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I want to add something in 7.62 / .308 to my collection. I am trying to decide between something on an AR frame vs. an M1A style.

I know there are as many opinions as there are options but I wanted to get some feedback frome some of you who already own one or both in terms of pros / cons or lessons learned:

Thanks in advance for your input...

Let 'er rip!!!

RJGold wrote:I want to add something in 7.62 / .308 to my collection. I am trying to decide between something on an AR frame vs. an M1A style.

I know there are as many opinions as there are options but I wanted to get some feedback frome some of you who already own one or both in terms of pros / cons or lessons learned:

Thanks in advance for your input...

Let 'er rip!!!

I love my M1A, but perhaps I'm a little nostalgic as I had an M14 in my room in college, and shot the M14 while I was in the military. It's somewhat heavy compared to an AR, and more unwieldly (unless you get a SOCOM version), but it's a blast to shoot.

RJ, I have the SCAR 17S.

Out of the box accurate.
Piston driven, yet not Front Heavy like AR-styled piston guns
One of the cleanest rifles I have used.
No issues with whatever ammo you put in it.
Designed to shoot supressed (gas setting allows for adjustment)
Used by Special Forces in Middle East.
Stupid easy to field strip
Softest shooting .308 you will use.
Outstanding fit and finish. (And you can go Black or FDE)
Rails out the wahzoo for any Tacticool items you want to use
Only 8.5 lbs
Folding Stock
Ambi controls
High Resale value

Negatives:
Highest cost.
Trigger needs upgrading.
Leads to buying more FN Guns...

I have been looking for a mini 30 myself but don't forget about the SKS. For the price it's hard to beat if you are just looking for something to start off with..

EEllis wrote:I have been looking for a mini 30 myself but don't forget about the SKS. For the price it's hard to beat if you are just looking for something to start off with..

I think he means a 7.62x51 not 7.62x39.

TheDude wrote:

EEllis wrote:I have been looking for a mini 30 myself but don't forget about the SKS. For the price it's hard to beat if you are just looking for something to start off with..

I think he means a 7.62x51 not 7.62x39.

Thanks Dude.

I didn't specify but I was thinking NATO not Warsaw Pact.

Maybe I should broaden my horizons so I'll take comments on the other 7.62 as well.

RJGold wrote:

TheDude wrote:

EEllis wrote:I have been looking for a mini 30 myself but don't forget about the SKS. For the price it's hard to beat if you are just looking for something to start off with..

I think he means a 7.62x51 not 7.62x39.

Thanks Dude.

I didn't specify but I was thinking NATO not Warsaw Pact.

Maybe I should broaden my horizons so I'll take comments on the other 7.62 as well.

OK, I'll bite. I've got an AK and I love it. It's also a blast to shoot. It's nice and compact. I think it's a great gun within a range of about 100 yards. I'd go with 7.62 x 51 for versatility.

You need both. I have a Sam7r AK. Great. Was considering a Ruger762 but what I hear is that they need a trigger job. Why spend $2000 and still need a trigger job? Anyone else suggest a 762? Hear the M&P10 is good. Anyone have one?

Consider the FNH FNAR. A very sturdy battle rifle.

The M1A is a reliable and accurate platform. However, it is really at its best using iron sights. There are scope mounts that work well, but for the first 300 yards or so, you would be hard pressed to out perform the iron sights with a scope. I personally think it is also a more robust rifle to take punishment and keep working and eat any ammo new or surplus.

To me the AR10 is ideal to mount a scope and you can easily make your own build. It might be lighter and might have the potential for greater long range accuracy if that is your goal. In my experience (I don't own one) they are pickier on ammo, but you control what you buy. My brothers rifle would not work well with some surplus I have. Other rifles might do fine. If you are used to the AR platform, it might be the ideal rifle for you.

Overall, the difference is likely minimal for the conditions most of use shoot in. Just my 2 cents.

You can have an AK and a .308 if you want. VEPR and Saiga make .308s as well as the Zastava M77.

There is also the PTR-91 (G3 clone). You can get surplus G3 mags for just a few dollars each.

I got one of these Bushmaster AR10 about a year ago.

http://www.gtdist.com/ProductDetail.asp ... A3F16MLMOE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I put a CMC trigger on it, a Nikon scope, made some other tweeks and it turned out to be a pretty nice rifle. It's 1 moa at 100 yards. That's as far as I've shot it. And it wasn't super expensive.

I like the ideal of the Colt LE901.

carlson1 wrote:I like the ideal of the Colt LE901.

I was just coming here to post that recommendation. The Colt LE901 is a complete .308 rifle but with a proprietary to Colt upper it can be converted to run 5.56 as well, same lower. All you have to change out besides the complete upper is the buffer and buffer spring(and mags and ammo obviously).

ripnbst wrote:

carlson1 wrote:I like the ideal of the Colt LE901.

I was just coming here to post that recommendation. The Colt LE901 is a complete .308 rifle but with a proprietary to Colt upper it can be converted to run 5.56 as well, same lower. All you have to change out besides the complete upper is the buffer and buffer spring(and mags and ammo obviously).

You would need to add an adapter of some sort, the magazines are different size.