Vanity: seeking opinions on .308 semi rifles

[taxed2death]

Can't decide which:

HK clone

http://www.ptr91.com/products_ptr.html

Springfield Armory

http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=52

Or FN clone

http://www.dsarms.com/prodinfo.asp?number=SA58B21CM

Any one with any practical experience with any of these...chime in please.

Thanks.

[EnigmaticAnomaly]

Go AR-10 all the way...beautiful piece of machinery...;-)

[Tijeras_Slim]

I’d go with the Springfield. You might also want to look at the Armalite AR-10.

[TLI]

Well, ya probably are not going to get a CONSISUS of opinion here but you’re going to get some opinions fer sure!

[taxed2death]

I realize that. I’m just a bit concerned about the gas vs piston “argument”....as it pertains to reliability and accuracy Armalite states one thing....

http://www.armalite.com/library/techNotes/tnote54.htm

Of course every manufacturer touts their system as the best... I was hopin’ for some real hands on experience here.
I’m leanin’ towards a rifle with a piston system.

...again, thanks for any / all input.

[Rodney King]

The reccomendations for the Springfield and the AR-10 are good ones. But, if budget is an issue at all, the FN is a great gun for a good price.

[Joe Brower]

This oughta be a fun thread... $:-)

FWIW, the FAL is my personal go-to. The weapon below is DSA's SA-58 medium contour. I bought mine in 1999, and it was perfectly zeroed at 200m right out of the box. It shoots all day with anything you feed it, and groups consistently around 1.5" at 100m with all types of ammo, something no other rifle I've ever owned can claim.

Water, dirt, mud -- nothing slows it down.

The peep sight is excellent, although I am considering putting a 1913 rail on top and mounting an ACOG. I also put a 3-point sling on it. No other mods required.

[dblshot]

It of course depends on what you want to do with it but I kinda think along the lines of Toyota vs BMW. Parts and service are a lot more available and reasonable for a Toyota. Of course if you aren’t going to be putting 1000’s of rounds through the barrel that might not be an issue. Plenty of AR’s out there tht are being gunsmithed. The drool factor can get you paying more for something that you don’t really need. See http://www.ar-10-rifles.com/index.php Makes me drool :-@

[absolootezer0]

HK PSG-1. best of the best of the best. of course, theres only a couple hundred of them in the US and got for $10k+..

personally, i'd say HK91 or G3, not as pretty as some options, but better functioning.
next choice, i'd agree with Joe Brower, one of the DSA FALs.

[Puppage]

I have a Saiga .308. Damn fun to shoot.

[5Madman2]

Based on what I know, you can’t really go wrong with any of them

I’d find a way to try all three and get the one you like most

[Billthedrill]

LOL! I can't help a bit except to tell you that you've narrowed it to some mighty fine pieces of ordnance. I like the Springfield because I cut my teeth on a Garand and it sort of "feels" like one except without M-1 Thumb. Lack of a pistol grip doesn't mean a lot to me.

It would have been an easy choice until I fired a friend's FN. Oh my gracious. Heavy bugger but a sweet shooter. I think the range of quality available in an FN is a little wider so be careful what you're buying and especially where it's been.

If you can afford an HK buy one. I only own one and not in .308, but it's a beautifully crafted piece. Actually, if you can afford an HK, buy all three. ;-)

[Uriah_lost]

With the HK91 you can but the bits to closely replicate the PSG1, as I did. The great part is that I can swap out parts for a number of configurations. The hardest part to find was the trigger group and I’m not sure if it is possible to find it now at all. Other than “dinging” shells on ejection(even with a buffer) and making them questionable at best for reloading, I have had no reason to regret my purchase.

I lusted for an AR10 at the time but no one was producing them back then. I’ve had mine for 20+ years and put uncountable rounds downrange. Not one failure traceable to the weapon. Mine was actually a Greek made clone of very high quality.

[TLI]

They do make a good point in the tech note but seem to back away from it towards the end. I have no idea why. Yes, the piston rifles have a slightly cleaner action at the chamber but I have owned ARs since 1976 and still have a Colt SP-1 that has no forward assist. It shoots like a laser rifle and has an action like silk. The carrier getting dirty has not ever been an issue.

If you are going to encounter conditions that require the toughness of an AK then get an AK. I have one. It is the backup of whatever else I am using.

I have several AR’s and I am in Texas. AR’s work great in the Texas environment. It will always be my first choice as here in Texas there are few areas that have anything with teeth that you can not “discourage” with an AR. When I am out in “the sticks” I don’t carry a handgun, I have a CAR-15 with iron (tritium) sites that is Forward Assist equipped.

Now all this is in the context of a MBR, not a hunting rifle. You are looking for a .308 The only question that comes to mind is “have you ever carried one (.308) before? I have had a FAL and a M1-A. Sold them both. Too damn heavy. I am only average height 5’-9” and having been in the Guard and had to carry both I can tell you that unless you are of considerable stature or you will not be carrying the .308 any great distance… give the weight issue some thought.

OR… you can just do what I did… get one of each! :-)

[GoldCountryRedneck]

Need more gun-porn...

My choice if I wasn't tuition-challenged...

[Doomonyou]

We need a FR gun give-away as part of the fundraiser.

BTW, I want one of those!

[Pistolshot]

Maybe something like this?

[Joe Brower]

"We need a FR gun give-away as part of the fundraiser."

Now there's a GREAT idea!

[KARAMBIT]

I’ve owned them all and shot them extensively in 3-Gun competition.
The AR-!0 and M1-A rifles out shoot all the others by virtue of their
sight and trigger systems.

I recommend the AR-10 carbine

DVC

[Doomonyou]

Now there's a GREAT idea!

Better send it up the line to JimRob!