For my next rifle purchase, M1A or AR-15?

[GarandOwner]

I am thinking of getting a new rifle. I am undecided on either a M1A/M14 or and AR-15. I dont want this to turn into the old "which is better" thread. I am interested on which you would recomend for me to buy and why. For this reason, brand recomendations are also important. Personally I am more of an oldies fan and I love my garand, so I am leaning toward the M1A. This rifle will be used for plinking and target shooting within 200 yards. Thanks for any input.

 

[General Geoff]

The M1A will cost more to buy and to feed.

If you already have a Garand, I'd say get the AR-15.

 

[Buzzbox]

You do what makes you happy. To hell with everyone else.

 

[rodregier]

It may be harder to get AR15 pattern rifles under some US federal gov't change scenarios. That would favour buying the AR15.

Ammunition for the AR15 is cheaper (when you can get it).

If you already have a Garand the purchase of an M1A from a capabilities" point-of-view is less compelling than the AR15.

I find target shooting at 200 yards or under is more fun with the AR15.

...some of my thoughts. I own both a Garand and an AR15-pattern rifle myself.

 

[wayne in boca]

If you love your Garand,you will adore your M1A.It is the logical successor,and you will feel right at home with it.Get an AR15 later,too,they are great rifles,in a different way.

 

[Slamfire]

Given you have a Garand, get the AR and see the differences.

AR's are easy to shoot. Lots of noise, little recoil.

I have Garands, M1a's, and AR's, all good.

 

[Bazooka Joe71]

Duh! Easy question...BOTH!!!




















(AR15 first)

 

[GarandOwner]

hehe i was wondering how long it would take for someone to say that bazooka.

If you recomend the AR, what brand? What are the differences in quality and accuracy of each manufacturer. I dont need something as expensive as a Wilson Combat, but I do want a quality gun.

 

[TexasRifleman]

If you recomend the AR, what brand?

Well this is where I make the AR "elite" mad by saying that nearly every manufacturer out there is making a product that is perfect for 99% of us so it truly doesn't matter. Buy what you can find in your price range and be happy.

And, if you ARE the 1% that needs something different you usually already know it.

Once you have one AR you will likely want another. THEN you will start to search for specific things but for the first one I wouldn't pay attention to brand.
In fact the CMMG bargain bin "mutt" ARs would be an excellent place to start with a very low entry price.


As for which to buy, the AR is generally in more danger of bans and political problems so I'd get one of those before an M1A these days, while you still can.

 

[Bazooka Joe71]

As for which to buy, the AR is generally in more danger of bans and political problems so I'd get one of those before an M1A these days, while you still can.

And plenty of 30 rd magazines.

Yeah, nearly any brand will serve you just fine...RRA, BM, Stag, DPMS; take your pick.

 

[Jason_G]

In the same situation. I could easily buy an AR that would outperform the M1A in terms of accuracy at 100-200 yds, but the AR fills no need that I have. It's too small to use for deer, too big for squirrels and rabbits, and I already have .22's for plinking. I do need a new deer/hog rifle, and I have always wanted a classic battle rifle, so for me the M1A kills two birds with one stone.

Jason

 

[DSAPT9]

These questions are always tough to answer. You have the Garand that meet your high power needs so the AR-15 would meet the medium caliber needs. So I guess it comes down to your use for the gun. Is it going to be a fun shooter, collector investment, or defense? The .223 is not as cheep, as it once was so the .308 is not that much more to shoot at least at the moment. I like both guns so I agree with Bazooka Joe71 get both.

I have 4-AR15s 3 Bushmaster and one Smith & Wesson MP15. My favorite AR15 is my Bushmaster Modular but I also have an early Smith & Wesson MP15 that seems to due quite well. If you want a different alternative to the M1A/M14 look at the FNFAL clones same basic feel as an AR15 in 308.

Here is my Bushmaster and Smith & Wesson.


I hunted with an M1A/M14 for 6 years but swithed to the DSA FNFAL clones because I found the controls to fit me better.

 

[lamazza]

They are both excellent rifles and fun to shoot. But plinking with an M1a is going to be pretty expensive these days.

 

[GarandOwner]

I also forgot to mention, I reload, so ammo prices dont factor into my decision

 

[Ford]

IMO the AR is more fun to shoot just because if Im going to be out shooting say 1k rounds I like the low recoil and fast target aqusition of the AR.

 

[alaskanativeson]

I have to agree with the sentiments that your Garand fills a very similar role to what the M1A would so I'd recommend the AR. I'll also agree on manufacturers but I would add one suggestion: I've heard a lot more complaints about Olympic Arms than any other AR style rifle manufacturer. I'm sure there may be many Oly Arms owners out there with their guns but I've read more problems with them than pretty much all the other guys combined. I've heard good things about Bushmaster, Rock River Arms, Stag, DPMS (I own a DPMS in .243) but I don't know if any stands above the rest.

 

[MassMark]

Buy an M1A Scout and pick up a stripped AR-15 receiver. You can enjoy the fruits of the M1A, while you build the AR up over time...

 

[GunTech]

If you like older, steel rifles like the Garand, then get the M1A. Same control scheme, layout and feel.

With the AR, you'll have to learn a whole new manual of arms, you won't have the hitting power and you'll have to be more religious about cleaning.

And the M1A makes a superior club.

 

[H2O MAN]

I'm with MassMark on this one. Get yourself an M14 type rifle now and build up an AR later.
The M14 is what replaced the Garand, it is a little shorter, lighter and holds more ammo.


Of course, if you can swing it... get both

 

[azredhawk44]

Both are a must-have, IMO.

Since you have the Garand already, I'd suggest holding off on the M1A/M14 and to get a decent AR.

Load up on 30rd mags, and 20's as well (they're better for prone shooting than 30's... my mag collection is about half-and-half, with a single 5rd mag for varmint hunting).

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Get an LRB manufactured M14 Semiauto and an AR-15, manufacturer of your choice.

Dave

 

[rdhood]

In fact the CMMG bargain bin "mutt" ARs would be an excellent place to start with a very low entry price.

They quit selling the Bargain Bin rifles last week. Next best is a Del-ton or J&T? kit rifle.

 

[azhunter12]

I would get an ar15

 

[cracked butt]

I also forgot to mention, I reload, so ammo prices dont factor into my decision

It still does. The .223 uses about 1/2 the powder of a .308 and the bullets cost about 2/3 as much.

I used the M1 for a few years of occasional highpower matches, but the unavailability and expense of match grade ammo (isn't ironic that there is tons of options for one of the most popular cartridges but almost none of them are ok for the M1?) and the cost of reloading components have pushed me towards getting an AR-15, though I really would like to get a M1A somewhere down the line.

 

[Huddog]

For what it's worth I love my Bushmaster M4. I don't have nor does anyone else for your delima. I think if it were me I'd get the AR for now and the M14 later.