Does this sound like a good police rifle?

[Piedmont Plinker]

Springfield M1A scout squad with a full auto option.
Both Clyde Barrow and Frank Hamer used BAR's with cut down barrels. This seems to me like a good idea when applied to an M1A. Shoot it semi for longer range, accurate work, or full for close range or to be used as a LMG.
10, 20, or 50 rd drm magazine.

 

[MikeH]

.308 at full auto is very difficult to control. I'd hate to think of the lawsuits from innocent bystanders that will follow.

 

[Piedmont Plinker]

It may be hard to control, but think about it like this: semi most of the time but with LMG capabilities if nescecarry.

 

[BADUNAME13]

Ditch the selector switch... If you keep it get a GOOD comp

Smith enterprises...

 

[jerkface11]

Sounds like an absolutly AWFUL police gun. A good police gun would be an H&R handi rifle in .30-30. Under no circumstances do the cops need a full auto. In fact they've begun to prove themselves untrustworthy with semi autos lately. I know i can't think of any scenario where a cop would need to go full auto. I realize that this is THR so someone will come up for some excuse of SHTF scenario in which only a full auto equiped cop will get the job done but in the real world it's just silly.

 

[Dienekes]

No.

 

[10-Ring]

Full auto 308 is a bad idea. At most, maybe a tri-burst setting would be best for very specific applications, but a 308 in full auto is just inviting a law suit...especially here in the land of liability

 

[Avenger29]

The rifle that the M1A is based on, the M-14, originally had full auto capability. And it didn't work too well- control issues. The military ended up deactivating the full auto option on most of them.

 

[BsChoy]

I would have to say not a good LE gun. Controlability and power factor are too great for a general purpose patrol rifle. The only time I would think this combo a good thing would be if a was a Sheriffs deputy in the middle of nowhere with backup 20-30 minutes out. A 223/5.56mm ar platform is what we use and believe me it will take care of any troubles you might have in an urban/suburban environ.

 

[Glockfan.45]

Having shot a full auto HK51 in .308 I can tell you its a real chore to keep them on target. I doubt the M1A is much better. I think the only full auto LEOs need to be using are pistol caliber sub guns IMO. I dont see any use for then having a big caliber battle rifle unless your talking about a designated marksman or such, otherwise its just a liability.

 

[lowes79]

It's true that the m-14 was fased out due to the control issues of a .308 or .30/06(the originals were /06 but apparently they killed to well for the military), so why didn't they just put a 3rd burst on it. the 14s still used by elite units because it's got the power, rang, and accuracy of a sniper rifle with the ability to go auto. it'd be a lot better with 3 round burst!

 

[LaEscopeta]

…with LMG capabilities if nescecarry.

If I lived anyplace where it was necessary for the police to have LMG capabilities, I would move.

 

[Dr_2_B]

Sorry CZ22, I'd have to say no. The second shot will go over bad guy's head and the fourth shot is anti-aircraft fire.

 

[MechAg94]

What are these M1A 50 round drum mags you speak of?

 

[Kaylee]

If I lived anyplace where it was necessary for the police to have LMG capabilities, I would move.

Yup.

Police != Infantry

 

[MechAg94]

Even with 3 round burst, the 2nd and 3rd shots will be high.
Elite units use the .308 for long range work. I haven't heard of one that used it for its full auto capability. I could understand wanting more penetration, but not full auto.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Does this sound like a good police rifle?

Mabye for a tough jurisdiction. Mogadishu possibly.

 

[Piedmont Plinker]

Umm...hypothetical 50rd mags, could probably be made, seeing that they have 75rd AK mags.
But if cops in the '20s had BARs, what would be wrong with cops in '07 having said hypothetical LMG's.
Is .30-06 more easily controlled in full-auto thant .308?
PS, would a bipod and some sort of porting/vent on the barrel help reduce muzzle climb?
This thread was just made because of reading and hearing about the short barrel BARs

 

[de]

I ran a swat team for five years and a tactical K-9 unit for 7. Didn't allow the full autos, and never found a need for one in any calibur. ARs, auto shotguns and 1 countersniper rifle.
308 in town?

 

[sharkhunter2018]

some M14's had bipods and even a pistol grip stock, but even then it wasnt easy to control.

 

[soul_rapier]

Beta C-MAG 7.62x51 M1A Drum Black 100 Rd

I wouldnt want it hard to control . But it would be fun to play with if it wouldnt jam

 

[zinj]

First of all, a Browning Automatic Rifle weighs about twice as much as an M1A (depending on configuration). The BAR has about half the recoil of the M1A.

Those police officers armed with BAR's were not your typical peace officer. Rather, they functioned more like hit squads. These teams often acted as judge, jury and executioner. Bonnie Parker and Cylde Barrow were ambushed and mowed down in their car (Parker hadn't even been directly involved in the robberies and killings that Barrow had perpetrated). John Dillinger was shot in the back as he left a movie theater, the officers not even attempting to arrest him.

I for one do not like this gradual change of police from peace officers to para-military forces.

 

[pipboy]

the hell do the police need with an automatic rifle!???

 

[Glockfan.45]

If I lived anyplace where it was necessary for the police to have LMG capabilities, I would move.

No doubt. I see on FNs website they list the Browning M2 as available to LE Agencies . Now thats just a scary thought.

the hell do the police need with an automatic rifle!???

Like I said before, I can see the use for a subgun in serving high risk warrants or drug raids where the suspects are known to be armed and dangerous. But LMGs or high powered true assault rifles no.

 

[Chindo18Z]

What matheath said...even with bipod and pistol grip stock. Horrible choice for a police weapon.

The 7.62 NATO select-fire M14 is next to useless as an automatic support weapon. The full auto feature would be even less usefully accurate out of the Scout.

There is a reason that the BAR (and its LEO Monitor version) were popular and accurate...significant weight. The M14 platform does not have the required mass to effectively deliver controllable automatic fire.

Granted...its a hoot to fire on the range...but completely impractical as a squad automatic rifle.

And yes, I've fired several thousand rounds out of select-fire M14s.

The weapon that would actually work for LEO is the BAR that you have already mentioned. Better yet, a semi-auto M14 or stock M1A Scout.

YMMV