M1 Garand versus M1A

[Anvil]

Any thoughts on the prefered main battle rifle? I know you'll all say, GET BOTH, but in the real world most folks can only afford one.

What do you think?
Garand or M14/M1A? and why?

[MakeMineaP99]

The Garand has far more historic value.

My complaint with the M1As is the investment CAST receiver. It wishes it could grow up to be the Garand, with the forged receiver and eligent lines.

I'm not a short action fan or a .308 fan, so I'd go Garand all the way.

Are you tooled for '06 or .308? I always try to stick with existing calibers as tooling gets expensive.

You get more gun with a Garand for your money. A Garand can be found for about half the price ($750, although do some shopping) of a new M1A ($1500).

[gokyo]

Clips are pretty cool. Also I like the balance on the garand a bit better. I can not imagine why they are different but I like the way the garand feels a little better.

The mags clearly have a higher capacity. But mag changes are a bit slower for me then with the clip.

However having magazines allows for more flexibility with a scope mount.

Other wise the two weapons are pretty much the same. Some people beleive that the new SA manufacturing is not as good as the orginal SA.

I am not sure what I think about this.

[creekwalker]

For a MBR I'd have to pass on both of them. The M1 due to the enblock clip and overall length and weight. The M1A due to the overall size and weight and reduced battle rounds one can carry. Now which one do I prefer for shooting? I enjoy my Garand a lot more than my M1a, but amnot getting rid of the M1A. No testing I am aware of has demonstrated that the cast SA reciever is any less stong than a forged reciever.

cw

[Anvil]

CW, what do you think is the best MBR? FN FAL?

[ISUSteve]

Winner - Garand

Why? "CHING"

[MakeMineaP99]

CW, what do you think is the best MBR? FN FAL?

The FAL is an excellent design.

[gokyo]

I would hate to have to carry a FAL all day. Those things are very heavy. I also really hated the ergonomics of my FAL. However the design is one of the best.

If you have to have a 308 in your squad I would make it a crew serve.

[MakeMineaP99]

A BAR would be worse to carry than a FAL.

[creekwalker]

CW, what do you think is the best MBR? FN FAL?

The original AR-10 that Stoner designed. The FN FAL is a fine rifle but had problems with recievers developing cracks. Still can't believe I never bought either an AR-10 or FN FAL. Did own and shoot H&K 91's and 93's. Never cared much for them though.

cw

[creophus]

Wow, looks like CW and I are thinking alot alike tonight.

My opinion is Garand over M1A because of historic value.

AR-10 over M1A because of accuracy and ability to add any and every tactical accessory known to man.

[Tailgunner]

Baretta BM-59, best of both worlds.
The M-14 didn't have enough forward weight to be controllable on FA, and the mag interfered with prone firing.

Stoner's designs wouldn't even exist today, if he hadn't bribed the hell out of the McNamara "brain trust" AKA: JFK's staff of idiots. His "work" would be in the dumpster right along with the Tround and Gyrojet stuff.

[gokyo]

I ordered a AR 10 clone from DPMS, (LR308) http://www.dpmsinc.com/firearms/firearm.aspx?id=14. I should be able to get it in a month or so. I ordered it through RR arms, http://www.rrarms.com/catalog.php?action=1051&cali=308%20Cal. They seems like really nice people. I kind of had the rifle built more towards the precision rifle side of things and not so much on the battle rifle side of things. To tell you the truth I enjoy prone precision shooting and shooting froma bench.

However if I really need a MBR I figure I can always buy another upper later.

[RenoF250]

Both are great MBRs. I would probably take the M1A over the Garand though because it is lighter, higher capacity, and easier for optics. Also, rounds are smaller with pretty much the same power.

For a gun to own I really like both but the Garand is cheaper to shoot and has more character.

[creekwalker]

I owned and shot the heck out of a BM-59 Tailgunner. It was built up on a surplus Garand reciever. Can't say I liked it but also can't say I didn't. Bottom line I didn't keep it because I had no use for it. I really don't agree with your viewpoint on the AR-10, bt with respect to the early AR15 couldn't agree more. One Garand version I've never owned but intend to is the so called 'Tanker" model. I love its length and overall balance and would probably set it up in 308, enbloc clip and all. I think it'd be a fantastic fun shooting rifle.
cw

[918v]

My complaint with the M1As is the investment CAST receiver. It wishes it could grow up to be the Garand, with the forged receiver and eligent lines.


LRB makes a forged M1A receiver.

[jwp]

have forged smith enterprises m1a receiver and love it

mbr - m1a or ar10 - where you gonna get 06 for mbr? - delinked 308 is just fine in the ar10/m1a