M1a/M14 or BM-59?

[Ash]

I am considering one or the other. Apart from M14's being cheaper in the mag department, which rifle would be a better choice? I don't care to rebarrel or scope or add a folding stock. In other words, I have no interest in availability of accessories to make it "more tactical" or anything. I must admit I like them both, having owned once an M1a. I sold it when its accuracy was not as good as my CMP Garand, but I have been considering going the semi-auto 7.62 route again. I've done FAL's, and while I have owned several I have liked, I never seem to keep them and am not interested in an FAL or a CETME style rifle.

So, which would you take, the M1a or BM-59?

Thanks,

Ash

 

[Grunt]

The BM-59 definatley is high in the "Cool" factor and when I was staioned in Italy back in the late 80's I had a chance to fire one of the full auto BM-59's the Carabinarie had at the range. That was a blast!!! However, I guess I tend to prefer my old M1A rifles better. Magazines are cheaper, parts are easier to come by (though not as cheap as they used to be) and there is just fewer "gadgets and gimmicks" on the M-14 than the BM-59. I guess I think the bipod is flimsy, the muzzle attachment could have done away with the muzzle break and the grenade sights are for the most part worthless though interesting.

 

[soul_rapier]

junk JUNK junk

i just got back from knob creek gunshow tonite and i seen a m14 full auto real deal and it jammed alot when they had it on the firing line very bad disappointment. sad thingsbout this i own 2 m1a's

 

[Mumbles_45]

I can't think of anything sad about owning two M1As. There semi right, and they function fine in semi, right? Why worry about a full auto version you don't own malfunctioning while doing something the design was not originally intended to do?

Gosh, there's no pleasing some people.

grumble...sad he owns two M1As grumble....

 

[Onmilo]

M1A hands down.
The BM59 magazines are $65.00 each.

 

[ozarkhillbilly]

Is the BM-59 a 308 or 30-06. I know it was based off the M1 Grand but did they come out with it after NATO switched over to the 7.62 or before.

 

[Mumbles_45]

7.62 NATO, using mostly Garand parts, including rechambered barrels as far as I know.

 

[soul_rapier]

both jammed alot at first had to take both guns to a gunsmith and switch the parts out and had them refitted. to stop them from jamming for some reason polytech parts work better in a springfield and vise versa and for $1200 plus that alot of money for a gun that jams i wouldn't trust them. and the full auto 1's are suppuse to be better but they aren't

 

[Mumbles_45]

thats unfortunate, my experience is limited to springfields (military and civilian, full auto and semi) and has been nothing but positive. Sorry to say I've never gotten to use the go-fast switch on one though. Turning M-118LR into noise is frowned upon.

 

[Ash]

Pros

The barrels on the BM are new-made for the 7.62x51 NATO round. The advantage in the BM-59 is that all parts are new and they are all Military, not just milspec, but made by the original manufacturer on the same equipment for the military. They are very much Garands, and did everything the M14 promised to do, and that was make an improved Garand and use existing Garand machinery.

The M1a is more common and extra parts are easier to get. Military magazines (the only decent ones) are easier and generally cheaper to get.

Cons

The BM-59 will be more difficult to get parts for, though they are available. Magazines are more expensive (but not a whole lot more expensive, perhaps $20-$30 more).

The M1a is largely becoming a rifle of after-market parts as the supply of original military parts dwindles to nothing. Many military parts will be used. They are commercial rifles built on military patterns, but are fundamentally more aftermarket than military. That is not by itself a problem, but the M1a or m14 clones are not made by the folks who made the rifles originally. Real military mags are becoming cheaper, but still aren't anywhere near as cheap as FAL mags, and while half the cost of bm-59 mags, they are still pricey.

The really important thing is what kind of accuracy difference might be expected? The standard m1a I owned several years ago was not nearly as accurate as my CMP Garand (which was a used rifle). It was an accurate rifle, to be sure, but when it couldn't hold a candle to a used military rifle on similar surplus ammo that was 1/3 the price, seemed silly. But, 5 years later, I'm thinking I would still like to have one, but came across the BM and startd thinking about it.


Ash