If you are tempted to start looking at AKs don't overlook the rifles built by Jim Fuller. I haven't heard as consistently glowing reviews about anyone's AKs; especially if you consider price. One caveat, I'm not aware of him building rifles in anything other than 7.62x39 or 5.45x39.

Kel-Tec SU-16C i .223, will fire with stock folded. Nice, light, and small.

Kel-Tec Sub-2000 I've one that takes Glock 17 9mm mag as my bob gun.

LMT
Rock River Arms
Colt

If you want AK like reliability in a western .223 Package, I've heard good things about the SIG556. Reliable and accurate, however it is a tad heavy and mucho expensive.

Demonstration of a SIG556

Let me paraphrase ' what do you intend to survive' with ' who do you intend to assault?' I do not understand this whole sissy wieght issue. I had to 'high-port' around the 'grinder' for one hour in my 8th week of bootcamp. For the non initiates, 'High Porting' is double timing ( running) while lifting the rifle high in the air,down to the chest and then straight out in constant repetition, usuallly screaming some self depracating remark.I remember this, not for the reason, but for the 2nd week boot also high porting. I was passing him at the rate of 3 laps around Mr Grinder ( our asphalt parade/exercise square) for each agonised, march or die lap he completed half walking. The duty officer was so embarressed he cut me short after 15 minutes. Why? I was the last recruit company issued the M 1 Garand rifle and my Grinder mate was emulating Atlas with a M 16. Want something better than a star guage, match m 1 Garand? Buy two.

You must have been at Alameda!!!!! I was in Delta 114, how about you Chris???

My last highporting experience was 10 laps highporting with the pipes, immediately after having 2 wisdom teeth removed. After finishing that and spitting out a mouthful of blood, I got my butt chewed out for not giving the OOD my NFFD chit. He didn't like it when I pointed out that I had not been given the chance since I had failed to make the precise 30" steps up to his window.

Correction: M-1,,,you must have been at "skate May"

"...I was the last recruit company issued the M 1 Garand rifle and my Grinder mate was emulating Atlas with a M 16..."

OK, I gotta ask, who got the M-14???

(Oscar) Hotel 92 Alameda

nobody, the USCG skipped them.

I love my Mini 14 although I am seriously looking at the barrel harmonic dampener to dial in the accuracy. I don't have it scoped, but am considering putting one on. Your comment on the red dot is interesting. Mine came with the folding stock, but it works.

When I get the money it is going towards this...

Springfield Armory M1A SOCOM2

http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?model=18

About as short in .308 as you can get. Drop it in a folding stock and it is about as compact as you can get (maybe 18" folded). It is a heavy mother though...

Bill