M1A or AR?

[CoRoMo]

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

We have something in common then. I certainly can't decide which one you would want either.

Other than that, I've decided that alphabetical order is good enough when jumping into the black rifle pool.


AR
M1A
Mk14
Saiga

 

[dscottw88]

.223, although hard to find, is much easier to get a hold of than .308. Also, an AR15 is going to be pretty dang handy weighing in at 7 or 8 lbs. A Loaded M1A gets up around 10 or 11lbs, and you'll be able to tell a difference.

If your going to be shooting past 600 yards or plan on running into a family of bears than you should probably get the M1A.

But if your just going camping in places that dont have hundreds of bear attacks and your not scoping/shooting at long distances than the AR wins again.

So lets say you decide to grab an AR, well now you have to make another decision. Do you feel that you would be better off building from reputable manufacturers or would you rather just buy whole? it'll be cheaper building too.... oh the possibilities.

 

[Maverick223]

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

John why are you picking of water man's EBRs?

 

[Wildyams]

We have something in common then. I certainly can't decide which one you would want either.

that is true, however you can provide some insight that could help influence my decision. that is all I'm asking for.

 

[J&J]

I marked scout squad... partly because that is what I did and partly because if this is a "one gun" type of purchase, the M1A scout seems to cover an awful lot of bases.

That being said... as some one who was "raised" in the world of firearms on an M16 (Semper Fi, baby)... it took quite a while for me to adjust to the M1A. Something about the weight distribution, grip angle, maybe lack of pistol grip... not quite sure really. I have grown accustomed to it, but am still considering an aftermarket stock, like the Vltor... and am still considering getting a quality AR.

It does get hard to put a lot of rounds downrange as the price of even surplus 7.62 gets expensive... 5.56 is almost half the price...

So many variables...

 

[cipher]

Full length M1A or scout squad at the least: cause rifles with pistol grips are like those cute little doggies with one short leg.

 

[sprice]

i said make ur own ar; its not that hard. but if it were my gun i'd say get an fnh usa semi auto .308

 

[benzy2]

I would probably go AR. You can get a good setup for less than $1k if you look around a little. If this is a fun rifle as it sounds, and not something that you will rely on to be 100% without a hiccup then a lot of the mid range ARs fit well and get you out the door under $1k. Building is the same way. The options I want didn't come out much cheaper than a factory built setup but I went with a plain M4 setup and a lot of factories have that setup. If you want rails or something unique it is often cheaper to build. Building, especially if you put the upper together, gives you a better feel for the rifle but it does take time and if doing a upper it takes a few specialty tools as well.

I like the M1A. I don't like a lot of the setups some people seem to love. That rifle to me needs a wood stock and no pistol grip. I don't know why but the all metal "chassis" looks ugly to me. I know they shoot well and are durable, they just look ugly. For a fun gun I pass on ugly. I also think they look better with longer barrels. Something about the extra power makes me think the rifle should be longer. From a functional point it won't make much difference and will be easier to carry the shorter rifle but from an aesthetics again the longer looks better.

All that said it doesn't matter what I think as I'm not in the market for another of either. You are. This is a fun rifle and both are fun. Slightly different fun and forms that you need to decide on your own. Both are quality rifles and will be fun. You won't be making a huge mistake either route so just pick what seems like more fun.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

Build an AR15.

 

[H2O MAN]

RockyMtnTactical Build an AR15.

Sell it for a profit and buy yourself an M14

 

[ARNETT44]

Buy them both. They are really two different systems. So what are going to do with them?

 

[Zach S]

I'd get the AR first.

Then, when funds allowed it, I would get the M1A scout.

Unfortunately, I still dont have an M1A scout

 

[4v50 Gary]

I opted for home built AR. You develop familiarity with the gun. Familiarity breeds confidence. I like the M-14, but setting the caliber aside, it's never going to be as good as an AR. Gas piston guns have more moving parts and this affects the harmonics of the gun. The M-14 type action is harder to maintain too (if you're talking about target guns). It's a prima-donna that requires a lot of extra work to keep it sub-moa (though there's a new bolt together stock that reduces a lot of those issues).

If you're talking about camping, go with the lighter gun. The AR is more portable (pull out two pins and you break it in half). If you're thinking of dangerous animals, then get a bigger bore upper (as well as the magazines for it).

 

[H2O MAN]

4v50 Gary
I like the M-14, but setting the caliber aside, it's never going to be as good as an AR. Gas piston guns have more moving parts and this affects the harmonics of the gun.
The M-14 type action is harder to maintain too (if you're talking about target guns). It's a prima-donna that requires a lot of extra work to keep it sub-moa (though there's a new bolt together stock that reduces a lot of those issues).

That may have been true years ago, but things have changed for the better and the M14 is relatively easy to maintain and keep sub-MOA.

 

[Wildyams]

not much love for the Socom huh?

 

[hadmanysons]

I personally have no experience with the M1A but I now a former Navy SEAL who loves the M1A. He says he used it over the M4/M16/AR15 because it was way more reliable and more stopping power of the .308