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3/20/2012 3:59:52 PM EDT
I'm looking to add a semi-auto 7.62x51mm rifle to the fold. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to handle two of the four I'm considering. I haven't handled an FAL or PTR-91.

1. FAL
2. PTR-91
3. M1A
4. AR10

The rifle will be used for home/farm defense should the balloon go up. Engagements would be from CQB to 300 yds. Things I am considering listed from most important to least important are:
1. Reliability, ease of maintenance, robustness in a less than perfect world.
2. Availability of spare parts and magazines
3. User friendly sights/ease of zeroing

Please provide me with your insight and experience, NOT OPINION on the platforms that you have experience with. List all the pros and cons your little mind can think of.

I hope I've provided you with enough info, but if I haven't just ask.

Thank you for your assistance.
3/20/2012 4:31:57 PM EDT
[#1]
FAL



Adjustable gas system

20rd - 30rd mags

Accurate enough

Easy to mount optics on

3/20/2012 4:51:59 PM EDT
[#2]
Saiga 308.
3/20/2012 5:54:50 PM EDT
[#3]
PTR-91... although look at the 32 in 7.62x39.

No gas system. Very little to go wrong and easy to stock up on parts.

They just go bang. Over and over and over....
3/20/2012 5:58:13 PM EDT
[#4]
Quoted:
I'm looking to add a semi-auto 7.62x51mm rifle to the fold. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to handle two of the four I'm considering. I haven't handled an FAL or PTR-91.

1. FAL: Pros: It works, is minute of man accurate (some more so), reliable Cons: BIG, clunky, not the best ergos
2. PTR-91: Similar to FAL but in my experience the G3 type rifles can be a little more accurate
3. M1A: Reliable, classic, but heavy and to make it as accurate as other options you either need to be an awesome smith or invest in a very expensive stock system. I also hate rock in mags.
4. AR10: WINNER WINNER!!! Accurate, easy parts, reliable, lots of options, better ergos.Easiest of the four to mount optics and accessories. May I also suggest the PWS MK216 series rifles if you are looking fr "piston" type operation but ar ergos.

The rifle will be used for home/farm defense should the balloon go up. Engagements would be from CQB to 300 yds. Things I am considering listed from most important to least important are:
1. Reliability, ease of maintenance, robustness in a less than perfect world.
2. Availability of spare parts and magazines
3. User friendly sights/ease of zeroing

Please provide me with your insight and experience, NOT OPINION on the platforms that you have experience with. List all the pros and cons your little mind can think of.

I hope I've provided you with enough info, but if I haven't just ask.

Thank you for your assistance.


3/21/2012 3:06:25 AM EDT
[#5]
Semi-auto BAR .............

3/21/2012 4:52:38 AM EDT
[#6]
FAL meets your criteria the best. That said, shoot them and figure out which one you like the best.
3/21/2012 7:50:13 AM EDT
[#7]



Quoted:


FAL meets your criteria the best. That said, shoot them and figure out which one you like the best.






 



3/21/2012 7:52:15 AM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:

Quoted:
FAL meets your criteria the best. That said, shoot them and figure out which one you like the best.


 



That is SWEET, can you give me some details?
3/21/2012 10:16:05 AM EDT
[#9]



Quoted:



Quoted:




Quoted:

FAL meets your criteria the best. That said, shoot them and figure out which one you like the best.




 







That is SWEET, can you give me some details?


DSA 16" Tactical Carbine

 
Leupold 1.25x4 VXR

SpecOps sling
3/21/2012 6:42:37 PM EDT
[#10]
Since you mentioned CQB, a .308 AR carbine would be the one you want.

Compact enough for CQB and will easily reach out to 300 and a lot further.

Now, I am partial to the AR-10, but most any .308 AR will do:

AR-10A2 carbine:




AR-10A4 without the suppressor:



With the suppressor:

3/21/2012 8:01:16 PM EDT
[#11]
M1a or AR-10/DPMS LR type.

Always been a sucker for the M1a.
3/22/2012 3:16:35 AM EDT
[#12]
Quoted:
M1a or AR-10/DPMS LR type.

Always been a sucker for the M1a.


What about some other brand of M14 clone such as an M14S?

Does it have to be an M1A?

3/22/2012 5:25:00 AM EDT
[#13]
Quoted:
Quoted:
M1a or AR-10/DPMS LR type.

Always been a sucker for the M1a.


What about some other brand of M14 clone such as an M14S?

Does it have to be an M1A?



I'll be honest, I've been reading here and on some other forums, the M1A as well as clones have been ruled out. I'm just going by what I've read on the internet (so it MUST be true) from owers of this type of rifle that state they are very labor intensive. I'm not trying to raise anyone's hackels, it's just what I've read here and other forums.

To be honest, I'm back to what my gut originally told me; FAL or AR10. The following is my own opinion weighing the pros and cons of both rilfles trying to decide.

AR10 (Armalite 10A4F): Accurate, modular system/easy to scope and modify, spare parts readily available, I'm already well trained with this platform. Please tell me anymore pros OR cons I'm missing.

FAL: reliable, acceptable accuracy out to 300yds, possibly beyond. Ample spare parts supply, (but drying-up?), cheap magazines. Advise me of any pros OR cons I'm missing on this system.



3/22/2012 5:57:54 AM EDT
[#14]
Not to be contrary, but if you're looking at 0-300 yds, what big advantages do you expect to gain by going with a 7.62 gun over 5.56 with good ammo?
3/22/2012 10:43:47 AM EDT
[#15]
Quoted:
Not to be contrary, but if you're looking at 0-300 yds, what big advantages do you expect to gain by going with a 7.62 gun over 5.56 with good ammo?


EVERYBODY knows that a 30cal kills stuff extra dead.

I'm gaining nothing, it's a diversity thing.
3/22/2012 12:55:45 PM EDT
[#16]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
M1a or AR-10/DPMS LR type.

Always been a sucker for the M1a.


What about some other brand of M14 clone such as an M14S?

Does it have to be an M1A?



I'll be honest, I've been reading here and on some other forums, the M1A as well as clones have been ruled out. I'm just going by what I've read on the internet (so it MUST be true) from owers of this type of rifle that state they are very labor intensive. I'm not trying to raise anyone's hackels, it's just what I've read here and other forums.

To be honest, I'm back to what my gut originally told me; FAL or AR10. The following is my own opinion weighing the pros and cons of both rilfles trying to decide.

AR10 (Armalite 10A4F): Accurate, modular system/easy to scope and modify, spare parts readily available, I'm already well trained with this platform. Please tell me anymore pros OR cons I'm missing.

FAL: reliable, acceptable accuracy out to 300yds, possibly beyond. Ample spare parts supply, (but drying-up?), cheap magazines. Advise me of any pros OR cons I'm missing on this system.





Possibly look at a Predatar in .308 as well if that will fit into your budget. Very accurate, light weight, add optics and you're set.
If you're set on an Armalite though, I would look at the new models that accept the SR25 style mags (not knocking the AR10 armalite mags, I know the new ones are awesome) because for me it is much easier to find SR25 mags than it is to find the AR10 pattern.

Daniel
3/22/2012 1:55:38 PM EDT
[#17]
What is your budget?

Also, the days of cheap FAL mags are over.

AR10 (when on sale) and / or SR25 pattern mags (Pmags) are about the same price as FAL Mags now.

I would suggest some type of 308 AR pattern.

Armatlite AR10A, LMT MWS or Noveske N6 with an 18" barrel would be my top choices.
3/22/2012 3:09:08 PM EDT
[#18]
FAL mags start at $18



3/22/2012 6:28:54 PM EDT
[#19]
I'd say an FAL if you absolutely will not entertain the thought of an FN SCAR-17.

The FAL has no stock to be bedded, they are accurate enough (2-3 MOA, with good ammo), they are rock solid and they are fairly comfortable. They are also probably the simplest
to maintain of the classic .308 MBR's.

There was a reason that everyone besides us used them during the cold war. Heck, the only reason the Germans came up with the G-3 is because FN wouldn't let them build FAL's under license
in Germany.

Mags are in the 20 dollar range now, but then again mags will be much more for the M1A and Armalite AR-10.
3/23/2012 4:30:47 AM EDT
[#20]
Quoted:
Mags are in the 20 dollar range now, but then again mags will be much more for the M1A and Armalite AR-10.


For the AR-10, you can buy 5 packs of 20 round mags for $30 each and 10 packs for $27.50.

I don't call that "much more".

3/23/2012 5:59:57 AM EDT
[#21]
I don't think I can afford a SCAR, I haven't looked at them, but my budget would be around the $1500 mark.

Just for informational purposes, I haven't put much research into them yet, but how plentiful are spare parts, especially critical parts for the PTR-91?

Thanks for all the posts and advice.
3/25/2012 12:03:14 AM EDT
[#22]
The Right Arm of the Free World..... FUSIL AUTOMATIQUE LEGER
the ease of take down and maintenance is a great feature, as is the adjustable gas system




my two MBR's currently are this DSA Imbel FAL and a M1A, the M1A has better sights and trigger yet for some reason I like my M1A but I love my FAL
3/25/2012 5:18:47 PM EDT
[#23]
Quoted:
Saiga 308.


Been looking to pick one up......but OP a FAL is your best bet, greatest of the .308 battle guns
3/25/2012 5:36:05 PM EDT
[#24]
M1A Scout. One of the only firearms I regret selling.

Bennies of the M1A.  

1/2 as many parts as a FAL. Less parts to keep around.

White gas cut off.  Does not need an adjustable gas system.

Very accurate.

I have had 2 HK91's. Like them but have a 17" barrel and optic mounting is a pain.
3/25/2012 9:23:48 PM EDT
[#25]
Considering that you list reliability and availability of spare parts as your top two priorities, then a FAL, hands down. The AR10 platform is one that isn't quite standardized (different mags, etc). The FAL has been around, and active forever.  Yeah, technically there's multiple kinds of FAL mags too, but FAL parts are FAR more common even these days than AR10, which is only recently starting to catch on. FAL parts are starting to dry up, yeah, but that is a relative measure. It is still far easier to find FAL parts than AR10. Order yourself a rifle, then jump over to Sarco and get yourself a Argy kit for $550, you'll have an extra one of everything, except a receiver. You'll be GTG.
3/26/2012 4:39:46 AM EDT
[#26]
Quoted:
M1A Scout
1/2 as many parts as a FAL. Less parts to keep around.

White gas cut off.  Does not need an adjustable gas system..


1) FAL parts are much, much cheaper than M14/M1A parts.

2) Most of those parts are pins or spring in out of the way places that, after initial assembly, will never even be seen again.

3) The adjustable gas system is a set-it-and-forget kind of thing. Aside from a bad batch of IMBEL gas rings (cast, IIRC), it's not an area of the rifle that is prone to failure.
3/26/2012 6:11:50 AM EDT
[#27]
Quoted:
FAL

Adjustable gas system
20rd - 30rd mags
Accurate enough
Easy to mount optics on


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