The War Wagon
Member
PTR91 been veddy, veddy, good to me. 
Which Rifle Should I Get?
- Thread starter Cosmoline
- Start date
- Status
For the "Other" choice
You would be hard pressed to find a better carbine than the Hi-point 995ts
I bought one of the original 995 carbines and it has eaten every piece of 9mm ammo that I've loaded into it (It's going on 10 or more years old and is still going strong).
In addition to it's low cost the weapon is very accurate,Think of the AK's reliability with the ar-15's accuracy (pistol caliber carbine wise) Hi-point also has .40s&w and .45 ACP models on the market.
You could use the rest of the money buying another carbine if you wanted.
Or
Just spend the rest on magazines and ammo.
You would be hard pressed to find a better carbine than the Hi-point 995ts
I bought one of the original 995 carbines and it has eaten every piece of 9mm ammo that I've loaded into it (It's going on 10 or more years old and is still going strong).
In addition to it's low cost the weapon is very accurate,Think of the AK's reliability with the ar-15's accuracy (pistol caliber carbine wise) Hi-point also has .40s&w and .45 ACP models on the market.
You could use the rest of the money buying another carbine if you wanted.
Or
Just spend the rest on magazines and ammo.
Cosmoline
Member
War Wagon--I've seen a lot of "91's" out there on the used market over the years, but some appear to be much nicer than others. I think some are Century jobs. What should I look for if I'm interested in those? Is anything that's actually from PTR going to be quality?
Maverick223
Member
What about a FAL, is there a reason it was left out of the running?
crracer_712
Member
I have a CZ550 in 243. While its a beautiful rifle, the trigger feels like I'm rubbing two cinder blocks together. It is a very accurate rifle though...
ForumSurfer
Member
I voted M1A.
But I forgot about you and the bicycle thing, so I'd like to retract that and vote for the AR10. Plus, beating around alaska...I'd feel better about you beating up on an AR10 as opposed to an M1A.
But I forgot about you and the bicycle thing, so I'd like to retract that and vote for the AR10. Plus, beating around alaska...I'd feel better about you beating up on an AR10 as opposed to an M1A.
mortablunt
Member
Get an SVT-40. I've never run into anyone who dislikes them. They use cheap Mosin ammunition and can be loaded with 10 detatchable round mags with Mosin clips. The recoil isn't too bad either and accuracy is pretty good. It's also a type of investment gun, because no more are entering the American civilian market and interest is growing.
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Cosmoline
Member
The AR-10 is still a distant third. There's a lot less support for it than I expected. I thought the conventional wisdom was leaning towards it and away from the old steel and wood platforms.
MachIVshooter
Member
Your poll reflects more personal preference than anything.
Having played with several variations of pretty much every .308 autoloader made, I will state with confidence that the AR is the most flexible, lightest weight and generally most accurate platform. I love the M1A, FAL and G3 rifles, but would still choose the AR-10 if I could only have one of them. Luckily, that's not a choice we have to make here in the USA (finances notwithstanding).
AR10
mastiffhound
Member
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2011
- Messages
- 420
I owned a 20" heavy barrel FNAR, it is the most accurate semi auto .308 that I have shot! Period! The reason I don't still own the FNAR is a very handsome offer( two for one ), no iron sights, and it was a pain in the butt to clean. You can tell an engineer built the FNAR. The same way you can tell an engineer built your 2012 toyota prius. It wasn't designed for easy maintenance.
It handles way better than it looks ( others think it is ugly, not me ) and shoots like a dream. I took it to the range a few times with high dollar federal match .308, a bipod, and a tasco 3-9x40 scope. I was getting under a inch at 200 yards! My brother took a 5 round mag and put all 5 shots in 1 and a 1/4 inches at 100 the first time he ever pulled the trigger! It is very comfortable to shoot also.
The only bad thing is this is not a battle rifle ( it looks tacticool, I know ), it's a target rifle regardless of what people say. That being said, if you want a battle rifle that is easy to clean and reasonably accurate I would go M1A. When I get enough saved up I will be getting a socom 16 ( synthetic stock, iron sights, handy, short, hard hitting, decent accuracy, and still able to reach out and touch something). If you want something that is supremely accurate, and good for range or general target shooting get the FNAR. It will kill deer and other critters(4 legs or 2) just fine too. Like I said though, it just never felt right leaning it against a tree while I was answering natures call. I had a mini-14 that I didn't mind leaning against a tree. Wish I still had it.
It just never felt comfortable to go beating through woods with the FNAR. Kind of like buying a $3000 dollar AR-15. It is something you see these guys polishing but never shooting? The M1A is more like an AK-47. Ultra reliable but with better accuracy and more power. It can be had with a synthetic stock or "old wood and steel". Wood and steel rifles are a thing of the past but everyone loves history, and some like to feel like they have a piece of it in their hands. It is probably all in my head, your results may vary.
It handles way better than it looks ( others think it is ugly, not me ) and shoots like a dream. I took it to the range a few times with high dollar federal match .308, a bipod, and a tasco 3-9x40 scope. I was getting under a inch at 200 yards! My brother took a 5 round mag and put all 5 shots in 1 and a 1/4 inches at 100 the first time he ever pulled the trigger! It is very comfortable to shoot also.
The only bad thing is this is not a battle rifle ( it looks tacticool, I know ), it's a target rifle regardless of what people say. That being said, if you want a battle rifle that is easy to clean and reasonably accurate I would go M1A. When I get enough saved up I will be getting a socom 16 ( synthetic stock, iron sights, handy, short, hard hitting, decent accuracy, and still able to reach out and touch something). If you want something that is supremely accurate, and good for range or general target shooting get the FNAR. It will kill deer and other critters(4 legs or 2) just fine too. Like I said though, it just never felt right leaning it against a tree while I was answering natures call. I had a mini-14 that I didn't mind leaning against a tree. Wish I still had it.
It just never felt comfortable to go beating through woods with the FNAR. Kind of like buying a $3000 dollar AR-15. It is something you see these guys polishing but never shooting? The M1A is more like an AK-47. Ultra reliable but with better accuracy and more power. It can be had with a synthetic stock or "old wood and steel". Wood and steel rifles are a thing of the past but everyone loves history, and some like to feel like they have a piece of it in their hands. It is probably all in my head, your results may vary.
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Cosmoline
Member
Thanks for that info on the FNAR. It's one odd looking piece, that's for sure.
Looks like the M1A is pulling out into the lead. If I do go that route I'm leaning towards a standard wooden stock, iron sight model. No rails, no scopes, no nothing fancy. I don't need a tack driver because I'm not that good of a shot anyway.
I opted to leave the FAL clones off because there are so many iffy ones floating around the local market. I think some are Century imports, but others I'm not sure. So I stuck with rifles I know enough about to select a decent one.
Looks like the M1A is pulling out into the lead. If I do go that route I'm leaning towards a standard wooden stock, iron sight model. No rails, no scopes, no nothing fancy. I don't need a tack driver because I'm not that good of a shot anyway.
I opted to leave the FAL clones off because there are so many iffy ones floating around the local market. I think some are Century imports, but others I'm not sure. So I stuck with rifles I know enough about to select a decent one.
I voted AR10... cause I want one. If not that then a good quality FAL like a DSA. Or a kit build if I could make sure who built it and with what parts.
Cosmoline
Member
Wow. Actually I think my money would be THEIR money in short order. I'd have to use the servant's entrance I'm sure. Beautiful rifles though.
allaroundhunter
Member
The folding stock is about the only advantage if you want a smaller gun for transport. Other than that, the SCAR does recoil more and it is heavier (but it is not really noticeable when you are holding them side by side).
Cosmoline
Member
But surely you can just pop off the AR-10 upper anyway for transport.
allaroundhunter
Member
I voted AR-10 because I would use it more. When I get an M1A, it will be a great range gun and conversation piece, but I will not take it out hunting because it is just too pretty!
Also, the M1 will be the same way. Again, when I get one
Also, the M1 will be the same way. Again, when I get one
wlewisiii
Member
A nice mauser type in 9.3? Especially the FS model with Mannlicher stock and iron sights? That, to me, is by far the most interesting rifle of the bunch.
Cosmoline
Member
Alright folks, you voted and I bought! I researched a bit and opted for the 18" Scout M1A. It's got the nice full length sights but has an LER mount and a nice balance to it. Also it's a bit more portable. In this case it was just delivered to my door by a cop, and he didn't arrest me or anything. I kid you not! I love this town.
I'll have some pics tonight, hopefully get a range report this weekend assuming the weather doesn't attack us again.
I'll have some pics tonight, hopefully get a range report this weekend assuming the weather doesn't attack us again.
bluethunder1962
Member
just do what I woud do. Buy them all and worry about paying for them later.
Cosmoline
Member
Here's the M1A scout model, and alongside last year's winner the Colt. As you can see I modded the Colt a bit and expect to do the same with this scout. I already dislike the rubber buttplate intensely and will probably just swap the synth stock out for a walnut one in the next few months.
I'm undecided on the scout scope. The irons are fantastic as is. But I'll give it a shot and see which I prefer.
Thanks again for all the input!
I'm undecided on the scout scope. The irons are fantastic as is. But I'll give it a shot and see which I prefer.
Thanks again for all the input!
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Bill_Rights
Member
I voted weeks ago but missed getting back before your purchase. Enjoy the M1A Scout. I have given that one serious consideration before but didn't act.
I didn't catch the issue about the bike. How did that influence your rifle choice? (Not much, I hope.)
Rounding out on the FNAR a bit, early on someone commented they didn't like the looks of that rifle with a pistol grip (and I see you opted for a non-pistol-grip pattern, too). I don't know the production history, whether it'll continue and why you can't see it on FNH-USA's web site, but there is an FNAR with more traditional stock:
It is FNH Item #: 2-FN3108929142, UPC: 845737002411 and available at several on-line vendors at ~ $1,000.
I appreciated mastiffhound's assessments, in general, but I had a hoot over this one:
I didn't catch the issue about the bike. How did that influence your rifle choice? (Not much, I hope.)
Rounding out on the FNAR a bit, early on someone commented they didn't like the looks of that rifle with a pistol grip (and I see you opted for a non-pistol-grip pattern, too). I don't know the production history, whether it'll continue and why you can't see it on FNH-USA's web site, but there is an FNAR with more traditional stock:
It is FNH Item #: 2-FN3108929142, UPC: 845737002411 and available at several on-line vendors at ~ $1,000.
I appreciated mastiffhound's assessments, in general, but I had a hoot over this one:
I guess politicians say "Perception is reality", and I had a few similar feelings about the FNAR, at first (mostly regarding bashing the scope). But no more. More trekking on Virginia wooded hillsides, more appropriate optics and several calls-of-nature.... The FNAR is a tremendously stout piece. I have both a wooden and a synth Ruger Mini-30, and the FNAR is way more structurally rugged and the action is completely shrouded except when the ejection port is ejecting (as opposed to Minis which are open on top). As for $3000 AR - try 1/3 to 1/2 that cost (and only a few $100 more than Mini). So, familiarity and perception take time to mellow out.
Cosmoline
Member
That's why I like doing these threads. I'm forced a bit out of comfort zone, since left alone I would have gone with an AR-10. And I learn new things. I hadn't heard much about the FNAR, but it sounds like I'll be hearing more in the future about them.
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