Cant find a .308 MBR i like in my price range

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

jlott00

Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2009
Messages
195
i cant seem to find a 308 i like thats in my price range, i like the m1a but its 1300 bucks plus another 200 for mags,

saiga 308, like it but mags are 40 bucks! so you end up with 900 bucks in a saiga, might as well get an m1a

G3, im a lefty so the op rod is on the wrong side.....

fals are like 1200.......then mags

there are some Ar type 308's but im not big on a DI, BECAUSE* i want a gun i can not clean for long periods.....i have no experience ....please no ARvsXX debates

i want semi autos btw and about 10 at least GOOD mags, any rifles out there i dont know about?
at this point im saving for an m1a but thats a lot of money
 
If you know that you want an M1A, save up for it and get one.

.308 "battle rifles" are inherently rather expensive, since most of them were designed when forging and complicated hand machining were standard and affordable manufacturing procedures, and there is fairly little remaining military surplus spillover to keep prices down, the way there is for the AR-15 and AKM types.

You could find an FAL for under $1000 and get mags for $13-15 each, but if you know that you want the M1A I would save up for it.
 
The rifle is the cheapest part when considering a semi. Pony up like the rest of us...otherewise stop whining.

If you cannot afford the mags, you won't be able to afford to feed it.
 
you could go with a cetme save for the oprod good luck I think you just ruled them all out! I agree with z-michigan.
 
I have an Entreprise FAL I picked up at an auction for about $600, and I'm happy with it. It looks good, shoots great, and sure beats the living hell out if the Century FAL I had years back.
I've never seen one at a gun store, but Entreprise's web site shows they start at about $1000, but seem to be on sale for $800 pretty often. The most I've paid for a mag was $12, most were $10 in as new condition.
 
Saw an SKS "M" style (AK mags) for $400 this week. I keep mine as a ready grab truck shooter. It sits right on top of my Aluminum rifle case holding an M1A and 700. If neither of those three will not handle a situation then you do not need to be there. You will like an SKS. I have several and used to love my "bubba'd" up one. Folding stock, bipod, and scope made the little shooter very accurate. Six inch groups at 200 yds will get you by most any day. Some of these old shooters are very accurate. They are not tack drivers but then they don't cost like one either.
 
I have an Entreprise FAL I picked up at an auction for about $600, and I'm happy with it. It looks good, shoots great, and sure beats the living hell out if the Century FAL I had years back.
I've never seen one at a gun store, but Entreprise's web site shows they start at about $1000, but seem to be on sale for $800 pretty often. The most I've paid for a mag was $12, most were $10 in as new condition.
Click to expand...

Atlantic Firearms has the Entreprise FAL for around $800.

FAL mags are nowhere near as cheap and common as they used to be. Lately you are looking at $10-15/mag for fair condition and $18+ for good to excellent condition.
 
If you buy an Enterprise, be sure that you get it as a complete rifle, and not a kit rifle with just an Ent. receiver; many of the the receivers were way out of spec. Ensuring that you get the full rifle makes sure that the company corrected any rec. issues that they might have had. Still not a great reason to get one in my opinion; a Century can be made to shoot pretty well.

Now, all of that said; I'm an M1A fan through and through. Look carefully, and you can find a used standard model for around $1200. I'm not entirely sure why you think that you need 10 mags from the git go; get 2 or 4 or 6...work your way up.

Another thing to consider is that if your like many of us, you will want to have the specific tools for any of the battle rifles. Disclaimer: I've never owned a G3/Cetme/HK91. That said, if you have interest in being proficient with either a FAL or an M14 platform, your gonna have to collect certain tools as well; just comes with the territory. I've probably got $100 or more in tools for my M1A, and there are one or two that I want. It was the same way with the FAL, perhaps a little cheaper. Keep this in mind.

A battle rifle is an investment, regardless of which one. But, after the investment is made, you'll be quite happy, knowing that not only can you shoot with that rifle, but do lower level maintenance on it as well.
 
Speaking as a fellow lefty, I got an M1. Mine's in .308, but .30-06 is more affordable at the moment. With a bit of practice, the 8-round clip size really doesn't slow you down, and it definitely does save money to not need magazines. The ergonomics are good, reliability and durability are good, accuracy is good. You have limited optics options, but there are options (I went for an AmegaRanges rail and Burris pistol scope).
 
$1,200+ seems to be about the going rate of a .308 semi auto MBR and magazines.
Just save up for an M1A rather than pay 2/3 as much for something you won't be as happy with.
 
If you could live without 20rd mags, get a M1 Garand. $600 or so will get you a nice one from the CMP. $1000 will get you an excellant rifle with a new barrel. Enblocs are cheap, and the CMP will be selling 30.06 again shortly.
 
thanks for the info. i just wanted to see if there was anything else out there for me i wasnt aware of, but seems there is not.

Im going to continue to save for the m1a.

and try and "stop whining" :D
 
Look for a good used M1A. I found a SuperMatch that was worn out and upgraded it to a M25 Crazy Horse and I could not be happier. Took a little while to get her done but I could not be happier. And the total price was lower than that of a new M21 Springfield.
 
Speaking as a lefty, don't bother with a FAL or a CETME.

i have an M1A Loaded and a Saiga 308 - once you get one..... well, don't let the introductory price get in your way. That's just the downpayment - ammo is the main cost in the long run; if you wanna shoot and not just oogle.

If i were you, i'd get out and test-drive before you buy.
 
Buy a Garand and you won't need mags.:D

But seriously ammo is your main cost, the rifle is the cheap part these days.
 
I've never used an FAL or CETME left handed, but why don't lefties c0ck it with their right hand like righties do to AKs with their left?
 
Last edited:
"there are some Ar type 308's but im not big on a DI, BECAUSE* i want a gun i can not clean for long periods.....i have no experience"


That's just painful to read.
 
With operating handles, they are where they are. The M1A works for lefties because it's their off hand. It works for right handers regardless, as it was made that way. You just have to move your hand when loading, like it or not. With a CETME, HK, or other, it's the same thing. Mags are cheap, tho.

With the AR, cleaning is not a much as the rumor mill and internet have made. If anything, it's flat wrong. Lots of AR shooters have learned cleaning isn't what it's been distorted to be by Command directives and other ignorance. Has nothing to do with being DI or not.

What it boils down to is being lefthanded or whatever, buy what you like and can afford. If it's just going to sit around for long periods, it will always be awkward to shoot.
 
.308 ar

Check out the gun auction sites. sometimes you can find good deals. I got an armalite ar-10 on gunbroker last year for $1200. The gun looked almost new! By the way, last saturday i picked up a loaded m1a for $1300. plus my POS colt/umerx.22lr. I think i got a good deal!
 
Save for the M1A, it's worth it.

For general utility, I would recommend the M1A Scout as the most practical blend of balance, range, and power.

The standard is also nice but with that 22" barrel, it loses some of its handiness for general chores.

I have a "Loaded" model that has been fantastic. My only complaint is that 22" medium contour barrel. If I had it to go over again I would go with a Scout.

Regardless, the M1A is a sweet rifle and if you have found a hankering to own one, it is definitely worth it to save and get one.
 
Several thoughts jump to mind

Buy once, cry once. You will have it forever.

Quality will be remembered long after cost is forgotten.

I can think of one firearm that I've easily put $4,000 worth of ammo through it. Kinda makes the cost of the firearm much less important.

You can always go used for the rifle you want. Most haven't been fired much and there can be a substantial savings over new.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

C
  • Locked
M1A losing ground to other 308's?
2 3 4
Replies
78
Views
5K
Heavy Barrel
H
H
  • Locked
I'm wanting more MBR's in .308 now that Wolf 7.62x39 is more $$$$
Replies
9
Views
857
hartzpad
H
D
  • Locked
So, I want a .308 MBR on the cheap...
2
Replies
37
Views
3K
artherd
A
J
  • Locked
.308 battle rifle choices?
2
Replies
36
Views
2K
dprice3844444
D
G
  • Locked
M1a - am I missing something?
2 3
Replies
51
Views
3K
ripcurlksm
R
Back
Top