Battle Rifle... can buy M1a loaded OR M4gry

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NickEllis

NickEllis

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I have a good friend who is an FFL dealer, and for my wedding present he has offered a below-dealer price for the weapon of my choice. I feel like I need to make a serious purchase in preparation for the '08 catastrophy that might be headed our way.

The price for a NIB M1a Loaded in stainless with the match trigger/barrel etc. is 1300 even. The price for a Colt LE6920 is going to be in the high 900's. I don't think I could afford either one at retail price again for a while after this, but want to get a solid, lifetime platform. I know (and am torn completely) about the different benefits of each platform (solid, reliable .308 M1a in a wonderful gun, vs. the modular, accurate, flexible platform of the AR).

A third option could be to get a .308 in an AR platform, like the new POF .308 that they just launched with the gas-piston system, but this would be more expensive still.

Those are really my options, I would LOVE some input. I won't see prices like this again soon from a dealer anyways, so would like to make this one a good one, especially if this is going to be the major battle rifle for a while.

Nick
 
both are great rifles and will serve you well. They are pretty different rifles, however. One suggestion might be to go with whichever one looks "better" to you. There's a pretty big weight difference too.

Generally, 223 ammo is cheaper, so that may be another factor to consider.

Can't go wrong with either, so maybe the Colt with 1000-2000 rds of ammo might be better than just the M1A...
 
Carbine != Battle Rifle. They serve different roles.

The carbine (M4) is for short-range work, whereas the battle rifle (M1A/M14/FAL/etc) is a harder-hitting reach out and touch someone piece.

Clearly, you'll need both.

:)
 
Is there some question as to which would "go first" should the demoratic legislation pick up? I certainly would love both, but priorities, right...?

I would also like to shoot some three-gun and high-power along with my IDPA matches, but thats probably down lower on the list of priorities for this buy.
 
I've really thought alot about the big-game hunting as well, and have looked at some of the uppers out there. I love the 6mm options available for uppers to the AR, and could throw that on when I want to hit the woods. I would also LOVE to throw on a 24 in. varminteer upper with a Jewel trigger for the 500 yard range out back.

But the .308 WOULD take it to a whole new level. Has anyone totted it around the woods all day? I know its quite a bit heavier, does it become a nuisance after a day up and down the hills? I think a good battle rifle needs to be totable too.

Thanks for the replies.

Nick
 
i would say go for the ar but you should know that you could get a bushmaster for less than the price of the colt and the discounted rate, just a thought, but i am sure you would be happy with the bushmaster.
 
My own choice was 6920 -

My own choice was Colt 6920 - in the circumstances I would never settle for something less than the Colt just to pay a little less and get a little less.

I've moved away from full size rifles as I age - it's been at least 30 years since I last hefted an M14 and found the weight comfortable as well as comforting. I do have a nice .308 carbine but not a fighting rifle.

My advice is heft each one and pick the one that speaks to you.

Only one of them is a battle rifle and for a logical argument I'd say go M1A today and plan or hope to eventually buy a new Colt with an operating rod/ gas piston system in .223/5.56.
 
M1A in .308 os the way to go-they are getting harder to find and much more expensive. It is much more versatile-and has a greater range. I am an AR fan, but M1A is definately a better rifle.
 
You have a real situation here.

Observations:
Ammo - .308 and .223 are (right now) getting expensive. .223 (right now) is more available than .308 / 7.62x51mm.
Which is more available, in YOUR area?

Rifle - Equal ratings, in my opinion. I own both.
Granted, I bought my Colt AR-HBAR Match Target before the 'so-called' ban to end all bans. Price: $609.00. . . . $714.00 out the door.
M1A 'Standard' that has been truly accurized to at least Super Match condition. $2,000 cash.

Appearance - The AR 'looks' more 'anti-social' than an M14/M1A. However, in MY state, they are 'lumped together'. (Oh whoopie. . . . they're both anti-social.) Me. . . I'm just non-pc. :)

Future 'needs' - Will you need the 6mm upper, or the .50 Beauwolf (sp??) ?
In married life, will you be able to 'afford' either?

Bottom line - - (IMO, anyway.)
Go with the M1A. Prices are going up. The price of the AR platform has been pretty 'stable' for a while, now.
If you purchase the M14/M1A platform, start saving your pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters for the AR platform.
Buy the M1A and then go online to 44magdist.com (correct ???) and get some magazines for about $24.00 apiece.
PLUS. . . the Springfield Armory, Inc. (SAI) rifle has a LIFETIME warranty. Well worth it's price.

Thanks for reading.
 
just do like me have a M1garand with about 1100 rounds of greek surplus sittin in enbloc's. its cheap ! and so is the ammo and we all know they are battleproven too!
 
"Is there some question as to which would "go first" should the demoratic legislation pick up?"
The AR. Pistol grip, bayonet lugs, flash hider/muzzle break/whatever that thing on the end of the barrel is, folding or collapsible stocks, and an eeevil look to it. It's a lookalike to the full-auto M16, which makes it an MG by association. High-cap mags, too. The M1A looks more like a traditional rifle, thus it is less evil.
 
I'd pick the middle ground and get that 18" Scout M1A. But that's just me.

Of course, the 308 ARs look real interesting too. I can't wait until RRA gets their act together with that LAR-10. I've got a ton of FAL mags.
 
I was tempted to chime in, but hkenvy91 beat me to it. But the token Garand plug is out of the way.

If it's down to 1 of 2, and lets face it you're getting married so you will NOT
be getting THIS chance again for a while;

Get the M1a. It will cost more to clothe and feed but .308 is the one gun winner of the two in my book.

I'd love the Colt myself as I was trained on one and know they are really fast-handling weapons and a great joy to shoot. I'd have one except the last time I had that kind of cash another M-1 appeared...

The other factor really is your spouse--is she shooting this weapon now or in the future? If so, the Colt may be the way to go if she is a non-gunner. And if she is, the AR is the place to start.

All kidding asside, congrats and best wishes.
 
Thanks for all the informative responses. I know there are alot of emotions going both ways, but the fact of the matter is they are both great platforms, in the best sense of the word. Two of the greatest weapon systems of modern warefare, if with different purposes and uses. I love shooting both of them, have handled both of them, and thats what makes it so difficult.

However, I think I will go with the M1a. I am combining a love for the heavy rifle with the fact that my wife is agreeing to about 150$ a week into the gun fund for the next while, due to the current nature of congress. Actually, I mean it for the first and only time when I say "Thank you Pelosi!" Hopefully I can pick both platforms up quickly, within the year, and start accumulating alot of ammo.

I have a pretty good handle on the options available for the AR's (drooool), and they are pretty awsome. Anyone who saw this past SHOT show realizes just how incredible the options are for the platform. However, I am wondering what the options are for the M1a, especially in terms of optics. The side-mount makes me nervous; can someone tell me about good options for optics and "secondaries" in the task of turning this project into a well-equipped, if somewhat mid-budget battle rifle? After all, I guess that is what this is turning into; developing a good battle platform. Besides just iron sights, any suggestions on what I should play into the budget to equip this baby? Thoughts are as always, greatly appreciated. Thanks for all the great posts.

Nick
 
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