I started looking into getting an M1A or M14 clone recently. Coming from the AR world of 8 different competing manufacturers with 6 models each, I was a little surprised to find that the only options for the M14 seem to be Springfield and PolyTech, or a custom from Fulton Armory.
The Springfield seems to be at least $1500 :tumbleweed: , and the Fulton tacks on another grand on top of that. PolyTech's are at least more reasonably priced (still $800 though), but everyone and their mom swears they are excrement.
I guess I didn't realize how popular these things were. I knew they were good guns, but wow. Is there some secret manufacturer that will sell you a solid gun without extracting 4 digits from your bank account?
Also, I'm not married to the idea of having an M14, it's just an option. I want something in .308, box-fed, semi-auto, fairly accurate, and reasonably priced. What else should I look into?
You can find a Cetme battle rifle for way smaller money.
I looked recently at all the mag fed 7.62 NATO guns. Decided on an excellent condition, all American, used Springfield Armory M1A Scout Squad. (M14 type with a 4 inch shorter barrel and weaver rail midway down the barrel). Still set me back 1400.00. Was a few years old but spent its time in a guys safe, not at the range. Probably only had 50 rounds fired through it.
Then to make it useful I bought 2000 rounds ammo, USGI sling, twelve 20 round mags, five 10 round mags, Harris swiveling bipod and Aimpoint 2X extended eye relief scope. All this extra stuff was the price of the gun all over again.
I think it was worth it.
Cetme, huh. Wasn't that what the G3 was based off of? Might be worth looking into.
well, maybe if I can save up enough cash, I'll take the M1A plunge. It just seems strange to me that I could get a brand-new loaded AR-15 for 2/3 the price of an M1A.
Does anyone here have experience with the PolyTech's?
I'm not a fan of the M1 style... (I know _blaspheme_ right?) Sorry, I like a pistol grip on my battle rifle. So I started looking at a good quality FAL, AR10, or G3 type rifle.
You can find a Cetme junker in the <1000 range, but not by much. A well put together FAL is 1000-14000, a nice S3 clone is well over 1000 now. Problems seem to plague the AR style .308's, unless you go high end, then you get expensive... plus, I already have an AR style rifle, and would like something else in .308.
I ended up buying a JLD PTR91. It's a very well put together rifle, reliable, accurate, inexpensive magazines... but it wasn't cheap!
A good buddy of mine has a Springfield M1A, and it's a great, accurate rifle. It was (IIRC) about $1600...
I opted for a DSA Arms FAL Congo (dealer price was around $1400 at the time), and am completely pleased with it. DSA has other rifles available at various price levels, starting with this:
Some years ago i had the pleasure of owning a SA m1a NM . It was a fine rifle that did everything i asked of it , and when my need for it disappeared i actually sold it for quite a bit more than i had in it . Most likely i will never own another since imho they are over valued except for a narrow nitch and that is only on accuracy at range . Nowdays you can pick up some AR10 variant that will shoot with it( and do it out of the box to boot ) for quite a bit less $$ , but back in the day it was honestly the most affordable " accurate " repeater you could get . I suppose if you " Just have to have an M14gery the price is worth it , but equal or better performance can be had cheaper in the full battlerifle catagory .
The mini-30 is a good rifle, but for this purchase, I'd really like something in 7.62x51.
cmidkiff - I also prefer a pistol grip, but that can be remedied with most rifles.
that FAL has potential - I'll have to research it more.
******* Repairs - Would you care to elaborate on alternative rifles? As I said, the M14 was just a rifle that I knew of. I'm trying to avoid the AR-10 platform, both because I already have an AR, and want something different, and because of the reliability rumors that seem to follow them around. Other than that, I'm pretty open to ideas.
IMO I would go with the M1A or FAL if you don't want an AR-10. The AR-10 could be had for a little bit cheaper, especially if you are capable of building your own. www.pof-usa.com makes their own lowers for AR-10s and they use an FAL style gas system.
I will let you know..I am picking up my M1A Loaded Standard tonight!!!!!! And will hit the range on Saturday (If the rain holds off)....:banana: :banana: :banana:
BTW I paid $1488 + shipping/ffl (total of $45) for mine....
congrats on the purchase. if it doesn't work out, I'll be happy to take it off your hands (at great personal sacrifice to me, of course) :tongue:
I think at this point, I'm leaning towards a PTR-91. I found some for $800 NIB, which sounds pretty good to me. Everyone who has one raves about their build quality and durability, and apparently, they're capable of 1moa right out of the box (plenty accurate for me).
I still need to do some more research, and try to set up a local FFL transfer for one (not to mention build up some cash).
Bob The hk line and any of the g3 clones can be real accurate with a little work as can the FAL. Tho i own a fal I am waiting to see what the RRA ar10 clone looks like since i believe i read somewhere it is going to take fal mags and they are cheap and common .
Out of the box accuracy i would have to say the ar10 or m1a has it hands down with the g3 clones a close third. With a bit of smithing tho any of the " battle rifles " can be made to shoot better than 98% of the riflemen out there .
The only issue i see with the ptr, g3 , whateaver you want to call the action is the fluted chamber . If you reload make another choice , if not then its great . Tho due to ergonomics many feel like it recoils more than some others . To me its fine but be aware depending on your build and experiance it may " kick " some . The fal on the other hand almost universaly is plesant to shoot , but takes a bit more work to make a sub moa rifle out of than other actions .
well, I picked up a used PTR-91 off of an arfcom-er, and took delivery of it this week.
Haven't been able to shoot it yet, but overall, I'm very impressed.
Pros:
It's smaller than I expected. I guess the short stock makes the gun look like it should be bigger.
It dissassembles in a flash. after tearing it down a few times, I think I've got the hang of it. The lucking lugs were a bit of a pain, but not too bad.
Cons:
It's way front heavy. I can deal with this though.
The plastic buttpad sucks. So does the narrow fore-end.
Some questions for the local HK gurus:
Where can get an HK21 rubber buttpad? I've gathered that this is what I want, both to tame the recoil, and keep it from slipping off my shoulder like the plastic one likes to do. Is there another alternative buttpad? A stock extension would be nice too.
Does anyone make oversized or higher-leverage charging handles? I can operate it, but it takes more force than I would like to pry the handle out and unlock the bolt.
Does the standard G3 flash-hider, with its C-clip attachment work on the heavy barrels? Will it need any gun-smithing, or just clip on?
Congrats, I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine.
PTR91.com sells a rubber buttpad. You might also look at their 'comfort zone' buffer, if recoil bothers you. I don't find that my PTR's recoil is uncomfortable, but others do.
Don't know on the oversized charging handle, never heard of such a thing. The charging handle acts as a cam lever that forces the locking rollers out of their seats in the trunion... it's designed to unlock under recoil, so it shouldn't be too easy. Mine seems to be loosening up some with use.
My PTR91 has a factory H&K flash hider on it, with the C clip attachment, and it's a heavy barrel. I don't know what kind of fitting it took to put it there, since it was delivered from JLD that way, but it is possible.
the M14 is worth it, the old addage "you get what you pay for" applies heavily to this gun.
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