M1A vs. FAL... If you already have a Garand.

[Kind of Blued]

Are the M1A and Garand unique enough to justify buying both instead of the FAL/Garand combo? I always saw the Garand as a sort of "big brother" to the M14.

I'll use the Garand for NRA High Power type shooting, maybe the M1A for the same, and the FAL would just be a gun I'd buy because it's a classic and I'd like to have one.

Considering the niche I have filled by the Garand, I'm thinking I might scope the M1A and do a lower-powered, more rugged optic on the FAL.

Hopefully some of you own all three, lucky jerks.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Are you asking about a choice between the M1A and FAL? Not quite clear. If I had a Garand, I would opt for the FAL. I have a FAL and would LOVE a Garand. An M1A would be nice, but I opted for the FAL over it all those years ago. I have never been sorry.

 

[nicholst55]

Buy all three, of course.

The M14 is perhaps the ultimate product-improvement of the M1. To my mind, at least, both rifles handle differently enough that it's worth having both.

The FAL is also a fine rifle in its own right, and I also own a couple of them. I think the M1 is my favorite of the three, though.

 

[Ash]

Well, transitioning from the M1 to the M14 type rifle is easier. As for me, I have two Garands, one FAL, and am an ex-owner of an M1a.

Ash

 

[H2O MAN]

Ash Well, transitioning from the M1 to the M14 type rifle is easier.

That is a big selling point for many.
The two rifles are very similar, share some parts and are very easy to transition to and from.

Personally: I love the Garand, but only own M14s and no FAL.