7.62 battle rifles - which one to buy before "the ban"?

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You know what?

I sell guns for a living.

You would think I would be really excited to see people buying guns like crazy right now.

On the contrary, this defeatist attitude that there's going to be a ban is really torquing me off.

GO FIGHT IT.

My gosh people. Look around us. Ten years ago, a new ban would have been slammed down our throat by now.

Instead we've got the culture in a stranglehold and the debate isn't A. Ban some guns vs. B. Ban all guns. Now people are arguing about C. Let us carry guns in school.

Don't get me wrong, I love people buying guns. It pays my mortgage. But at the same time, I've got guys coming into my shop to stock up on stuff who can't even tell me the name of their congressman, let alone any of their state reps.

Go fight this damn thing.
 
Saiga made AK "sporter" in 7.62x51 is less than $400.00.

It can be converted to "evil features" with a little time about $200 in US made parts and an evening with a dremel tool...

If you want to get one already converted Tromex (SP?) is converting them for about 900 to 1200.

There is a US made 20 round magazine available for about 45 bucks each, from FBMC.

I will pitch in a vote for the HK91 clones now made by JDL/PTR are top notch and the magazines for the G3/91 are less than 5 bucks each!

Price on the PTR 91 ranges from just shy of 1100 to 2000 depending on features.

I order from Atlantic via the local dealer (he charges $45)...

http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/programming/listview.asp?CatId=1

Magazines for the Saiga are at FBMG

http://www.fbmginc.com/index.php?pa...ufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

I would say best bang for the buck is the HK91 second only in reliability to the AK, with less expensive magazines.
 
Corriea is right

But, why don't you buy a Remington 7400 or 742 semi-auto in .308 or 30.06 and get a couple of high capacity magazines so you can keep your rifle.

After all what makes us think that a judge who doesn't know the meaning of "infringe or people" in the 2 nd amendment would know what "ipso facto" means or even enforce it if he did?

If you read the Founding Fathers wrote in the Federalist Papers on how to keep our Rights. I don't think you would take those drastic measures to keep your gun.
 
I say M1A. I bought one late last year and will definately get another berore any AWB is law. I've also got a mini-14 and am getting Stag CA legal just for that reason.
 
I was thinking about buying an FAL for a long time, that I finally pulled the trigger, was in part due to the political climate... I did buy it before the VT murders.

Here it is:
SA58 FAL PARA Tactical Carbine .308
16.25" Fluted Medium Contour Barrel with Threaded A2 Flashider
Shortened Gas System w/ Short Military Grade Handguard
Hampton Lower With Integral M16A2 Sight System <= This is a cool option
LOP Side Folding 5 Position Adjustable SOCOM Stock
SAW pistol grip

DSASA58ParaL02.gif

DSASA58ParaR02.gif

DSASA58ParaFoldedL01.gif

DSASA58ParaFoldedR02.gif

The nice thing about an FAL Para, it fits in this:
TennisBag.gif

TennisBag2.gif

Cameron
 
Guys, even McCarthy herself (yes, she said this post-VT) doesnt think it would pass. For now she seems happy with the NICS improvment bill.

That said, you can be sure that some of the most outrageous stuff such as the M1A and the Ruger 10/22 will be removed. I suspect the M1 carbine will also. Also, I think the poor wording was the only thing that 'banned' the M1A and M1 Garand..the bit in the bill about 'centerfire rifle of a military type' I suspect was actually meant to include all AK clones and the different names.

I am paranoid as hell and HR1022 doesnt worry me that much right now. Be ready for the NICS improvment bill though - of course it wouldnt affect any of us here at THS most likely.
 
The other guys are right, chances are another AWB isn't going to make it. Most of the politicians learned their lesson the last time around.

But, your wife doesn't have to know that, so you could use the immanent threat of AWBII to justify another rifle:D

If this is your criteria:

I'm not thinking resale, historical, or collector value - I'm talking "serious power tool" that can take large magazines and digest a lot of rounds without flinching.
Click to expand...

Then I'd vote FAL. I've got a DSA SA58 Para that's an awesome rifle, and it's even less complex than most power tools.

Chuck
 
My favorite battle rifle is the M1A. The downside is mag cost. If you are willing to pay the freight for a good batch of mags get the M1A . In second place . in my mind would be the FN FAL in any of the many models. Mags can be had for 1/4 or 1/5 of what a good M1A mag will cost. So if cost is a deciding factor , the FN is the better buy as a "package" Perhaps the best thought would be to buy both.
 
If you are thinking serious power tool do not get the Remington 742. It heats up after a couple of shots to uncomfortable barrel warping levels.

Based on ammo prices alone I would go with the Garand. Right now surplus 30.06 is the cheapest quality surplus out there and you can have it sent to your door by the case load from CMP. You can also get one for a few hundred less than the FAL, They are just as tough, more accurate (generally), more powerful round, easy to customize and best of all the clips come with the ammo.

Only two major drawbacks- 8 round clips or less only and slower reload time.

But the FAL is a great rifle, one of the best in the world. So are most of the AR-10 knock offs. The AK has it uses, I am not real crazy about it in .308 though...

Easier not to let the ban happen at all, but it sure pays to be prudent.
 
FAL

+1 on the FAL I bought a DSA StG 58 and love it. FAL magazines are fairly cheap between $5.00 and $12.00 each. I had about 50 mag all steel no alloy.
DSA had Steyr mags at the best price. Israeli mags are great quailty too. I have about 7 Israeli mags. :) :) :) :)
 
Thoughts on .308 Battle rifle

First off - Hello to everyone, this is my first post.

Second let's make sure there is no ban. Fight for your Rights!!

I find most 308 semis to be too heavy and prefer the 223s. With that said my choices are:

Springfield Socom 16 - Short, easy handling, iron sights are excellent for CQB style shooting. M1A probably have the best out of the box trigger. Recoil is very light for a gun of this size. Magazine rock in never liked that style, much prefer the straight in style of ARs. Comes with a rail for scope mounting (extended eye relief only). Probably, my least favorite part is take down. It is way too involved. I find myself cleaning it from the muzzle with a guard. Safety is also stiff.
FAL - Excellent gun. I like the DSA Carbine version. Operation controls are very well laid out. I really like the left side charging lever. You do not have too remove the firing hand if right handed. Sights are acceptable. Magazines are abundant and cheap. The two biggest "downs" for the FAL is the grip and trigger pull. Plan on changing the grip first thing. A good trigger can be purchased with your gun from DSA. Also, if you want to scope your FAL you need to purchase a special mount.

Another one you may want to look at; if your main interest is "sticking to the ban" is the Galil 308. I do not have one so cannot comment on it. However, it has all of the most "evil" parts. Folding stock, pistol grip, bipod etc.. From what I hear of the Galil you get AK reliability and top quality work and good sights. Price probably $3200. :eek:

Good luck with your search, hope this helps a bit.

Zman2005
 
Not familiar enough with FAL to comment, but heard good things from
most owners. M1As, a Garand with a magazine. I own a match M1
Garand in 308, tanker in 30-06, and three DCM Garands. Due to fact
none have ever failed to function along with not having to fool with a
magazine failure, I feel very comfortable to chose any of the above in
either caliber of Garand. Matter of choice and use for about fifty years,
I'm pretty well stuck on what works for me!:D
 
Joe Kent wrote:
My favorite battle rifle is the M1A. The downside is mag cost. If you are willing to pay the freight for a good batch of mags get the M1A . In second place . in my mind would be the FN FAL in any of the many models. Mags can be had for 1/4 or 1/5 of what a good M1A mag will cost. So if cost is a deciding factor , the FN is the better buy as a "package" Perhaps the best thought would be to buy both.
Click to expand...




Joe,

You're shopping in the wrong places.
Try here:

http://www.44mag.com/

CheckMate Industries (CMI) is the current contractor/supplier of M1A/M14 magazines to the U.S. Military.
These magazines ARE USGI and are $23.99 each, and are magnificient mags.

These fine folks supply Springfield Armory, Inc. (SAI) with their magazines, and are sold for a lot more, from SAI. (I'm not throwing bricks or flaming SAI here, just comparing prices!)

The FAL magazines are waaaaaaaaay more expensive, right now.
(They are listed right above the M1A/M14 mags at $31.99 each.)




As for which rifle I'd choose. . . . this decision is easy. . . M1A!!!!!
 
+1 on 44mag.com

I just got 3 M1A mags and 3 AR15 mags from them for just over $100. Free shipping on orders over $100 as well.
 
Another vote for the PTR91 and M1A. I bought them after the elections. I didn't wait for the post-VT hysteria. I'm not defeatist. I will fight to keep these firearms legal and available through letters to Congress, support for NRA and VCDL, etc. But as a realist, I want to make sure I get mine while I can. On the encouraging front, it seems most Americans don't think banning guns is a good answer to what plagues our society.
 
Fight for your rights.

Buy a DSA SA58 FAL - mine is two weeks old and it rocks!! I'm a big guy so the .308 works just fine for me. Now I want another.

Be safe, BSR
 
Joe Kent wrote:

Quote:
My favorite battle rifle is the M1A. The downside is mag cost. If you are willing to pay the freight for a good batch of mags get the M1A . In second place . in my mind would be the FN FAL in any of the many models. Mags can be had for 1/4 or 1/5 of what a good M1A mag will cost. So if cost is a deciding factor , the FN is the better buy as a "package" Perhaps the best thought would be to buy both.




Joe,

You're shopping in the wrong places.
Try here:

http://www.44mag.com/

CheckMate Industries (CMI) is the current contractor/supplier of M1A/M14 magazines to the U.S. Military.
These magazines ARE USGI and are $23.99 each, and are magnificient mags.

These fine folks supply Springfield Armory, Inc. (SAI) with their magazines, and are sold for a lot more, from SAI. (I'm not throwing bricks or flaming SAI here, just comparing prices!)

The FAL magazines are waaaaaaaaay more expensive, right now.
(They are listed right above the M1A/M14 mags at $31.99 each.)
Click to expand...

byf43,

It appears that you are shopping in the wrong places. Have bought numerous FAL mags for $4.50 - $5.00, which indeed places Joe in the ballpark with his "1/4 or 1/5 of what a good M1A mag will cost" quote. In any case, buy a FAL or M1A based on the ergonomics, not the mag cost.

Don
 
Evil Blue Rifle

I just hope this takes some of the heat off the Garand market, so I can find a decent one easier. Gotta pay off my layaway on an evil blue rifle first, though, chambered for a really evil military cartridge, a Ruger No. 1 in .45-70 Government. ;)
 
Last edited:
It appears that you are shopping in the wrong places. Have bought numerous FAL mags for $4.50 - $5.00, which indeed places Joe in the ballpark with his "1/4 or 1/5 of what a good M1A mag will cost" quote. In any case, buy a FAL or M1A based on the ergonomics, not the mag cost.

Don
Click to expand...

Don,

I guess I am shopping in the wrong places.
However, I don't own an FAL, so, I am not really 'up' on their mag prices.

I have, though, seen FAL mags locally for a LOT more than the $23.99 listed at the aforementioned website for the M1A/M14 magazines.

And as for buying for ergonomics, I agree wholeheartedly. This is how I came upon my M1A. A friend wanted an FAL and needed the $$$.
 
The best thought is to buy both an M1A and an FAL with the necessary number of mags. The important thing to remember if we are talking SHTF rifle is to think of your rifle as a system and aquire what ever it takes to keep your system running in a hostile environment. Spare parts, plenty of mags and bucket loads of ammo, and lots of practice. KNOW YOUR RIFLE!
 
I chose a DSA SA58. It just works for me. I don't think you can go wrong with either a DSA FAL or an SA M1A1. BTW, there's still lots of .308 ammo out there, it's just not cheap. :rolleyes:
 
What about accuracy at long ranges? FAL's seem to be build for iron sight shooting, which for me would always be inside 100M. The triggers on them and HK clones are the heaviest I've seen. You can't mount sights on them without awkward clumsy components. Why have a .308 caliber if not for short *and* long range? Seems like the complaint about AR platforms is they are tightly tolerated? Isn't that what makes them accurate up to 6 & 700 meters? And how is a piston driven gas system better than the straight tube of an AR? I actually am open to intellegent answers to my pointed questions, cuz I'm not even slightly sold on FAL's because their mags are cheap, ya know?

The preceding was highly opioniated, and entirely correct.
 
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