new purchase m1a or ar variant 7.62
- Thread starter tenringer
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Both are nice weapons. I like the looks of the M1A over the AR 10 platform. I owned an M1A and have owned 2 AR 10s, so take this for what it's worth.
M1A parts are getting more and more expensive. I'm not sure if you plan on buying a Super Match or an entry level M1A. If you buy a Polytech M14S, I'd suggest buying all USGI parts to get her up to par. I'd send the rifle along with the parts to Warbird in TX to have him do his magic. Mags cost are about even for the M1A and AR 10. Mounting optics on the M1A is more difficult than the AR 10. I know there are companies that make scope mounts for the M1A, but in general the AR 10 will be easier to mount optics.
For the AR 10 platform I like the DPMS LR 308 Panther. I've had mine for 2 years and have nothing bad to say about that rifle. Very accurate out of the box and requires no other mods to get it to shoot. The only mods on my rifle is I added the Magpul PRS stock to balance the weight out. I also had a Badger handguard installed, so it would be flat on top of bags. Another plus for the AR 10 platform is that you can buy various calibers and still use the same lower. I plan on buying either a .260 or .243 upper for my DPMS. The DPMS will cost less than a stock M1A.
Overall, I feel that you must spend a lot more money on the M1A to get it to shoot really well. I know that some M1A owners have some mighty fine rifles, but I'm speaking in general. Just keep in mind that the USGI parts for the M1A are getting pretty darn expensive and sometimes difficult to locate.
Here are some pictures of my DPMS. I haven't gotten around to refinishing her in OD.
M1A parts are getting more and more expensive. I'm not sure if you plan on buying a Super Match or an entry level M1A. If you buy a Polytech M14S, I'd suggest buying all USGI parts to get her up to par. I'd send the rifle along with the parts to Warbird in TX to have him do his magic. Mags cost are about even for the M1A and AR 10. Mounting optics on the M1A is more difficult than the AR 10. I know there are companies that make scope mounts for the M1A, but in general the AR 10 will be easier to mount optics.
For the AR 10 platform I like the DPMS LR 308 Panther. I've had mine for 2 years and have nothing bad to say about that rifle. Very accurate out of the box and requires no other mods to get it to shoot. The only mods on my rifle is I added the Magpul PRS stock to balance the weight out. I also had a Badger handguard installed, so it would be flat on top of bags. Another plus for the AR 10 platform is that you can buy various calibers and still use the same lower. I plan on buying either a .260 or .243 upper for my DPMS. The DPMS will cost less than a stock M1A.
Overall, I feel that you must spend a lot more money on the M1A to get it to shoot really well. I know that some M1A owners have some mighty fine rifles, but I'm speaking in general. Just keep in mind that the USGI parts for the M1A are getting pretty darn expensive and sometimes difficult to locate.
Here are some pictures of my DPMS. I haven't gotten around to refinishing her in OD.
BADUNAME13
Member
What do you want it for?
I LOVE my M1A Scout.
I LOVE my M1A Scout.
Nomad 2nd said:
That's exactly what I was thinking. Okay, I was being flippant earlier. Perhaps you could better explain what your intended use will be?
If you are after accuracy, go AR platform. But you'll spend a lot of money. If it's nostalgia reasons, and you still want accuracy, then get the M1A. Well...you'll still spend plenty of money.
Yeah, we really need to know more about the intended use.
I should have been more specific, the hold up for me with an AR 7.62 was Bushmaster made one, and they had problems with the bolt breaking and discontinued them, for what reason I don't know maybe lack of sales. Considering bushmaster is one of the most reputable companies I just worried about the design, the buffer and the bolt particuarily. I think the original ar design was a 7.62. I have two ar15 they are my favorite, bushmaster and rock river arms. I intend to use the rifle for long range target shooting primarily. I have shot the m1a, its a great battle tested rifle. However it is an old design and the ar clearly has a better platform for optics. I am going to look at the dpms and armalite.
BADUNAME13
Member
For M1A Scope mountability... look up Smith Enterprises.
MassMark
Member
M1A - You won't be sorry.
Not to harp, but...
Which 7.62?
Some of us older folks could give a laundry list of the myriad 7.62mm chamberings, and I've seen more than a few instances of 7.62 meaning the stuff you feed into an AK or SKS (7.62x39), while my old military derierre' knows 7.62 as the stuff you put into a M14, M60, M24, or M40 (7.62mm NATO, aka 7.62x51)
For the Russian readers of this forum, you may as well be talking 7.62x54R.
Which 7.62?
Some of us older folks could give a laundry list of the myriad 7.62mm chamberings, and I've seen more than a few instances of 7.62 meaning the stuff you feed into an AK or SKS (7.62x39), while my old military derierre' knows 7.62 as the stuff you put into a M14, M60, M24, or M40 (7.62mm NATO, aka 7.62x51)
For the Russian readers of this forum, you may as well be talking 7.62x54R.
glockman19
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M1A all the way
Tenringer,
Yeah if it's punching tiny groups in targets it's going to be pretty hard to have an M1A modified for accuracy compete against an AR platform calibrated for accuracy. Not only that it will take more upkeep to maintain M1A in prime form for shooting as well as the AR. I'd only choose the M1A for nostalgia reasons.
P.S. Before you M1A cultists jump me. I own M1A's, and the only AR's I have are .223. So go try to sacrifice someone else on your retro MBR altar tonight.
Yeah if it's punching tiny groups in targets it's going to be pretty hard to have an M1A modified for accuracy compete against an AR platform calibrated for accuracy. Not only that it will take more upkeep to maintain M1A in prime form for shooting as well as the AR. I'd only choose the M1A for nostalgia reasons.
P.S. Before you M1A cultists jump me. I own M1A's, and the only AR's I have are .223. So go try to sacrifice someone else on your retro MBR altar tonight.
MachIVshooter
Member
It is my understanding that RRA actually made those ones.
I've not heard anything bad about the DPMS AR-10's, but I personally find them very plain looking. They barely resemble an AR, IMO.
I have an Armalite AR-10 and love it. Their AR-10 is a scaled-up AR-15, minus the forward assist. They recently redesigned the magazines to improve feeding (the old style had a spring-loaded plunger to engage the bolt hold open, but it created extra friction in the magazine). These updated mags are available in 10, 20 and 25 round capacities. Armalite also is selling update kits for older AR-10's to use the new mags. Old style mags will work with the second generation bolt stop, though the reverse isn't true.
Steak
Member
I have seen a few different scope mounts out there. Several buy Smith, 1 buy Springfield, and a couple other randoms.
I am buying an M1A soon as well. Smith mounts are expensive (some $300+), Springfield far more reasonably priced. I want a mount that is solid, and where I can still use the Iron Sights if needed. Which models are capable of this? (also, how large of a scope lens can I use with these mounts and still see iron?)
Sorry for the hijack (step sideways maybe?) Back to your regular scheduled thread.
The Bushmaster BAR-10 was a Rock River design, and it is different than other AR-10s in that it was designed to use FAL mags. This resulted in one lug being removed from the bolt face to work with the FAL mag, which weakened the bolt, making it easier to break the bolt. Rock River now has the design back and is working on it (has been for nearly 2 years) and they say that they will not release it until the problems are worked out. I suspect that it won't ever be released.
If you are looking for a target/hunting/plinking rifle, either will work. Though I think that the AR platform will make it easier to use optics, and will be more accurate "out of the box".
If you are looking for a Battle Rifle, the M1a Standard is what you want. It will cycle a wider range of ammo, is tougher and has less critical parts to concern yourself with. I would not bother with the Loaded or Match of the M1a, as they will not cycle surplus ammo as reliablly as the Standard. The Standard will give you "out of the box" accuracy to reach out to 600 yards, so it should fit your needs.
If you are looking for a target/hunting/plinking rifle, either will work. Though I think that the AR platform will make it easier to use optics, and will be more accurate "out of the box".
If you are looking for a Battle Rifle, the M1a Standard is what you want. It will cycle a wider range of ammo, is tougher and has less critical parts to concern yourself with. I would not bother with the Loaded or Match of the M1a, as they will not cycle surplus ammo as reliablly as the Standard. The Standard will give you "out of the box" accuracy to reach out to 600 yards, so it should fit your needs.
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