Thanis

For those who have purchased or are still considering the purchase of one an AR-10 how much did / does the M1A or an AK-47 come up as the possible better option?

Beyond one's familiary with the AR platform, is it about the weight of the firearm?

I'm guessing the thought in these comparisons of the AK-47 (talking semi-auto versions) is that while the 7.62x39mm is not a .308, it is a similar cartridge and has the advantage of higher capacity magazine options, and theoretically easier to maintain then the AR platform. I don't see much for the AR-10 & M1A beyond 20 rounds. While I would think the AR-10 and M1A would have greater accuracy then the AK, I'm assuming the M1A be considered easier to maintain than an AR platform.

Some might point out FAL also, however I'm thinking the FAL is almost always chambered 7.62x51mm (I have not seen one marked .308). Also, I'm thinking there is a length issue that would put the FAL in different consideration.

So a lot of guesses on my end, looking for other's thoughts and experience.

__________________
NRA Member
S&W 642 (no-lock) with .38 Spl +P 135 GR Gold GDHP
Glock G31 & G33 with .357 Sig 125 GR. SXT Winchester Ranger

Blackeagle

There are FALs out there chambered in .308 (all of DSA's FALs are, for example). I don't really know what you're talking about as far as length. With the same barrel length, the FAL is a bit longer than the AR-10, but a bit shorter than the M1A.

HotGuns

Never.
The AK is not even in the same league as far as accuracy or power. The AR-10 is superior in all ways.

The M1A is not as easy to maintain as the AR-10. The AR 10 also shares many of its parts with the AR-15, making those parts much easier to replace should the need arise.

The M1A is also longer. The AR-10 has a choice of barrels that run from 16" to 24". The AR-10 is the handier weapon. Twenty Five round mags can be had for the AR-10.

FWIW, I have lots of long range trigger time with the AR-10,M1A,FAL and even the SR-25.When it hits the fan I'd go with the AR-10 or the SR-25 every time.

Most M1A's need to be tinkered with to make them excellent shooters. I have shot several high dollar match guns that very accurate, but they had premium barrels and action jobs.

I have yet to pickup an AR-10,SR-25 or even a DPMS.308 that was not fairly accurate when mated with a good scope.

__________________
AR. CHL Instr.

To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. Thomas Jefferson

BAC

Out of curiosity, Thanis, what would prompt you to include the AK-47 in the same category as these other two rifles? The effective range alone would put the AR-10 and M1A in their own categories, in my opinion, and without a doubt the .308 and 7.62 NATO rounds both handle light materials better than the 7.62x39. Regarding the AR-10 and M1A, like HotGuns says, I can't think of anything in particular that it does better, or even comparably, than the AR-10. For the amount of money that you'd sink into an M1A-type weapon to make it as accurate as an AR-10 type weapon, you'd already have a nice AR and glass to go with it, and probably some goodies besides (mags, ammo, the usual).

That being said, my AR-10 project isn't even going to be in .308 or 7.62 NATO.


-B

__________________
RIP, Jeff Dorr: 1964 - July 17, 2009. You will be missed.


Defensive Carry Search Tips


Step 1 - Choose a subforum on right side under "Search in Forum(s)"
Step 2 - Type general topic of interest in "Search by Keyword" textbox.
Step 3 - Read results and refine/repeat as necessary.

Bark'n

As a platform, I tend to go with the AR platform.

As a Marine, the M1A makes an excellent club in dire circumstances. You can butt stroke and beat a person(s) to death, repeatedly without the weapon breaking in two. Put a bayonet on it and you're good to go for a bayonet charge into hell!

But all things considered I think the AR-10, SR-25 are the way to go.

Still, I have my heart set on a Socom 16 or a Scout Squad.

Not sure if the AR or the M1A platform will win out in the end for my personal (next) battle rifle.

I do have an FAL so I'm not totally naked in the .308 (7.62) semi-auto slot and a Colt AR-15 in the .223 (5.56) slot.

__________________
-Bark'n
Semper Fi

"The gun is the great equalizer... For it is the gun, that allows the meek to repel the monsters; Whom are bigger, stronger and without conscience, will prey on those of us who without one, would surely perish."

mlr1m

Many of the parts for the M1-A are getting harder to find. They are also expensive to maintain. I love mine but its an expensive toy to play with.

Michael

Barbary

Bark'n, what do you think of your FAL in comparison to the Springfield Armory M1-A?

Bark'n

Well, my FAL is a Century parts gun with the thumb hole stock, thanks to Bill Clinton so there's really no comparison to the Springfield rifle.

However, it has been pretty damn accurate. I was all over a 12 inch steel plate pushing 300 meters with iron sights without a miss. It raised a few eyebrows to say the least. (The thumb hole stock is very comfortable and helps with long distance shooting accuracy, I think, but I don't like the looks of it and would eventually like to put some original stock furniture on it. I just haven't gotten around to it as of yet)

It has also been very reliable. I like the gas adjustment on the FAL too. Pretty simple to regulate the gas for various ammo which I've had to do once for shooting a bulk order of some surplus ammo that failed to cycle. One minor gas adjustment and it cycled perfect for the entire lot.

There's a reason it has been the main battle rifle for so many NATO countries for so many years. It's one I don't think I'll ever sell or trade away.

__________________
-Bark'n
Semper Fi

"The gun is the great equalizer... For it is the gun, that allows the meek to repel the monsters; Whom are bigger, stronger and without conscience, will prey on those of us who without one, would surely perish."

SatCong

I agree untill about M1A needs to be tinkered with. My M1A was put together right and had no trouble from 1974,still holds moa. I just clean and lube.My M14 in Nam ran great too.

__________________
NRA PATRON LIFE

buckeyeLCPL

First of all, the AK, and its 7.62x39 cartridge, are nowhere near the same category of the other two. Between the other two, if I was looking to buy one I'd probably buy the M1A, just because I've wanted one since I was about 12 for some reason.

Weight wouldn't be my primary concern these days, especially since its for a civilian application.

I am intimately familiar with the AR platform, and know them better than anything, and wouldn't discount an AR-10, but for some reason the M1A seems more pure in the .308 round than an AR-10, if that makes sense. The AR-10 definately has a bigger base of supplies readily available for it though.

Basically I don't think you could go wrong with either, and either one would serve you well.

__________________
Fortes Fortuna Juvat

We're mules lad. Mules that kill.

TJR