if you could only own one, ar15 or garand?

[lionking]

QUOTE "FlyingBrian I congratulate you on the most epic poll I have witnessed on THR."




A long time ago there was a epic thread and poll asking "what is the most recognized handgun" or maybe it was "what handgun defines American" I dont remember but it was a great debate over the Colt single action and Colt M1911.

 

[Schofield]

http://neveryetmelted.com/2005/11/10/report-from-a-marine-in-iraq/

REPORT FROM A MARINE IN IRAQ
.45 ACP, 5.56mm, 9mm Parabellum, AK47, Barrett .50 Rifle, Iraq, M-14 Rifle, M-16 Assault Rifle, M-24 Rifle, M2 .50 cal Machine Gun, M240 Machine Gun, M243 SAW, M9 Beretta, USMC, War on Terror, Weapons Systems

Posted on FREE REPUBLIC by Infantry Marine, who asks that it be passed along:


Hello to all my fellow gunners, military buffs, veterans and interested guys. A couple of weekends ago I got to spend time with my son Jordan, who was on his first leave since returning from Iraq. He is well (a little thin), and already bored. He will be returning to Iraq for a second tour in early ‘06 and has already re-enlisted early for 4 more years. He loves the Marine Corps and is actually looking forward to returning to Iraq.

Jordan spent 7 months at “Camp Blue Diamond” in Ramadi. Aka: Fort Apache. He saw and did a lot and the following is what he told me about weapons, equipment, tactics and other miscellaneous info which may be of interest to you. Nothing is by any means classified. No politics here, just a Marine with a bird’s eye view’s opinions:

1) The M-16 rifle : Thumbs down. Chronic jamming problems with the talcum powder like sand over there. The sand is everywhere. Jordan says you feel filthy 2 minutes after coming out of the shower. The M-4 carbine version is more popular because it’s lighter and shorter, but it has jamming problems also. They like the ability to mount the various optical gunsights and weapons lights on the Picatinny rails, but the weapon itself is not great in a desert environment. They all hate the 5.56mm (.223) round. Poor penetration on the cinderblock structure common over there and even torso hits cant be reliably counted on to put the enemy down. Fun fact: Random autopsies on dead insurgents shows a high level of opiate use.

There's one place I've heard it. Just thought I ought to mention. Oh and comment on the post just before me I think the Colt...ooh that's a tough one.

 

[Nevertoomanyguns]

I own 3 AR's and one Garand. I voted for the M1 Garand. I would like to know where you are finding this cheap AR ammo. I reload my .223 But I buy my Garand ammo from the CMP for $67 per 240 rounds. .223 ammo is not that cheap.

Anyone who says that an M1 Garand is ugly needs to have their head checked.

I was in the Infantry and carried M4's and M16's and never experienced any problems with it, I'd just feel better off with and 06 round versus a 5.56 any day. I've shot trees on my property with the 5.56 12" in diameter no penitration, and I have shot trees up to 2' in diameter with the M1 garand complete pass through. What's consider cover for the 5.56mm is only concealment for the 30-06.

Granted I love my Ar's but in a u know what hits the fan I'm grabbing my Garand.

I'm only 27 so its not just old guys that appreciate the ole M1 Garand.

 

[CWL]

Schofeld, you need to stop passing along hearsay. Even your "documentation" is not a first person account.

Stick around THR and try to read what people are posting, you will find that there are many here who have indeed BTDT and are willing to share their experiences.

 

[mcwjr13]

Ar-15 just fits my wants and needs better.

 

[Boats]

​

"GET OFF MY LAWN. . ."

 

[Poor East Texan]

Love that pic! ^

 

[d2wing]

I sold my Garand and bought an AR. Not that I didn't love the Garand. No doubt the Garand is more lethal but it is just too heavy for hunting for me.
I have other high power rifles that are more useful. But I wouldn't fault anyone for chosing the Garand. The AR is much lighter, is as accurate at hunting ranges and will kill everything I hunt effectively.

 

[husker]

well Al Burnstien the first 5 rounds have been dead even. ya husker its a fight that could go down as one of the best of all times.ya no AL? GRAND my have lost his speed. but his KO power. well that never goes away. yes husker. it will be up to MR AR-15 to stick and move and keep the pressure on GRAND and take it to the later rounds. thats right AL. the later rounds should favor AR-15. back to you Al for round 6

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

I'm perfectly happy with my Saiga as my primary defense rifle, so I just have to vote for the Garand. If I had some disposable cash, I'd have one in a heartbeat.

 

[usmcskeet]

garand

garand... just cause i work on m4 and m16 all day and they are plastic and aluminum crap. and worse is the people that put 3 flashlights, 4 lasers, eotech, eotech magn., ipod holder and built in speakers on them. keep it old school. iron sights

 

[gga357]

Love the pic! Clint and many others love the Garand. I am 36 and have 2 Garands.

 

[gga357]

I would take my Ruger Vaqueros over a 1911 too. Both in .45 love these polls and debates.

 

[C-grunt]

SCHOFIELD As a guy who, has spent two tours in Iraq as an Army Infantryman, has a brother in law that spent a year there as Marine Infantry, and has several friends who still go over with various infantry units and Special Forces..... I can truthfully tell you that the so called "report" from the "marine" is complete BS.

The only weapon that was having problems was the SAW. But they re fit them with the new shorter barrels that have the fixed gas system, and at least with my unit, the problems went away. I have never met an Iraqi vet who stated he had problems with his M16/4 or the 5.56.

I have however heard many stories in gunshops, via 15th party, that the 5.56 isnt putting down the bad guys and the M16 is failing miserably. Both of these are completely wrong.

 

[helz_mcfugly]

AR15 is plenty more versatile. In the Garand, you're stuck with the .30-06.

nah, you're not stuck, you cna get it in a few different configs. just yesterday i was offered a match garand in .308 for $1100. man was it nice. but he also had a M1a/M14 in his pile and I want that more then a garand in .308. so which ever comes along first, him letting go of that opulent m14 or me finding a garand in perfect shape. oh and FlaminBryan, turn on your fuggin yahoo thing or im going to turn it on for you

 

[BrokenButterfly]

Wow! Poor Schofield. Anywho I pick Garand because that is an awesome picture^ of Clint Eastwood and it it is just more awesomer.

 

[FlyinBryan]

lol@ helz.

you shoulda told me it was off when you brought the new ar over yesterday.

and as for my poll,

i am shocked the garand and ar have neck and neck from the beginning till now.

i honestly figured the ar would blow the garand out of the water.

i guess it really says a lot for the old war horse.

it is definitly a powerhouse that demands respect.

im impressed and its really got me wanting one, just to feel the power.

 

[eldiabloe1]

I vote for the Garand because of sheer power and classic design.

 

[Legionnaire]

Love the Garand; voted AR.

 

[Deckard]

Garand: history, powerful cartridge, cheap surplus ammo, accurate, beautiful, and tougher than nails, 'nuff said.

 

[Maddogkiller]

US RIFLE Cal 30 M1

 

[Remington 700]

AR15 over M1 HOWEVER M-1A/M-14 over any semi-auto, Power and range

 

[sh3rm4nt4nk]

I voted Garand, though I'd more likely drop my cash on an AR in .308 or .243.
Just like if you asked '64 mustang or 2010 mustang I'd vote '64 but more likely be driving the 2010 every day. I want the classy & powerful but I've a weakness for comfortable and modern......
Very cool pole.

 

[j-easy]

i voted garand, amazing rifle

 

[pt6998]

I have shot my friends Smith and Wesson Ar-15 with his tacticool Crossfire tactical frontgrip light and green dot scope. I do admit the weapon looks good, but I still prefer my service grade 1944 M1 bought from the CMP.
Also he has spent nearly $2,000 on his rifle alone and I shoot a whole lot better then him with just my plane M1 that cost $595! I am also 22 and prefer the Garand over a lot of my other peers that go for the Call of Duty 4 style black rifles.