User Panel
Posted: 9/19/2009 5:51:31 PM EDT
Let's say that you wanted a semi-auto .308 that you could use as your only rifle for hunting and SHTF. You could afford to get any on the list, but cheaper is better. Reliability, accuracy, ease of maintenance, and price and availability of mags and parts are all considerations. Which would you choose? Which barrel and options would you get? Why? And if you already have it, show us some pics!
Armalite AR-10 DPMS LR-308 RRA LAR-8 [ETA typo'd the model name in the poll ] Springfield M1A FAL Saiga 308 PTR-91 Other |
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I like the saiga for the price. Used to find nice unconverted ones for $500
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I voted DPMS because that's the one I have. The trigger really sucks and needs to be swapped out, but I like it none the less. |
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Quoted: I decided to leave it out because I felt that it was too expensive. what happened to HK 91? |
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By your considerations, FAL, hands down. I'm a sucker for a nice M1A, but this is my opinion too. It'd be really hard to beat a FAL all around for the considerations mentioned. |
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The Saiga, while not the most refined, is by far the best bang-for-the-buck and arguably the most reliable as well.
The one major downside is proprietary mags that can be expensive. A Saiga, conversion, and ten mags would probably run you the same amount of $$ as an decent FAL or bare bones M1A |
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Quoted: Let's say that you wanted a semi-auto .308 that you could use as your only rifle for hunting and SHTF. You could afford to get any on the list, but cheaper is better. Reliability, accuracy, ease of maintenance, and price and availability of mags and parts are all considerations. Which would you choose? Which barrel and options would you get? Why? And if you already have it, show us some pics! Okay Armalite AR-10 DPMS LR-308 RRA LAR-8 All use proprietary (read $$) mags, but the biggest advantage IMO is the manual of arms is the same as (or damn close to) the AR15 platform. Springfield M1A My personal choice, but not the cheapest, and although GI mags are in circulation again, they're still pricey. And I really haven't run mine enough to choose a side of the fence for reliability - I got mine the week the GI ammo market dried up. Really. FAL Saiga 308 Not sure about the mags for these. I know there's concern over metric v. inch for the FAL, and have no idea about $ for the Saiga, although if it's like most things Kalashnikov, it'll run through a sandstorm in the arctic, and it seems (like many guns) the FAL is a love it or leave it weapon. PTR-91 A classic design, and probably the price leader for mags, if they're still $4 each in quantity. But again, it seems the G3/91/93 are love or leave guns. While I love the design, I've never fired one, so as far as ergonomics and handling I have no clue. |
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I decided to leave it out because I felt that it was too expensive.
what happened to HK 91? I only paid 1100 for one and 750 for the other one brand new with the collapsible stocks |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I decided to leave it out because I felt that it was too expensive. what happened to HK 91? I only paid 1100 for one and 750 for the other one brand new with the collapsible stocks Well sell the OP the $750 one for no profit and make someone very happy! |
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I had an HK91 and have fired the M1A and FAL. I LOVE the FAL but the M1A was sweet. The 91 was so barrel heavy and had a horrendous trigger pull that, as good as it is, comes in third.
Don't know about the AR10. You want a battle rifle, go with the FAL (para version, but that's just me). You want a sweet shooter to "reach out and touch someone", I'd take the M1A. TC |
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no way I would have to get at least 900 for it.
I missed a new barrett m107 for 1899 and a new hk sp89 with the hk laser forward grip 900 |
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Quoted: I had no idea they could be had that cheap - I don't see them for sale often though. I just did a quick search; one guy wanted $3500 and another one sold for $2900.Quoted: Quoted: I decided to leave it out because I felt that it was too expensive. what happened to HK 91? I only paid 1100 for one and 750 for the other one brand new with the collapsible stocks |
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Given the selection, I guess it boils down to which manufacturer of those models do you trust to build a quality firearm. I would first look at the Armalite AR10 and the RRA LR8.
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Quoted: Quoted: By your considerations, FAL, hands down. I'm a sucker for a nice M1A, but this is my opinion too. It'd be really hard to beat a FAL all around for the considerations mentioned. It'd be really hard to beat a FAL all around for the considerations mentioned. Maybe if you don't want to use a scope. 5sub |
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I vote G3 so I guess PTR Here's the deal. A PTR does not equal the quality of a HK made HK91, just like a Springfield M1A clone does not equal the quality of a Winchester M14. And a clone built FAL made from a parts kit w/ US compliant parts doesn't equal a Belgium made FAL. The capability of the manufacturer to make a high quality rifle is the most important factor in choosing a rifle from this list that the OP provided. |
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I had no idea they could be had that cheap - I don't see them for sale often though. I just did a quick search; one guy wanted $3500 and another one sold for $2900.
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I decided to leave it out because I felt that it was too expensive.
what happened to HK 91? I only paid 1100 for one and 750 for the other one brand new with the collapsible stocks Generally speaking, $750 to $1100 for a HK91 is 1988 pricing. Not saying you'll never find a HK91 for $750 to $1000, but it would be extremely unlikely today. |
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I vote G3 so I guess PTR Here's the deal. A PTR does not equal the quality of a HK made HK91, just like a Springfield M1A clone does not equal the quality of a Winchester M14. And a clone built FAL made from a parts kit w/ US compliant parts doesn't equal a Belgium made FAL. The capability of the manufacturer to make a high quality rifle is the most important factor in choosing a rifle from this list that the OP provided. DSA makes better FAL's than FN actually. |
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Lifetime warranty, quality, excellent customer service.
Armalite mags on sale http://www.armalite.com/ItemForm.aspx?item=AR10+20R+MAG+10&ReturnUrl=Categories.aspx?Category=6e2f1383-0946-4a25-8d0b-e6087b9b4c6f |
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I vote G3 so I guess PTR Here's the deal. A PTR does not equal the quality of a HK made HK91, just like a Springfield M1A clone does not equal the quality of a Winchester M14. And a clone built FAL made from a parts kit w/ US compliant parts doesn't equal a Belgium made FAL. The capability of the manufacturer to make a high quality rifle is the most important factor in choosing a rifle from this list that the OP provided. DSA makes better FAL's than FN actually. Can you back that claim up with any facts? How is the DSA better made than a FN made FAL. Better materials? Better machining? Ability to be more consistent in quality control? More reliable? |
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I just put about 100 rds through my M1A today. Just to confirm that it is the greatest battle rifle of all time.
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Quoted: Lifetime warranty, quality, excellent customer service. Armalite mags on sale http://www.armalite.com/ItemForm.aspx?item=AR10+20R+MAG+10&ReturnUrl=Categories.aspx?Category=6e2f1383-0946-4a25-8d0b-e6087b9b4c6f Got in my mags maybe two weeks ago. 5sub |
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I vote G3 so I guess PTR Here's the deal. A PTR does not equal the quality of a HK made HK91, just like a Springfield M1A clone does not equal the quality of a Winchester M14. And a clone built FAL made from a parts kit w/ US compliant parts doesn't equal a Belgium made FAL. The capability of the manufacturer to make a high quality rifle is the most important factor in choosing a rifle from this list that the OP provided. DSA makes better FAL's than FN actually. Can you back that claim up with any facts? How is the DSA better made than a FN made FAL. Better materials? Better machining? Ability to be more consistent in quality control? More reliable? Newer machinery, perhaps? |
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I just put about 100 rds through my M1A today. Just to confirm that it is the greatest battle rifle of all time. I did that too. Only it was yesterday, and it was 50. But other than that exactly the same. If I could only keep one rifle it would be my M1A. |
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I vote for a quality FAL. The mags are cheap, the rifle is wonderful, and an FAL just kicks ass.
I had a PTR-91 and sold it after a few months of owning it. I thought the thing was bulky, heavy, and just cumbersome. On the other hand, the FAL is just soo sweet. As for the AR-10 (or clones) or the M1a, well shit, the mags are just too damn much money to justify. Thats why I would personally go with the FAL. I have a DSA Para Congo and just love it. I put a AAC 762sd can on it, and its just a thing of beauty :) |
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A good quality FAL is more accurate than most shooters.
Mags are still cheap and plentiful. Spare parts are still cheap and available. The adjustable gas system gives good results with varying types of ammo. It has been battle proven by numerous armies since the 50's. Will it do everything perfectly? No But it will do everything you need it to do well enough, reliably enough and affordably enough compared to most other .308 battle rifles. No gun is the end all be all perfect gun. The FAL does not try to be one. It does however do what you ask of it when you ask it to with the added benefit of cheap mags and easy to find parts. The fact that its a breeze to clean is no small factor either. |
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What sort of faggotry is this? A 308 Garand conversion? That's like taking the V8 out of a hotrod and replacing it with a 4 Cylinder Honda motor. |
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16" saiga 308 with 25rnd mags and a 1-4 power scope or a red-dot. not the most accurate thing but plenty accurate for shtf. ull be under 1k when its all said and done depending on ur sight.
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I vote G3 so I guess PTR Here's the deal. A PTR does not equal the quality of a HK made HK91, just like a Springfield M1A clone does not equal the quality of a Winchester M14. And a clone built FAL made from a parts kit w/ US compliant parts doesn't equal a Belgium made FAL. The capability of the manufacturer to make a high quality rifle is the most important factor in choosing a rifle from this list that the OP provided. DSA makes better FAL's than FN actually. Can you back that claim up with any facts? How is the DSA better made than a FN made FAL. Better materials? Better machining? Ability to be more consistent in quality control? More reliable? Tougher receiver. I believe DSA receivers are fully hardened vs spot hardened FN's. There could be more to it. Hopefully someone with more knowledge can chime in. |
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