I have come to a crossroads of sorts. I only at the moment have the $$$ to buy either a RRA .308 ( or comprable) or a Springfield M1A, and trying to decide witch to buy. I have fired a Armalite 10, and really like it but like the magazine interchangability of the RRA .308. My question is if yoiu had to choose between the two and could only buy one which would it be?
RRA .308 or M1A?
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CajunTim
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The AR, I would go for the Armalite though.
Rem700SD
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If you want a .308 anytime soon, get the M1A. RRA's .308 is vaporware atm. I called RRA two weeks ago and they said later this fall. The explanation given was a wait for certain parts. I'm hoping for production by Christmas.
That said, I'm holding out for the RRA. I own an FAL carbine, and I'm hoping for the RRA to provide a longer range companion.
That said, I'm holding out for the RRA. I own an FAL carbine, and I'm hoping for the RRA to provide a longer range companion.
Rem700SD
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Rem700SD
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aloharover
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I have some RRAs on order simply because I like the mag compatability. As well as FALs, I have built an AK that takes FAL mags and am working on an Ishy Enfield to take em.
But if you want a .308 now get the M1A......or an FAL
But if you want a .308 now get the M1A......or an FAL
My only concern is that i have yet to shoot a M1A. I want the scout version, since in my opinon anything less that a 18 inch barrel is pointless, (personal opinon). I have heard for years how good the M1A's are. I personally really like Springfield i have a 1911 TRP that i absoutley love. I assume their rifled are just as good if not better.
ftierson
Member.
I've been waiting on an ordered RRA LAR-8 for a while now. Eventually it'll come...
But I also have some FALs, so I'm not driven to pick up an M1A...
If I was going to pick up an M1A, I'd probably build my own on a LRB receiver...
Forrest
But I also have some FALs, so I'm not driven to pick up an M1A...
If I was going to pick up an M1A, I'd probably build my own on a LRB receiver...
Forrest
glockman19
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Springfield M1A loaded.
RockyMtnTactical
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Does RRA have a release date for the .308 yet??
The experiences that I have had with a couple of different AR-10s is that they can be finicky with ammo (ran into the same thing with M1a Loaded and Match chambers as well). If you will be shooting surplus 7.62x51, you may want to keep that in mind.
I want to like the AR-10s, just can't get myself to do it. I run FALs and M1as and I like them both.
Mag prices for the FAL are going up and availability coming down, so keep that in mind.
Nearly got a Bushmaster AR-10 (the RRA design, but started hearing about the bolt issue and backed off). Hard to beat the proven track record of the FAL and M1a.
I want to like the AR-10s, just can't get myself to do it. I run FALs and M1as and I like them both.
Mag prices for the FAL are going up and availability coming down, so keep that in mind.
Nearly got a Bushmaster AR-10 (the RRA design, but started hearing about the bolt issue and backed off). Hard to beat the proven track record of the FAL and M1a.
dmftoy1
Member
Their website no longer says "anticipated availability" so I take that to mean that they're taking orders . . . FWIW
I really like Rock River products, have a bunch of their parts, a couple of NM AR's by them, and am ordering through a FFL a Bullseye M1911.
However the 308 version of the AR is still a rather recent thing. The original design never went through the Government prototyping and development and testing that the M14, FN/FAL , and m16 went through. These sort of tests cost so much money that only a Government funded agency can really afford it.
So what does this mean, it means that firearms based on the M14, FN and M16 are going to be highly reliable out of the box in a world wide context. Assuming good manufacturing. Springfield Armory has been building M1a's since the 70's. Early M1a's had their problems, but Springfield Armory's rifle is a very mature platform and very reliable. I have worn out several barrels in competition, never had a problem. The platform is dead nuts reliable.
I have no doubt the AR-10 type platform will be very reliable in time, but I do not want to be the product tester.
As far as designs, the M1a is still my top choice for a 308 semiautomatic rifle. FN second.
However the 308 version of the AR is still a rather recent thing. The original design never went through the Government prototyping and development and testing that the M14, FN/FAL , and m16 went through. These sort of tests cost so much money that only a Government funded agency can really afford it.
So what does this mean, it means that firearms based on the M14, FN and M16 are going to be highly reliable out of the box in a world wide context. Assuming good manufacturing. Springfield Armory has been building M1a's since the 70's. Early M1a's had their problems, but Springfield Armory's rifle is a very mature platform and very reliable. I have worn out several barrels in competition, never had a problem. The platform is dead nuts reliable.
I have no doubt the AR-10 type platform will be very reliable in time, but I do not want to be the product tester.
As far as designs, the M1a is still my top choice for a 308 semiautomatic rifle. FN second.
How are AR-10 types at eating surplus ammo?
My brother's DPMS chokes on surplus in general. It works good with new ammo or his reloads though.
On the other hand, my M1A and others I have fired eat up surplus just fine. I guess it depend on what you have to shoot. I have way too much surplus to put up with that.
My brother's DPMS chokes on surplus in general. It works good with new ammo or his reloads though.
On the other hand, my M1A and others I have fired eat up surplus just fine. I guess it depend on what you have to shoot. I have way too much surplus to put up with that.
MassMark
Member
M1A Scout hands down....
ftierson
Member.
When discussing reliability and testing of designs, keep in mind that, while such testing is certainly expensive, relying on government entities to do the testing does not always solve the problem...
I'm thinking of recent service rifles fielded in the UK, if you know what I mean...
The original Armalite AR-10 was run through exhaustive tests back in the day (including successful tests at Fort Benning) before Fairchild sold the manufacturing rights for the 'lite' version (AR-15) to Colt.
Also, keep in mind that licensed production of the AR-10 by Artillerie-Inrichtingen in Zaandam in the Netherlands produced about 5500 rifles that saw limited use in military service in a couple of places in Africa not known for exceptionally good maintenance of weapons.
Reports from military use in the field were generally pretty favorable...
If anyone is interested in what RRA says about the LAR-8, see...
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=2&f=38&t=155970
Forrest
I'm thinking of recent service rifles fielded in the UK, if you know what I mean...
The original Armalite AR-10 was run through exhaustive tests back in the day (including successful tests at Fort Benning) before Fairchild sold the manufacturing rights for the 'lite' version (AR-15) to Colt.
Also, keep in mind that licensed production of the AR-10 by Artillerie-Inrichtingen in Zaandam in the Netherlands produced about 5500 rifles that saw limited use in military service in a couple of places in Africa not known for exceptionally good maintenance of weapons.
Reports from military use in the field were generally pretty favorable...
If anyone is interested in what RRA says about the LAR-8, see...
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=2&f=38&t=155970
Forrest
YardVarmint
Member
Get the M1A.
The current Armalite is not the Old Armalite, they just bought the name. They do crank out some for gov't cotracts, not US though AFAIK.
And that contraption RRA is trying to get to work is the exact same thing Bushmaster dropped years ago.
Last year I was gonna switch from my NM M1A to a .308 AR. I did some research&searching and decided to keep my M1A.
The current Armalite is not the Old Armalite, they just bought the name. They do crank out some for gov't cotracts, not US though AFAIK.
And that contraption RRA is trying to get to work is the exact same thing Bushmaster dropped years ago.
Last year I was gonna switch from my NM M1A to a .308 AR. I did some research&searching and decided to keep my M1A.
10-Ring
Member
M1a in what ever configuration appeals to you -- Scout, Socom, Socom II, std, loaded, whatever -- they'll all good!
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