need a reliable, accurate semi auto rifle?

Question

I'd like to purchase a semi auto rifle that is hard hitting, accurate, and extremly reliable. Military type prefered as they tend to take rough conditions better. My thoughts are an FN FAL or a Springfield M1A your thoughts?

Answer 1

You might want to consider an M1 Garand as well, although if cost wasn't a primary concern i would go with the M1A. Lots of parts available, very inexpensive, very reliable and with the .06 it packs a mean punch. Also lots of aftermarket gear for it. I briefly owned one that I bought on a spur of the moment deal and enjoyed shooting it at the range. The range i shot at only had a 100 yard alley but I was easily able to get 2" and smaller groups with the peep sight. I ended up trading it for my Hi-Power when mine was stolen.

Answer 2

I'd second the Saiga in .308. At 100 yards it's accurate enough and has the ak reliability. Also it's very cost effective (as in cheaper) than the M1A or FN Fal...about 1,000 dollars less than either one of those. If you want to just throw it around and stuff..than I'd suggest to get the Saiga in .308.

Answer 3

Chalk up another vote for the M1A in 308 caliber. I personally shoot Long Range Rifle Competitions as a Rifle Team member, and I've used a National Match Springfield M1A for over 16+ years in Competitions and NRA Sanctioned 200,400 and 600 yard matches.I also own an FN-FAL, and it's a great rifle, but I would never consider the of these rifles as an "equal" comparison even as a standard battle weapon... If you keep up with the news in Iraq you'll see the M-14/M1A are making a come-back and are currently being utilized in SOCOM training of Army and Marine Snipers. How many FN-FAL's do you read about in these same roles or for that matter even see in use anywhere in the world? That speaks "volumes" in and of itself....Expensive YES..But worth every extra penny.....

Answer 4

Both are good choices for dispensing the .308 cartridge. The M1A makes for a very good scout rifle or intermediate range rifle. I'd go for that if it were my choice. Also, the rifle stock is more 'politically correct' than a pistol grip stock. The FAL is intended more as a battle rifle, but still is very accurate. Same with the CETME, and any even more so for the HK-91 variants and it's copies.

I recently purchased a Saiga .308, and you should give it a serious consideration, as well. It's far cheaper and easier to clean and maintain than those two and is a very simple but sturdy design, but not quite as accurate as you'll be able to make the more expensive rifles shoot.

Answer 5

m1 garand it is a 30/06 semi auto rifle it a very reliable, and is accurate
george s. patton, jr. proclaimed it "the greatest single battle implement ever devised by man."
that is one he!! of an endorsement if you ask me
the m1a is the m1 garands little brother firing the 308 Winchester and is known for accuracy and it also is reliable but has not been battle tested on the same scale as the m1 garand
i think either one the m1 garand or the m1a(m14) would fill the bill nicely

Answer 6

in .308 cal I'd go with either the fal or the m1A both have strong points and weak points. First, weight, both are fairly heavy, but that translates in to less recoil. Magazines for the metric fal run around $6.00 each for good used ones + shipping., for the m1a they run anywhere from $35.00 to $50.00 each. Most people don't know that the U.S. was supposed to go to the fal along with other nato countries to make supply etc easier, but that at the last minute, the U.S. pulled back and went with the m-14 (selective fire m1a) instead. During the vietnam war, the australian troops were armed with the FAL. The vietnamese called them the "long rifles". The bad part of either weapon is that they are both expensive to purchase. Parts for the fal are readily available at fair prices thru "shotgun news" while parts for the m1a are drying up, costing more, and mostly you either find well worn parts at gunshows, or you order new from springfield armory and pay thru the nose for them. The FAL can be adjusted to handle various ammunition from light to high pressure loads by adjusting the screw at the end of the forgrip to regulate the gas pressure used to cycle the action. Be sure you don't close it all the way, that setting is for launching rifle grenades and diverts all the gas pressure and can seriously hurt you and destroy the rifle if you fire live ammo whilt it is in that setting.
In summary, I would not hesitate to use ( in fact I have owned and used both) either rifle. If I were going to purchase one over the other, I would be hard pressed to make a choice. I think I would probably go with the one that I could get the best price on at the time. Remember to that there are two versions of the FAL, one in metric and one in SAE,, and they take different magazines, those for the SAE model costing much more than the metric ones.. The imbel is considered by many to be the better of all the different manufacturers. If you go with the metric FAL, I've got at least 10 good used magazines I'd sell you for $50.00 plus shipping!!
Good luck and good shooting

Answer 7

M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, M14.... the M14 is the most powerfull out of the 3, but all 3 very accurate.

Answer 8

M14 (the M1A as the civilian version is dubbed) or Garand.BTW anyone who has read the zombie survival guide knows a semi auto carbine in .22 lr is the best weapon for zombie defense and elimination.

Answer 9

Either one has a good hard hit to it. Both can be scoped and would be accurate rifles. Between these two it's going to boil down to getting a pistol grip or standard stock. If you choose the pistol grip type you should give some thought to one of the major AR-10 makers(Bushmaster, Rock River, etc.)

Answer 10

M1 Garand