AK,AR15 or M1A
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Rupestris
Member
M1A.
Draws fewer strange looks when deer hunting.
More ammo choices for hunting.
.223 isn't legal for deer in Michigan so an AR would have to be a AR10. If I'm spending that much I'll get the M1A.
M1A is dead sexy.
Draws fewer strange looks when deer hunting.
More ammo choices for hunting.
.223 isn't legal for deer in Michigan so an AR would have to be a AR10. If I'm spending that much I'll get the M1A.
M1A is dead sexy.
Eightball
Member
I'd pick an AK. Wouldn't jam (a plus in the defense dept, who cares about penetration?), heavy enough bullet to kill most anything (good for hunting, especially if using HP), and plinking with them=fun in general. An added bonus is having the anti's call you a "baby-killing (fill in the blank)" for having a "durn commie gun" 
. That, and they're cheaper than the rest, so I could load up on mags (75 round drum, anyone? And can I get a few 30-rounders in with that? ) and ammo (1000 rounds or so to start off with) for the same price as the other rifles' "right outta the box" price.
I'm betting this thread will become an interesting can of worms....sounds fun.
. That, and they're cheaper than the rest, so I could load up on mags (75 round drum, anyone? And can I get a few 30-rounders in with that? ) and ammo (1000 rounds or so to start off with) for the same price as the other rifles' "right outta the box" price.I'm betting this thread will become an interesting can of worms....sounds fun.
cslinger
Member
AK for plinking and defense
AR for target shooting and defense.
M1A does it all. Hunting, defense, plinking, target shooting. .308 surplus is cheap around 3.99 for 20 rounds here and hunting/defensive rounds come in a dizzying array of choices. The gun is accurate, has 20 round magazines readily available while also haveing excellent 5 round magazines available. The .308 should be enough bullet for just about any creature on the North American continent and plenty for deer. I am not a hunter but from what I have seen the .308 will do just about anything with the right shot placement. About the only negatives are the price and the fact that scoping one for hunting is a bit difficult, no more so then the others but the scope will sit a bit high.
I suggest a scout squad as it is a very handy rifle.
AR for target shooting and defense.
M1A does it all. Hunting, defense, plinking, target shooting. .308 surplus is cheap around 3.99 for 20 rounds here and hunting/defensive rounds come in a dizzying array of choices. The gun is accurate, has 20 round magazines readily available while also haveing excellent 5 round magazines available. The .308 should be enough bullet for just about any creature on the North American continent and plenty for deer. I am not a hunter but from what I have seen the .308 will do just about anything with the right shot placement. About the only negatives are the price and the fact that scoping one for hunting is a bit difficult, no more so then the others but the scope will sit a bit high.
I suggest a scout squad as it is a very handy rifle.
cslinger
Member
WEPS are you from East Nunya or West Nunya. I used to live just South in the little town of Dammbisnus.
There is no "do it all" rifle. Everything has drawbacks. It all depends on what you want the rifle to do.
"Defense?" Despite the screams of the partisans and haters, every one of those rifles will perform a defensive role just fine.
"Plinking?" All will do that OK, too. The M1A loses some ground here due to the cost of ammo, which is almost always more expensive than 7.62x39 and 5.56 NATO.
At this point, you need to decide where your other priorities lie. Accuracy? Economics? Ergonomics? Logistics? All three will plink and defend perfectly fine. The only way to decide is to make other specifications.
Mike
"Defense?" Despite the screams of the partisans and haters, every one of those rifles will perform a defensive role just fine.
"Plinking?" All will do that OK, too. The M1A loses some ground here due to the cost of ammo, which is almost always more expensive than 7.62x39 and 5.56 NATO.
At this point, you need to decide where your other priorities lie. Accuracy? Economics? Ergonomics? Logistics? All three will plink and defend perfectly fine. The only way to decide is to make other specifications.
Mike
iamkris
Member
I have all three...my impressions
Defense short range = AK or AR
Defense long range = M1A
Plinking = AR or AK
Hunting short range = M1A or AK
Hunting long range = M1A
They are different rifles for different tasks ...one isn't perfect for everything
Defense short range = AK or AR
Defense long range = M1A
Plinking = AR or AK
Hunting short range = M1A or AK
Hunting long range = M1A
They are different rifles for different tasks ...one isn't perfect for everything
if it was me i would choose the rugar mini-14 rifle because the ammo is easier to come by and it dont have that black politicaly incorrect look to it plus its easier to keep clean and its about in the same accuracy ball park as the ak but easier to get ammo for,i like the m1 but they are a little bit expensive to me but they are great looking rifles though.
The M1A is a very capable, reliable, user-friendly rifle with a distinguished pedigree (John Garand had a hand in it and it was of course descended from the M1 Garand). I prefer the forged reciever but the SA chugs along nicely at around the 2000 round mark. Just finished a match this weekend that replicated the Sandbox.
There are a lot of things I like about it but one of the nicest is how easy it is to maintain. I got real tired of trying to keep the AR action clean whereas I can be done with the M1A in ten minutes.
The 5.56 can equal or surpass the 7.62 on the target range--but that's only one indicator and not all that important. As the saying goes, a good big man can beat the hell out of a good small man.
The 7.62 x 39 is a good 4 MOA, 200 yard ctg.
There are a lot of things I like about it but one of the nicest is how easy it is to maintain. I got real tired of trying to keep the AR action clean whereas I can be done with the M1A in ten minutes.
The 5.56 can equal or surpass the 7.62 on the target range--but that's only one indicator and not all that important. As the saying goes, a good big man can beat the hell out of a good small man.
The 7.62 x 39 is a good 4 MOA, 200 yard ctg.
I would just like to point out that the M1A would be just as reliable as an AK and that it is going to be made out of good metals for sure, not so sure about the AK. Scoping the M1A can get expensive but who needs it, right? Who wants to go hunting with an AK? I would feel bad to insult the deer by shooting it with a commie cheapo instead of the american bad ass of battlerifles. (can you tell i'm an M1A owner? )
)The AR is perfectly reliable assuming two things:
1. You buy quality (RRA, DPMS, Bushmaster, Colt, Armalite). The AR design is less tolerant of sloppy assembly and out of spec parts than, say, the AK. Get a good one, though, and it will run like a top.
2. You maintain the weapon. You don't have to go nuts with the cleaning, giving it a good going-over after you shoot it each time will be fine. Just don't expect to be able to neglect it for thousands of rounds and months on end before hosing it down with brake cleaner. An AK will probably tolerate that. An AR probably won't.
The AR is more expensive to get and run than an AK, but (if you take care of it) it will be perfectly reliable, more accurate, and more ergonomic (subjective). The M1A will be a lot more expensive to get and run than either, but it should also be reliable if you take care of it, and it has a harder hitting round.
Any of the three will work for casual shooting and home defense.
Mike
1. You buy quality (RRA, DPMS, Bushmaster, Colt, Armalite). The AR design is less tolerant of sloppy assembly and out of spec parts than, say, the AK. Get a good one, though, and it will run like a top.
2. You maintain the weapon. You don't have to go nuts with the cleaning, giving it a good going-over after you shoot it each time will be fine. Just don't expect to be able to neglect it for thousands of rounds and months on end before hosing it down with brake cleaner. An AK will probably tolerate that. An AR probably won't.
The AR is more expensive to get and run than an AK, but (if you take care of it) it will be perfectly reliable, more accurate, and more ergonomic (subjective). The M1A will be a lot more expensive to get and run than either, but it should also be reliable if you take care of it, and it has a harder hitting round.
Any of the three will work for casual shooting and home defense.
Mike
SnakeEater
Member
I gotta tell ya, get the M14/M1A and don't look back. Actually nothing wrong with owning all of 'em, but the other two don't compare. I'm not saying the AR or AK are not fine weapons in their own right, but to me an AR or AK instills no pride of ownership. Everytime I detail strip my M14 I get a big goofy grin on my face, the genius behind the design is evident.
Most capable rifle of three...M14. They shoot like a dream. Most reliable....I'll grudgingly say a tie between the M14 and AK. Coolness factor...M14. Ease of maintainence....M14. Get a genuine battle rifle...get the M14. I recommend you get an LRB forged reciever while you still can, it'll be there for you to pass on to your grandkids.
AKs and ARs are a dime a dozen, you can always pick'em up later.
Most capable rifle of three...M14. They shoot like a dream. Most reliable....I'll grudgingly say a tie between the M14 and AK. Coolness factor...M14. Ease of maintainence....M14. Get a genuine battle rifle...get the M14. I recommend you get an LRB forged reciever while you still can, it'll be there for you to pass on to your grandkids.
AKs and ARs are a dime a dozen, you can always pick'em up later.
RTFM
member
I was under the impression that they ALL were genuine battle rifles.
And my vote is for what ever YOU want WEPS. I like them all.
RTFM
Kaylee
Member
I'll second Coronoch's advice -- there *is* no "good for everything" rifle.
The M14 pattern is as close as you'll come though I think. The ammo will be too expensive for "just plinking," it won't be as durably accurate as a good target bolt gun, and it won't be as light and easy to carry as a good hunting rifle. But it will suffice for all those roles.
Now I'm no hunter, but I'd not be inclined to trust either the AR or the AK in that role. A better shot and more experienced stalker might.
The "multipurpose rifle" is kinda like carrying a leatherman type tool. It's never the *best* tool for the job, but if you're not carrying around a toolbox, it'll do most of the time.
Personally, I'd go with either the AR or AK (take your pick) as a plinking-social rifle, and pick up a decent production bolt rifle for the hunting role. I know it's not as nifty as having one "SHTF" rifle for everything, but having specialized tools allows you to get things better suited for the respective roles, and none of us are particularly likely to be restricted to a single rifle the rest of our lives.
The M14 pattern is as close as you'll come though I think. The ammo will be too expensive for "just plinking," it won't be as durably accurate as a good target bolt gun, and it won't be as light and easy to carry as a good hunting rifle. But it will suffice for all those roles.
Now I'm no hunter, but I'd not be inclined to trust either the AR or the AK in that role. A better shot and more experienced stalker might.
The "multipurpose rifle" is kinda like carrying a leatherman type tool. It's never the *best* tool for the job, but if you're not carrying around a toolbox, it'll do most of the time.
Personally, I'd go with either the AR or AK (take your pick) as a plinking-social rifle, and pick up a decent production bolt rifle for the hunting role. I know it's not as nifty as having one "SHTF" rifle for everything, but having specialized tools allows you to get things better suited for the respective roles, and none of us are particularly likely to be restricted to a single rifle the rest of our lives.
Coronach is correct. My Armalite AR flattop works just fine as long as I use decent ammo (Wolf works great). I have had trouble with reloads/cheap stuff at gun shows, but most surplus and factory is just fine. It easy and fun to shoot and has almost no kick (especially after shooting an M1A). I would recommend it if you don't plan to do much long range fire.
If you want to say cheap and .30 caliber, you might try an M1 Garand also.
I would recommend it if you don't plan to do much long range fire. If you want to say cheap and .30 caliber, you might try an M1 Garand also.
Sleeping Dog
Member
Can you find a 5-round magazine for the M1A? You can't use a bigger mag for hunting deer in MI with semi-auto.
Regards
svtruth
Member
Ak-47
I just bought a nice looking Norinco. I'm in the 7 day waiting period to pick it up. I liked it's looks, it was $310 out the door and Clinton banned their importation. Couldn't resist.
I just bought a nice looking Norinco. I'm in the 7 day waiting period to pick it up. I liked it's looks, it was $310 out the door and Clinton banned their importation. Couldn't resist.
Commissar Gribb
Member
I think this list should be AR15, SKS, or M1A. It's really not fair to compare a stubby 16" barreled blaster to a 20" barrelled long rifle.
regardless- I would take an M1A over the 2 others for any situation short of SHTF and maybe even in that situation too.
why? The M1A is highly reliable, has available parts, cheap available ammo, a substantial round with quite a bit of power behind it, available magazines as reasonable prices, and that all wrapped up in a very attactive looking design.
add that to the fact that M1A style rifles are available in several different designs ranging from short 16" scout models to longer marksman ones. The M1A served honorably in our nation's military for many years as the M14 and continues today as the M21.
The reason I dont have one is the price. Damn are they expensive! I hate spending over 1k on a single purchase- I guess I'm just cheap that way.
regardless- I would take an M1A over the 2 others for any situation short of SHTF and maybe even in that situation too.
why? The M1A is highly reliable, has available parts, cheap available ammo, a substantial round with quite a bit of power behind it, available magazines as reasonable prices, and that all wrapped up in a very attactive looking design.
add that to the fact that M1A style rifles are available in several different designs ranging from short 16" scout models to longer marksman ones. The M1A served honorably in our nation's military for many years as the M14 and continues today as the M21.
The reason I dont have one is the price. Damn are they expensive! I hate spending over 1k on a single purchase- I guess I'm just cheap that way.
As someone who owns, and shoots, all three of the above examples...
(Well, sort of, I own an M14NM, not an M1A)
1. I'm loathe to categorize my M14NM as a plinking rifle, even with my handloads. I've got too much invested in the gun, and the ammo. If your budget allows it, then by all means. Hunting, the dreaded SHTF scenario, and competition are a different story, however.
2. I've gotten Wisconsin whitetail with my Bulgarian SLR-95, using decent softpoint ammo fed from the proper 5-round magazines. The ranges at which I took my shots were reasonable for the cartridge, and I hope this fall to fill my deer tag with my SAR-1. I don't have to hunt with an AK, I've got safes full of "proper" deer guns, but I defy somebody to tell me I cannot bring home venison with an AK in 7.62x39.
3. .223 is illegal in my home state for deer hunting. AR for plinking or target use? Ok.
4. The M14/M1A is a battle rifle by definition. The AK and AR are not.
(Well, sort of, I own an M14NM, not an M1A)
1. I'm loathe to categorize my M14NM as a plinking rifle, even with my handloads. I've got too much invested in the gun, and the ammo. If your budget allows it, then by all means. Hunting, the dreaded SHTF scenario, and competition are a different story, however.
2. I've gotten Wisconsin whitetail with my Bulgarian SLR-95, using decent softpoint ammo fed from the proper 5-round magazines. The ranges at which I took my shots were reasonable for the cartridge, and I hope this fall to fill my deer tag with my SAR-1. I don't have to hunt with an AK, I've got safes full of "proper" deer guns, but I defy somebody to tell me I cannot bring home venison with an AK in 7.62x39.
3. .223 is illegal in my home state for deer hunting. AR for plinking or target use? Ok.
4. The M14/M1A is a battle rifle by definition. The AK and AR are not.
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