AR-10 Vs FAL

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Didorian

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Alright......
I've been putting thought into getting myself a new rifle...
Between the AR-10 and the FAL, which is the more accurate?
And Which is more rugged/reliable?
 
I just got an AR 10 in 7mm.08. With my hand-loads, I am getting SUB MOA with both 154gr Interlocks and 139gr Interlocks. Don't know about the "rugged" part yet but I have yet to have a failure to feed or any other problems so far.
 
I simply can't find anything wrong about the a r10/lr308 style guns. I have no need for the fal.
 
I shoot both. If I could only grab one, it would be the 20" Armalite AR-10.
 
The FAL is a great gun! Really a classic battle rifle. Easily capable of 2MOA, tough, rugged, reliable.

Unfortunately, setting one up to be as accurate as a decent AR-style rifle can be is quite a trick. Very accurate ones can be made, but it takes know-how and just isn't common.

AR rifles are very inherently accurate. You're likely to get one that shoots at least 1 MOA out of the box, with ammo it likes. Are they rugged? Yeah. You sure aren't likely to hurt one, considering what the Mk 11s are put through overseas.

[EDIT TO ADD: To see some incredibly intense use where an AR-10 derivative (XM-110) is in active use, spend $4 and watch Restrepo. If it can survive under those conditions, I'd say it's in the same league with the reliability of an FAL ... and still more accurate.]
 
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The AR is hands down more accurate, and the FAL is hands down more rugged and reliable.

As far as accuracy goes, the AR-10s are usually around 0.75-1.25 MOA with decent ammo. The FAL's vary between 2.5-4 MOA or so. The reliability difference is harder to quantify. I can't really put a number on it like with accuracy, but I can tell you that the FAL has a reputation as one of the most rugged and reliable firearms ever made. It is up there with the AK in that regard. The AR-10, while it has one of the best reputations for reliability among the various makes of .308 ARs, doesn't quite have the same reputation for reliability as even its smaller relative, the AR-15.

I would say the FAL would make a better battle rifle, while the Armalite would make a better range rifle.

If you want another option that has almost the accuracy of the AR-10 with almost the reliability of the FAL, you might look at the M-14 as well.
 
If I want accuracy over everything else I would get an AR-10 style rifle. And I'd spend the money and get a top shelf one like a LaRue OBR. If I want a rifle that is tough as nails, will shoot just about any ammo I put in it and can pull off 2 moa all day long I will get a FAL.

The AR will have a better trigger, be slightly easier to mount an optic on but the ergonomics are a tie.
 
if you got military training, the A2 configuration is what you are used to (or were when I was in), I own several, but my favorite remain my Armalite AR10A2s, dont really have an urge to scope an AR10 or any of my combat rifles save a Springfield Armory standard loaded M1A. FAL, I have only shot, do not own, but who knows, may get a wild hair and get one.
 
The AR10 configuration is capable of exception accuracy. I have seen match rifles built around the big receivers shoot sub MOA groups.

I am of the opinion that due to the long development and decades of service use the FAL will be a more reliable rifle in combat conditions.

FAL's unfortunately are not target rifles, the triggers are awful, the sights not as precise as AR's, and case life is short.

None of these are issues for military rifles given to ill trained cannon fodder.
 
I have fired a real FN-FAL ( Australian and UK issued) along side a real Armalite (Sudanese issued) AR-10.

The real FN-FAL was heavier, sturdier and able to handle a fair amount of dirt. But the FN-FAL sights are pretty rudimentary.

The real AR-10 was much lighter and more accurate. but somewhat finicky about sand and a real joke to fire on full auto.

I have not bothered with the hodge-podge of civilian parts guns that are now on the market.
 
AR-10 is going to be a more versatile rifle for the money. Much easier to set up an AR-10 for hunting if that is your thing. The FAL is a fine weapon but for me the only reason to get an FAL is for the history. I say get both but put the AR-10 first on the list.
 
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