While I think the FAL is an outstanding battle rifle, I prefer the M1a.
Better sights, in the match version, outstanding accuracy, I like the open top design and having the ability to positively close the bolt. My M1a triggers are outstanding, I have never felt a stock box FAL trigger as good.
The basic problem in comparing is that the advantageous features found in one are not duplicated in the other. So it really is, do you like chocolate or vanilla for your ice cream?, because you can’t have both.
So when it comes to that choice, I will take the M1a.