Best deal in semi-auto .308

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Ok so in my budget restricted world guns have to serve multiple purposes. Right now I have a shortage of semi-auto rifles. I really want something semi-auto in .308. I have considered something like an AR-10 or an FN FAL but the price points on those have always kinda shocked me.

So somebody must know of a reliable semi auto .308 that I can pick up used for under 1k.

Also I should add one more piece of information, it doesn't have to be .308 really any of the .30cal rounds would be ok with me.


BTW I know the obvious answer is by and SKS or buy an AK and those are possible options but I figured the forum might be able to come up with something that I was unaware of.
 
The CETME iteration of the G3/CETME/HK91 series of rifles can be had for about 500, and they're a good, tough .308. The trigger pull isn't the greatest, and the ergonomics on the mag release are only for people with 8-inch trigger-fingers, but overall, it's a good, solid blaster; additionally, mags for it are as little as 99 cents! Or, you can get an FAL/L1A1 for around 7 hundo, if you look carefully. They aren't too hard to find at that price point. We're not talking about a DSA uber-FAL, but it'll be an FAL all the same.
 
You can definitely find FALs for less than 1k. The market has gotten a lot softer. Head over to the FAL Files, do a bit of reading and keep an eye on the marketplace section -

http://www.falfiles.com/forums

Folks there will help you to find a decent quality rifle. I looked at the CETME and as a reloader wasn't too excited about the fluted chamber.
 
M1 Garand all the way. Nothing better and it easily is within your budget if you buy from CMP. Also, you can get barrels in several different calibers.
 
I would be cautious in buying a century CETME or century FAL. From what I understand they often are not correctly put together.
The Saiga is probably the best out there, but there is a magazine problem. The only reliable and rugged magazines are the steel CSSPECs. They are expensive. The surefire mag I have does work, but they will break if abused. A nother common brand that I tried would not function. I now have three of the steel mags and will figure out a way to charge them with 10 round stripper clips that I recently purchased rather than buying more magazines.
 
Saiga 16" 308 is what I would recommend for under 1k budget. Even with conversion, you will have a few dollar left over for mags and ammo.
 
I forgot about the G3 clones, that's a great idea. I like the idea of the CETME ones. They seem to be just what I need. Now I have something to look for at my LGS. Of course if I stumble onto a deal on a .308 saiga I wouldn't complain either.
 
The Cetme's do a good job but a couple words of advice...

1. Buying from an individual...shoot first if at all possible to make sure it functions, measure the bolt gap, look for excessive wear on the charging handle tube.

2. Buying from a dealer...most will have the Century guns in, remember the warranty period started when the gun shipped to the dealer. If he has had it on his shelves for 3 months then it is out of warranty. You are better off ordering one yourself and paying the transfer fee to your dealer.

Biggest problem on these is the bolt gap, 50 bucks buys a new bolt head and the size roller you need to make it right. Also many do not like the straight HK mags...mine hates them but J&G has the correct CETME mags for 9 bucks each. HK furniture will fit if you want to go that route. All stocks are short to me, I added an extension and cheek piece...almost a necessity for scope use.


My CETME in HK green...

cetme3.jpg
 
MAS-49/56 converted to .308 by CAI.

Should be able to pick one up for under $200.

Some have claimed reliability issues. Others (including myself) swear by their reliability. Most of the reliability issues seem to stem from sloppy machining in the chamber when converted by Century, which results in tool marks and sticky chambers. This can be pretty easily polished out.

If you get one that has a clean chamber, there will be no reliability problems, the base design is simple and extremely robust... it makes an AK look complicated by comparison.

Mine is surprisingly accurate. Comparable to a FAL or stock M1A, a little less accurate than most AR-10s.

Magazine availability is an issue, 10 rounders are fairly common and not too expensive, 18 rounders are super rare. I did see someone who converted 20rd FAL magazines to work, haven't tried it myself.

Cool features include a rifle grenade launcher with both direct and indirect fire sights, gas shut-off, a screw-on night sight attachment, and stripper clip guide machined into the receiver. It really is the swiss army knife of rifles, and IMO one of the best infantry battle rifles ever designed.

Plus its French, so most have never been fired, only dropped once. :D

ETA:

3rd from left.
woodies012.jpg
 
Yes the 16 inch Saiga, but for the love of all that is holy I still can't find them in stock ANYWHERE. Anyone got any leads? I don't wanna backorder one I wanna buy it now.

I have been looking at the FAL myself, I may see if I can arrange to get one from classicarms. They aren't located too far from me but they only do transfers, which is fine but I'd love to be able to visit them and pick one out. Not sure if they would allow that tho.


classicarms.us has a FAL G1 for 679.99 right now, but they don't list the manufacture.
jgsales.com has a FAL G1 by century arms with SAW pistol grip and stock for 699.95
aimsuprlus.com has DSA Imbel FAL for 999.95

I can only assume without calling them that the one classic arms has is a century build, I know what to check for on an AK but what does one look for on a FAL?

Also I see CETME's for 599.99 also, is the FAL worth higher price??

Sorry if I derailed the thread.
 
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gunbroker, or local gun show. I picked mine up for $175 at a gun show during the height of the Obama black rifle craze... the dealer was looking to move inventory that was taking up space he could fill with $1600 bushmasters.

Just take a borelight or good flashlight and ensure the chamber doesn't look like it was chewed out by angry beavers.

It has a scope mounting rail machined into the side of the receiver, sorta like the AK. You can find original french scope mounts which are pricey, or there is an aftermarket weaver style mount out there. The original peep sights are actually quite good, I have had no desire to mount a scope on mine.

ETA: looking on gunbroker it seems that prices have gone up since I bought mine about 3 years ago. Im sure you can still find these for cheap at a gun show. They aren't exactly uncommon, and most you find will be the .308 CAI conversions rather than the original in 7.5 French.

I also found this article which you may be interested in: http://jpfo.org/filegen-a-m/masrifle.htm

You will probably be happier in the long run with one of the more common battle rifles like the AR-10, M1A, or FAL, but if you are on a strict budget the MAS does serve nicely as a poor man's M14
 
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