Let’s talk 30 cal rifles.
Why?
Because I’m going to buy one very shortly, it’s on my mind, this is a gun forum and most of the time I can ramble on here without the bored looks I get from non-gun people.
So, here’s the deal. I have enough to purchase either:
1. M1A loaded model new or used depending
OR
2. A bolt-action tack driver (10FP, 700, FN etc) + Leupold Mark 2 +QR rings/base+ Harris Bi-pod.
What’s the problem you say? Sounds Great!
Well, it’s simple, I’m not too wealthy these days (I know, who is?) and thus it took me a couple of months to put together the roughly $1600 I have to spend on this. I have long lusted after both of these rifles (M1A and a nice target rifle in .308-I’ve vacillated between the actual model) but the truth is, what I really, really want right now is the target rifle. (Particularly because I have enough to buy all the parts at once and put it together – no waiting.)
However, given the Obama threat, AND the relative violence of the last few weeks, I feel that if I (or you, for that matter) want a semi-auto mil-pattern rifle, it’s now of never. At least it’s now or an outrageous price in the near future.
So, I’m going to purchase the M1A, and yes, I am very excited about it. But, inside, there’s this nagging feeling that what I really want is the target rifle. Sure, I’ll be thrilled to have the M1A, and in the absence of .Gov interference it would only come a few more guns down the line…I guess I’m just bent because I feel like I have to purchase this now to prevent sheepling hype from making it unobtanium. I have confidence that even the “tactical look” target rifles will be available for a while longer. However, I do not feel that way about mil pattern rifles.
Because I have your attention I’m going to take it a step further. I want a Full-Size battle rifle (I’ve got an AR already). My choices, as I see them are:
1. M1A
2. M1
3. FAL
4. G3 variants (HK, PTR, SAR etc)
5. AR pattern 308.
The M1 is well and good but not what I am looking for. We’ve had this conversation before. No need to go over it again. If you are an M1 devotee then God bless you, I simply am not. The FAL is an option. I wouldn’t waste my money on the angry beaver models (CAI) But, the DSA basic models are in my price range. Still, I’ve never been really impressed with the sub $2000 models. They seem awfully expensive for their performance. The G3’s are my favorite runners up. I can’t say enough good things about the construction and quality of the PTR’s I’ve fired. I’ve even had a go with an SAR that was pretty nice and the HK I tried was, frankly, no nicer (performance speaking) than the PTR with the Thompson Bbl. The only problem with the G3 is that, in my experience, they absolutely destroy the brass, obviating the opportunity to re-load which, on my budget, is a necessity. I’m not really interested in a .308 AR. That leaves us with the M1A. It’s powerful, reasonably accurate and can be improved, relatively easy to find parts for, and in my price range. Oh, and it looks good too. The fact remains though; I’m really not in love with it. It just appears to be the best option. So, what would you’all do? Please don’t tell me to buy an M1 and save $1K because, A: I don’t want one, B: I’m trying to keep my ammo limited and common and I’ve already selected .308 over 30/06. Also, the Cetmes, while nice, are too often CAI “angry beaver” products.
In the end, I’m going to buy the next M1A I find in the condition and model that I want. In a few months, I’ll buy the target rifle and it won’t be an issue. It just ticks me off that this is the situation.
Why?
Because I’m going to buy one very shortly, it’s on my mind, this is a gun forum and most of the time I can ramble on here without the bored looks I get from non-gun people.
So, here’s the deal. I have enough to purchase either:
1. M1A loaded model new or used depending
OR
2. A bolt-action tack driver (10FP, 700, FN etc) + Leupold Mark 2 +QR rings/base+ Harris Bi-pod.
What’s the problem you say? Sounds Great!
Well, it’s simple, I’m not too wealthy these days (I know, who is?) and thus it took me a couple of months to put together the roughly $1600 I have to spend on this. I have long lusted after both of these rifles (M1A and a nice target rifle in .308-I’ve vacillated between the actual model) but the truth is, what I really, really want right now is the target rifle. (Particularly because I have enough to buy all the parts at once and put it together – no waiting.)
However, given the Obama threat, AND the relative violence of the last few weeks, I feel that if I (or you, for that matter) want a semi-auto mil-pattern rifle, it’s now of never. At least it’s now or an outrageous price in the near future.
So, I’m going to purchase the M1A, and yes, I am very excited about it. But, inside, there’s this nagging feeling that what I really want is the target rifle. Sure, I’ll be thrilled to have the M1A, and in the absence of .Gov interference it would only come a few more guns down the line…I guess I’m just bent because I feel like I have to purchase this now to prevent sheepling hype from making it unobtanium. I have confidence that even the “tactical look” target rifles will be available for a while longer. However, I do not feel that way about mil pattern rifles.
Because I have your attention I’m going to take it a step further. I want a Full-Size battle rifle (I’ve got an AR already). My choices, as I see them are:
1. M1A
2. M1
3. FAL
4. G3 variants (HK, PTR, SAR etc)
5. AR pattern 308.
The M1 is well and good but not what I am looking for. We’ve had this conversation before. No need to go over it again. If you are an M1 devotee then God bless you, I simply am not. The FAL is an option. I wouldn’t waste my money on the angry beaver models (CAI) But, the DSA basic models are in my price range. Still, I’ve never been really impressed with the sub $2000 models. They seem awfully expensive for their performance. The G3’s are my favorite runners up. I can’t say enough good things about the construction and quality of the PTR’s I’ve fired. I’ve even had a go with an SAR that was pretty nice and the HK I tried was, frankly, no nicer (performance speaking) than the PTR with the Thompson Bbl. The only problem with the G3 is that, in my experience, they absolutely destroy the brass, obviating the opportunity to re-load which, on my budget, is a necessity. I’m not really interested in a .308 AR. That leaves us with the M1A. It’s powerful, reasonably accurate and can be improved, relatively easy to find parts for, and in my price range. Oh, and it looks good too. The fact remains though; I’m really not in love with it. It just appears to be the best option. So, what would you’all do? Please don’t tell me to buy an M1 and save $1K because, A: I don’t want one, B: I’m trying to keep my ammo limited and common and I’ve already selected .308 over 30/06. Also, the Cetmes, while nice, are too often CAI “angry beaver” products.
In the end, I’m going to buy the next M1A I find in the condition and model that I want. In a few months, I’ll buy the target rifle and it won’t be an issue. It just ticks me off that this is the situation.
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