JavaScript is disabled
Our website requires JavaScript to function properly. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser settings before proceeding.

Which would you have?


  • Total voters
    94
From personal experience:

M1A = The A is for Amazing. Love that thing. But difficult to put optics on to use a modern advantage for the 7.62 round. But if your eyes are good and you like to rock irons, its the battle machine.

SIG 716 Patrol Gen II = Is what leaves the safe and travels with me on open backcountry trips. (Woods the 300blk is my go too) I run a Griffin RECE7 suppressor on it and it and with the two-position gas piston, one-click over and it's running quite. Leupold D-EVO and LCO for optics. Its not a lightweight gun, but that's a hard ask for a durable and reliable 7.62. One thing it is is accurate.

I do not own a SCR17.....yet. It's on the list for a one day add. But I doubt it will replace the 716 for my go too heavy hitter semi-auto. I want one just because. America!
 
.308 piston "battle" rifles
Which would you have?


My favorite .308 piston "battle" rifles are the M14 / M1A.
I have M14s that are custom built by Smith Enterprise... that I modernized with light weight Blackfeather RS chassis stock systems. Here are my CQB-16 and M21-A5, they have barrels with a 1:10 ROT and both are chambered for M118-LR

IMG_7577 (2).JPG IMG_7381.JPG
 
.308 piston "battle" rifles
Which would you have?


My favorite .308 piston "battle" rifles are the M14 / M1A.
I have M14s that are custom built by Smith Enterprise... that I modernized with light weight Blackfeather RS chassis stock systems. Here are my CQB-16 and M21-A5, they have barrels with a 1:10 ROT and both are chambered for M118-LR

View attachment 711364 View attachment 711365

Curious - what is the weight on those guys?
 
The both weigh in at about 9 pounds unloaded, and without optics & accessories.

I never warmed up to the FAL or .308 AK, I'm sure they are fine for what they are - but they aren't for me.
 
Last Edited:
I've had the opportunity to shoot many of the models listed(thank you SHOT & Triggcon show) or have owned half of the models listed. One model I had consider owning was the Desert Tech MDR bull pup design. 2 of biggest distracter for the 7.62X51 rd is the weight and overall size of the rifle. The majority of the rifles listed can be mounted with optics-variable power or a simple RDS with a 3X magnifier.

The take away for me was the actual purpose of the 7.62X51 rifle, long range shooting-beyond 600 yards or a SHTF bug out rifle. The 5.56 caliber rifle(AR) can shoot to 500 yards with accuracy, can carry more ammo, is light weight and easier to maneuver and can mount optics easily. The caliber difference is obvious, btw the 7.62/5.56, the larger caliber can take down mid/large size game, can penetrate car/building doors, etc-if needed.

The gas piston system of the IWI ACE was based on the AK system, the Galil rifle was my choice back in the day, foldable stock, durable magazine, made with modern material, and able to mount optics. Unfortunately I sold it:(. Present day, looking at the modern 7.62, my need for this rifle is SHTF. Currently, the IWI ACE has aftermarket support with better hand guard rails and stock designs over the IWI OEM parts.I like the fact the IWI ACE can use the Magpul 7.62 magazines(available and decent price w/o breaking the bank). The durability of the IWI ACE and ease of break down and maintenance is simple was the deciding factor.

The IWI ACE has a full rail with can easily mount most optics or RDS on the market. The muzzle break is good but don't be the guy next to the shooter. If available, maybe switch the muzzle break to a BCE or Surefire 7.62 comp. I'd get a suppressor for the rifle. So this would be my choice. Just my 2 cents here. Thanks.

Screen Shot 2020-06-16 at 6.57.39 AM.png
 
Last Edited:
An AK based 7.62x51 "battle rifle" like the Galil and Valmet, etc. al., is more reliable and robust and in some ways more desirable (I wish I had not sold my Valmets), but the FN-FAL has it all over any other 7.62x51 battle rifle with regards to aftermarket support and commonality/availability of parts. When it comes to 7.62x51, the FN-FAL is the most popular and available battle rifle, rivaling the AK-47 and AR-15 in adoption around the world.

In a SHTF situation, this fact is no small thing to take into account.
 
Hk for me - there may be "better" options, but even the "cheap" Federal Arms HK91 clone I had was 100% reliable, accurate, and I'd trust it to save my arse. The modernized versions of the PTR-91 with the pic rail receivers would be the teets.
 
Wow, lots of votes for the DSA FAL. Too bad I can't find them in stock anywhere except for the DSA website at full MSRP $$$. No thanks.

I voted for the M1A/M14. It's simple, rugged, and accurate. I have a JRA M14 made with USGI parts. That rifle has scored more bullseyes than anything else in my safe.

I recently acquired a PTR/G3 Clone and I like the Length of Pull and I like how it points, but I'm still getting used to the rest of it. The ergos are a bit different.
 
Wow, lots of votes for the DSA FAL. Too bad I can't find them in stock anywhere except for the DSA website at full MSRP $$$. No thanks.

I voted for the M1A/M14. It's simple, rugged, and accurate. I have a JRA M14 made with USGI parts. That rifle has scored more bullseyes than anything else in my safe.

I recently acquired a PTR/G3 Clone and I like the Length of Pull and I like how it points, but I'm still getting used to the rest of it. The ergos are a bit different.
I would talk to @LuckySG for the FAL of your dreams, he is a DSA dealer and can get them when available!
Wouldn't mind getting another receiver set and doing up a nice slick Para build for my next project! ;)
That, and I want to swap out my Standard Pattern furniture for the Pebble grain plastics with out the bi-pod cutouts, and the SAW pistol grip!
 
I would talk to @LuckySG for the FAL of your dreams, he is a DSA dealer and can get them when available!
Wouldn't mind getting another receiver set and doing up a nice slick Para build for my next project! ;)
That, and I want to swap out my Standard Pattern furniture for the Pebble grain plastics with out the bi-pod cutouts, and the SAW pistol grip!
It is very easy for me to work with DS Arms, they bend over backwards to make a build anyway you want and I am always happy to make deals so you have some room for extra goodies or pocked some cash for ammo.
 
It is very easy for me to work with DS Arms, they bend over backwards to make a build anyway you want and I am always happy to make deals so you have some room for extra goodies or pocked some cash for ammo.
Make sure to use those savings to get mags, your going to want good mags to go with your new FAL, and DSA makes the best! Not cheap ( or cheaply made) , but not expensive!
 
I had an HK91 (not a clone, a real HK) for about a decade. It's been a while (a few decades), so forgive my foggy memory.

I liked its functioning, although the charging handle seemed to lose its human friendly plastic way too easily IMO.

I didn't care for the mag lips even though they were double and maybe better (in theory) than a single layer mag lip like the M1A and the FN FAL - it seemed to me they were too easily damaged, and that the damage certainly affected the functioning/reliability (almost any mag fed weapon depends a lot its mag working correctly). I had a mix of mags, including the single use aluminum mags, and some of them were damaged before I got them. I also had some Thermolds IIRC (or maybe that was the M1A I had?).

I had an ARMS claw mount for a scope for it. Maybe it was just me, but no matter how tight I adjusted it, I could never get it to hold zero - it just kept moving. I mean I really cranked down hard on it, so much I could barely get it closed. I don't know what I was doing wrong?

IIRC, the trigger mechanism seemed too complicated too, and I wasn't impressed with the feel of it. There was a specialist I was thinking of sending it to, but I never did.

On the surface, the design of the HK G3/91 seems very nice and modular, but I sold it or traded it, I forget which.

The FN-FAL is not perfect, but I like what DSA is doing along the lines of improvements and there is just so much support for it, both aftermarket and stock parts. As I said before, the FN-FAL is by far the most popular battle rifle of its class there is - worldwide at least.
 
Two gripes about hk91 rifles:
1. Dont plan to reload the brass the 91.mangles the brass
2. That is a large piece of metal ( the bolt ) that slams back and forth that in my mind does not aid accuracy

I am also not a fan of the sheet metal receiver
 
Two gripes about hk91 rifles:
1. Dont plan to reload the brass the 91.mangles the brass
2. That is a large piece of metal ( the bolt ) that slams back and forth that in my mind does not aid accuracy

I am also not a fan of the sheet metal receiver

I reloaded the brass, but I did not expect it to last as long.

As for the bolt and bolt carrier, about the same as an AK, so yes, not particularly conducive to accuracy, although they do have sniper variants of the HK - but I think you mean for repeat fire, not single shots?

The impression I got of the HK91/G3 was that it was slightly over-engineered. Typical of German weapons.
 

Upcoming Events

Tillamook Gun & Knife Show
Tillamook, OR
"The Original" Kalispell Gun Show
Kalispell, MT
Teen Rifle 1 Class
Springfield, OR
Kids Firearm Safety 2 Class
Springfield, OR

New Resource Reviews

New Classified Ads

Back Top