M1A or AR?

[Wildyams]

I've been thinking about getting a new rifle, but cannot decide which one I want.

The ones I've been looking at are M1A's, either the Socom II or the Scout Squad.
Or an AR, not sure if I would build my own, or buy a complete one

any input would be great.

Mainly just using it to target shoot, possibly for self defense while camping.

 

[FlyinBryan]

are we talking about an ar in 308? or 223?

 

[Wildyams]

the AR would be a .223

also, I'm curious about costs for building my own AR, would it be possible to build one for less than $1000? I'd like something that I could upgrade later.

 

[Arbor]

Yes, it's possible to get a good AR15 for under $1000. Someone will probably be along shortly to tell you that all ARs under $1500 are junk, however.

I voted AR15, but I guess I should have asked... do you plan on carrying it around much? M14 wins for durability, AR15 for weight. Kind of a washup on accuracy, I think a basic AR will outshoot a basic M14 though.

 

[sarduy]

I've been thinking about getting a new rifle, but cannot decide which one I want.

The ones I've been looking at are M1A's, either the Socom II or the Scout Squad.
Or an AR, not sure if I would build my own, or buy a complete one

any input would be great.

Mainly just using it to target shoot, possibly for self defense while camping.

answer those questions and you'll make a decition

1. you want a 308 or a 223 rifle?....
2. what distance you want to shoot with your new target rifle? 100, 200, 500, 1000 yards?
3. where are you going to camp? a very dangerous place with some bears? or something not as dangerous....



i would recommend an AR, just because you can get what you want and...if you want to change anything it's easier to do it with an AR, Building an AR is easier than what it looks. but if you want to buy a complete rifle that's a good option too.

a good target/self defence while camping/ can be the following setup

20'' heavy barrel rifle with a Quick Detachable 3x9 scope and/or backup sights and a carbine style stock to make the overall lenght smaller

ETA: a .223 bullet can be accurate at 500 yards but you can get great accuraty at 600/800 yards (that's pushing it all the way) with a good scope, and since you want it for self defence while camping.... 30 rounds of .223 will drop ANYTHING that attack you

 

[Hunt3r]

If you don't intend on using a Harris bipod or attaching weapon lights, then all you really need is an A4 style carbine from Armalite. It comes without a carry handle so you can buy one from them if you like.


If you want the closest thing to the real deal M4s, Noveske or LMT is the way to go. If you can find one, the Colt 6920s also work. All are quite expensive, but having "mil-spec" is expensive because mil-spec comes at mil-spec prices.

The M1A is an expensive gun to shoot. If you want to shoot with the accuracy of an AR, you have to pony up the money for a better trigger, bedding the stock, and also unitizing the gas system. I wouldn't recommend getting it scoped unless it's an M25, and if it is then feel free to scope away.

Both aren't going to be cheap unless you feel like going for a Bushmaster. If you don't need "mil-spec" then good choices also include Stag Arms, CMMG, DPMS, Armalite, and all of which are reputable manufacturers.

If you're getting an AR, make sure that you have an AR that has the gas-key staked right, unless you're a masochist or you feel like coming up with new lists of three and four letter words.

If you want to go the M14 route, definitely get the Scout Squad. The SOCOM II just gives too much muzzle blast. Building your own AR is going to need some armorer's tools if you aren't just getting complete uppers and lowers.

If you aren't going to shoot very far, and you're just shooting for groups and possibly using for HD, but you don't want to spend a lot of trouble building it, then the pre-built AR route is good.

 

[Wildyams]

I think I'd be happy with either a 308 or 223,
I would love something that I could really reach out with accurately, but realistically it would mostly be shot at 100 yards or less (I'm lucky enough to have a piece of property that I can shoot on, so my ranges can vary)
I camp in northern Idaho, there are a few grizzlies up there, but I also have a 12 gauge so defense isn't really high up there on that list of deciding factors, just something to think about.

I'm just looking for input on what other people might suggest and the reasons they have for suggesting them

 

[Maverick223]

I voted M1A, but I am changing that to a AR (factory) due to additional info. If you don't want to reach out further than 100yds for target a AR is more than enough, for that range a 17HMR may be the best caliber. If you decide to reach out a bit further (500+yds) then the M1A might start to have some advantages.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Gas piston AR.

 

[ccsniper]

i'll say it lightly
SOCOM!!!!! SOCOM!!!!!!! SOCOM!!!!!!! SOCOM!!!!!!!!!

 

[Maverick223]

Gas piston AR.

I would normally agree, but not since this is for target use...a GP system is less accurate than direct impingement.

 

[FlyinBryan]

i voted prebuilt ar.

i think if your going to have 1, the ar should probably come first.

i have an ar and love the platform.

i dont have an m1a so i cant speak from direct experience, but i do have a garand, and i love it. the feel of the garand/m1a is hard to explain really, i guess solid, and powerful, are words that come to mind.

still, if your going to just have one, its hard to argue with the ar15.

its a tough call for me really though, lol, its so close i might say ar today, and springfield tommorow.

but today i said ar.

 

[10-Ring]

If you want a carbine length rifle and the SOCOM is in the running, I'd go w/ the std SOCOM w/o the cluster rail (II). Adds way too much weight to be of any real use or good.

 

[Hunt3r]

Since you're plinking, you shouldn't waste money buying .308 ammo when you aren't going further then the 100 yard line most of the time.

If the wind is good and you've got good ammo you can shoot as for as .308 anyhow.

 

[Travis Bickle]

Mainly just using it to target shoot, possibly for self defense while camping.

For that, I'd want an AR. For a TEOTWAWKI or militia rifle, I'd definitely want the M-14.

 

[LoneStarWings]

I voted for M1A scout, it's what I chose when I was in your shoes about 3 months ago.

It'll do about 1-2 MOA with match ammo, 2-3 with milsurp FMJ. I have a pistol scope on my scout and it really works great. Sure it's heavier than your typical carbine length AR, but the reliability you get combined with additional power of the 7.62x51mm is worth the tradeoff in a semi-auto, in my opinion. I paid $1600. I've probably spent almost that much in ammo too!

Sure, I wouldn't mind having an AR someday too, but if I could only have one in semi-auto, I'd take the M1A. If money is real tight, an AR is better because 1) they're cheaper 2) ammo is cheaper 3) .22lr conversion is possible, and then ammo is really cheap

 

[C-grunt]

Thats a tough choice. I like the Scout versions better than the Socom for the M1A.

I hate to do it but either would be a great choice. Try to handle and fire both and see which one "calls" to you.

But the AR will most likely be cheaper and have cheaper ammo. Plus you can switch out upper for around 5-600 bucks and have a different rifle.

The M1A will give you more range and better wind resistance but tend to be less accurate stock for stock. The M1A definitely wins in the looks department.

 

[RX-178]

I voted scout squad, unless you feel a pressing need for a quad rail (that's not meant to sound condescending. Some people honestly do have more need for rails than others.)

 

[Waibaddayu]

AR

Colt 6920. Buy once, cry once!

 

[MarineOne]

I voted for build your own AR.

I bought a Bushmaster and while I've not had any stoppages with it and have put more than 3k rounds through it, I did have some warranty work done after I bought it and didn't like the way it came back.

I took it to the range to sight it in and it was shooting way to the right. After 26 clicks to fix it I was just barely on the edge of the 3 foot target I was shooting at 100 yards. Come to find out, they over-torqued my barrel nut while building it, which warped the index pin and caused the problem I was having. I sent it in for warranty repair and they screwed up my barrel nut fixing it. The barrel nut is really jacked up and I know I'm going to have a bad time removing it so it will need to be replaced, but it just gives me a reason to buy a flat top upper and free float the barrel. Of course the front sight assembly/gas block will need to be removed so I know I have a bit of work ahead of me. I made my complaint with customer service about the shoddy warranty repair and how angry I was at how it was returned, and decided not to buy from them again.

Now the big question is .... do you want mil-spec or not? This of course will change how much you spend on it.

And then for the barrel length .... did you want a 16, 20, or 24 inches? Free floated or not? Carry handle or flat top upper? Flip up sights? Collapsable stock, standard A2 style, or a skeleton style?

The trigger assembly can be a Timney or Jewell drop in, so this makes the build even easier and you get a better trigger.

You'll need the AR wrench, the vise blocks so you can put it in a vise to tighten everything to spec, a good manual, and some basic hand tools.


I'm hoping I've got the time while I'm home from the sandbox to fix my Bushmaster. I'm not too worried about it since I'm getting the AR-57 upper for it.





Kris

 

[lipadj46]

Personally I'd buy one of each. That's what I did at least. Not at the same time, bought the M1A (SAI Loaded) first as that is what I always wanted then I bought the AR (Bushmaster 24" A3). They are both great.

 

[JShirley]

This is mostly a fun gun for you, so I'd use the experience to build your own AR.

The only reason I'd get an M1A, is if you find some intrinsic satisfaction in shooting longer distances with iron sights. In that case, I'd get a standard length M1A, not one of the cut-down recent versions.

John

 

[natescout]

M1A squad scout gets my vote, but i have both ( AR and M1A)

 

[H2O MAN]

I'd get a standard length M1A, not one of the cut-down recent versions.

Springfield has offered an M1A with a factory 18.0" barrel since the mid 1980's.
The Bush, Scout and MK14 are excellent rifles.

 

[Bwana John]

I'd get a standard length M1A, not one of the cut-down recent versions if you find some intrinsic satisfaction in shooting longer distances with iron sights.

+ 1
Unless you really want to cut down the sight radius on the finest iron sights in the world.

Of course a "real operator" would go for the shorty, with rails everywhere, and the biggest scope available. :banghead: