best semi auto rifle ever built?
- Thread starter trigga
- Start date
- Status
IndianaBoy
Member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2005
- Messages
- 1,551
The one you own.
For me that would be an AR-15. I don't deny the greatness of the Garand. But the AR fits my needs better. That doesn't mean I don't want a Garand.
For me that would be an AR-15. I don't deny the greatness of the Garand. But the AR fits my needs better. That doesn't mean I don't want a Garand.
bigalexe
Member
Im going to go out on a limb and state the OP has asked a very unanswerable question and also looking for gun information in a Youtube rant is about as ridiculous.
There are many rifles made for many purposes which are probably all great at what they do. The best combat utility rifle may not be the best long range target rifle (both semi-auto) and neither of those may be the best varmint rifle.
There are many rifles made for many purposes which are probably all great at what they do. The best combat utility rifle may not be the best long range target rifle (both semi-auto) and neither of those may be the best varmint rifle.
Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
member
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2007
- Messages
- 13,146
Hang on - popping popcorn now!!
Yeah, I meant Mk14, and yeah, add the Barrett M82 / M107 to my list!
OH, shucks, we've had this discussion. Whether it's used in limited numbers for umpteen years or not, any rifle that's discontinued by the largest service before all the troops are even equipped with it can hardly be considered a success!
The Navy Lee seems to have been the only U.S. service rifle less successful.
The Navy Lee seems to have been the only U.S. service rifle less successful.
My father, and 4 uncles served in WW2, one uncle in Korea, a brother in Vietnam, myself in the Gulf. Both grandfathers served in wars before (WW1, Spanish American war).
A few of them were infantry, artillary, Army-Air corp, and throught that the BAR was a better rifle than the Garand was. A quote from my father who, after recovering from 9 months of hospitalization from D-day, who used to train other airmen and soldiers how to hit moving targets and vehicles. A favorite quote of that short little guy was "pick anything out to a 1/2 mile away, if you can hit it once Ill guarrantee 2 hits on it moving".
I like the design of the garand for its time, it was the best anyone could have made for the situation. Today its nothing compared to whats available.
The FAL, from what I can remember it was given away by European countries to as many 3rd world countries as possible to make way for newer better rifles, lighter, more reliable, more accurate rifles. Anyone I knew who had experience with the FAL in combat complained about them being too long, too heavy, and not being very reliable.
A few of them were infantry, artillary, Army-Air corp, and throught that the BAR was a better rifle than the Garand was. A quote from my father who, after recovering from 9 months of hospitalization from D-day, who used to train other airmen and soldiers how to hit moving targets and vehicles. A favorite quote of that short little guy was "pick anything out to a 1/2 mile away, if you can hit it once Ill guarrantee 2 hits on it moving".
I like the design of the garand for its time, it was the best anyone could have made for the situation. Today its nothing compared to whats available.
The FAL, from what I can remember it was given away by European countries to as many 3rd world countries as possible to make way for newer better rifles, lighter, more reliable, more accurate rifles. Anyone I knew who had experience with the FAL in combat complained about them being too long, too heavy, and not being very reliable.
berettashotgun
Member
- Joined
- May 8, 2005
- Messages
- 1,149
Depending on the use, but a Glenfield model 60 is awfully hard to beat.
I really like my mini-30, other than lame magazine offerings.
The FAL from the pawnshop has worked out excellent after I got the trigger spring installed correctly, just got too pricy to drop the hammer on to call "best" anymore.
AR's are really fun with the correct A2 config; still want one in 7mm-08 from remmy. Wife wants some 20's for the Avalanche and she is the boss 'round here
won't be getting the r25 in 7mm-08 anytime soon.:banghead:
I really like my mini-30, other than lame magazine offerings.
The FAL from the pawnshop has worked out excellent after I got the trigger spring installed correctly, just got too pricy to drop the hammer on to call "best" anymore.
AR's are really fun with the correct A2 config; still want one in 7mm-08 from remmy. Wife wants some 20's for the Avalanche and she is the boss 'round here
won't be getting the r25 in 7mm-08 anytime soon.:banghead:
Browning's .22 take down auto was the ONLY semi-auto I used for years. For a design thats pretty old, like 100 years? I'd say that's pretty darn successful.
I don't THINK that design has changed since WW1-ish?
I don't THINK that design has changed since WW1-ish?
Uncle Mike
Member
I'm going after tacos.
And if were making a list.... stand by...
And if were making a list.... stand by...
I'll take the Garand. It tops(though maybe not always alone) the fun factor, the lower 48 game factor, the reliable factor, the history factor not to mention accurate enough out to the ranges I come across. Sure others may tie it in some categories or even pass it when it comes to accuracy but in total its the complete package. A BAR in some of the bigger calibers sounds like a lot of fun too though.
Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
member
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2007
- Messages
- 13,146
OK. What would that make the Benelli R1 then? The Bentley?
http://www.benelliusa.com/rifles/benelli_r1_rifle.php
That would make it an over priced and as yet unproven Bently.
Arbor
Member
These rifles are both very heavy and difficult to keep on target under recoil. Great for breaking down doors or shooting moose, but not the most practical for carrying around and shooting offhand.
easyrider604
Member
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2008
- Messages
- 735
The original question was vague but I'll jump in and second King Ghidora: SKS.
Simply elegant mechanical design. Handy and reliable. Just like KG, never experienced a hiccup on cheap surplus ammo. 3 to 4 inch, 5-shot groups at 100 yards. Ammo used to be cheap enough to allow practice to gain then maintain proficiency.
My M1 Garand and Mini 30 would FTE or FTF. Didn't get to shoot my M1A enough to experience any FTF or FTE but she was getting too expensive too feed, so was the M1. Both had to go. I'd rather have 3 Russian SKS's than a Garand or M1A.
The 7.62 x 39 is an intermediate power cartridge but good enough for any of my foreseeable needs.
Simply elegant mechanical design. Handy and reliable. Just like KG, never experienced a hiccup on cheap surplus ammo. 3 to 4 inch, 5-shot groups at 100 yards. Ammo used to be cheap enough to allow practice to gain then maintain proficiency.
My M1 Garand and Mini 30 would FTE or FTF. Didn't get to shoot my M1A enough to experience any FTF or FTE but she was getting too expensive too feed, so was the M1. Both had to go. I'd rather have 3 Russian SKS's than a Garand or M1A.
The 7.62 x 39 is an intermediate power cartridge but good enough for any of my foreseeable needs.
LoneStarWings
Member
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2009
- Messages
- 445
M1A
'nuff said
'nuff said
woad_yurt
Member
Norinco SKS Paratrooper....
I'll vote for a Norinco SKS Paratrooper/Cowboy Companion model. It's the short one with no bayonet lug. It's like carrying a Glenfield 60, almost, it's so light. You can regularly pop clay pigeons on the 100 yard berm with it. 7.62 is a good utility caliber, too. SKSs are reliable simple and robust. I think the Norincos are the best. I had a Yugo and it felt like a telephone pole in comparison.
I'll vote for a Norinco SKS Paratrooper/Cowboy Companion model. It's the short one with no bayonet lug. It's like carrying a Glenfield 60, almost, it's so light. You can regularly pop clay pigeons on the 100 yard berm with it. 7.62 is a good utility caliber, too. SKSs are reliable simple and robust. I think the Norincos are the best. I had a Yugo and it felt like a telephone pole in comparison.
FullEffect1911
Member
What is with all the Garand votes? Is there really nothing better now-a-days? In it's time it was pretty darn good compared to what was around... probably even the best, for it's time.
However if Germany was all armed with SturmGevehr-44s we may have a differing opinion on the Garand.
My vote is for an AR-15 carbine with midlength gas system in 6.8 SPC with SPCII chamber. As close as I can figure it, it is the best do all rifle and cartridge combination.
However if Germany was all armed with SturmGevehr-44s we may have a differing opinion on the Garand.
My vote is for an AR-15 carbine with midlength gas system in 6.8 SPC with SPCII chamber. As close as I can figure it, it is the best do all rifle and cartridge combination.
It all depends what you classify as important. I honestly don't clear rooms or go to battle with any rifle I own. I just play with them and enjoy them. Under my criteria the M1 Garand is the best. Its the most fun to me, and is reliable and accurate. Nothing to complain about. If I were looking for the best battle rifle for today or the best cqb rifle it would certainly be different but I don't do any of that. I shoot at the range and at a few animals. For that heavy and big with a bunch of power works out real nice.
I can see why other rifles have their votes but to not understand why the M1 Garand/M1A get as many as they do certainly doesn't take into account the vast majority of the shots that go down range today and only considers the few that are used in true SHTF situations, be them hd or what not, or small game hunting. I can see why someone would pick an AR as well. Not quite as fun to me which is why it missed my #1. I can also see why some people are picking only from rifles designed to be semi only from the start and not those that have been civilianized from MG into semi auto. Its all how you define best.
I can see why other rifles have their votes but to not understand why the M1 Garand/M1A get as many as they do certainly doesn't take into account the vast majority of the shots that go down range today and only considers the few that are used in true SHTF situations, be them hd or what not, or small game hunting. I can see why someone would pick an AR as well. Not quite as fun to me which is why it missed my #1. I can also see why some people are picking only from rifles designed to be semi only from the start and not those that have been civilianized from MG into semi auto. Its all how you define best.
Limeyfellow
Member
He also said that the Sherman tank was so superior we didn't need a better tank before invading Europe. At times I believe Patton was lucky to die before he could have been courtmartialed and disgraced from the military.
Cool, I want to play -
Best Semi Auto -
Sniper Rifle - Walther WA 2000 / AI AS50
Military Style Rifle - AR 18 / AK 47 / HK 91 / Sig 550 / AR15
Value For Money Rifle - SKS
Range Pimp Rifle - SCAR 16 / HK MR 556
Hunting Rifle - Browning BAR
Cheap Plinking Rifle - Ruger 10/22
Silly Fun Rifle - FN PS90
And there you have it.
Best Semi Auto -
Sniper Rifle - Walther WA 2000 / AI AS50
Military Style Rifle - AR 18 / AK 47 / HK 91 / Sig 550 / AR15
Value For Money Rifle - SKS
Range Pimp Rifle - SCAR 16 / HK MR 556
Hunting Rifle - Browning BAR
Cheap Plinking Rifle - Ruger 10/22
Silly Fun Rifle - FN PS90
And there you have it.
Claymore1500
Member
I vote this one.
- Status
