AR 15 or M1A which is the smarter buy?

F

Flaim

Moderator
Well I can't recomend a rifle for what it may be worth in a few years. I just don't see this as a valid reason for purchasing one gun over another.

Now as for the two you have mentioned. You are talking about apples and oranges. One is a battle rifle the other is an "assult rifle"

I prefer the AR15 myself. It is lighter, you can carry more ammo, and just as affective within 300 yards.

The M14 will give you much longer ranges. 2-3 times in fact. And much more punch when it hits. But you are looking at a 10 poun rifle with heavy ammunition.
I can carry Ten 30 round mags for the AR with no problem. and only half that in 20 rounders for the M14. Both are wonderful weapons that you will be able to selldown the road. (unless they pass more stupid laws)

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"Knowledge is a destination. Truth, the journey."
 
I'm thinking of buying one of these two. As always, I have an eye toward future market value. Which of these rifels will be more shall we say desireable down the road. The AR15 will be a post ban Bushy or Colt. The M1A will be a standard Springfield.

Thanks,

Jay
 
An eye toward furture market value doesn't not see 20/20. Given that both are "Post Ban" it's a hard choice... the AR does have that evil black look that is the driving force behind stupid legislation.

However, if it were me and I didn't have either one I would get the M1A1. It more versital then the AR. Versital due to longer range capabilities (300 + yards), more energy (you can hunt most game with it), etc.

Tough choice... glad it's yours! ;)

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Schmit
GySgt, USMC(Ret)
NRA Life, Lodge 1201-UOSSS
"Si vis Pacem Para Bellum"
 
I agree that this is a tough choice, but, being that I'm a Californian, I'd be swayed by the fact that the AR is the more likely to be banned rifle. The M1A will cost more now, and likely be worth more later, but if some sort of federal "assault weapons" ban is passed, the AR is certain to be on the list. This would temporarily drive up the price, and, if California is the pattern, you'll have a rifle that you can't sell at all (but are very glad you bought when you did). Lets all hope this scenario never happens, but it's something to consider. I have three ARs and a bunch of M14 magazines, but no M1A (yet). Here in California, I'm always trying to beat he next ban (handguns this year). The M1A will have to wait awhile.

The AR is also fun to shoot, non-gun-people especially are always impressed by the look (it makes some nervous). Ammo is relatively cheap, recoil is low, and accuracy is good. Gun-people might be more admiring of the M1A (I know I am, but maybe that's just because I don't have one yet).

Doug

[This message has been edited by DougB (edited October 29, 2000).]
 
DougB, the AR is already banned from sale in California. The M1a as well, unless you replace the flash hider with something less evil. As a Californian, I, too, have been buying handguns which I might not be able to next year (trying real hard to do 1 per month...). But I would guess that, federally, the AR is more likely to be restricted than the M1a. In fact, they already are, so the AR would be my choice to buy today (I already bought mine, since I can no longer buy them).

The Highpower Service Rifle champs tend to use AR type rifles, and they can shoot as well or better than the M1a shooters at 600 yards. They typically use handloads with heavy bullets (75-80 gr), but long range shooting can be done accurately.
 
HCKJMN: I would go with the AR, probably a Bushmaster. Why? Cheap to shoot. Bucket loads of parts provide easy, less costly maintenance. There are dozens of configurations to be had and aftermarket accessories are plentiful. Also there's no bedding to mess up if you take it apart. Go to ar15.com for loads of info.
 
When it comes to 'investing', stick to stocks, bonds, etc. Yes, you can make money on 'collectibles', but most stories about how great a gun, car or other collectible investment were tend to ignore the time involved ... you know - the guy who thought he scored big because he doubled his money, in 10 years (that's roughly 7.2% per annum). Go figure.

IMHO, the AR is a 'must have' firearm ... the M1A more of a luxury. Decide your most likely use for the rifle, and let that be your guide. And, Bushmasters seem to receive the most Kudo's. Finally, buy plenty of mag's ... both 20 and 30 rounders. Check www.AR15.com for lots of good tips.

Good luck with your decision. Regards from AZ

[This message has been edited by Jeff Thomas (edited October 31, 2000).]
 
I am a happy M1A owner here in the PRK (for those of you in less restrictive territory, PRK stands for People's Republik of Kalifornia). I bought the M1A in 97 and was thinking of getting an AR a while back, but decided to get a Dillon and spend more money on M1A ammo instead. As I was contemplating such a buy, my rangemaster friend told me to stick with the M1A because I have much better knock down power at range. True it is a little bulkier, but I live in the boonies and I would prefer the extra range. Plus, I went ahead and went the poor man's AR route and bought two M1 Carbines and plenty of the USGI 30 round mags.

My choice would be the M1A. It has greater range and power. Plus it will not be as easily outlawed and then you won't have to make the choice so many of my fellow comrades here in the PRK had to make: register, sell, or hide and never take out of the safe.
 
If you are into the availability thing, the AR might be worth a lot more down the line because it seems like the assault config is being more and more scrutinized.

My preference: M1A. God forbid you ever have to be in a situation where you will need a rifle but in a SHTF scenario I would much rather have the M1A with half as much ammo than an AR with twice as much ammo. In a .308 you have a very versatile cartridge with superior range, penetration and power.
 
Don't buy a rifle based on the fact it might be worth more down the road. An AR is lighter, uses a lighter caliber, comes in hundreds of configurations, has a great iron sight system, has reliable and cheap mags, and the pistol grip feels a lot nicer to shoot.

James
 
I'm with Jeff. Decide what you want to do with the rifle first (plinking, target shooting, service rifle competition, 3-gun competition, hunting, etc.). Then decide which would be better suited to your needs.

Personally, I've got two ARs and one M1A. I like them all.

Jared
 
As far as .223 vs .308, all one has to do is read "Blackhawk Down" and see just how many round of .223 it took to drop a Somali vs how many with the odd M14 that were there.

.308 all the way. FAL, M1A, G3, whatever.

.223 makes a good chick gun, though.

Rick
 
Don't know about Somali's, but I'd bet that my AR would take care of a covey of American DemocRATs just fine. Lighter, easier-to-work-on; cheaper ammo; more availability on 20 and 30-rd. mags; Get the AR.
 
All depends on your intended purpose. For me, I opted for a pair of differently configured AR's. One set up for long range and the other a carbine with an Aimpoint red dot sight.

I have a bolt .308 (Remington 700 VLSS) for longer range knockdown ability.
 
I have one of each.

A Colt HBAR and a Springfield Armory M1A NM.

I lke them both but when it comes down to it I favor the M1A. I like the 7.62 round better at all ranges than I do the 5.56 and at the real long ranges, the 7.62 is a better battle round hands down.

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Jim - NRA Life Member

"The Second Amendment is in place in case they ignore the others"

www.geocities.com/jimc_07874/home.html
 
Why would you have a stainless barreled .308 for long range sniping? So the enemy can see you better? If you really ever intend to use it for self defense or in limited offensive operations, that stainless is worthless. Of course, we will probably never use any of these guns for what we really have them for. Still, I just painted my 700 VS a nice camo patern, it looks mighty nice.
 
The most likely enemy of any of us posting here would be a crow, coyote, deer, etc. I don't use stainless barrels, either, but not because I'm concerned about some perceived "enemy".
 
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