes a person over $1000 , just to get possession of it , then have to drop X number of bills to make it how they want it , or spending less for something else , and the extra cost of personalizing ? In other words , is it a bad idea to get something ” too good ” in case you lose it ? vs. something else , that can be replaced easily , or if not easily , not out a serious investment . AKs are good for that , they get the job done , but your not going to be horribly upset if you lose it . A G3/Cetme , will beat an AR in field reliability , it will absolutely beat it in the knock down department . Lot to consider , really no right or wrong . Would I LIKE to have such and such a weapon ? Yes ! , Can I afford such and such a weapon , or willing to drop all eggs in one basket because of an inflated price ? No !
