M14 vs. G3 vs. FAL

[ma96782]

Sunray,

The original post said.......

I am having trouble deciding whether to buy an M14, G3, or FAL as a 7.62 Nato semi-automatic rifle.Which one would you think is better?

So, YES, an M1A isn't an M14.......I know and you know, that. I assumed.......that Chrisgun actually meant the semi auto versions of the military rifles.

But.........I agree, that a "clone re-production" isn't always the same QUALITY as the military versions.
_____________________

Stocking up on ammo, parts and magazines is always a sound practice. But, Murphy Rules. So, what might be "found" after the SHTF is important. Say for instance, you're in America........you really think your chances of finding FAL or G3 parts is BETTER than finding M14 parts?

Your mileage will vary.

Aloha, Mark

[ma96782]

delete

[Rex Kramer]

Originally Posted by sunray

An M1A is not an M14. It's a commercial, semi-auto only copy with a cast receiver.

You are correct if you you are speaking of the rifle Springfield Armory, Inc. sells.
It is perfectly acceptable to call all others M14s.

The military M14 has never gone out of service.
Todays Crazy Horse modernization program keeps
the M14 viable as SASS, DMR and Counter IED MBRs.
Very few have a functional selector switch.

If you have the money and desire SEI can build
build a Crazy Horse M14 for you

[JSnover]

I love my FAL. It's lighter and easier put rounds in the black in rapid fire than the M1A/M14. Plus there are plenty of aftermarket options for it. Buy the "second generation Garand" if you want, you won't be disappointed, but if I had to make the choice again I'd buy the FAL again.

[LarryO1970]

It all depends on the application and you. If it doesn't fit, than don't try to make it fit. Pick what is the most comfortable and why you need it. I would pick the M1A/M14 due to the accuracy and the little need to send a wall of bullets down range. That being said, that is exactly what I did.

I know the G3 will kick the c r a p out of you when you shoot it and it is short in the stock... so therefore it may be uncomfortable to shoot in the first place... kinda like an AK.

I do not know anything of the FAL other than it looks cool and wouldn't mind adding one to my collection. I can see it's application... but I'm kinda stuck on the M1A/M14.


It all depends on you.

[ares7667]

I own both the m1a standerd loaded, and the PTR-91. Both are well made and accurate. Here are some of the differances I've noted. The PTR, re G3, doesn't have a bolt hold open when the mag runs dry. So you're firing away, suddenly you just get a click. You have to rack the bolt to see. The M1a has one, one glance and you can see. Point there for m1a. The stock on g3 is also shorter. A little to short for me, but if I'm wearing my body armour it's fine. The m1a stock is longer hence more comfortable to shoot. Also my face gets slapped somewhat when firing the g3. The recoil is harder. My m1A doesn't recoil any where near as much, about like my sks. It has a well designed, efective recoil pad. So the m1a gets point two. The chamber of the g3 has flutes cut in it for the rifle to work. If they get clogged up the rifle stops working and can break the extractor. So you can't use cheap ammo. The M1a will shoot the cheap stuff all day long. Also the PTR-91 wrecks the brass so you can't reload. The only real place the PTR is better is when it comes to magazines, Cheaper than dirt has them on sale from time to time for $1 each in bulk. M1a mags will set you back about $30 each. So it's harder to stock up. My m1a with it's nation match barrel and trigger will shoot 1" groups all the time, with good ammo of course.

[davy442]

Originally Posted by ares7667

I own both the m1a standerd loaded, and the PTR-91. Both are well made and accurate. Here are some of the differances I've noted. The PTR, re G3, doesn't have a bolt hold open when the mag runs dry. So you're firing away, suddenly you just get a click. You have to rack the bolt to see. The M1a has one, one glance and you can see. Point there for m1a. The stock on g3 is also shorter. A little to short for me, but if I'm wearing my body armour it's fine. The m1a stock is longer hence more comfortable to shoot. Also my face gets slapped somewhat when firing the g3. The recoil is harder. My m1A doesn't recoil any where near as much, about like my sks. It has a well designed, efective recoil pad. So the m1a gets point two. The chamber of the g3 has flutes cut in it for the rifle to work. If they get clogged up the rifle stops working and can break the extractor. So you can't use cheap ammo. The M1a will shoot the cheap stuff all day long. Also the PTR-91 wrecks the brass so you can't reload. The only real place the PTR is better is when it comes to magazines, Cheaper than dirt has them on sale from time to time for $1 each in bulk. M1a mags will set you back about $30 each. So it's harder to stock up. My m1a with it's nation match barrel and trigger will shoot 1" groups all the time, with good ammo of course.

Alot of good points. There is also the 308 galil and Valmet, although somewhat rare and expensive. Also, I believe the AR-10 was involved in the original US government testing with the M14 and FAL.

1. If you like to reload, the M1A doesn't destroy the brass because it has a spring loaded ejector that pops the brass out at your feet. The FAL and G3 have fixed ejectors like a colt 1911, and ejects the brass with force, many times damaging it, although there have been some companies who made brass "buffers" to help to conserve the brass.

2. Sites. Open sites that is, as you can put a scope on any of them. I tend to think the M1A has the best sites for target shooting. The sites seem like they're mounted to a more stable platform, almost like a solid piece of steel. The sites on the G3 and FAL are on different pieces, which may induce some inaccuracy when compared to the M1A. Also, the M1A sites tend to be more user friendly for adjustment (elevation and windage).

3. The FAL and G3 have enclosed bolts, and like the initial AR-15's, there is no provision to close a partially closed bolt, which the forward assist on the AR-15's help to remedy, as opposed to the M1A where the bolt is exposed for maybe easier access/manipulation. If the bolt jams open, you cannot break open the FAL either.

4. Full auto/very rapid semi fire. FAL and G3 have a more shoulder-in-line force of recoil for less muzzle rise as compared to the M1A, but, shooting any 308 battle rifle on full auto is kind of punishing, and relatively hard to control, unlike the much heavier BAR, which is very comfortable to shoot full auto, as the M14 was supposed to replace both the Garand and the BAR.

5. Recoil. I would put the M1A and FAL similar, with the G3 more harsh, like was said before.

6. Last shot bolt open. Like was said before, M1A and FAL have this, G3 doesn't.

7. Looks. Personal opinion.

All great guns, I need to get a HK91 or clone though.

[mym1a]

Originally Posted by chrisgun

I am having trouble deciding whether to buy an M14, G3, or FAL as a 7.62 Nato semi-automatic rifle.Which one would you think is better?

I have the inch pattern L1a1 nice rifle only problem i have had is finding the proper magazines and i dont know what i will do if parts need to be replaced If you get a true fal meteric great rifle.As for the m1a I have a national match very accurate and realy more rifle then i need.If i had to do it all over again i would go for the standard m1a with match rear sight.I have been told that the standard has chrome lined barrels and receiver ? The national match is glass bedded and supposedly requires a gun smith to remove receiver/ barrel for a good cleaning.

[wunhunglo]

Ares7667

The PTR, re G3, doesn't have a bolt hold open when the mag runs dry. So you're firing away, suddenly you just get a click

.
If you're using it for combat, then all you do is make sure the first 2-3 rounds loaded in the mag are tracer; first one downrange normally alerts you to almost empty mag, 2nd or 3rd one plus increased incoming definitely alerts you it's time to change mags and move. If not for combat, count your shots!.(favourite expression of range DS who heard a click on empty chamber, usually followed by swift boot up the butt)(probably not allowed to do that these days)

[ares7667]

Well... since most of us don't have accsess to tracer rounds. Another consideration is whaen the addrenalin stars flowing ie people are shooting at you. The last thing you are able to do is count rounds.

[just_a_car]

Originally Posted by ares7667

Well... since most of us don't have accsess to tracer rounds. Another consideration is whaen the addrenalin stars flowing ie people are shooting at you. The last thing you are able to do is count rounds.

Not entirely true... you have access to them, but your state and/or local laws may not allow you to have them.

Check out Welcome to Ammunition To Go! and they have tracer/incendiary/bird bomb/raufoss rounds for many calibers. Heck, they even have different colors of tracer: red, green, and white.

[wunhunglo]

Well... since most of us don't have accsess to tracer rounds. Another consideration is whaen the addrenalin stars flowing ie people are shooting at you. The last thing you are able to do is count rounds.

I though I did stress in combat; in combat I had access to any amount of tracer and even as a civilian if I really needed them, but different countries, different rules. But if you had to go into combat, without tracers, you had better get used to counting up to 20 or else get good at your IA drills. (Don't know if that's the term you guys use or not, IA = immediate Action drill, cock gun/change mag!)