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Posted: 12/30/2011 7:13:28 PM EDT
Which do you think would go down in history as the best battle rifle?
Sorry, yes I had to leave out the AR-10, I couldn't make it that easy! 
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Posted: 12/30/2011 7:16:00 PM EDT
[#1]
The FAL
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Posted: 12/30/2011 8:01:27 PM EDT
[#2]
FAL, aka The Right Arm of the Free World.
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Posted: 12/30/2011 8:18:28 PM EDT
[#3]
In lieu of .308 AR's, I choose the FAL.
Specifically, the STG-58 with the awesome Steyr barrel. |
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Posted: 12/30/2011 8:47:17 PM EDT
[#4]
If it was my favorite the m14 by far but prob the FaL is the best
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Posted: 12/31/2011 12:33:47 AM EDT
[#5]
If I had to choose one to carry everyday and bet my life on, it would the M-14.
If I wanted to vote on the most popular as a result of the most units manufactured and world wide distribution, the FAL. Additionally, the M-14 won the test trails held in the late fifities by the US GOVT to pick our next battle rifle, the FAL could not perform in the cold at the time the tests were conducted. |
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Posted: 12/31/2011 1:18:02 AM EDT
[#6]
The AK is the rifle for the masses and the FAL is the rifle for the classes. - Jeff Cooper
FAL for the win. |
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Posted: 12/31/2011 1:45:41 AM EDT
[#7]
No question, the FAL.
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Posted: 12/31/2011 3:15:09 AM EDT
[#8]
The G3 and M14 are better on the logistical side compared to the FAL. They both have 1/2 the number of total parts and quite a few less springs. The FAL has close to 200 total parts and if anyone has every parked one is seems like it takes forever to bead blast it
AS far as reliablility, accuracy and ergonomics ther are all about the same. |
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Posted: 12/31/2011 4:39:05 AM EDT
[#9]
It will really boil down to your personal preferences.
The FAL fits me better than a G3, so I prefer it. At one time I had an FAL and an M1A, I find the FAL easier to clean too. The G3 doesn't fit me and the character of the recoil is unpleasant to me. It's subtle, but real. |
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Posted: 12/31/2011 4:49:23 AM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
..... The G3 doesn't fit me and the character of the recoil is unpleasant to me. It's subtle, but real. Nothing subtle about it~! I can shot my FAL or M1A all day. My 91 knock off lets me know its there with authority.
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Posted: 12/31/2011 5:04:39 AM EDT
[#11]
Histories recollection of the best battle rifle?
M1 Garand. |
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Posted: 12/31/2011 5:41:33 AM EDT
[#12]
The trials were rigged against the FAL
FAL |
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Posted: 12/31/2011 7:30:37 AM EDT
[#13]
Quoted:
Histories recollection of the best battle rifle? M1 Garand. 
not any more why anyone would take an old heavy 8 rd rifle over a more modern 20 to 30 rd rifle like the FAL is beyond me |
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Posted: 12/31/2011 7:52:11 AM EDT
[#14]
Quoted:
The trials were rigged against the FAL FAL I always thought so too until I read the latest account of the actual selection process in a recent article in the SAR. |
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Posted: 1/1/2012 8:48:39 AM EDT
[#15]
They are all heavy.
Most reliable is the G3. Thats what I would get out of the three. (The FAL I've never owned btw) If you want something more accurate, better ergo's, and easiest to mount a scope on get an AR-10 from Armalite. Won't be as reliable as the G3 mind you but it will do everything else very well. |
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Posted: 1/1/2012 10:22:52 AM EDT
[#16]
Quoted:
Quoted:
The trials were rigged against the FAL FAL I always thought so too until I read the latest account of the actual selection process in a recent article in the SAR. I thought that, than read that, but then theres a article floating around by one of those involved, and they still swear, that the FAL, kept winning, untill they so stacked the deck, the FAL couldnt compete, but for what its worth, the M14 had allready won, and didnt have to complete the deal changer test the FAL had to. It was a very interesting read, and I wish I could find it again. In a nut shell it really did boil down to politics, and the fact the the US military thought the FAL to "unAmerican" |
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Posted: 1/1/2012 10:24:40 AM EDT
[#17]
Quoted:
Quoted:
The trials were rigged against the FAL FAL I always thought so too until I read the latest account of the actual selection process in a recent article in the SAR. It was very interesting article, I just wish the G3 could have been in the trials too. |
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Posted: 1/1/2012 10:36:25 AM EDT
[#18]
Out of the three, the G3 seems to be the simplest with less parts and IMHO, with the free floating barrel is the winner, but
as an American, I do love my M1A and would carry it to hell and back. |
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Posted: 1/1/2012 5:54:24 PM EDT
[#19]
Fusil Automatique Leger
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Posted: 1/1/2012 8:00:10 PM EDT
[#20]
1: FAL
2: G3 3: M14 |
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Posted: 1/1/2012 9:14:06 PM EDT
[#21]
Well between the 3 I'd say the FAL..... used by many countries still today...
G3 in second........ again it was used by several countries. M14 in third....... no doubt a GREAT rifle, but it was only in use in the US for a short time as the Main Rifle for our troops.... still used in the squad sharp shooter role..... not used by nearly as many as the FAL though |
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Posted: 1/2/2012 3:16:38 AM EDT
[#22]
Argentina, Australia, Columbia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Greece (Navy), Haiti, Honduras, Israel, Lithuania, Niger, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Tunisia and Venezuela are all listed as users on the M14 entry on wikipedia.
South Korea even took theirs to Vietnam. What isn't said in that list is how many of those nations are using US guns that were given them as military aid. Taiwan built their own. |
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Posted: 1/2/2012 8:17:59 AM EDT
[#23]
Quoted:
Well between the 3 I'd say the FAL..... used by many countries still today... G3 in second........ again it was used by several countries. M14 in third....... no doubt a GREAT rifle, but it was only in use in the US for a short time as the Main Rifle for our troops.... still used in the squad sharp shooter role..... not used by nearly as many as the FAL though hey thats what I said!!!!
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Posted: 1/2/2012 9:04:59 AM EDT
[#24]
Quoted:
Argentina, Australia, Columbia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Greece (Navy), Haiti, Honduras, Israel, Lithuania, Niger, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Tunisia and Venezuela are all listed as users on the M14 entry on wikipedia. South Korea even took theirs to Vietnam. What isn't said in that list is how many of those nations are using US guns that were given them as military aid. Taiwan built their own. What does it say for the FAL? |
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Posted: 1/2/2012 3:53:41 PM EDT
[#25]
Ive fired the G3, never owned one, never pusued to own one (not to say I wouldnt own one) I have an FAL, and I have several M1A styles. It may be personal preference but Id rather take my M1a into a situation than I would the FAL,the FAL to me LOOKS like a more efficient battle weapon.I shoot better, feel more comfortable and am WAY more effective at longer ranges with the M1a. Your milage may vary though, it comes down to what weapon fits you better, and THAT isthe better weapon whatever it may be
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Posted: 1/2/2012 4:22:12 PM EDT
[#26]
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Posted: 1/2/2012 4:28:57 PM EDT
[#27]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Histories recollection of the best battle rifle? M1 Garand.
not any more why anyone would take an old heavy 8 rd rifle over a more modern 20 to 30 rd rifle like the FAL is beyond me Why anyone would pick any of these three over a more modern design like the Scar17 is beyond me! However, nobody said anything about "which would you take". I never said I'd "take an M1 over later rifles. The OP asked "Which do you think would go down in history as the best battle rifle?" My point was all three specified rifles are at best amatures compared to the combat history of the Garand. Ask Nazi Germany or the Empire of Japan. Is it technically superior to the M14, FAL, or G3? Admittedly no, but all three of those are 30 year old plus obsolecent designs now as well, so that should be moot. I've owned all three. Have you? I don't own any of them now, because I sold them for a "more modern" rifle, and now pack the afore mentioned Scar17. I didn't mention it in my original post, as it is thus far historically insignificant despite being ridiculously superior to all three other rifles in everything but price, and magazine availability. However, of the three rifles listed, I would say the FAL was the most successful design, and would easily garner the title of the best battle rifle of the Cold War period. PS: While I sold my M1A and last of my FAL's to finance my Scar, I still have three M1 Garands
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Posted: 1/2/2012 4:44:36 PM EDT
[#28]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Argentina, Australia, Columbia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Greece (Navy), Haiti, Honduras, Israel, Lithuania, Niger, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Tunisia and Venezuela are all listed as users on the M14 entry on wikipedia. South Korea even took theirs to Vietnam. What isn't said in that list is how many of those nations are using US guns that were given them as military aid. Taiwan built their own. What does it say for the FAL? Over 90 users. Only the Kalashnikov beats it, and that isn't a "battle rifle". Of the three the OP originally listed, this list is "why" the FAL is the clear winner. All users (from Wikipedia): Argentina Australia Austria Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belgium Belize Bolivia Botswana Brazil Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Chad Chile Colombia Congo Costa Rica Cuba Cyprus Democratic Republic of Congo Djibouti Dominican Republic Ecuador Fiji Gambia Ghana Greece Guyana Honduras India Ireland Israel Jamaica Kenya Kuwait Lebanon Liberia Libya Luxembourg Malawi Malaysia Malta Mexico Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nigeria Oman Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Portugal Qatar Rhodesia Rwanda Saint Vincent and the Grenadines South Africa Sri Lanka Suriname] Swaziland Syria Tanzania Thailand Togo Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Uganda United Arab Emirates United Kingdom Uruguay Venezuela West Germany Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe This is the reason the rifle was known as the "Right arm of the free world". |
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Posted: 1/2/2012 5:01:53 PM EDT
[#29]
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Posted: 1/2/2012 5:18:15 PM EDT
[#30]
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Posted: 1/2/2012 6:15:53 PM EDT
[#31]
FAL, though I currently like shooting my M1A more.
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Posted: 1/3/2012 3:35:53 AM EDT
[#32]
Why anyone would pick any of these three over a more modern design like the Scar17 is beyond me!
Cheap mags. Available spares. Buy two complete guns for the price of one SCAR. Historical interest. |
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Posted: 1/3/2012 7:30:45 AM EDT
[#33]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Histories recollection of the best battle rifle? M1 Garand.
not any more why anyone would take an old heavy 8 rd rifle over a more modern 20 to 30 rd rifle like the FAL is beyond me Why anyone would pick any of these three over a more modern design like the Scar17 is beyond me! However, nobody said anything about "which would you take". I never said I'd "take an M1 over later rifles. The OP asked "Which do you think would go down in history as the best battle rifle?" My point was all three specified rifles are at best amatures compared to the combat history of the Garand. Ask Nazi Germany or the Empire of Japan. Is it technically superior to the M14, FAL, or G3? Admittedly no, but all three of those are 30 year old plus obsolecent designs now as well, so that should be moot. I've owned all three. Have you? I don't own any of them now, because I sold them for a "more modern" rifle, and now pack the afore mentioned Scar17. I didn't mention it in my original post, as it is thus far historically insignificant despite being ridiculously superior to all three other rifles in everything but price, and magazine availability. However, of the three rifles listed, I would say the FAL was the most successful design, and would easily garner the title of the best battle rifle of the Cold War period. PS: While I sold my M1A and last of my FAL's to finance my Scar, I still have three M1 Garands Based on this criteria the Mauser rifle would beat all of these in spades. |
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Posted: 1/3/2012 11:09:53 AM EDT
[#34]
Touche'
Except they lost! 
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Posted: 1/3/2012 11:46:27 AM EDT
[#35]
The US and Brits had significant numbers of M1903 an M1917s in the field during WWII, so they won too
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Posted: 1/3/2012 8:37:07 PM EDT
[#36]
Yes, but the Arisaka is a Mauser as much as a 1903 is; and they lost...
Come to think of it, Mauser lost against Krag and Trapdoor too! |
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Posted: 1/4/2012 4:37:21 AM EDT
[#37]
Quoted:
Histories recollection of the best battle rifle? M1 Garand. It doesn't even come close to the FAL's record of service in so many numbers and in so many different places around the globe. |
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Posted: 1/5/2012 9:40:12 AM EDT
[#38]
Owned all three at one time or another.
Still own and will always have a FAL on hand in case 7.62 NATO horsepower is needed. (zombie clowns in cars, rogue buffalo in my backyard, etc....) Had a GI TRW bolt on my M-14 clone disassemble itself one day. Took about three hands to put it back together at the range, a real pain in the ass and kind of a WTF moment. FAL is much easier to work on if you had to change a firing pin for example. So my vote is for the FAL, but the M-14 and G3/HK91 are really good weapons. However, the FAL has a better combination of features and ease of handling/maint. |
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Posted: 1/5/2012 2:40:28 PM EDT
[#39]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Histories recollection of the best battle rifle? M1 Garand. It doesn't even come close to the FAL's record of service in so many numbers and in so many different places around the globe. Yea, but look at the places. 
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Posted: 1/5/2012 3:44:58 PM EDT
[#40]
Quoted:
Owned all three at one time or another. Still own and will always have a FAL on hand in case 7.62 NATO horsepower is needed. (zombie clowns in cars, rogue buffalo in my backyard, etc....) Had a GI TRW bolt on my M-14 clone disassemble itself one day. Took about three hands to put it back together at the range, a real pain in the ass and kind of a WTF moment.FAL is much easier to work on if you had to change a firing pin for example. So my vote is for the FAL, but the M-14 and G3/HK91 are really good weapons. However, the FAL has a better combination of features and ease of handling/maint. I had that happen to me once also, it sucked! |
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Posted: 1/6/2012 12:28:41 AM EDT
[#41]
Has the FAL been mentioned yet?
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Posted: 1/6/2012 4:25:19 AM EDT
[#42]
I think all of them could make the claim. I haven’t fired the FAL or G3, but I grew up with the M-1 Garand and M-14, so I have a soft spot for them. I think WWII trumps any Cold War action the FAL or G3 ever saw. And when push came to shove in the sand box, it was the M-14 that was pulled out of storage to give to snipers and designated marksmen. The Assault Weapons didn’t seem to be able to hack the program in Afghanistan.
The Garand has one additional advantage. In this politically charged environment, the Garand has a non-removable 8 rd. mag, not a 10 rd. plus removable mag. It doesn’t seem to get caught up in the politics as easily as other weapons. |
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Posted: 1/6/2012 1:57:41 PM EDT
[#43]
The Brits have pulled their L1A1s out of storage twice now, once for Desert Storm and again recently (what few they could find).
I think the FAL is giving the Garand a run for its money in usage thanks to Africa. |
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Posted: 1/6/2012 3:19:06 PM EDT
[#44]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Histories recollection of the best battle rifle? M1 Garand. It doesn't even come close to the FAL's record of service in so many numbers and in so many different places around the globe. Yea, but look at the places.
Yeah, the some of the shittiest shitholes on this rock, and it's still going strong. If that's not a glowing (more rusting and dirt- and carbon-encrusted) review, I don't know what is.
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Posted: 1/7/2012 9:57:37 AM EDT
[#45]
Quoted:
FAL, aka The Right Arm of the Free World. Yup. |
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