.223 Remington semiauto rifles that don't look like ARs

742 has obsete parts now. If u ou want a piece to remember the d days , its fine. If your gonna shoot your 223, I'd steer clear of the Remington scattermatic
 
I used to tell people that the only "Assault" rifle I had was a Martini-Enfield made in about 1899. (No need to get anxious about whether it had a clip or a magazine.). Then, I retired and started spending time in AZ where my son lives. He got me interested in ARs. They are a terrific way to spend time and money and a hoot to tinker with. That said, I'm not all that excited about semi-autos, and have expended a good bit of effort trying to make one into an acceptable manually operated firearm. (Kalikey, UMOS pump system, side charge upper). The UMOS pump worked ok with the 5.56 round. The other efforts were focused on the 6.5 Grendel. I think the Unitah Precision upper is where I'm headed; the other attempts were not satisfactory. For someone who wants a semi-auto that does not look like a black rifle the mini14: the Fitelite SCR, the HK, or an older Remington are where you should look. However, Don't turn your back on the AR. It is like sex, it's too good not to enjoy in some form.
 
You can have a mini 14 in California it's not on any list here never was.
Ignore most of the previous comments. Ruger makes and sells the Mini-14 in .223/5.56NATO configuration. Go here: https://www.ruger.com/products/mini14RanchRifle/models.html
I had two and sold one recently through my LGS (here in CA).
You can used Mini-14s but make sure the model is 181 or later. The model 180 is no longer supported parts wise by Ruger.
Ruger sells, as an accessory, ten round magazines. Go here:
https://shopruger.com/Mini-14-10-Round-Magazine/productinfo/90339/ for the OEM model (preferred)
https://shopruger.com/556-NATO_223-Rem-10-Round-Magazine/productinfo/90659/ for a less expensive model but with some negative comments. You get what you pay for.
In CA you cannot add a 'flash protector' or 'silencer' but you can add a 'compensator'.
Hope this helps.
much appreciated!
 
I used to tell people that the only "Assault" rifle I had was a Martini-Enfield made in about 1899. (No need to get anxious about whether it had a clip or a magazine.). Then, I retired and started spending time in AZ where my son lives. He got me interested in ARs. They are a terrific way to spend time and money and a hoot to tinker with. That said, I'm not all that excited about semi-autos, and have expended a good bit of effort trying to make one into an acceptable manually operated firearm. (Kalikey, UMOS pump system, side charge upper). The UMOS pump worked ok with the 5.56 round. The other efforts were focused on the 6.5 Grendel. I think the Unitah Precision upper is where I'm headed; the other attempts were not satisfactory. For someone who wants a semi-auto that does not look like a black rifle the mini14: the Fitelite SCR, the HK, or an older Remington are where you should look. However, Don't turn your back on the AR. It is like sex, it's too good not to enjoy in some form.
I have a Utica 6mm arc upper . I just haven't had a chance to shoot it . I went with the caronfiber wrapped 22" barrel. Simple design that seems to be built well .
 
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If you can find one, a BAR II in 223.

And below is a rem 742 in 223.

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Don't know if the KelTec Su16 is too military looking, but it doesn't look like an AR-15 and is pretty reasonably priced. Folds into a nice lightweight compact package for carrying.
 

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In the late 1960's we laughed at the M16 because it didn't look military and one of the favorite references was "made by Mattel". To anyone familiar with hunting the 5.56mm cartridge felt like a joke when compared to the 30-06 or 308.

You will not find a semi-automatic 223 that doesn't look like a military rifle because there is no incentive to develop a rifle for which a mature government financed design exists. That is unless it a "new" military design. Even Bill Ruger, when developing the "mini 14" simply scaled the action from the 308 M14 to the 223/5.56 cartridge.
You can tell it's Mattel it's swell!
 
The Mini 14 is probably your best choice or the Kel Tec SU 16. The other Semi Auto rifles look more Military type then the AR 15 does. You could step up to the .243 or .308 and have lots more semi auto Non AR type rifles like the Browning Bar.
 
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