M1A v. AR10 v. FAL

I'm an M1A fanboy, having used a M14 in the USAF for Mil High Power shooting. I have and still shoot my Springer M1A Supermatch (S/N 013,xxx) that I got in 1979...it's a 1 to 1-1/2 MOA shooter.

I'm just a nostalgic old guy.

Harry

M1A w reg stocks dont feel good to me.
Am no AR fan.
FAL are heavy but comfy to shoot, since they have an AR style grip.

The latter are expensive, if going Belgian.

I shot an Argy years ago, 200 yards. Pops had it and said shoot it.

Wooden bench, short sleeve shirt. Hot out.
Did a 10 shot group irons could almost cover w palm. Never shot the gun before, was solid off elbows but it did kinda grind on me.

Dunno if that normal accuracy, good or bad.

Man that rifle was a tank. Reg model, not hvy bbl

Military Arms Channel on YouTube discusses this very subject:

BTW, my M1A Supermatch is an accurate rifle. I have a Basset Low Picatinny mount that has a Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 mounted. The attached shows a sight-in target that I shot back in Sept 2019 with 10 rounds of Fed GMM at 100 yards. Being an old school guy, I'll bet on this rifle, a couple of my 1911s, and my Rem 1100 with a slug barrel shooting 00 Buck or slugs for my 3 (or 4)-gun survival kit if I ever need one. At 75, not sure how long I'll need one but...

Harry, not yet doddering,

They all have pluses and minuses. I have intended to buy an AR-10. Haven't yet. I always liked the M-14's I was issued. The FAL type rifles are fun and interesting as I suppose some version of each was issued.as well. I guess I would be happy with any of them but not really compelled to buy any. None of them are the original lssue weapons as far as I know or original quality. Not sure if any version of the AR-10 was issued. Interested in comments though.

Flatbush Harry said:

BTW, my M1A Supermatch is an accurate rifle. I have a Basset Low Picatinny mount that has a Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 mounted. The attached shows a sight-in target that I shot back in Sept 2019 with 10 rounds of Fed GMM at 100 yards. Being an old school guy, I'll bet on this rifle, a couple of my 1911s, and my Rem 1100 with a slug barrel shooting 00 Buck or slugs for my 3 (or 4)-gun survival kit if I ever need one. At 75, not sure how long I'll need one but...View attachment 977526

Harry, not yet doddering,

Click to expand...

Nice.

The big issue for me is the charging handle on the AR. Just all around akward.

There seem to be several side-charging options out there. I keep getting tempted to build an AR using one of those.

You will end up with at least one of each anyway! Then you wonder maybe a G3/CETME or a 308 AK! I started with FAL/L1A1, then inside me kept saying a M14, then everyone talk about 308 ARs, you have to have one, why not a G3/CETME and 308 AKs! I added them all and still have 1 each except I sold my G3/CETME. G3/CETMEs are cool but the stock hits my cheek bone and hurt! It will be a difficult decision if I can only keep one.

I have at least one M14 and an AR10. The M14 is at the range more than the AR10. It's just something about shooting nice groups with the old battle rifle. That being said M14s can be a challenge to be made accurate but so can the AR10. I spent more on the M14 than the AR10 back in the day building with surplus GI Parts and nice forged receivers that use to be available. Unfortunately GI parts are getting scarce. Bassett mount makes the M14 easy to scope. Checkmate mags for the M14 are affordable when you can find them. If you go with an M14 type rifle check out Bula and JRA who uses Bula parts. I have one of the Armalite AR10s from back in the day of the ban and its a fine rifle as well. Very well built and accurate after I worked up the right load. During the ban they put a recoil reducer on the AR10 to get around the evil feature crap. It is actually better than a flash hider imo because it negates some of the recoil for better control. At the end of the day get what you like but you actually need both and enjoy shooting them...

I suggest also looking into a CMP M1 Garand “Special” in .308.
Essentially a rebuilt M1 with a refinishing, new Criterion barrel, and stock. The “daddy” of the M1A.Also likely least expensive option.

I think one should have at least one of each. One can get a number of different uppers for the AR 10 and shoot different cartridges easily. I think I have seen or read about more than 30 different rounds they have been chambered for.

I guess the answer would greatly depend on what you are looking to get out of it.

You say you like the looks of the M1A, if looking at them is your pass time, buy that one.

If all 3 are great examples of the platform the FAL will still be the least accurate of the 3.

Sold my M1A Loaded, heavy-stainless barrel and bought a good AR10. No regrets.

I dunno how well each model holds its value or appreciates.

Know where two FALs are for sale
A DSA para and a Belgian Para. The latter unfired. Owner said last he checked the Belgian was over 4K. Didnt know what current market is and wont say a price

Of course how much is unfired vs used?
Is a pull of the trigger gonna cost you 500 or more?

I used to really like my M1A. Now I absolutely LOVE it. M1A Loaded in a Sage chassis.

I love the action in the M1A, reliability has been flawless with anything I have shot in it.

I’ve shot an AR in .308, never the other two. I have handled FALs and M1As. At one point I had a serious jones for a .30 cal
battle rifle, however, and did a ton of research. Conclusions were as follows. They’re all great and so the best one depends on what you want it for.


Survival/a good gun to use for modern warfare, and you are currently based in the USA? AR10-type all the way. Modularity, optics (an essential in today’s combat) potentially lighter weight, better ergos, easy and broad parts availability, affordability, etc etc. From a spec sheet standpoint it’s simply the best platform today. Cross-shop with FN SCAR-17S.

A gun for the range, fondling, plinking, enjoyment, certain types of competition: take your pick of M1A or FAL, depending on whether you want to have the Vietnam vibe or the Falklands vibe. Either will be kinda pricey today, combat accurate (edge to M1A) and shines with the iron sights they were designed to use. FAL is probably “better,” but not if better-than-combat accuracy matters a lot.

Any of the 3 will serve for survival/emergency use in a pinch, so the question becomes, are you a tactical guy or a walnut and steel guy, or somewhere in between?

I haven't used my M1A Loaded much since I got my .308 Saiga.

The main candidates in this category are the M1A, the FAL, the G3/HK/PTR, and the AR-10. I have all of these except the AR-10, and of the ones I have, I prefer the FAL. But if I were to buy just one in this category, I think I would pick the AR-10. The main doubt I would have revolves around the fact that there are various "flavors" of AR-10's, and they don't have complete interchangeability between them.

Objectively, there's probably not a single reason to choose the FAL or M1A over an AR10. Especially now. the ergos are proven and familiar. They're lighter and infinitely customizable. However, subjectively, there's no denying how cool the FAL is and the M1A will always exude class the AR will never have. It's just a matter of what you want.

Got any friends that own them so you could at least get some hands on with each?

Probably the wrong time to be looking for any right now..

Owned all of the above accept the AR. Have friends who do but I've never shot them. Still have the DSAs (both scoped) and a Saiga. M1As (owned several--hated the Reese brothers version) were problematic if not tuned and bedded right.

The HK91 (very accurate with handloads--7/8 inch 8 shots irons @ 175 paces) and CETME were not particularly ergonomic or comfortable to shoot. Hint: keep the rollers clean and oiled if you live in a humid environment.

Here is the Saiga. I do have means to mount an optic if I choose. Saiga target with ADI ball at 100 yds (not mine).

Good luck finding anything at a reasonable price including ammo.

While I have shot several FAL rifles and enjoyed them I do not own one so really can't comment.

I do have an AR 10 and an M1A and really can't say I prefer one over the other. Both are setup for match and both are great shooters.



The bi-pods are just cheap plastic we used at gun shows years ago. Really as to which rifle goes to the range on any given day it's a matter of which mood strikes me. I don't have to be happy with your choice of rifle but you do. I suggest you handle each and handle them a good bit. One of them will just feel a little more right than the other. Make your decision based on your taste in a rifle. I won't be the one to suggest any one over the others since it's your dime. Whatever you choose enjoy it.

Ron

FALs were great in there day, but that is not today. They are only slightly cheaper as they are remaufactured w surplus parts. The receivers streach til they are no longer usable, as the lock surface is beheind the magazine. For not a lot more money, you could have an all new AR10 & never be concerned about the circa 1958 parts in your gun cracking or wearing out. M1s are great too, but again many (not all) of them are parts guns on new receivers sold as "new" guns. Much easier msintainence w ar also.

Mine are built with original, like-new Austrian STG58 kits, with hammer forged barrels, not worn out junk. Taken apart, dropped in a bag, packaged, and shipped to the US.

Brazilian Imbel (new), Belgium FAL G1, Steyr type 50.0 (new) are ones I've owned.

How much ammunition does it take to stretch and crack a forged steel receiver? 10,000 rounds? You will need parts (likely bolt) and other maintenance items on an AR10 by then too.

I'll bet you have a tunable gas block on your AR10, too.

M