FAL vs. M1A - if you could only pick one?
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AZ Jeff
Member
It depends on what I am going to do with the rifle. Is it for competition? If so, what type (3-gun, high-power, etc.)? Is it for "survival"?
Am I going to be doing my own repairs/upgrades, etc.? Or am I going to have a 'smith do the work?
All of these questions would be factors in my answer, as these rifles have strengths and weaknesses that would influence my decision.
Am I going to be doing my own repairs/upgrades, etc.? Or am I going to have a 'smith do the work?
All of these questions would be factors in my answer, as these rifles have strengths and weaknesses that would influence my decision.
Devonai
Member
I would be absolutely thrilled with either one, but I would prefer the M1A as I am already intimately familiar with my Garand.
I do think the M1A has better iron sights.
I do think the M1A has better iron sights.
AZ Jeff
Member
Yup, the sights on the M-1/M14/M1A are hard to beat. The FAL sights, though, are not bad, just not as good as the .30 cal. US Service rifles.
The take-down of the FAL IS EASIER, as is the maintenance of the gas system. Mag changes on the FAL are ever so slightly easier.
The trigger on the US rifles is almost always better than the FAL, and is also 2-stage, which to me is a plus, ESPECIALLY when target/precision shooting.
Both rifles are a pain in the butt on which to mount a telescope.
The take-down of the FAL IS EASIER, as is the maintenance of the gas system. Mag changes on the FAL are ever so slightly easier.
The trigger on the US rifles is almost always better than the FAL, and is also 2-stage, which to me is a plus, ESPECIALLY when target/precision shooting.
Both rifles are a pain in the butt on which to mount a telescope.
Gordon
Member
I haven't been able to make this choice!
I have 30 mags for my M-14 and 25 Metric and 30 inch mags for my FN's! My m-14 is a National Match gun (a real one) and whith a scope is more accurate (1MOA). BUT it is more finicky. One FN is a full out Arizona Response System Carbine with new barrel ect. it is 2 MOA accurate. The stock L1A1 is closer to 3 MOA. I couldn't live with just one!
I have 30 mags for my M-14 and 25 Metric and 30 inch mags for my FN's! My m-14 is a National Match gun (a real one) and whith a scope is more accurate (1MOA). BUT it is more finicky. One FN is a full out Arizona Response System Carbine with new barrel ect. it is 2 MOA accurate. The stock L1A1 is closer to 3 MOA. I couldn't live with just one!
Badger Arms
Member
Neither. Actually, I would like to see a better grip (more vertical) on the FAL as well as an integral scope mount upper. On the M-1A, I'd love to see a scope mount that didn't weigh a pound and didn't get the crap beat out of it by ejecting brass. The FAL could use a good free-float handguard also.
M1A!!!
Problems mounting a scope?! Nope!! Arms #18 mount and an Arms #23 QD mount....Trijicon Reflex II...redundant see through iron sights. Unitized gas cynlinder, trigger job (3.5lbs).
Problems with maintenance?! Huh? This rifle could not be easier to maintain. Why would I want an adjustable gas system when the one I have works just fine. Eats .308 like candy
....T-A-C-K D-R-I-V-A-H....
This one gets my vote
MaceWindu
Problems mounting a scope?! Nope!! Arms #18 mount and an Arms #23 QD mount....Trijicon Reflex II...redundant see through iron sights. Unitized gas cynlinder, trigger job (3.5lbs).
Problems with maintenance?! Huh? This rifle could not be easier to maintain. Why would I want an adjustable gas system when the one I have works just fine. Eats .308 like candy
....T-A-C-K D-R-I-V-A-H....This one gets my vote
MaceWindu
M1911Owner
Member
Definitely the M1A, because the FAL isn't California legal.
gryphon
Member
The FAL.
Why? Because I've never shot an M1A, I have a FAL and am familiar with its manual of arms and can shoot it accurately.
Why? Because I've never shot an M1A, I have a FAL and am familiar with its manual of arms and can shoot it accurately.
ACP230
Member
I never warmed up to the FAL.
So, I'd take the M1A.
I have one and used it for rifle matches for years.
It is the most consistently accurate rifle I own.
So, I'd take the M1A.
I have one and used it for rifle matches for years.
It is the most consistently accurate rifle I own.
shoobe01
Member
Badger, try tapco's SAW style pistol grip. I got one for the hell of it, and ended up loving it. Great item, and yes, at a different angle.
The ARMS mount for the FAL is also rock-solid and quite lo-profile. Especially compared to the M14 mounts, so since this was a voting thing: advantage FAL. Yea!
I have a general, vague distrust of the mounting to wood (or I guess Fiberglas) all around for the M14, so tend to things like the FAL.
The mag change on the M14 seems to be slightly better by default. The front lug being spring mounted gets you out of the rock-and-lock fumble; push harder and you are home. The FAL's release is closer, and offset, so I often hit it with the trigger finger, which speeds things up a lot. If you can't, take it apart and fix it.
As a weapon system its also, well, a weapon system. The M14 was, very soon after issuance, locked to semi-auto only. But the FAL was issued in several lengths, folding and not, heavy barrel SAWs, and so on. Seems to be more flexible.
The para sight on the FAL is much nicer than the issue "rifle" ones. Protected ears, better picture and so on. The aperature is not quite as fine as the M1/M14, but it has a flipover for quicker range changes, and the point blank one can be (is?) drilled out to ghost ring size, which is nice. The FAL front is too big (but it was easy to chop off and insert a new pin). Of course, the M1As/M14s I have seen are awful thick as issued also. Too thick for real riflery.
The new short M1As are very nice, otoh. And a hell of a light, slick and solid mounting platform for an LER scope or dot. A bit short for a combo PVS/dot, though. Too bad.
I tend to go FAL, but would not cry if someone stole it and replaced it with an identically accurate and reliable M1A and the same number of mags.
The ARMS mount for the FAL is also rock-solid and quite lo-profile. Especially compared to the M14 mounts, so since this was a voting thing: advantage FAL. Yea!
I have a general, vague distrust of the mounting to wood (or I guess Fiberglas) all around for the M14, so tend to things like the FAL.
The mag change on the M14 seems to be slightly better by default. The front lug being spring mounted gets you out of the rock-and-lock fumble; push harder and you are home. The FAL's release is closer, and offset, so I often hit it with the trigger finger, which speeds things up a lot. If you can't, take it apart and fix it.
As a weapon system its also, well, a weapon system. The M14 was, very soon after issuance, locked to semi-auto only. But the FAL was issued in several lengths, folding and not, heavy barrel SAWs, and so on. Seems to be more flexible.
The para sight on the FAL is much nicer than the issue "rifle" ones. Protected ears, better picture and so on. The aperature is not quite as fine as the M1/M14, but it has a flipover for quicker range changes, and the point blank one can be (is?) drilled out to ghost ring size, which is nice. The FAL front is too big (but it was easy to chop off and insert a new pin). Of course, the M1As/M14s I have seen are awful thick as issued also. Too thick for real riflery.
The new short M1As are very nice, otoh. And a hell of a light, slick and solid mounting platform for an LER scope or dot. A bit short for a combo PVS/dot, though. Too bad.
I tend to go FAL, but would not cry if someone stole it and replaced it with an identically accurate and reliable M1A and the same number of mags.
yankytrash
Member
You could be all day waiting at the competition between two riflemen seeing if the FAL or M1A is more accurate.
Both mags/platforms are durable.
Either can be suitably field cleaned.
Both are proof-tested in many platforms.
Both buttstocks will wreck a man's family jewels.
I say, "either".
Both mags/platforms are durable.
Either can be suitably field cleaned.
Both are proof-tested in many platforms.
Both buttstocks will wreck a man's family jewels.
I say, "either".
BDM
Member
The logical Reason would be the FAL was the most widly used that means great support system,parts,mags.From the standpoint of reliability would be equal with the edge going to the FAL for ease of maintenence,From an accuracy point the edge goes to the M14.Feel and ergonomics the FAL..thats why I would pick the FAL..more widley used.My choice woulkd be an L1A1 austrailian or comonwealth FAL with sand cuts or a Springfield SAR48.
Kaylee
Member
As a fighting-type rifle? FAL. Mostly 'cause of the dirt-simple maintenence.. not having a bunch of operating parts whizzing around on the outside of the rifle's a nice feature as well. And honestly, I think the M14 sights are overdone for a military rifle.
As a general-purpose civvie rifle? M14 clone. Handles like a civvie sporting gun, dressed in wood looks enough like a civvie sporting gun so as not to spook the herd, and well.. just feels right.
As a general-purpose civvie rifle? M14 clone. Handles like a civvie sporting gun, dressed in wood looks enough like a civvie sporting gun so as not to spook the herd, and well.. just feels right.
Treylis
Member
FAL.
M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!
M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!
MaceWindu (Sorry, the force got outta control!)
M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!M1AM1AM1A!See pic above!!
MaceWindu (Sorry, the force got outta control!)
fissionproducts
Member
FAL. The right arm of the free world!
AZ Jeff
Member
Shoobe01 wrote:
"As a weapon system its also, well, a weapon system. The M14 was, very soon after issuance, locked to semi-auto only. But the FAL was issued in several lengths, folding and not, heavy barrel SAWs, and so on. Seems to be more flexible."
All the Commonwealth countries locked their FALS to semi-auto, too, once they began to field them to the general troops. A 9-10 lb rifle in 7.62x51 on full auto is just not a practical weapon to issue to the general troops, and everyone found that out the hard way, both the FAL users and the M14 users.
"As a weapon system its also, well, a weapon system. The M14 was, very soon after issuance, locked to semi-auto only. But the FAL was issued in several lengths, folding and not, heavy barrel SAWs, and so on. Seems to be more flexible."
All the Commonwealth countries locked their FALS to semi-auto, too, once they began to field them to the general troops. A 9-10 lb rifle in 7.62x51 on full auto is just not a practical weapon to issue to the general troops, and everyone found that out the hard way, both the FAL users and the M14 users.
Rebel Gunman HK
member
FAL. Its good.
For any sort of precision shooting, the M1A. Better sights, generally better accuracy, better ergonomics for target shooting.
For 'battle rifle' work, the FAL. Good enough sights, good enough accuracy, ergonomics that seem to work for more soldierly stuff than the M1A's. Plus hella tough and it will cycle anything that is close to spec if you dial the gas system far enough (so I'm told, anyway. Mine has been fed Hirtenberger mostly, so its eating healthy).
So, tossup. Note that a lot of the difference is preference (sights, ergonomics), and the rest is small enough that a 'good' example of one will outshine a 'bad' or even 'average' example of the other. Either way, you're fine. Shoot both. Get the one that feels best.
Mike
PS better yet, get both.
For 'battle rifle' work, the FAL. Good enough sights, good enough accuracy, ergonomics that seem to work for more soldierly stuff than the M1A's. Plus hella tough and it will cycle anything that is close to spec if you dial the gas system far enough (so I'm told, anyway. Mine has been fed Hirtenberger mostly, so its eating healthy).
So, tossup. Note that a lot of the difference is preference (sights, ergonomics), and the rest is small enough that a 'good' example of one will outshine a 'bad' or even 'average' example of the other. Either way, you're fine. Shoot both. Get the one that feels best.
Mike
PS better yet, get both.
Vern Humphrey
Member
My first tour in Viet Nam as an adviser, I was issued an M2 Carbine. It got wrapped around a tree, and I borrowed an M1 rifle from the ArVN unit I advised. My second tour, as a company commander, I bullied my battalion commander into getting me some M14 sniper rifles (the pre-M21 version) and carried one myself.
In addition, I have operated with Australians, who used the FAL.
The adjustable gas system on the FAL is not an advantage -- not when compared to the self-adjusting system on the M14. The M14 is a smoother action, with less parts breakage, and more reliable under jungle conditions. M14s have better sights and tend to be more accurate.
I'll go with the M14.
In addition, I have operated with Australians, who used the FAL.
The adjustable gas system on the FAL is not an advantage -- not when compared to the self-adjusting system on the M14. The M14 is a smoother action, with less parts breakage, and more reliable under jungle conditions. M14s have better sights and tend to be more accurate.
I'll go with the M14.
I only have one, and it's a FAL. The funny thing is though, I think I'd really prefer the M-14 type rifles. I'm a big fan of the M-1 and the M-14 manual of arms is so similiar that a lot of my reflexes (can't really call it training) would carry over.
I just wound up with a FAL because of the price.
I just wound up with a FAL because of the price.
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