Looking to buy a good 308 rifle

jeephipwr · August 23rd, 2007, 05:25 PM

I am perplexed as to what to do. I want a good semi-auto 308 rifle. I prefer a short barrel, with a folding stock, decent accuracy, easy to find parts.

I like the Springfield M1As. The new Socom II model has to short barrel and I can get a collaspible stock for it and mags/parts are easy to find. But the cost of the rifle and finding one right now is hard.

I could go with a regular M1A but long barrel.

Tromix makes both a Saiga conversion with folding stock, short barrel, with either galil or FBMG mags nut I am concerned about parts later down the road.

They also make a Galil copy but I have the same worry.

Red Jacket Firearms also makes a 308 on an AK action but high cost. If I spend $1500 on one of these I can buy the Springfield.

What other options do I have and what are your other opinons?

P95Carry · August 23rd, 2007, 05:37 PM

One other option tho - forget folding stock - a nice used FAL!! Or even an L1A1 if well built. I enjoy these both but the Imbel based FAL rocks!

pgrass101 · August 23rd, 2007, 05:57 PM

I have a fixed stock L1A1 that I like very much

But a PTR91 might fit you better

http://www.ptr91.com/product_pages/ptr91kpf.html

Superhouse 15 · August 23rd, 2007, 10:40 PM

There are plenty of CETME or HK91 style rifles around in my area, and the HK collapsible stock is available. Magazines are cheap, I've seen them for less than $5 a magazine. Try that with M14 mags. You can find good scope mounts, mags, and stocks everywhere online. There are a lot of different stocks and muzzle brakes/ flash hiders seen on these but most go for around $700 or so bucks around here.

Bob The Great · August 23rd, 2007, 10:50 PM

I did exactly the research you are doing now a few months ago. Basically, your options are

Saiga .308 - I wasn't too impressed with the Saiga's I handled. You can put a lot of work into one and come out of it with a nice gun, but I would rather it be nice to start out with. At least they're cheap.

FAL - Nice guns that many people swear by. There are some issues with english vs. metric mags (I still don't quite understand that one), and the adjustable gas system just seems gimmick-ey to me, but they are good guns.

Springfield M1A - M1A's are very nice guns, and consequently, they cost a bundle. If you have the money, they're great. Mags are expensive though.

Norinco M14 knockoff - Cheap, and some people are perfectly satisfied with them. I heard too many horror stories of soft metal parts and poor workmanship to buy one, though.

DPMS/Bushmaster AR-10 - I've heard good things about these. Never shot one though. I like the AR platform, but in my case, I already had an AR-15, and wanted to branch out.

HK91 - Pricey and no customer service, but it's an HK - that's just what they do. You will get a high quality firearm though.

CETME - I heard that there are good CETME's and bad CETME's. If you can tell the difference, at least they're cheap.

PTR91 - This is what I chose. They have a good reputation, they're affordable, and they're darn close to a true HK. I really wish they had a bolt-hold-open and forward assist, but that's just me being greedy. I also need to pick up/make a port buffer so it doesn't mangle the brass so much. It's nice that G3 Mags are a dime a dozen.

So, there you go. Good luck in your research.

bmcgilvray · August 23rd, 2007, 10:56 PM

If you intend to do a lot of shooting or want to participate in high-power competition you'd be ahead of the game to leave off the short-barreled SOCOM and get a full-sized M1A. I love shooting my M1A and wouldn't half enjoy the shorty version.

P95Carry · August 23rd, 2007, 11:10 PM

Quote:

FAL - Nice guns that many people swear by. There are some issues with english vs. metric mags (I still don't quite understand that one), and the adjustable gas system just seems gimmick-ey to me, but they are good guns.

Bob - the FN-FAL is Belgian in origin and so metric dimensions. The L1A1 was (per Falklands War for example) the British main battle rifle and based on inch.

The gas system is not actually bad at all - and once setup (I find #2 usually good to go) ..... it is reliable. Over time and much ammo - there can be a need to ream the gas port to remove carbon build up, which can eventually obturate.

Bob The Great · August 23rd, 2007, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P95Carry

Bob - the FN-FAL is Belgian in origin and so metric dimensions. The L1A1 was (per Falklands War for example) the British main battle rifle and based on inch.

well, that's not half as complicated as it seemed. Thanks.

glock21guy · August 24th, 2007, 02:22 AM

I got a used Armalite .308 for $1200, with about $300 of extras. With a short brl, 18 or less, you will have a very loud rifle.

Skygod · August 24th, 2007, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glock21guy

I got a used Armalite .308 for $1200, with about $300 of extras. With a short brl, 18 or less, you will have a very loud rifle.

Not to mention the muzzle blast off of that sucker will rock your world. I dont mind recoil, recoil does not bother me, but the muzzle blast on anything less than 18" is just down right wicked.

Plus, I fail to see the utility in a "shorty" .308 Win. It serves no purpose in my opinion other than looking cool to your other unknowing friends. Try benching a 16" .308 Win out to 300-400 meters. You'd be surprised how much more accuracy is in those next four + inches of barrel.

Folding stock ? What is the need for that ? Unless this is a patrol rifle that cannot be afixed inside the cruiser properly. If you were an LEO or military MP. In which case this would not be of concern.

August 23rd, 2007, 05:25 PM	#1
jeephipwr Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Little Rock Posts: 356	Looking to buy a good 308 rifle I am perplexed as to what to do. I want a good semi-auto 308 rifle. I prefer a short barrel, with a folding stock, decent accuracy, easy to find parts. I like the Springfield M1As. The new Socom II model has to short barrel and I can get a collaspible stock for it and mags/parts are easy to find. But the cost of the rifle and finding one right now is hard. I could go with a regular M1A but long barrel. Tromix makes both a Saiga conversion with folding stock, short barrel, with either galil or FBMG mags nut I am concerned about parts later down the road. They also make a Galil copy but I have the same worry. Red Jacket Firearms also makes a 308 on an AK action but high cost. If I spend $1500 on one of these I can buy the Springfield. What other options do I have and what are your other opinons?

August 23rd, 2007, 05:57 PM	#3
pgrass101 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 6,548	I have a fixed stock L1A1 that I like very much But a PTR91 might fit you better http://www.ptr91.com/product_pages/ptr91kpf.html __________________ Noli nothis permittere te terere I am waiting on my personal bailout!!! Last edited by pgrass101; August 24th, 2007 at 10:06 AM..

August 23rd, 2007, 10:40 PM	#4
Superhouse 15 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 986	.308 There are plenty of CETME or HK91 style rifles around in my area, and the HK collapsible stock is available. Magazines are cheap, I've seen them for less than $5 a magazine. Try that with M14 mags. You can find good scope mounts, mags, and stocks everywhere online. There are a lot of different stocks and muzzle brakes/ flash hiders seen on these but most go for around $700 or so bucks around here.

August 24th, 2007, 02:22 AM	#9
glock21guy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 523	I got a used Armalite .308 for $1200, with about $300 of extras. With a short brl, 18 or less, you will have a very loud rifle. __________________ Aaron If you don't protect your self, who will?

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August 23rd, 2007, 05:37 PM	#2
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,407	One other option tho - forget folding stock - a nice used FAL!! Or even an L1A1 if well built. I enjoy these both but the Imbel based FAL rocks! __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

August 23rd, 2007, 10:50 PM	#5
Bob The Great Distinguished Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Slidell, LA Posts: 1,468	I did exactly the research you are doing now a few months ago. Basically, your options are Saiga .308 - I wasn't too impressed with the Saiga's I handled. You can put a lot of work into one and come out of it with a nice gun, but I would rather it be nice to start out with. At least they're cheap. FAL - Nice guns that many people swear by. There are some issues with english vs. metric mags (I still don't quite understand that one), and the adjustable gas system just seems gimmick-ey to me, but they are good guns. Springfield M1A - M1A's are very nice guns, and consequently, they cost a bundle. If you have the money, they're great. Mags are expensive though. Norinco M14 knockoff - Cheap, and some people are perfectly satisfied with them. I heard too many horror stories of soft metal parts and poor workmanship to buy one, though. DPMS/Bushmaster AR-10 - I've heard good things about these. Never shot one though. I like the AR platform, but in my case, I already had an AR-15, and wanted to branch out. HK91 - Pricey and no customer service, but it's an HK - that's just what they do. You will get a high quality firearm though. CETME - I heard that there are good CETME's and bad CETME's. If you can tell the difference, at least they're cheap. PTR91 - This is what I chose. They have a good reputation, they're affordable, and they're darn close to a true HK. I really wish they had a bolt-hold-open and forward assist, but that's just me being greedy. I also need to pick up/make a port buffer so it doesn't mangle the brass so much. It's nice that G3 Mags are a dime a dozen. So, there you go. Good luck in your research.

August 23rd, 2007, 10:56 PM	#6
bmcgilvray Distinguished Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: North Texas Posts: 1,232	If you intend to do a lot of shooting or want to participate in high-power competition you'd be ahead of the game to leave off the short-barreled SOCOM and get a full-sized M1A. I love shooting my M1A and wouldn't half enjoy the shorty version.