Would you take the AR15 or M1 Garand?

[Ithaca37]

An experienced rifleman can reload a Garand just as quickly as an AR.

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Keep telling yourself that your nostalgia for an outdated rifle is somehow founded in fact.

 

[Justin]

An experienced rifleman can reload a Garand just as quickly as an AR.

Even assuming you can execute a Garand reload just as fast as an AR reload, you're still executing 3.75 reloads for every one reload required by an AR.

 

[Tim the student]

...followed by a complicated reload process.

SaxonPig, your definition of complicated is apparently different than mine.

 

[General Geoff]

Keep telling yourself that your nostalgia for an outdated rifle is somehow founded in fact.

I'm not sure what you're getting at, I wouldn't choose a Garand over an AR. I just wanted to point out that as many things that are better about an AR, the reload procedure isn't really one of them.

 

[PoolsClosed]

The AR-15 is light and has little recoil, while the M1 is a solid hunk of steel and wood with a lot of bang and a heavy cartridge. So basically, it's either a pea shooter that's light, or a manstopper that weighs a ton. In a HD scenario, I'd choose the AR-15. If a BG sees a gun, he'll usually shoot cabbage out his back side, and if he gets shot by a 5.56 he'll most definitely feel it. In a SHTF situation, where you'll be up against Mad Max-style BGs, the .30-06's stopping power would be a must, so I'd choose the M1.

EDIT: If I could have the AR-15 in .308, I'd definitely take it in any situation over the M1.

 

[Robert]

An experienced rifleman can reload a Garand just as quickly as an AR.

Yup every 8 rounds... not bad for 70 year old tech.

 

[General Geoff]

I maintain that comparing an AR-15 to a Garand is apples to (very old) oranges; the AR-10/LR-308 is a far more valid comparison due to essentially identical calibers (when firing milsurp .30-06 ball vs 7.62 ball; let's not get into heavier commercial load comparisions).

 

[Justin]

I maintain that comparing a Garand to an AR-15

Of course it's unfair. You're talking about a difference in technology development of quite literally several decades.


Asking whether one would prefer an M1 Garand or an AR15 is like asking whether one would prefer a 1927 Model T or a 2010 Ford Mustang.

 

[DeepSouth]

To each his own I suppose, for me the M1 wins.

That sums it for to.

 

[USSR]

Had an AR. Took one look at the itty-bitty bullets and promptly sold it. Got 3 M1 Garands now.

Don

 

[General Geoff]

Asking whether one would prefer an M1 Garand or an AR15 is like asking whether one would prefer a 1927 Model T or a 2010 Ford Mustang.

I would disagree with that automotive comparison; little has changed in the small arms industry since 1927, compared to the automotive industry. This is not unexpected, considering firearms have been continuously improved upon and perfected for over 500 years, vs a scant hundred or so for the automobile. Comparing a 1927 Ford to a 2010 Ford would be more like comparing an early 1700s musket to a modern AR.

 

[Garnett Stancil]

Punching holes in paper, maybe so. Punching holes in bodies, step back to 600-800+ yards, and it's no comparison. Granted, in the real world, that doesn't happen often. But I would want the best chance to kill someone before they (have a chance to) kill me.

Give me the Garand. Or if it's absolutely gauranteed that I wouldn't need to shoot past 200 yards, Mini-14 or SKS (Mini preferred).

Wyman

I agree with JWF III. During WWII, my father-in-law had gone back to pick up some ammo. Along the way he encountered several GI's armed with M-1 Carbines shooting at a Japanese soldier who was taunting them from the top of a hill. They would shoot and miss and he would wave his sword at them. My father-in-law asked if he could take a turn with his Garand. He fired one shot. End of story.

 

[Ithaca37]

I agree with JWF III. During WWII, my father-in-law had gone back to pick up some ammo. Along the way he encountered several GI's armed with M-1 Carbines shooting at a Japanese soldier who was taunting them from the top of a hill. They would shoot and miss and he would wave his sword at them. My father-in-law asked if he could take a turn with his Garand. He fired one shot. End of story.

What does this have to do with anything? Missing a guy with a garand, m1 carbine, or stoner rifle will all do nothing to the target.

 

[Texpatriate]

I agree with JWF III. During WWII, my father-in-law had gone back to pick up some ammo. Along the way he encountered several GI's armed with M-1 Carbines shooting at a Japanese soldier who was taunting them from the top of a hill. They would shoot and miss and he would wave his sword at them. My father-in-law asked if he could take a turn with his Garand. He fired one shot. End of story.

Interesting story, but what's it have to do with the discussion at hand?

What are the intended uses?

^^^^
I'm still waiting for the answer to this rather crucial question.

 

[Schofield3]

Had an AR. Took one look at the itty-bitty bullets and promptly sold it. Got 3 M1 Garands now.

They're cute little bullets aren't they! haha

Real men only need 8 rounds

in all fairness the AR is absolutly a well proven platform, both are. I just had to hear some different opinions before I went and traded my AR15 for an M1

 

[Schofield3]

What are the intended uses?

sorry for the delay, the main use is just casual shooting, range time.

 

[killchain]

An experienced rifleman can reload a Garand just as quickly as an AR.

But can he fire 30 rounds?

 

[Tim the student]

But can he fire 30 rounds?

Now that we have established the intended use, capacity doesn't seem like much of an issue - unless anyone has big misgivings about reloading every 8 rounds at the range.

 

[Al LaVodka]

For overall usefulness it'd have to be the AR/.223. The same reason the gov't chose it.
Al

 

[Ignition Override]

Ithaca37: Well-spoken.

However, while touring the actual E (Band of Brothers) and F Company "Battle of the Bulge" foxholes and battle sites around Bastogne, Belgium a year ago (personal guided tour), it was certainly more than nostalgia.

Planning to reload the old 30-06 ammo should make it a bit affordable.

The Classic American WW2 Battle Rifle versus the plastic .223 shooter?
Without a doubt, One of these rifles has Character, and will come from the CMP.

 

[Al LaVodka]

I would disagree with that automotive comparison; little has changed in the small arms industry since 1927, compared to the automotive industry. This is not unexpected, considering firearms have been continuously improved upon and perfected for over 500 years, vs a scant hundred or so for the automobile. Comparing a 1927 Ford to a 2010 Ford would be more like comparing an early 1700s musket to a modern AR.

OK, it is more like comparing a '41 Ford to a 1989 AUDI A8. They both have wheels but are essentially different in every detail from caliber to ergonomics to function to material to weight to accuracy to capacity to firepower...

AR. .223. However, why can't you have BOTH!

Al

 

[theotherwaldo]

How about I split the difference and get an M1A? After all, that's what they're doing in Afghanistan right now!

 

[Dionysusigma]

1,000-400 yards apart:
Garand: *BANG*... *splat*
AR: "They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist-"

400-100 yards apart:

Ithaca37
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vs.

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Depends on range, is all. Both are accurate and reliable. The Garand wins on range, the AR wins on capacity.

 

[Slamfire]

I would take a M1a over a AR15 any day.

A Garand, that darn eight round clip is a real limitation.

 

[HexHead]

Get the Garand. Everybody and their brother is making ARs these days. You can always pick up another.