which $1000 battle rifle in .308

H

howardaw

Inactive
I would like to start saving for a .308 semi-auto.
The basic m1a (synthetic stock), dsarms austrian FAL,
and eagle/armalite ar10 all seem to be about $1000,
which seems to be enough to guarantee quality but
not completely break the bank. I've seen FALs for
$600 or so, but I don't think I would trust them,
similarly I know match m1a rifles are probably
superb, but I don't want to spend that much. I've
held the m1a and austrian FAL (very, very nice), and
I'm familiar with ar15s on which the ar10 is based.
And that's the problem...I like them all.
So, what are the pros and cons of each? Thanks.

Howard
 
Grab the FAL

All are superb weapons, as is the HK91, which I chose.

THE determining factor, and I will not be the only one to point this out...

MAGAZINES for the FAL series are everywhere and VERY cheap, meaning under $10.00, compared to over 50 for the others you mention.

If I had it to do over again, I'd have a FAL.
 
DSA STG-58 FAL, very good gun. Very accurate.
I sold one of my AR-10's and the other sits in the safe.
I have a CETME and it is a nice rifle.
I like my FAL's the best
 
M1A

Howard,
you won't need but 2 or 3, 20 rounders, and parts are available everywhere for the SA M1A.
When the others are L_O_N_G banned for import, parts will be very scarce and very expensive.
And to top that all off, are the FAL's that are currently available........a hodgepodge of worn out surp parts, refinished??.
If you can plunk down big bucks for an original.........go ahead, if not, M1A all the way.
my .02's
 
Howardaw
I agree with Tshoes, M1A. I would however get the walnut stock and pick up the surplus fiberglass stock. I have hear nothing but bad about the finish of the SA synthetic stocks. You can fill the selector cut out in with JB Weld and paint it to suit your need. Hit the guns shows and buy a second used handgaurd and keep the wood nice.
Check the boards with as well as a few others in the FOR SALE area. I just bought 3 new USGI 20 rounders for $125.00, so there are some deals. http://www.ar15mags.com has them as low as $36.00. I saw a few at http://www.gunbroker.com for under $1200. And there is a Polytech for sale somewhere for $585 if I can find it again.

Good Luck

Karsten

http://www.assaultweb.net/ubb/Forum12/HTML/200993.html Keep in mind that there is some little rod that holds OPRODspring guide in place that would have to be replaced to use the USGI stock on the Polytech
 
M1A

I turned this question over in my head for 2 or 3 years, and just kept saving a little bit more and a little bit more. I handled dozens upon dozens of different rifles in question and like and loved many of them. One particular FAL almost got me, but it wasn't under your $1000 price range. A CETME and a HK also almost were purchased but again were above $1000. I'll tell you, it's not the rifle, but all the other doo-dads you put on that get you.
Anyhow, I made my decision. The M1A just felt like the right gun for me. True I didn't spend under a thousand on it. But for a nice weapon of any of these, you'll be hard pressed to come across a great one at that mark. Try used, a few shots fired through (ShotGun News) you'll get a better weapon than new for $1000.
Yes, the M1A mags are MORE expensive than the FALs right now. An inconvienence. But I'd rather be putting an expensive mag into my M1A, than a cheap one into an FAL. Just my thoughts.
 
A.Rex:

You are confusing inexpensive with cheap. The FAL mags made by Steyr (and going for $7-$8 NEW) are excellent. I'm glad you got an M1a......more FAL goodies for me to put on my DSA. Oh, and parts through DSA (excellent quality US made) are generally less expensive than for am M1a. I know, I've got a loaded M1a sitting in the safe gathering dust----the DSA shoots better and is a lot more fun. Just my opinion spiced with a little fact.
 
DSA STG-58A

They are made with NEW (or darned close) surplus parts and the balance is made right here in the USA, from the same blueprints and to the same specs. If an imported part breaks, replace it with a DSA part. No problem. Lifetime warranty, too.

DSA is all top-shelf, and at $800 bucks, the STG-58 "parts gun" is an absolute steal.

Mike
 
I didn't say the FAL was a piece of junk or anything, in fact I'd be willing to bet I've handled more of them than you have. And while they're an excellent rifle, it doesn't suit my purposes as well as the M1A. I'm surprised your DSA shoots better than your M1A, hmmm. Rifles have their own personalities... Yes the mags are an incredible deal, thats why I have some myself. I was actually more fond of the FAL than any other rifle until I shot an M1A. Maybe it's the feel, maybe it's something else... I would say that if you're partial to having a pistol grip- don't think twice, get the FAL.
 
Definitely go with the DSA FAL. I have a very nice M1A and it's fun to shoot, but the M1A is also a much more complicated gun to field strip, magazines are much more expensive and currently-made Springfield Armory M1As are made of much softer metal than the older ones made with USGI parts.
 
A.Rex:

You think you've handled more than I have? Good, keep thinking that. I'm sure you were some kind of super-secret ninja-squirrel armourer for the SAS.

As to the DSA versus the SA, it's as much shooter as weapon. The M1a/M14 is NOT the end-all, be-all battle rifle. It has its flaws. Further, you did imply that M14 mags were 'better' because they were more expensive. Not true. By the way, guess which rifle was my trunk gun for quite a few years? Hint: not the SA!
 
I suggest shooting each of your possible choices if possible. I have a M1A and I love it. However, I also want an FAL in a bad way. Don't overlook George Hill's suggestions either. The VEPR is kind of a sleeper, but has great possibilites.
Zane
 
I own one M1A NM Loaded package with the SA Govt 6X40 scope.
And I also own one of the CAI FrankenFals (STG-58).
This is where I should put on my Nomex fire suit.
If I had to bug out with only one weapon and ammo I would take the FN-FAL first. Every rifle has it's own place. My M1A is a fine rifle in all aspects. The FN-FAL I think would be easier to maintain in the field than the M1A.
JMHO
 
I'd go with the DSA. I don't believe $1k will cover a M1A at all, yet alone the magazines and with the DSA FN, you can still have ducats left over for magazines. The FN, like the AR, is also more conducive to "home repair" than the M-14 or M1A. Those Garand type actions requires a lot of special gauges, many of which are not available or affordable.
 
One other thing...

I'm not sure how much accuracy figures into your decisionmaking.

If you're looking for a rifle with really good (read: competition shooting) accuracy, you probably should lean towards something other than the FAL. FALs are battle rifles and capable of decent accuracy, but are not as accurate as, say, a tricked out m14.

Of course, I doubt you'll get a tricked out m14 or m1a for anything approaching $800.

Mike

PS DSA! DSA! DSA!
 
the vepr was mentioned before. drawbacks
$30 per mag
mags are only available in 10rd cap.
mags are propriority to this gun, nothing else will work without modifications.
pro's of the vepr.
ak action
chrome lined barrel
rpk adj rear sights
it may be an ak action bit these babies rock!!
out of box off a sandbag @100yds open sights the vepr can match and or out shoot a standard m-1a!!! i know i have shot as well as own them
the mag issue is fixable with some minor mods. i am working with a machinist on deciding which way to go so they will be able to accept m-1a mags (in original config) the mag alone is 3 us parts combined with h/t/s and you can be sec922 legal.
now getting back to the other guns
a fn/clone can shoot damn good, utilizing "parts" i am anal when it comes to grouping, however the reality is that when rounds start going over your head, the last thing you will probably worrying about is MOA. as long as a "battle" style rifle can do COM @100yds that is good enough for me. yet my fn's seem to be able to (off the bench) do groupings in the black) if not fairly tight groups all around.
i also like the m-1a, yet unless you can run into a deal the average price hover's around $1200.
of course (opening the metal softness can of worms) there are some polytec m-14s's out there that average $5-700.
if headspace is within spec's this gun is a sleeper
my $0.02
 
Okay, down boys :confused: Fal guys in one corner M14/M1A guys in the other. This is sorta like which is the better Acura or Lexas. No one bad mouthed either rifle, just personal opinions. Some like one and some like another.
Sorta like some swear by an M4 AR and I didn't care for the iron sites so I got a VMatch. That is why we are all so differnet yet we are all still here knocking these questions around.

Now be nice and lets all play fair......Okay M14/M1A guys, there thinking, lock and load them high dollar mags :p


Have fun

Karsten
 
Battle rifle...uuummmm

What do you like to do?
Long range? Entry?
I'd grab my long range AR10T and wreck any picnic at 1000+ yards but if the lay of the land is tighter my AR10A2 Carbine would corner nicely.
Intermediate range? an M1A.....why not!
My advice:
Get ALL of them and know thy battlefield.

M Gruber
 
Alex from Robinson is looking into higer capacity Vepr .308 magazines as well...

The 10 rounder hangs fairly low for bench shooting already.
In my Dads bench rest i can only utilize the 5 rounder.

At 30 bucks a pop the 10 rounders are dear but look at the price of AR10 mags...

One of the AK smiths has made a vepr that accepts galil mags.
But thats a 70 dollar mag.
What would be sweet would be .308 Thermolds in a Vepr.
But they are not cheap either.

Maybe the best solution is for Robinson to loss lead the 10 round Vepr Mags at 15 bucks each and sell a ton of rifles.

The lack of a last round holdback on the bolt is a vepr issue too.

dZ
 
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