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Old December 13, 2012, 04:24 AM   #1
simbadb
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M1A ... Rock River LAR-8...Armalite AR 10 ?

Narrowed down to these three. Would really appreciate input on which to choose.

1) Overall Build Quality?
2) Availability of upgrades/add-ons?
2) Ease of use and breakdown(cleaning)?
3) Experience with: Accuracy, Ammo etc.?

Many Thanks!
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Old December 13, 2012, 08:35 AM   #2
Skans
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For me, the difference between an AR style 308 and an M1A comes down to weight and style. If light weight is important, then the AR is the better solution. If weight doesn't matter and you prefer steel then go with the M1A.

Personally, I like the M1A, but if I had to carry it for any distance, I'd probably toss it for the (uglier IMHO) AR10 style rifle.

FWIW, the aesthetics, look and feel of a gun DOES matter to me quite a bit, unless you catch me after I'm sick and tired of lugging it around.
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Old December 13, 2012, 12:56 PM   #3
navajo
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which

Went through basic with the M 14. I have owned 7 M1As. Love the M 14 types.

However.......
The AR 10 is much more versatil. Quality parts fairly easy to get. Not so true for M1A thesae days. Talking about GI parts. Scarse and expen$ive.
Owned 7 AR 10s and still have 2. Armalite.
Extremely accurate, very reliable.
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Old December 13, 2012, 06:56 PM   #4
Uncle Malice
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I was recently looking for something in .308. I originally looked at a couple AR-10 models... but the price and relative unreliability of them, compared to the AR-15 platform turned me away.

I was looking very closely at the FAL style rifles, the only downside again, was price - I didn't really want to get a CAI model.

I really like the M1A styles and it was a close runner up.

In the end, I ended up not going semi-auto, and went with a Remington 700 bolt action. The price was right, and my plans for 308 are for longer ranger precision shooting. Don't really need a semi auto for that. The FAL platform would be nice, but if I need something more powerful than the AR15, I can go with the AK in 7.62x39... not quite .308 power, I know... but more than enough for any kind of close work I would expect to encounter.

If your choices, I'd probably go with the M1A, or MAYBE the Rock River AR-10... but is there a reason you haven't included the FAL in your list?
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Old December 13, 2012, 09:29 PM   #5
1944m1garand
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M1A all the way...
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Old December 13, 2012, 09:33 PM   #6
'88Scrat
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Quote:
Originally posted by 1944m1garand:
M1A all the way...
I second this notion.
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Old December 13, 2012, 10:49 PM   #7
johnnydollar
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I'll second it a second time. M1A.
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Old December 14, 2012, 07:29 AM   #8
FALPhil
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Well, you can loook at my screen name and determine which side I fall on. In the Navy I started out with Garands and moved to M14s. Then, in the '90s, when the FAL parts kits started falling out of trees, I started dabbling in FALs. I fell in love. There are pros and cons for each rifle, but for me, the ergonomics, ease of maintenance, and toughness of the FAL make it the hands down winner. These days, if I were to seriously consider a new 308 rifle, I would look long and hard at an AR10 clone, probably the RR, becuase I have a truckload of FAL magazines, but there is a reason that every other army in the free world besides the US went with the FAL back in the '50s.

I might add - I do own an M1A. But it is pretty much a safe queen.

Last edited by FALPhil; December 14, 2012 at 07:57 AM.
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Old December 14, 2012, 08:11 AM   #9
LSnSC
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I would choose base on sighting system I planned to use. The AR-10 is better for optics, and the M1A is a superior iron sight platform, IMO.
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Old December 15, 2012, 02:52 AM   #10
jason_iowa
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M1a. I think they are as near perfect auto rifle that I have ever used. I like the sig 716 as well but for my money M1a is the way to go. I'm not a fan of the AR platform in general though so I am biased. I kicked the M4 to the curb asap. 5.56 vrs 7.62 had a lot to do with that though.

Buy an M1a if ya don't like it someone will buy it off ya. If no one else will let me know and Ill buy it off ya.
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Old December 15, 2012, 08:25 AM   #11
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Quote:
I would choose base on sighting system I planned to use. The AR-10 is better for optics, and the M1A is a superior iron sight platform, IMO.
What he said.......^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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Old December 15, 2012, 09:35 AM   #12
velocette
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The AR 308 series of rifles can be configured in virtually any imaginable manner. Iron sights from the very basic to extremely sophisticated aperture sights are readily available. They can be fitted with red dot sights, reflex sights, ACOG type sights, scopes of virtually any type or manner. The range of sights readily available and easily installed is enormous.
The AR 308 rifles right out of the box are far more accurate than the M1a and that accuracy can be maintained easily. They are not ammo sensitive, in that they can fire any 308 ammo. They are far more easily cleaned and maintained. Barrel / bolt / trigger changes / updates / upgrades are easily done by a moderately handy owner. Accessories are available for virtually any imaginable use & are relatively cheap.
The AR 308 rifles are not elegant nor pretty or even moderately good looking, they are just plain fugly. (IMHO)

The M1a is a rugged dependable rifle. It can be gunsmithed to be quite accurate but demands special care to maintain that accuracy. It's iron sights while basic, are very good and can be modified to a fairly high level. Barrel / bolt / trigger updates or replacements demand a good gunsmith and are expensive. They are ammo sensitive for bullet weight & powder charge.
Accessories are not as widely available as the AR 308 & demand skilled installation.
The M1a rifles are good looking, rifles & can be fitted with exquisite wood stocks or metal & plastic stocks to suit the whims of the owner both at great expense.

One can build / buy & fit out an AR 308 rifle for little more than half the cost of an equivalent M1a. Parts are cheaper and far more common.

The M1a as a copy of a US military rifle will always have that "something special" as an investment or as a prized possession. Not so with the AR 308.

In the end, it depend upon what YOU want in a rifle, how you will be using the rifle and what you expect from it.

My advice is to buy both, like I did.

Roger
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