Steyr AUG vs. M1A

[The Grand Inquisitor]

I'm currently saving up for my next purchase (sadly not for a year or so...) and I am pretty sure that I am going to have to decide between an AUG and an M1A. On the surface the price difference is huge, but if I do go with the M1A I would like to put quality optics and it, and good bipod and accurize it as far as my budget will allow (the budget is around three grand considering thats about what I can get an AUG for). I am somewhat familar with the M1A since by shooting buddy has one and I know that the AUG and the M1A are apples very different beasts, but I want to hear what everyone has to think about these two rifles.

Besides the fact that I have wanted an AUG since the first time I saw one, I am potentially leaning towards an AUG because I don' think the import laws will ever change and more will find their way into the country, whereas the M1A is a domestic made rifle and will not be in short supply in the near future.

Regardless of everything - I want your opinions - I consider the knowledge base here at THR to be the very best in all of the firearms world and I want to learn from everyones experiances.

 

[boofus]

You may want to take the AUG or USR out for a test drive before you buy. If the trigger system is the same as on the Steyr SPP it will be terrible. The AUG and TMP originally had 2 stage triggers. The first stage fires a single shot, 2nd stage makes it go full auto.

In the semi-auto versions there is just 1 super long stage. The terrible trigger was the main reason I got rid of my SPP.

I've been looking at getting a bullpup rifle too but I think I'm gonna wait for the FN FS2000.

 

[LAR-15]

Where can you find AUG parts?

 

[Grump]

Loved the AUG I borrowed twice many years ago. The price was always two steps ahead of my brokeness/prosperity curve. Unless you want to drop another $400 or so for a new barrel, that 1:12 twist will really limit you.

I'd like one in 6.5 Grendel.

The US military is now finally on board with optics--what the AUG proposed abut 20 years ago!!! Pay attention to the donut reticle--it serves as a rangefinder of sorts if you know your target size. It's the ONLY one I've ever heard of that doesn't obscure your distant targets (well, yeah the Brits had that upside-down cone too--also good). Having shot a lot of smallbore using aperature front sights, I can attest to the ease with which you can center-punch any object you put in the middle of that donut. Precision aim does not require a tiny crosshair when you're dealing with a circle. This is, of course, for your zero range but will still translate quite well for holdover. You can actually hold over without losing sight of your desired impact zone.

Mags are scarce on the AUG but IIRC there may be an adapter to let you use M16 mags. The plastic AUG mags were wonderful--nothing like Thermelts.

I'd bite the bullet and get the AUG. It's just too easy to land an M1A or similar clone--they come up for sale all the time. AUGs are scarce, so snag one.

Parts??? No problem, the just don't break...except for knocking the whole sight thing off the receiver, but that's a receiver failure of disastrous proportions, not a "parts" issue. It's also quite rare even for the grunts using the AUG in other countries.

 

[natedog]

AUG. Unique guns are cool! Plus, it sounds like it is what you really want. In addition, you've already got a Garand...M-14s got nothing on the M-1.

BTW, how's the Norinco bullpup shoot?

 

[Dienekes]

Shot a selective fire AUG some years back in both modes. High coolness factor but did not care for the trigger or the optical sight's doughnut reticle. Was also shooting the M14 during the same time period. Between the vastly different rounds and execution of the two rifles, they are very different things. AUGs were being imported and sold at semi-reasonable prices at the time but I was not tempted.

At the same time I tried the AUG I was also doing quite a lot of shooting with a CAR-15, and they are quite comparable in the niche they fill: quick handling, short .223s best suited for short ranges not to exceed 200 yards. I actually preferred the CAR but eventually sold it when I departed the urban jungle for good. I miss it now and then but not the time expended in cleaning carbon, etc., out of the reciever area.

The M14/M1A is a proper battle rifle with great capabilities; range, accuracy, excellent trigger out of the box, *power*. It's a little long around vehicles but plenty quick for close work nonetheless. Learn to use a military sling and forget the bipod. I am still using irons with good success but may need to put an optic on it someday. If so it might be an ACOG.

 

[KW]

I'd say go for the Aug. That just based on your desires, along with the market situation. The Aug is going to be a unique piece of forbidden fruit, and the jewel of your collection. The M1A is going to be your garand with a box mag and a scope.

 

[Ian]

Why not get something that's the best of both worlds? M1A style and AUG uniqueness? Sounds to me like a BM-59 would be just the thing for you.

 

[MagnumCaliber357]

i vote for the AUG aswell. Its really a rifle and a piece of art too. Its curved just right, ive never seen such a sexy gun. Its sleek and compact which can be atributed to its bulpup configuration, which i always thought made more sense. Ive never heard of any major problems with them, did i metion its sexy. I wish to own one one of these days........

 

[fistful]

Steyr AUG vs. M1A

This thread is too absurd to live.

 

[Warner]

For social use, I believe the AUG is the very best reason for the continued existence of the 5.56/.223 round, and the very best platform ever made for it.

Until you live with an AUG for awhile, it’s almost impossible to comprehend just how far it out classes the AR format guns.

 

[MrMurphy]

Having shot a semiauto AUG a long while back, and having put over 1,000+ through the M1A and another 3,000+ through the AR.....

Between the two, get the M1a. The Aug is nice, but overrated. I'll still take an AR carbine over the AUG.

 

[AZ Jeff]

These two rifles are kind of hard to compare, as they are of differing capabilities.

The M1A is a traditional wood and steel rifle, chambered for a long range cartridge.

The AUG is more modern, but shoots the shorter "intermediate" cartridge.

What do you intend to do with the rifle? That, more than anything, will dictate the choice.

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

Thanks for the input guys, I am always pleased with knowledge base here. The problem is happens to be that I think both sides have great points.

But I think I am leaning towards getting the AUG before the M1A not only because I prefer the AUG, but because the M1A is very similar to the Garand (which is CERTAINLY not a bad thing) and that M1A's are still in production and they are not singled out in firearm legislation like the AUG is which has driven up the AUG's price.

I think perhaps I also lean towards picking up an AUG because I do tend to like rifles that are unique and hard to find. Also, I believe that bullpup rifles with integrated optics (with backup iron sights) are the wave of the future and the AUG is the best of the first generation modern bullpups.

I wish that I had the chance to fire one of the 5 or so class 3 AUG's in the country to try out the two stage trigger, but because I have a feeling that I won't be so lucky, I will hold judgement on that issue, but I have fired the SPP, and even though I am not a pistol expert, I didn't think the SPP trigger was all that bad.

I really do love the various firearms that Steyr produces but it tends to bother me that with the exception of the M and S series pistols (the M9 is a fantastic 9mm which has taken about 1700 rounds in a year and a half and has functioned without a hiccup) getting a Steyr will put you back a few thousand dollars at best.

AUG/USR - $3000-5000

SPP - $1000

Scout - $5000-6000 (I think)

Lastly, if the rumors are true, and FN begins production on their modern firearms (P90, FS2000) I will be the first in line to get one.

 

[NMshooter]

If I had ridiculous amounts of money to spend on a rifle I would consider the SIG American Match Target.

I missed out on that batch of BM-59s Springfield found in a warehouse. Was offered one but thought, no I have an M1A. :banghead:

Nice rifle.

Still like the AR, though.