Which one, M1A or AR-10?
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Fumbler
Member
They'll be pretty close...
I'd go with the AR-10. I have seen many M1A's, but never an AR-10. I'd be the first kid on the block with one
I'd go with the AR-10. I have seen many M1A's, but never an AR-10. I'd be the first kid on the block with one
ChiefPilot
Member
I faced the same choice last November, and I chose the M1A. Since then, it's been back to the factory twice for various items. One of those items was a failure to feed, and it still happened even after it came back the first time.
If I were to choose again, I'd choose AR-10.
If I were to choose again, I'd choose AR-10.
Fatelvis
Member
I love my M1A, but I do like the ability of the `10 to clean the bore from the breech. Thats a tough one!
ChiefPilot
Member
Can you use a boresnake for doing that? That's what I do with my M1 carbine usually, although at some point I'm sure I'll have to break out the rod, jag, brush, etc.
Boresnake works great on the M1A. I kinda miss mine, it was nice most of the time. I might get another in the future, but it will not be a Springfield. The BAR-10 is OK, but I am happy with my Armalite.
If you do go with a Springfield, you might consider the full size rifle. I had far fewer problems with that one than the carbines. Still not as accurate as the AR-10, though.
If you do go with a Springfield, you might consider the full size rifle. I had far fewer problems with that one than the carbines. Still not as accurate as the AR-10, though.
Fatelvis
Member
You can use a Boresnake, with no problems. I use one for field use in my shotguns, but I prefer the old fasioned brush-with-rod method, followed up with a Parker Hale style jag-n-patch, for a thorough cleaning.
Chris Rhines
Member
I'd much rather have the AR-10.
- Chris
- Chris
If you want to read a pretty good book about this very subject, check out Boston's Gun Bible, by Boston T. Party.
About half or more of the book is his evaluation of the M1A, FAL, HK 91, AR10. He put a lot of thought and work into the subject. He develped a criteria. Placed values on each item in the criteria etc. It isn't just a "I love my _____". He gives you good reasons why.
I don't agree with all of it, but it is a very well done evaluation in my opinion.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1888766069/102-7118265-5950534?v=glance
About half or more of the book is his evaluation of the M1A, FAL, HK 91, AR10. He put a lot of thought and work into the subject. He develped a criteria. Placed values on each item in the criteria etc. It isn't just a "I love my _____". He gives you good reasons why.
I don't agree with all of it, but it is a very well done evaluation in my opinion.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1888766069/102-7118265-5950534?v=glance
Have owned the short AR-10 with muzzle break. And a loaded M1A, and regular M1A. The AR-10 was ergonomically better. Also much pickier about ammo than either Springfield. It shot a bit more accurately than the regular M1A and less accurately than the loaded M1A.
Cleaning was better on the barrel of the AR10, but all other parts of the gun were much more of a pain in the rear to me. I like the way the AR10 feels holding it though nothing wrong with the M1A design. But in all other respects the M1A seemed a better rifle to me.
Cleaning was better on the barrel of the AR10, but all other parts of the gun were much more of a pain in the rear to me. I like the way the AR10 feels holding it though nothing wrong with the M1A design. But in all other respects the M1A seemed a better rifle to me.
Quintin Likely
Member
From an asthetic sense, I just think a M1A with the 22" tube and flash hider on it looks better than the chopped down muzzle braked carbines do.
I don't have a .308 autoloader yet, but whenever I get around to getting one, I'm gonna have an M1A built just 'cause I want a .30 caliber service rifle to shoot in highpower.
I don't have a .308 autoloader yet, but whenever I get around to getting one, I'm gonna have an M1A built just 'cause I want a .30 caliber service rifle to shoot in highpower.
artherd
member
The AR-10 will be between two and six times as accurate as the M1A.
Both are fine guns. AR-10 will be noticably lighter, and generally more ergonomic (though not for all people.)
Both are not withought problems, though I have generally heard better results 'out of the box' with the AR-10 variants (DMPS, Bushy, and of course KAC)
I would get the AR-10 (or a KAC SR-25
Both are fine guns. AR-10 will be noticably lighter, and generally more ergonomic (though not for all people.)
Both are not withought problems, though I have generally heard better results 'out of the box' with the AR-10 variants (DMPS, Bushy, and of course KAC)
I would get the AR-10 (or a KAC SR-25
0007
Member
Consider cost of extra magazines?
varoadking
Member
While that could be the AR-10 - by a nose - I think the M1A would still win the J.D. Powers award for owner satisfaction.
When someone speaks of the AR-10 being 2 to 6 times more accurate than an M1A - I'm not sure that can be substantiated.
I guess you can tell that I would take an M1A - anytime...
IMHO, YMMV...
One thing that I think is important to keep in mind is, what kind of accuracy do you need ?
Obviouly, everyone wants all the accuracy they can get. But, what are you willing to give up to get it (if anything) ?
For example: what if one rifle shot consistant groups of 1" at 100 yards and the other rifle consitantly shot groups of 1 1/2" at 100 yards ? One rifle is obviously more accurate than the other, but is that degree of accuracy something that you need or are willing to sacrifice to get ?
I realize this doesn't answer your question, but I think it is important when you evaluate something like a rifle to realize that everything is not just black and white. Everything is also relative: in other words, some features will be better than others, but some features are more important than others: everything is not equal.
Obviouly, everyone wants all the accuracy they can get. But, what are you willing to give up to get it (if anything) ?
For example: what if one rifle shot consistant groups of 1" at 100 yards and the other rifle consitantly shot groups of 1 1/2" at 100 yards ? One rifle is obviously more accurate than the other, but is that degree of accuracy something that you need or are willing to sacrifice to get ?
I realize this doesn't answer your question, but I think it is important when you evaluate something like a rifle to realize that everything is not just black and white. Everything is also relative: in other words, some features will be better than others, but some features are more important than others: everything is not equal.
Southern Raider
Member
Minor point of contention: AR10 is an Armalite product and is not the same as the Bushmaster 308 which uses FAL mags. Armalite's lawyers have already had this discussion with Bushmaster...
Springfield has been turning out some problem children lately, so I would look around and see if you might find an older M1A, preferably one that uses all USGI parts. The new cast parts are generally fine, though.
The Armalite AR10 has an amost 10 year track record of design evolution and increasing reliability. You can't beat this platform for optics mounting, ergonomics, and ease of accuracy enhancement.
The Bushmaster 308 is a new product and I haven't heard much on it. The few reviews I've read seemed mixed. I suspect that it will be OK, but Bushmaster doesn't have a great reputation for continued enhancement of its non-AR products, such as the M17S bullpup. The same comments apply here for optics, et al as the AR10.
Springfield has been turning out some problem children lately, so I would look around and see if you might find an older M1A, preferably one that uses all USGI parts. The new cast parts are generally fine, though.
The Armalite AR10 has an amost 10 year track record of design evolution and increasing reliability. You can't beat this platform for optics mounting, ergonomics, and ease of accuracy enhancement.
The Bushmaster 308 is a new product and I haven't heard much on it. The few reviews I've read seemed mixed. I suspect that it will be OK, but Bushmaster doesn't have a great reputation for continued enhancement of its non-AR products, such as the M17S bullpup. The same comments apply here for optics, et al as the AR10.
Yes, the Bushmaster .308 is a new product and is based on their proven XM15 series. Technically, it is not an AR10 (which is an Armalite trademark) but rather a AR10-type weapon.
I kind of like the old battle-rifle look of the M1A but I've read you usually have to tinker with it a bit. OTOH, I know the reputation for accuracy and reliability of the Bushmaster AR15 (from which their new .308's are based). But the new .308's, by virtue of being new, do not have a lot of track record.
Thanks for all the replies.
I kind of like the old battle-rifle look of the M1A but I've read you usually have to tinker with it a bit. OTOH, I know the reputation for accuracy and reliability of the Bushmaster AR15 (from which their new .308's are based). But the new .308's, by virtue of being new, do not have a lot of track record.
Thanks for all the replies.
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Quintin Likely
Member
Maybe if a rack grade standard M1A from Springfield and an AR10T were compared. I've never seen what Springfield's standard M1A is capable of either from position or a bench though, but I have seen tuned match M1As own the X ring.
Sven
Senior Member
Spent a ton on building a NM M1A, but have no regrets. 0.75 MOA three shot groups off a sandbag with irons with LC M118LR. Kriger, McMillan, unitized gas system, bedded in Devcon, NM trigger, sights...
Kriger, McMillan, unitized gas system, bedded in Devcon, NM trigger, sights...aerod1
Member
I have had no problems with my Springfield Armory M1A (loaded model). It was accurate right out of the box. The gun has far exceeded my expectations.
I'd go with another M1A.
Jim
I'd go with another M1A.
Jim
Southern Raider
Member
If you speak of service rifle competetion, it is easy to own the X ring against a competitor that is not allowed to compete. (e.g. AR10)
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