Which .308 battle rifle?

J

jnsn

New member
I have been looking at these STG's and G3's for some time now and have the money to jump. I was hoping that someone would have input into which one to buy and from where. I cannot afford the DSA version. I was thinking about an STG with an Imbel receiver, as many gunsmiths won't work on one without it. I don't know who is assembling them for the different outlets, like Wholesale Guns, Federal, SOG, and so I am unsure if there is an advantage of one outlet over another. Thanks for the help!
 
Well, I just got a STG-58/Imbel from federal, and am quite pleased. The things I was told when I asked the same question proved true, as far as the action staying very clean, and the gas system being easy to clean. I was told the G3 chews up the brass on extraction.. But I now am sold on gas-operated vs. recoil operated.
 
My advice: Get the best deal you can on an Imbel receiver STG58 parts gun, then save your money and send it to Derek Huffman at Azex and have him smooth it out, iron out the kinks.
 
Rik - what kinks would you look for? I have one and the trigger is mediocre. Other than that, seems OK to me. Is that some thing he can help with?

Giz
 
The trigger is one area, also the bolt-hold-open pin (which Century sometimes grinds off).
Also headspace, putting on a muzzle brake, cutting the barrel to whatever length you choose, etc...
 
On the parts guns I would go with the FAL. With a parts gun there is always a gamble, but there are some very competent FAL smiths to go to if there are any problems.

FAL vs. G3, I think the FAL is easier to use. Cocking handle is easier to reach, and work. Magazines are cheaper. FAL seems to recoil less. Doesn't chew up your brass.

I have an L1a1 built on an Imbel receiver, and I love it!
 
While I prefer the HK91, if I had to start from scratch, I'd go with the FN FAL style rifle. Magazines are affordable and it's less brass sensitve.
 
Don't think there are any hicap mags available for the VEPR (correct me if I am wrong) and a FAL also has the VEPR beat on accessory and spare part availability.
 
FAL is the way to go, milled reciever (not stamped like G3), screwed-in barrel (not press fit like G3), doesn't maul the brass like the G3, better balance, better ergonomics, cheaper overall (mags, parts, smithwork). All the G3 has going is a slight edge in accuracy.
 
I do like the look of the wood on the CETME, but I have to wonder if the pressure concerns that other Spanish rifles face would apply to this one as well. It seems the CETME .308 round preceeded the adoption of the NATO .308 variant and was loaded to a lower pressure. This point has been brought up many times in relation to C&R Spanish Mausers, and the use of the Nato Standard round, much less the domestic loadings which are higher still.
 
Just for the sake of accuracy, the CETME is actually HK's predecessor.

To state it correctly, the HK's are CETME clones.
 
On the other hand, CETME design originated from Germany (at the end of WWII), so really, the design has come full-circle...

Skorzeny

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For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme excellence. Sun Tzu
 
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