If you had to choose...

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - If you had to choose...

Posted: 7/6/2001 7:09:33 PM EDT

Between a AR-10, M1A1, FAL or an HK91 which one would you get and why. I am planning on purchasing one of these rifles and would like to hear what you all have to say about such things as reliability, availability of parts & accessories, weight etc... Thanks in advance.

Brian

Posted: 7/6/2001 7:17:14 PM EDT

[#1]

Go to the AR-10 forum. Read the discussion entitled "How reliable is the AR-10 anyway?" and read my comments. Can't comment on the HK91 as I've never owned one.

Posted: 7/6/2001 7:48:01 PM EDT

[#2]

Of those rifles, I would get the FAL.
It is very reliable, combat-accurate, the mags are dirt cheap and parts and accessories are readily available.
The HK91 is very reliable, and a bit more potentially accurate than the FAL but it is overpriced and accessories are very overpriced. It's also much heavier and poorly balanced.
The M1A (not M1A1) is very accurate but mags are expensive ($32-50)and accessories are not that cheap. It's also more complicated to disassemble than the FAL.
The AR10 is the most accurate of the guns listed, and IMHO most ergonomic and balanced. Accessories are readily available though spare parts are not. Mags are very expensive, ($20+whatever you pay for M14 mags if you send them to Armalite) and reliability is more finicky with milsurp ammo.

Posted: 7/6/2001 7:53:46 PM EDT

[#3]

I agree with Rikwriter.i have all but the H&K.FAL first because of mags.otherwise it would be between it and the M1A

Posted: 7/6/2001 7:54:58 PM EDT

[#4]

Look here for the answer:[url]http://www.dsarms.com/[/url]

Definetly look at the whole site.

Posted: 7/6/2001 8:05:59 PM EDT

[#5]

How much do you want to spend? Pre or post ban M1, FAL or HK91 are you planning to get? I have a list of things you consider.

Weight (Heaviest to Lightest)
HK 91
FAL
M1A
AR-10

Parts and Accessories (Most to Least. This includes both factory and surplus)
FAL
M1A
HK 91
AR-10 (It is still new on the market in terms of relative access to parts and accessories).

Reliability is hard to say at this moment. I have not experince on the AR-10. It is tough to say between the other three rifles. I have seen where they work and failed. In my opinion, I would say the HK 91 is the most realiable. Second would be the FAL and last is the M1A. I am sure this would attract a lot of disagreement.

Posted: 7/6/2001 8:29:56 PM EDT

[#6]

Depends on what you want to do with the rifle.

Shoot to kill, bet your life on it - FAL
Shoot to thrill, bet your championship target shot on it - M1A or possibly the AR-10
Never shoot it, put your retirement investment in it - HK91

I have an FAL and M1A, never saw an HK91 for sale anywhere. Handled an AR-10 and when I was picking my FAL up the dealer had one sitting on the shelf - nice rifle but I was tapped out at the moment.

Posted: 7/6/2001 8:38:04 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
Depends on what you want to do with the rifle.

Shoot to kill, bet your life on it - FAL
Shoot to thrill, bet your championship target shot on it - M1A or possibly the AR-10
Never shoot it, put your retirement investment in it - HK91

I have an FAL and M1A, never saw an HK91 for sale anywhere. Handled an AR-10 and when I was picking my FAL up the dealer had one sitting on the shelf - nice rifle but I was tapped out at the moment.

View Quote

My appreciation for my FAL notwithstanding, I would shoot to kill and bet my life on my HK91. In addition Preban FN FALs are about as expensive as preban HK91s.

Posted: 7/6/2001 9:47:13 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:

My appreciation for my FAL notwithstanding, I would shoot to kill and bet my life on my HK91. In addition Preban FN FALs are about as expensive as preban HK91s.

View Quote

While I agree with you on the HK91 (I have had one for about 7 years) the postban FALs are MUCH better made than the current crop of crappy postban G3 clones.

Posted: 7/6/2001 9:54:42 PM EDT

[#9]

if you got cash to burn, HK91. thats if you wanna go super-cool, but just to shoot a good gun, proly fal.

Posted: 7/6/2001 10:59:02 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:

While I agree with you on the HK91 (I have had one for about 7 years) the postban FALs are MUCH better made than the current crop of crappy postban G3 clones.

View Quote

So true, but that is why you get the REAL thing. All the clones ARE crap, unless you get someone good to build you an FMP receiver gun.

I have honestly not yet gotten into the FALs, but a nice postban (prebans are more expensive than HKs as I have seen!) is very high on my wish list.

So by default I choose the HK91, but as others have mentioned, it is pricey, and parts are expensive, and it is heavy, but what do you expect it's a MBR.

I wouldn't say that a HK91 is a safe queen by any means. I shoot the hell out of mine, and as far as reliability have never had a single problem that couldn't be attributed to my own stupidity. Accuracy is above par, and can be tweaked to the extreme if you are willing to throw down the dough (i.e. PSG1 conversion, etc.).

But I don't think you will go wrong by any of the 4 choices, it should come down to what you are comfortable with or what fits in your budget. On the HKs, if you can't afford the real thing, or a FMP, go with the other 3 options.

Posted: 7/6/2001 11:03:51 PM EDT

[#11]

FAL: parts mags and other accesorys are more widely aviable and cheap i mean come on 10 doller 20 rounders that work VS 80 buck plus 20 rounders. plsu my friend has one and i like it

Posted: 7/6/2001 11:06:15 PM EDT

[#12]

Hell, why choose ? Just buy one of each!!(oh,to have that kind of money!!)[:D]

Posted: 7/6/2001 11:13:03 PM EDT

[#13]

M1A, just like the feel.

sgb

Posted: 7/7/2001 12:45:06 AM EDT

[#14]

I'm a BIG fan of the AR-10 but ditto as to what HKocher said.

Posted: 7/7/2001 12:57:10 AM EDT

[#15]

I've shot the HK 91 for 12 yrs, never spent a dime on it. Reliable. Not as accurate as the AR10 or M1A, but I'll control my field of fire out to 500M with it. It just costs much more than it should for what you're getting.

Posted: 7/7/2001 2:23:18 AM EDT

[#16]

Like the looks and Like the feel go for the M1A.

six

Posted: 7/7/2001 4:12:33 AM EDT

[#17]

My opinions [):)]
[size=5][b]M14[/b][/size=5]
M1A / M14 rifle.
Super reliable.
Accurate.
Excellent sights.
Powerfull.
Simple, less parts than FAL
Best ergonomics (for me)

Hk91-clunky,stamped sheet metal,short buttstock, crude sights. tears up brass. Reliable.

FAL-nice but, I like M14 better.
AR10- unproven commercial copy. I 've heard too many complaints of poor reliability/parts breakage. great ergonomics.

M14, feels right in my hands.
[img]http://wsphotofews.excite.com/027/MS/uZ/wE/v780970.jpg[/img]

Posted: 7/7/2001 5:34:34 AM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
Hell, why choose ? Just buy one of each!!(oh,to have that kind of money!!)[:D]

View Quote

You mean like this? :D
[img]http://members.aol.com/writerrik/myhomepage/3mbrs.jpg[/img]

Posted: 7/7/2001 5:41:49 AM EDT

[#19]

My vote goes to the FAL, for many of the reasons listed above. Cheap mags and parts. Reliable. Reasonably accurate.

But then again, I've never shot an AR-10. But again, mags are expensive.

Posted: 7/7/2001 6:11:05 AM EDT

[#20]

German HK91. Best quality of them all, will handle abuse well.

Tyler

Posted: 7/7/2001 9:36:33 AM EDT

[#21]

M1A because those other nasty guns are EEEEE-VIL assault rifles. With a recoil compensator installed even the omniscient State of Kalifornia agrees that the M1A is a benign entity, suitable for use by slaves..er..residents of PRK. And the reaction that VietNam era marines have when you break it out on the range is priceless. BUTT STROKE! "DIE, Gook, DIE!" No Kidding, it was flashback city!

Posted: 7/7/2001 9:56:47 AM EDT

[#22]

IMHO: M14/M1A. Proven. Better caliber then 5.56 NATO. Better feel/looks.

Posted: 7/7/2001 10:07:47 AM EDT

[#23]

Though the clone HKs may be junk, the clone FALs are as good if not better than the orginals. So price would play a big part, a $800.00 DSA STG vs. a $2000.00+ HK91

Posted: 7/7/2001 10:32:36 AM EDT

[#24]

Just a little O.T. but, How do the Garand and the M1A compare and which would you rather have ?? I know, I know, get both.... I have 2 garands but have never shot a M1A. The only difference I would see as a advantage is the detachable mags and I would think that sometimes the box mag could be a hinderance(prone or resting the rifle on something to shoot)
sooooo, does the M1A only offer more rounds or is there something more ??
thanks
[x]

Posted: 7/7/2001 10:52:10 AM EDT

[#25]

Butkus 51

The balance between the two is a little different but they shoot the same. If I had a choice between the two, as an individual I would pick the M1 garand.

sgb

Posted: 7/7/2001 10:53:08 AM EDT

[#26]

Make mine an M1 Garand, with Douglas med. weight .308 bbl, synthetic stock, and Smith Enterprises Vortex flash suppressor. Buy LOTS of 8-rd clips. Easier to get, lighter for same amount of ammo, and cheaper by far than mags. If you have lots, losing a few isn't a big deal. In sustained, AIMED, rapid-fire, there is little to choose in firing rate between the M1A and the M1.

Posted: 7/7/2001 11:56:23 AM EDT

[#27]

I've never fired a Garand, but I want one desperately. One in .308 would be nice as i would not be adding yet another caliber the mix.

Do the clips still work well while holding a .308 as opposed to a .30-06?

I have an M1A that I love to shoot, but I Garand would be nice compliment to it, especially in .308.

Posted: 7/7/2001 12:04:14 PM EDT

[#28]

The clips work just fine in .308/7.62. A small insert is sold which is installed semi-permanently (no gunsmithing) in the receiver which prevents loading clips of .30-'06, but it is not necessary. As described above, the result is a battle-ready match-accurate rifle. And BTW, the graduations on the rear sight knobs still work, too. I'd suggest starting with a barreled action (less wood) from [url]www.odcmp.com[/url], unless you wanted an as-issued type of Garand, if you wanted to go the above route.

Posted: 7/7/2001 1:49:13 PM EDT

[#29]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Hell, why choose ? Just buy one of each!!(oh,to have that kind of money!!)[:D]

View Quote

You mean like this? :D

View Quote

[i](Picture quoting removed to save on bandwidth)[/i]

I don't see a preban AR-10 in that photo.

Poo, poo. [:D]

Mike

EDITED because I can't spell.

Posted: 7/7/2001 7:04:36 PM EDT

[#30]

From my experience...

1. FAL-especially if you are talking about a DSA. No question, the hands-down winner.

Tie-2. HK91 clone-reliable.
Tie-2. M1A-reliable and accurate. A little less controllable in rapid fire than HK clones or FAL.

3. AR10-only experience with these is holding a few and talking with people who own them. Triggers stink and they are finicky with ammo. Very accurate and controllable in rapid fire.

Posted: 7/7/2001 7:41:19 PM EDT

[#31]

Wow, I leave for a few hours and get bombarded with replies. That is what I love about this place! I have shot each of these with the exception of the AR-10. The HK and the FAL are my favorites but I had to ask about the M1A (thanks Rik) and the AR-10 because I have heard so many good things about them. I checked out the DSA website , thanks 007, and really liked what I saw. (Although some of the links didn't work for me) I also read some of the previous posts about their products. They seem like a good outfit. I will probably end up spending too much money and getting 1 of each, I wish. Thanks again.

Brian

Posted: 7/7/2001 7:52:26 PM EDT

[#32]

Easy the AR10 why because thats the only one I did'nt own yet.

Posted: 7/7/2001 8:16:56 PM EDT

[#33]

Buy American! Screw those EuroBastard$. They
have enough of our money.
I had the NM 2 stage trigger installed today in
my AR10A4. Sweet!! So Sweet!!
If you really want advice, talk to people that
shoot for a living like Tippie. He just got a
AR10T.
M1A will shoot rings around the 91. Just compare the sights. Its a no brainer!