AR-10 Rifle vs. M1A Springfield Armory .308

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stinger 327

stinger 327

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What are the differences between these two rifles? Is one more accurate than the other for long distance shooting? Which one is the better rifle? I don't know much about the AR-10 rifle as far as cost? Which companies makes this AR-10 model?
 
i lean to the M1A as the M-14 was my first service rifle and i have a 1983 springfield. and i have several AR-15,s and they were my second service rifle, to me they have different uses in a war. and both shine when used in there proper role to a grunt. if you are engaging fairly close the M-16 maybe the ticket, and if you are engaging targets on out the M-14 shines. to me the .223 is a 400yrd rifle and the 7.62 is a honest 600yrd rifle in the hands of a trained soldier. that being said i think the A-10 in 7.62 would also be a 600yrd rifle, of course good optic,s would extend the range for both the A-10 and the M-14. eastbank.
 
The AR10 is generally more accurate as it's very easy to free float the barrel.

Many companies make them ranging in price from about 1k to 5k dollars. The KAC SR25, LMT MWS, and the H&K M417 have all been adopted by various militaries as sniper rifles. The LaRue OBR also had seen sniper service though not officially adopted. All those models will serve as long distance shooters very well, but they are pricey.

The main problem with AR10s is there is no standard. Most companies build them to whatever spec they decide is best. Therefor many parts are not interchangeable.

The only real experience I have with "precision built" M14/M1As was with the Sage EBRs in the Army. I was not impressed.
 
I have owned both. I preferred the M14 for carry and the AR10 for distance. My AR10 was DPMS with a heavy barrel, hardly the model for carrying anyhow. Each shot reliably and the AR just felt bigger. Not a lot of help I know. They are two different animals.
 
You can't beat the wood and steel cool factor of the M1A/M14

On the other hand, you can't beat the flexibility, ergonomics and ease of attachments with the AR10 pattern rifles

I have an M1A and want an AR10 but the former has pretty much scratched the itch for an auto loading 7.62 rifle
 
In 2012, the US Army Rifle Team rebuilt some AR10's into match grade semi autos that tested as well or better for accuracy than the best rebuilt M14NM rifles they no longer had to use. Their 22 caliber semiauto's accuracy at long range was inferior to what rebuilt M1A or M1 7.62 rifles produced. So they convinced the NRA to classify AR10's as service rifles in NRA competition.

The Army won and set NRA long range service rifle matches that year shooting Berger 185 VLD bullets in hand loaded new cases.
 
I'm a massive fan of the M1a, and not so much a fan of the AR-10, but if I were only going to own one of them, it would be the 10.

Shooting the M1a is kinda like watching a heartwarming dog movie - it has an emotional draw which makes it worth doing from time to time, but if I'm honest, I'd only watch it on Netflix, wouldn't buy a theatre ticket for it since I really don't get anything practical out of it. My first M1a was a custom Springfield meant for CMP competition, replacing the Blue Sky Garand I had been wasting money on. I love taking an M1a out of the safe, especially for hunting, but it's just not a hugely practical rifle.

If the M1a is a dog movie, the AR-10 is a professional training video. Lacks completely in emotion and enjoyment, but it's a lot more practical in application. It takes a little time and trial and error to get used to carrying any AR platform rifle compared to a more linear profiled sporting rifle (to which the M1a is more familiar), but it's really a more useful arm - largely driven by accuracy and ease of maintenance.

There's a reason the military sanctioned development of the AR-10 to replace the M1a.
 
C-grunt said:
The AR10 is generally more accurate as it's very easy to free float the barrel.

Many companies make them ranging in price from about 1k to 5k dollars. The KAC SR25, LMT MWS, and the H&K M417 have all been adopted by various militaries as sniper rifles. The LaRue OBR also had seen sniper service though not officially adopted. All those models will serve as long distance shooters very well, but they are pricey.

The main problem with AR10s is there is no standard. Most companies build them to whatever spec they decide is best. Therefor many parts are not interchangeable.

The only real experience I have with "precision built" M14/M1As was with the Sage EBRs in the Army. I was not impressed.
Click to expand...

What is free float the barrel mean?
What is the typical price of a mid level AR-10? Like the Springfield M1a National Match is $2,300 What would be the equivalent AR-10 in price and brand be?
 
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Nature Boy said:
You can't beat the wood and steel cool factor of the M1A/M14

On the other hand, you can't beat the flexibility, ergonomics and ease of attachments with the AR10 pattern rifles

I have an M1A and want an AR10 but the former has pretty much scratched the itch for an auto loading 7.62 rifle
Click to expand...

So it is much easier to improve and upgrade an AR-10 with optics vs. the M1A? I would love to have a scope for distance shooting and an aimpoint laser type sight for quick target acquisition on either rifle.
Which rifle is easier to clean and take apart/reliable ?
 
It's not difficult to put an optic on an M1A. I use a bassett scope base. However, when you do you need to also have a cheek riser to get good scope alignment. You can get the Scout Squad or SOCOM models were the optics mount forward to the receiver in scout fashion.

They're both easy to clean and take apart. No advantage either way there
 
Nature Boy said:
It's not difficult to put an optic on an M1A. I use a bassett scope base. However, when you do you need to also have a cheek riser to get good scope alignment. You can get the Scout Squad or SOCOM models were the optics mount forward to the receiver in scout fashion.

They're both easy to clean and take apart. No advantage either way there
Click to expand...
I am more interested in the 22 inch barrels like the M1A National Match model in stainless or even the model below it the loaded model. Just can't decide between the wood or the black synthetic stock.
 
stinger 327 said:
What are the differences between these two rifles? Is one more accurate than the other for long distance shooting? Which one is the better rifle? I don't know much about the AR-10 rifle as far as cost? Which companies makes this AR-10 model?
Click to expand...

The fundamental difference is that the AR10 is based on a stoner action like the AR15/M16/M4, and the M1A is based on an M14/Garand type action.

It is easier to make accurate AR10s than it is to make accurate M1As/M14s. Both can be accurized to the point where they shoot sub-MOA groups, but it's easy to do with the AR10 and requires arcane incantations with the M1A. On the AR10 you just put on a good barrel and free-float hanguard and you're done. Free float hanguards are ones that don't touch the barrel forward of the barrel nut.

Flat top AR10s are easier to scope, and since the scope mount is part of the receiver it's rock solid. M1As can potentially have problems in that department.

AR10s are trivial to field strip and allow cleaning from the rear. M1As are closed at the rear like the Garand and have to be cleaned from the front.

DPMS, S&W, Ruger, and probably 10 million others make price-conscious AR10 variants. I don't have enough experience with any of them to recommend one over another. DPMS has a reputation for accuracy.

LMT, Knights Armamaent, Larue and GAP make high end versions I can recommend from experience. I own a LMT MWS with the 16" Rock Creek barrel, and I love it. With 155 Scenars it'll hold sub-MOA at all distances in calm air and is supersonic past 1000y. Frankly there's no gun I've ever bought that I'm happier with, although I did change the grip, trigger, and put on an adjustable gas block and new muzzle device to facilitate suppressing it.
 
stinger 327 said:
What are the differences between these two rifles? Is one more accurate than the other for long distance shooting? Which one is the better rifle? I don't know much about the AR-10 rifle as far as cost? Which companies makes this AR-10 model?
Click to expand...

Really a pretty open question where we compare the apple and the orange.

AR10%20M1A.png

Both rifles are gas operated and both rifles can be scoped easy enough with the AR 10 (Top) being the easier of the two to place optics on. The pictured AR 10 has match sights but can easily be scoped or returned to standard iron sights. The scope and sight configurations for the AR 10 look like the below image.

AR%2010%20Scope.png

The pictured M1A is a NM (National Match) rifle with iron NM sights, front and rear. Both rifles are capable of sub MOA groups with match grade ammunition. While the M1A can be scoped the rifle itself was never designed with a scope in mind and most mounts tend to come loose, that said there are several good reliable mounts for the M1A design. Both rifles are shot in long range competition out to 1,000 yards. It becomes a matter of personal preference. Also, as a side note the name AR 10 is exclusive to Armalite much like if the rifle is an AR 15 it is Colt manufactured. Armalite sold the AR 15 naming rights to Colt Manufacturing. This is why we like to use terms like AR 10 "platform" or AR 15 "platform". There are a few versions of the AR 10 platform which do vary. Just for a quick example not all AR 10 magazines are the same or interchangeable like the AR 15 flavors.

As to accuracy? Both of my rifles shoot about the same and both are NM rifles. I likely enjoy shooting both equally so I have no favorite. Configured for match there is not much weight difference and the AR 10 with the floated barrel and aluminum handguard likely weighs more than the M1A. However, you would configure either for your likes and dislikes. There really is no saying either the M1A or AR 10 is the more accurate of the two, it's a matter of barrel, parts, sights and what you decide to buy.

Least I forget the pictured rifles are both over 20 years old. When I bought and modified my AR 10 Armalite was about the only guys on the block. Today there are likely a dozen manufacturers hawking the AR 10 design in a few flavors. I like mine but again, when I got the rifle the field of manufacturers was very, very limited.

Ron
 
stinger 327 said:
What is the typical price of a mid level AR-10? Like the Springfield M1a National Match is $2,300 What would be the equivalent AR-10 in price and brand be?
Click to expand...
There's a wide range. I'd say a DPMS LR-308 might be a reasonable analog in that it should be accurate but there's no guarantee and both the DPMS and Springfield have less than premium small parts. The DPMS has an MSRP of $1199.

In the higher end range, the GAP-10 from Georgia precision is a steal at about $3000 even for a completely premium rifle built to your specs, but the wait is 8 months.

You can get a LMT MWS F model (fairly similar to mine but different handguard) today, but the cost is $3300. They used to be a much better deal, but then they realized it...
 
Llama Bob said:
There's a wide range. I'd say a DPMS LR-308 might be a reasonable analog in that it should be accurate but there's no guarantee and both the DPMS and Springfield have less than premium small parts. The DPMS has an MSRP of $1199.

In the higher end range, the GAP-10 from Georgia precision is a steal at about $3000 even for a completely premium rifle built to your specs, but the wait is 8 months.

You can get a LMT MWS F model (fairly similar to mine but different handguard) today, but the cost is $3300. They used to be a much better deal, but then they realized it...
Click to expand...

$3,000 is out of my price range. $2,300 is probably my limit.
 
Reloadron said:
Really a pretty open question where we compare the apple and the orange.

View attachment 756138

Both rifles are gas operated and both rifles can be scoped easy enough with the AR 10 (Top) being the easier of the two to place optics on. The pictured AR 10 has match sights but can easily be scoped or returned to standard iron sights. The scope and sight configurations for the AR 10 look like the below image.

View attachment 756139

The pictured M1A is a NM (National Match) rifle with iron NM sights, front and rear. Both rifles are capable of sub MOA groups with match grade ammunition. While the M1A can be scoped the rifle itself was never designed with a scope in mind and most mounts tend to come loose, that said there are several good reliable mounts for the M1A design. Both rifles are shot in long range competition out to 1,000 yards. It becomes a matter of personal preference. Also, as a side note the name AR 10 is exclusive to Armalite much like if the rifle is an AR 15 it is Colt manufactured. Armalite sold the AR 15 naming rights to Colt Manufacturing. This is why we like to use terms like AR 10 "platform" or AR 15 "platform". There are a few versions of the AR 10 platform which do vary. Just for a quick example not all AR 10 magazines are the same or interchangeable like the AR 15 flavors.

As to accuracy? Both of my rifles shoot about the same and both are NM rifles. I likely enjoy shooting both equally so I have no favorite. Configured for match there is not much weight difference and the AR 10 with the floated barrel and aluminum handguard likely weighs more than the M1A. However, you would configure either for your likes and dislikes. There really is no saying either the M1A or AR 10 is the more accurate of the two, it's a matter of barrel, parts, sights and what you decide to buy.

Least I forget the pictured rifles are both over 20 years old. When I bought and modified my AR 10 Armalite was about the only guys on the block. Today there are likely a dozen manufacturers hawking the AR 10 design in a few flavors. I like mine but again, when I got the rifle the field of manufacturers was very, very limited.

Ron
Click to expand...

So for mounting one scope and one aimpoint type of laser sight for quick target acquisition the AR-10 would be better for that? It's not possible to mount both types of optics on the M1A?
In either rifle I would think you could get best results in accuracy with a scope vs. open iron sights even though both rifles came with iron sights and the M1A was not made to have a scope?
 
Llama Bob said:
The fundamental difference is that the AR10 is based on a stoner action like the AR15/M16/M4, and the M1A is based on an M14/Garand type action.

It is easier to make accurate AR10s than it is to make accurate M1As/M14s. Both can be accurized to the point where they shoot sub-MOA groups, but it's easy to do with the AR10 and requires arcane incantations with the M1A. On the AR10 you just put on a good barrel and free-float hanguard and you're done. Free float hanguards are ones that don't touch the barrel forward of the barrel nut.

Flat top AR10s are easier to scope, and since the scope mount is part of the receiver it's rock solid. M1As can potentially have problems in that department.

AR10s are trivial to field strip and allow cleaning from the rear. M1As are closed at the rear like the Garand and have to be cleaned from the front.

DPMS, S&W, Ruger, and probably 10 million others make price-conscious AR10 variants. I don't have enough experience with any of them to recommend one over another. DPMS has a reputation for accuracy.

LMT, Knights Armamaent, Larue and GAP make high end versions I can recommend from experience. I own a LMT MWS with the 16" Rock Creek barrel, and I love it. With 155 Scenars it'll hold sub-MOA at all distances in calm air and is supersonic past 1000y. Frankly there's no gun I've ever bought that I'm happier with, although I did change the grip, trigger, and put on an adjustable gas block and new muzzle device to facilitate suppressing it.
Click to expand...

I just want one good to go right out of the box. I don't want to have to tinker toy with it because with my luck I'll probably make it worse.
 
It is amazing that the OP has been a member for 7 years over 3000 posts and does not know the difference between the 2 rifles how to mount a scope on them or what a floated barrel means lol. well I like the pics shown and the responses but one does have to wonder
 
salt&battery said:
It is amazing that the OP has been a member for 7 years over 3000 posts and does not know the difference between the 2 rifles how to mount a scope on them or what a floated barrel means lol. well I like the pics shown and the responses but one does have to wonder
Click to expand...

I don't know. I have been a member of this forum for awhile and have had an interest in guns and the shooting sports since about age 8 which was 1958. While over the years I have gained knowledge in many areas there are many guns today I know little about. I think we tend to learn more about the guns we have an interest in and enjoy shooting. Then a new (new to us) gun may pique our interest so we look to learn more about it.

Ron
 
stinger 327 said:
So for mounting one scope and one aimpoint type of laser sight for quick target acquisition the AR-10 would be better for that? It's not possible to mount both types of optics on the M1A?
In either rifle I would think you could get best results in accuracy with a scope vs. open iron sights even though both rifles came with iron sights and the M1A was not made to have a scope?
Click to expand...

You can mount a scope on either rifle. The initial problem is that the M1A or actually the M14 was never really designed with a scope in mind. That just makes it a little more difficult to come up with a really good and secure scope mounting platform for the rifle. There were several actual sniper variations of the M14 rifle like the M21 and M25 Sniper Rifles which did accommodate a scope. If you want a rifle which is easily scoped then the AR10 Flat Top is a good direction to look. Using my own as an example you can see in the picture that the flat top opens possibilities for a wide range of optics. Additionally when it comes to optics keep in mind that good glass comes with a hefty price. Thus if you buy rifle and optics together and get high end glass your budget will die very quickly. You may want to focus on just the rifle and optics down the road a little.

Ron
 
stinger 327 said:
What are the differences between these two rifles? Is one more accurate than the other for long distance shooting? Which one is the better rifle? I don't know much about the AR-10 rifle as far as cost? Which companies makes this AR-10 model?
Click to expand...
Lots of good answers. I'll leave out "soul" (which the M1A series has in spades) and talk about ergonomics: the AR is better. I don't think any rifle platform has better ergonomics than the AR-style rifles (and I include my SCAR in that AR-style category, even though I think the SCAR is better ergonomically). This is doubly true if you ever shoot the M1A while it's raining and it spits in your face with each round.

I'd add the SCAR-17s to your list as well, if you like the ergonomic trade-offs. It's not "better" than the AR-style rifles - just different, and I like the trade-offs quite a bit.

upload_2016-10-26_15-34-10.png
 
I would expect your average AR10 to be stand up to more shooting without breakage than today's M1A. The old M1As were largely M14 parts - the new ones rely on a lot of cast replacements that just don't hold up as well as the originals.
 
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