AR-15 or M1A

[Marine_wannabe]

I have enough to buy the AR right now, but If I go with the M1A I'll have to save for a little while. I'll be using this gun for hunting.

[chris]

John C. Garand was placed on this earth by God himself, to show us the way. Springfield Armory, (the Armory, not the company) was given special instructions by God himself on the redesign to .308. The M1A is just a commercial implementation that God given design.

Do you really want to make God mad?

[vt.cd21]

m1a has more punch and is made off a better action and if u want to hunt .308 is better for big game hunting .my grandpa used a rifle in ww2 on a garand action and so did my great uncle (m-14 ) if i ever get the loot together i would rather spend on m1a then a ar 15 if u are dead set in ur ways for a ar action get a ar10 in 308

[Highlander]

I have a Bushmaster (m4 type) in 5.56 that I love. If I can make a suggestion since you are going to hunt with this rifle (assuming deer hunting), consider an AR in the 6.8 spc variant. It will have more "hit" out to 200 yards than the 5.56 or .223.

[spudgunsniper]

Im most states if not all, you arent suposed to take game (deer on up) with 556s so, 308s the way to go. i know, you could hunt with an AR15, but you shouldnt and cant legally speaking... O, and the new cool oddball cals are hard to find... id stick with NATO stuff.

SO, .308.

[Drew]

What about a AR in a .308 chambering? I've heard several times that these are in fact more accurate than even the M1A.

[fragout]

Originally Posted by Marine_wannabe

I have enough to buy the AR right now, but If I go with the M1A I'll have to save for a little while. I'll be using this gun for hunting.

We use our M1A's for hunting hog and deer exclusively, with, and without optics. The platform itself has proven to me that it can be very forgiving in unforgiving circumstances, and has the capability of delivering great accuracy, especially for hunting. Some states dont allow the use of 5.56mm/223 chambered weapons for deer hunting use... so check out your state's requirements, but if you ever get the urge to hunt bigger game such as elk, then a 308 would legally be up to the task. In a SHTF type thing, I wouldnt hesitate using FMJ mil surp for hunting either. In my state, it is legal to use this sort of ammo while hog hunting anyways, and does a good job of anchoring a hog, provided that I do my part.

Recomendations for the M1A are as follows, and just my .02........

1. I stray away from using any 308 ammunition marked as "lightmagnum", and I dont shoot anything bigger than 175gr bullets thru the M1A. IMO, op-rods are expensive, and it aint worth the risk. Correct shot placement is more important to me than 150gr vs 180gr, so I figure that if I cant get it done with 150/168gr.... then using 180gr wouldnt matter much in the end regardless.
2. I would stick with a "rack grade/std" model, or a "scout/tanker" for hunting, (and pretty much anything else short of highpower comp.)Unless you come across a used M1A, or go with a hvy bbl type, tou will most likely end up with a non-chrome lined 1-11 twist std contour bbl. From my expierience with this bbl, it produces decent accuracy for hunting purposes, and is capable of utilizing some of the more expensive commercial hunting loads without issue...as compared to FMJ milsurp prices.
3. It fires a fairly common cartridge. Common enough to find it most anywheres, but to be honest, if I was payin the bucks to go on a outa state elk hunt, I would make it a point to take enough ammo with me from the get-go. The chosen load for such a hunt would be documented, and put in the ole huntin pack.
4. Stick with good quality mags from the outset. 20rd USGI mags may not be legal to hunt with in your state, but CMI makes reliable 5/10rd mags for hunting.
5. OPTICS : From my expierience, it is importent to go with a good quality mount such as ARMS, Sadlak, or SEI. The SAI mounts always seem to shoot loose sooner or later...for me anyways...

11B

[DeadHorrorFan]

I own, build, and love M4's and AR's. But given your choices, I'd take the M1A every day of the week.

[1eaglescout]

I have both ARs and M1As, if I had the choice of only one I would take the M1A every time.
The AR is a decent platform IMHO but it has some drawbacks. The caliber is a little weak for hunting a lot of North American game, the gas system is less than ideal, etc. It has some great features as well, for example, its possible to change mags without removing the right hand from the firing position, the ergonomics are pretty good, they are very adaptable, quality mags and spare parts are cheap, they are modular enough that any dummy can build one with a basic tool set, and so on.

All that said IMHO the M1A is in a class that the AR could never hope to join. The are very rugged, reliable, powerful, and accurate. The standard triggers and sights are excellent, thank you Mr. Garand, and its a simple design. What else is there?

[mangyhyena]

Originally Posted by Drew

What about a AR in a .308 chambering? I've heard several times that these are in fact more accurate than even the M1A.

I'd like to hear thoughts on this from those of you who feel qualified to respond. Drew brings up an excellent point that should be addressed, IMHO. AR's can be converted to .308 with an adapter kit, or so I've read. Ditto with other calibers. How would an AR converted to .308 stack up against the M1A?

Thanks.

[mangyhyena]

Seriously, can someone address this question?

[Krinkov]

i own both,a M14 and a M4 but if i had to keep only one.....it will be a hard time to decide about..

[Grey Wolf]

Originally Posted by chris

John C. Garand was placed on this earth by God himself, to show us the way. Springfield Armory, (the Armory, not the company) was given special instructions by God himself on the redesign to .308. The M1A is just a commercial implementation that God given design.

Do you really want to make God mad?

+1

[Grey Wolf]

Originally Posted by mangyhyena

I'd like to hear thoughts on this from those of you who feel qualified to respond. Drew brings up an excellent point that should be addressed, IMHO. AR's can be converted to .308 with an adapter kit, or so I've read. Ditto with other calibers. How would an AR converted to .308 stack up against the M1A?

Thanks.

A regular AR cannot be converted to .308/7.62x51, the mag well is too small. You would have to start with one in 7.62 such as the SR25. The AR in 7.62 may edge out the M1A in accuracy but not an M21 if built by qualified armors.
That being said reliability is an issue with AR type rifles with the gas tube. However I only have experience with the M21 in combat. Other experience with the ar is in 5.56. It will do the job if you do your part and will operate in the worst environments. The AR's are very accurate hence the MK12 with the 77 grain Mk262 Mod 1 ammo. Some kills have been recorded past 700/800 meters. The SR25/MK11 should have no problem dealing death to the enemy. Follow up shots with either weapon are easy for the trained DSM or Sniper. A good Sniper with the 7.62 175 grain OTM round can hit their target at close to 1200 meters. Anything beyond this calls for something in the range of .338 Lapua, .409 Cheytac or .50 cal. (Barrett or ole Ma Duce, all you have to do is sandbag the tripod, afix scope to feed tray cover, set to single shot, use the T&E to adjust rounds and squeeze of the rounds)

Side note. 6.5 Grendel seems to be a capable round matched to the right weapon configuration. I'll have to save and buy one and hopefully let you know.

All in all I still love my built M21

Side Note 2
Past 600 or 700 meters it’s all about reading the environment. Range to target, Wind doping, Angle of the shot, this is were the human equation comes in.

[fragout]

11B

[Grey Wolf]

Originally Posted by fragout

11B

+1 Damn fine set of rifles you have there sir!

[fragout]

Thanks for the kind words Grey Wolf.


11B

[Browning]

I have both the AR15 and M1A, if I had the choice of only one I would take the M1A for Hunting. The M1A is a HEAVY beast compared to the AR15. I rarly shoot my M1A just for fun, while I will take my AR15 out all the time (the AR15 is one of my most favoriat rifles to shoot). The thing you need to use to determine what gun you should buy would be what you intend to use it for. If it is for hunting I would go with the .308/M1A. You can get different weight of bullets(150 grain for deer, 180 grain for elk, etc.) for the different animals you will be hunting. With that being said, I also have an Armalight AR10. I would use this over the M1A because of the wight. I love the M1A and it is more accurate than my AR10 , or AR15; but I do not use it much due to the weight. If I were you I would also consider the AR10. This also happens to be the gun I would reccomend to you (I know that is not one of you choices), it is cheaper than the M1A and costs a little more than the AR15. Hope this helps.

[Jeffrey]

You can do your country a favor by buying the M1A. An AR can defend your life, but an M1A can defend your liberty--Boston.

[Hick Industries]

Originally Posted by chris

John C. Garand was placed on this earth by God himself, to show us the way. Springfield Armory, (the Armory, not the company) was given special instructions by God himself on the redesign to .308. The M1A is just a commercial implementation that God given design.

Do you really want to make God mad?

Only because God had first allowed John Browning to come home and rest. Garand was his replacement.