Can't decide: AR 15 or M14?

[Catalina]

I'd vote .30 calibre over .22

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Sarge45]

The M1A is a beautiful gun. I own both but if I could only get one right now and had the $$$ I would get the M1A.

[NativH]

Like others said, the 308 isn't for in town SD work unless we are in total anarchy. I have an AR10 for that time, for feral hogs, and for general fun at the range. I have an AR15 for home defense and general fun at the range. Never done the 6.8 but it sounds like a nice middle ground. M14's look like fine guns but the AR10 is a little more compact which works well for me. But a 308 semi is a fine weapon to have in addition to a nice 5.56 IMHO. Get both.

[wadecool]

Thanks everyone for the great info. INMO, I would get both, but in my wifes opinion its one gun this year.
We live in a new subdivision so there are empty lots surrounding my house for now, but as they build homes near me, I can see how using a .308 for HD would be an issue.
A friend told me the other day that AR15 prices have dropped recently due to a large quantity being on the market right now. Has anyone else heard this?

[bmcgilvray]

If "push came to shove" I'll keep my M1A long after the AR 15 is gone. There is just so much more one can do with the .30.

[RockStrongo]

I've been looking for a 5.56 for the past several months, and I think the prices have come down a couple hundred for an AR since last fall. There are some pretty good "deals" out there right now compared to a year ago for sure. AIM typically has the best price that I have seen so far for their DD M4 style rifles. I spoke with a few people in sales and they are expecting these back in stock fairly soon.

Daniel Defense XV M4 Carbine .223/5.56 Rifle
Daniel Defense M4 .223/5.56 Rifle

This is the best price I have found on a NIB Colt 6920 with the "small pins".
Colt 6920 LE6920 5.56 223 NIB 60 Day Layaway : Semi-auto at GunBroker.com

Hope this helps in your decision!

Rock

[shooterX]

I too was thinking of an AR, a Sig 556 and walked into my local shop and a SA M1A socom 16 was sitting in the rack, I have wanted this rifle for a long time, and never even saw one in person, well, later that night, it went home with me. Yes everything is more money, but, I love it. And as I understand it (and I haven't tested this yet), The Hornady LE Tap 110 grain round was designed in response to requests for a 7.62/.308 round that had less penetration, and this round is recommended for the M1A. I bought some from ATG but haven't had a chance to try it out yet.

[Theman9mm]

do the AR. I love mine.. Its a bushmaster .223/.556 with quad rail system, tactical laser dot, surefire flashlight (seen action in Iraq), bushnell red/green dot scope and 3 point sling.. and i'm not done...

[peckman28]

The AR15 will be cheaper to acquire, cheaper to feed, and is more customizable, if that's your thing. The 7.62X51 and .308 the M1A fires is unsuitable for home defense; it'll fly right through the BG, the person behind him, and out your wall. The .223 and 5.56 will probably (but not always!) shatter inside the first thing it hits. Also, if you get a carbine AR it will be much more maneuverable in close quarters than the M1A and its 22" barrel. You could go with the Scout (18") or SOCOM (16") model, but it will still be heavier and more unwieldy. So, if you plan to use the weapon for HD, go with the AR. If you want something you can hunt deer with, get the M1A. If you're just getting it because you think they're cool and you'd just like them in your collection, I guess that would have to be up to you which is better in that area. I have both myself, and I would hate to give up either.

[gasmitty]

A friend told me the other day that AR15 prices have dropped recently due to a large quantity being on the market right now. Has anyone else heard this?

A year ago, ARs were in back-ordered status and all were selling for top dollar. Currently, prices have relaxed and the supply is quite good. Not quite a buyer's market, but far more sensible than it had been.

[NativH]

And as I understand it (and I haven't tested this yet), The Hornady LE Tap 110 grain round was designed in response to requests for a 7.62/.308 round that had less penetration, and this round is recommended for the M1A. I bought some from ATG but haven't had a chance to try it out yet.

I love the 110 gr TAP in my AR10. That round is extremely accurate in my 16" barrel. I use this as my primary SD 308 round and keep FMJ ammo for penetration and target practice. The 110 gr is hard to come by so I get as many as I can afford whenever I come across it.

[johnshia]

I'm trying to decide between purchasing an AR-15 or a Springfield M14. I know the latter is much more $$ than the AR, but that's not an issue. Just curious as to everones opinion on defensive tactics with these rifles, ballistics, cost to shoot, etc. Thanks in advance.

Would recommend:

1st: an AR due to low cost and the fact that it's like AK of Western world, everywhere.

2nd: get CMP Garand: basically, M-14 in 30-06 w/o detachable mag.

3rd: get M1A/M-14.

Best.

--John

[uralite]

M1A/M14. I keep wanting to get an AR, but everytime I think about it I keep thinking how satisfactory my M1A is. :) How much .308 ammo I could get for the cost of that AR. There is plenty of ammo around at the same price as .223. I found .308 for .35 per rd online. .223 is up there as well. The m1A will cost more upfront, but will leave you with that reach out and touch someone feeling at the range.:)

[oneshot]

For only one rifle I would chose the M14 in 308.

Just my 2 cents, but...recently went thru same or sort of, decision.

AR15 - .223, great weapon, ammo cheap (relatively), accurate to 100 yds, lots of accessories, fun to shoot!

M1 - .308, accurate to 300+ yds, expensive to buy, ammo more expensive, fewer accessories

AR10 - .308, Great weapon, plenty of accessories, more expensive to shoot.

My choice, AR15 lower, 6.8mm SPC upper. Terminal ballistics in between .223 and .308. Accurate to 300+ yds. Less recoil than .308. Ammo available locally and on line. Cost between .223 and .308. Seems to be a great compromise. Took two deer this season 180+ lbs, longest shot was 185 yds.

Apples and oranges.

If I could have only one rifle, period, and these were the choices, I would go with the M1A, which is what Springfield Armory, Inc. call their M14. I would, of course, pay much more for the .308 ammo over time, but .308 can do things that .223 cannot. As for tactics, well, where I live, I would certainly have to adjust my tactics if using a .308 for general defense, because I like my neighbors. Basically, I would need to use something else to shoot at bad guys in my neighborhood, except for some very specialized circumstances.

Presently, I have an AR15 and two Mini-14s, because .223 is a better cartridge to use in my near-urban environment. I own manually-operated rifles chambered in .308. An M1A or M14 is on my long-term wish list, but is not a priority. I do plan to live on acreage in an area with rolling hills in the future.

^^^^^YEP^^^^^^^^

Never gave two poops for the .223


You will never begin in the fight you have planned for. You will begin in the fight the other guy has planned for.
Move in a manner that leads him into your fight should he press his attack.
Mathew Courtney

[sgb]

I have AR15, AR10 and M1A platforms. The AR platforms are far more versatile for less money than is the M1A.

When you look at cost vs benefit the AR15 is the best choice. The 5.56 (.223) cartridge is easily aquired for a much cheaper cost than is 7.62 (.308). Further with the AR15 platform you can swap out upper receiver assemblies and magazines to shoot other calibers like .22lr, 6.8spc, .300 whisperer, 5.45x39, 7.62x 39 for examples. You can also swap out uppers to go from a carbine to rifle to varmint length barrels.

My recommendation is to get a quality AR15 first then start saving for that M1A ......... or AR10

Gratuitous gun porn .........