M1A1 or AR.....?

[21bravo]

Im just about to make my next firearms purchase (a tupperware 19 ) and Im already planning ahead to the one after that. Nothing serious.. sort of just making a list of possibilities. Ive been lookin at M1A1 paratrooper carbines for a while.. Ive also been lookin at ARs.. Im not sure which one to add to the preliminary list though because of my lack of experience with the M1A1.. so I would like to hear any and all experiences with the M1A1.. (Pistol or Pops can probably give a complete history of the carbine from memory because they were around when they were being developed )

The M1A1 would just be for range use and for possibly putting in the gun rack on the ATV when I go riding....

[LurpyGeek]

Certainly depends on what you want to do with it. What kind of ranges? Ever consider hunting with it? How much $$$ are you willing to put toward it?

[delta13soultaker]

If both are 7.62mm, the difference is not very much.

[Pistol Shooter]

Both are fun to shoot, but I suspect you would get more practical use out of the AR.

[21bravo]

More than likely I wouldnt be shooting over 200 to 250 yards around here Lurpy.. and no I havent considered hunting with either one of them.

The AR (most likely a Smith M&P) could deffinatly have more whizz bangs on it opposed to the M1A1.. but the paratrooper carbine would look good setting next to the Garand I plan on adding to the collection.

....I think I have an adiction.....

[LurpyGeek]

Originally Posted by delta13soultaker

If both are 7.62mm, the difference is not very much.

You're right, I hadn't even considered that both could be in 7.62. I was just thinking that it is more common for the AR platform to be in 5.56. It is important to note that the AR platform was originally designed for 7.62.

Really though, if you're planning on keeping it within 250 yards (228.6 meters for our silly metric friends) and energy / effectiveness isn't a concern, 5.56 in an AR wouldn't be a bad choice. Very accurate and much less expensive than larger rounds.

[21bravo]

Went to the local gun store today... had one of them price me a M1A1.. $986 and some change for an Auto Ordinance.. about $500 less than a Smith and Wesson M&P15A.....

[RunningOnMT]

I'm a bit confused. By M1A1 are you talking about the civilian version of the M14 that goes by that designation or an M1 Garand?

If you mean the civilian M14 I didn't know they were/are made in a paratrooper model. They do have the scout squad model with a shorter barrel.

But if you are talking about a Garand, that would be a 30'06 not a 7.62x51.

??????

[21bravo]

Originally Posted by RunningOnMT

I'm a bit confused. By M1A1 are you talking about the civilian version of the M14 that goes by that designation or an M1 Garand?

If you mean the civilian M14 I didn't know they were/are made in a paratrooper model. They do have the scout squad model with a shorter barrel.

But if you are talking about a Garand, that would be a 30'06 not a 7.62x51.

??????

I believe you're thinking M1A, ROMT. Thats the civilian version of the M14.. Im speaking about the M1A1 "Paratrooper" Carbine. Which is chambered in .30 Carbine...


m1a1.jpg

and.. just as a side note.. if Im not mistaken there are some Garands floating around that have been re-barreled/re-chambered in 7.62x51.. however I may be wrong I am just a young whipper snapper

[LurpyGeek]

I had misunderstood as well. Thanks for the clarification.

[gdmoody]

I was leaning toward the M1A1 until I got down to the picture of the Carbine and the clarification, I also thought that you meant the M1A. Now that I know you are talking about the carbine, I would choose the AR platform and I would go the 5.56/.223 caliber. You can just do more with the AR-15, in regards to choices of add-ons.

[21bravo]

Auto Ordnance has a newer, more modern version of the M1A1 thats got an upper picatinny rail option.... what say ye about that one??

....if you're concearned with whizzbangs that is.. With the M1A1 I wouldnt be that worried about the whizzbangs


mdtl_aom160.jpg