M1 Garand, or Dragunov Clone?

[Milsurplover]

Hello everyone, I've been recently thinking about getting an M1 Garand as you may know if you saw one of my other threads. However, a new rifle has come to mind. A Dragunov Clone, (probably a PSL) has piqued my interest. Ballistically, the 30-06 and the 7.62x54R seem more or less equal. The PSL is a magazine fed 10 round 7.62x54R while the Garand is a clip fed 30-06. Now of course, some Garands run cheaper from the CMP and are leagues ahead of the PSL in terms of historic value. Not to mention, Garand stripper clips run cheaply. What I want to know is: Would you guys rather have an M1 Garand or a Dragunov Clone. Some things to consider are: The dragunov has a quick detachable scope mount and back up iron sights to allow for faster shots in case the scope fails. I do not intend to take the Garand out to ranges where I would need to scope it because as a historic piece I do not plan on doing too much work on the rifle assuming I do get the Garand (Right now I am leaning more towards the Garand) Another thing that I missed before was ammo price. 7.62x54R generally runs cheaper than 30-06. Is the PSL picky with ammo like the Garand? I know the Garand really only likes Military M2 Ball ammo unless you get an adjustable gas plug so you don't damage the oprod shooting commercial ammo. Is the PSL the same way in the sense that you can't shoot commercial ammo? Also, how accurate is a stock PSL with iron sights AND with the scope assuming the shooter does their part. How accurate is a stock service grade Garand with iron sights?

 

[george d dennis]

i would take the garand. you mentioned the word clone. the garand is a part of
american history. if you reload the better. they could be very accurate. i own a
few.

 

[Flatbush Harry]

+1 on the Garand...and I own 4.

FH

 

[SupraBo]

This is a trick question right?

M1 Garand! I own 3

 

[sappnasty]

Garand

 

[crazyivan]

I have been looking at the PSl for a long time just have not bought one yet.
I dont think you can call a PSL a Dragunov clone, the operating system on the Dragunov is a tokarev type(I think) and the PSL is based off of a RPK .

For ammo unless you put a adjustable gas block on it it is best to not shoot ammo heavier than the 148gr stuff from what I hear.

I have heard of them getting 2 1/2" 5 shot groups with wolf 148gr fmj.

If it is anything like my 91/30 when I had the ATI stock on it it does not take many rounds for the long thin barrel to over heat and have the point of impact go off.
Mabye a accu-strut type of barrel suport would be a good idea if it does that.

 

[Fleet]

Fulton Armory sells a replacement upper hand guard for the Garand so you can scope it (pistol scope) easily and keep the iron sights.

 

[towboat_er]

+1

The Garland for sure.

 

[memphisjim]

Garand without a doubt another couple of things once proficient at inserting clip I'd imagine the rate of fire would be higher with the garand than a psl with 10 round mags also you can get a rail where the hand gaurd goes and use a scout scope when you want it back to historic simply put the hand guard back on. They even make sage ebr stocks for the garand As far as accuracy the garand probably wins once proficient especially with scout scope which for the price of the psl you can have such on the garand. Or even a ebr stock

 

[txhoghunter]

without hesitation or second thought: the Garand

 

[P-32]

M-1 Garand! Plus they are fun to shoot.

 

[Chopdoktor]

I'd say Garand, if those are your only 2 options, but I believe an M1A would give you the best of both worlds, with only a slight ballistic downgrade. You'd also have cheaper and more readily available ammunition and variety of rounds, in addition to higher capacity detachable magazines and more scope mount options. Just something to consider.

 

[docnyt]

I don't think anybody with any experience collecting milsurps will choose a PSL over a Garand.

 

[hso]

Garand

 

[M.C.]

I will be the odd one out I guess, I love the way the Dragunov looks, and a 7.62x54r is a good cartridge. Plus I like the ability of detachable magazines. I don't care about the historical aspect of a gun, if I did, I'd get a Garand... but I don't, so I'd get the PSL.

But I did what someone above mentioned and bought a M1A.

 

[zoom6zoom]

I have both.
The Garand is intrinsically more accurate than the PSL (which is basically an AK; it has almost nothing internally in common with the real Dragunov.)

 

[BrocLuno]

Get a real Dragunov

 

[gotboostvr]

I want both, bought a PSL first for practicality. A Garand is VERY likely to be my next rifle. I'm VERY happy with having bought my PSL first, it's a very easy shooting and accurate rifle. after almost 100 rounds in an hour I still shot a 1.75" group at 120 yards with milsurp ammo.

 

[Quiet]

Another vote for the M1 Garand.


IMO...
Saiga-308 > Romanian PSL

 

[sdrake100]

PSL. Garands don't interest me.

 

[AethelstanAegen]

+1 Garand. If you're worried about the cost of .30-06, you could buy a cheap Mosin-Nagant 91/30 for 7.62x54R plinking and still probably come out cheaper than the clone. You've got to remember that the PSL is just that, a clone. You can't be the history and the feel of a Garand (the *ping* couldn't be more satisfying).

 

[1stmarine]

If you are a real enthusiast of the russian stuff then get what you like but I would be worry of the Romanian junk mixed with US parts.
The Garand is more accurate and the 30-06 is a better round. The 30-06 can be customized and reloaded to match levels whereas the Russian has some serious limitation due to the brass itself. The Russian round can be customized too but it will end up being more expensive and potentially tricky.
The Dragunovs all great systems, very reliable and great fun but suffer from one fundamental problem. The piston puts some important flex on a barrel that many considered too thin to start with. The dragunov was a great DMR system to provide squad support and reach at distances past 600 yards that were not possible for the smaller AKs carbines. 2.5MOA is a very good spread for a REAL dragunov, I am not sure about the Romanian PSL but keep in mind these are put together with US barrels and receivers with the rest from Romanian Junk yards.
Read about the real one here... http://www.snipercentral.com/svd.htm
It doesn't mean all AKs are not that accurate. Some they are but even the engineers in IZMASH plant in Russia have recognized the most accurate systems they got are with the NATO rounds both the .223 and the .308 Winchester, including the exclusive TIGR in the .308 Win. caliber.
I would personally pass on the Romanian junk and get a nice real and venerable Garand or if you want to stay in .308 get a Saiga in 16". These are more accurate than any of the above and even the M1A squad and socom.
If you like to shoot with iron sights you cannot beat the Garand. You will be hard pressed to find a battle rifle (classic or modern) that can consistently hit the steel past 600 yards with iron sights and an experience shooter. Even any modern .308 AR-10 based platform with the best and more expensive sights.
All this is not online research. I know first hand.

If accuracy is not a concern then go with whatever you like for show and tell.

Cheers.
E.

 

[avs11054]

I'd definitely go with a PSL. It's not really a dragunov clone...more like an AK or RPK clone with a bigger bullet. I've got an AK and love it, and the PSL is very similar. It's not that I don't have interest in historic guns, but for some reason, the garand just doesn't appeal to me. I'd rather get an M1A or a M1 carbine over a garand. But back to the original post, I think the PSL is one sweet looking gun. Nobody else at the range is going to have one when you go.

 

[35 Whelen]

Milsurplover.....dude...they're about the same price. Get a Garand!!! I have owned a CMP Garand for 15+ years and I cherish it! I don't know if it's a fluke, but mine is very accurate even with Greek HXP ammo. I'm talking 10 shot 2" groups at 100 yds. accurate.
Garands will only go up in price, so I'd get one right away then get the Ruskie later.
35W

 

[1stmarine]

If you do not want the Garand and like an AK system then consider the saiga in 16"...
It leaves the others in the dust. You loose a tad of speed with that barrel but you cannot beat the .308 and the accuracy...
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=567005
On top these you can convert but still say I have a real Russian pedigree vs. some Romanian junk parts put together by some armorer wannabe somewhere in a garage.