I'm sure this has been hashed to death in countless forums, but I'll bring it up one more time. What semi-auto .308 would be your choice and why? I'm considering one of the following:
- Armalite AR-10A2
- Springfield M1A Standard
- FAL (like the SA58 Standard or Congo from DSA)
- DPMS LR-TAC20

I had a CETME and tried a G3, but didn't care for the way they handled commercial/handloaded ammo. The pressure curve was not right in anything I tried except for milsurp. They shot that stuff really well, though - even surplus machine gun ammo would go 20 rds into 2-2.5 inches @ 100 yds rapid fire. I need something that is tough, reliable, accurate, dead simple to clean and maintain, has spare parts and magazines available at a reasonable price, and will handle any ammo I run through it, from surplus to white box to premium hunting to my handloads. Is an adjustable gas system going to be the rule here? This one will be used for rifle drills/practice, informal matches, and likely some hunting.

I don't want any kind of brake or compensator, but a flash hider may be acceptable if it doesn't increase muzzle blast much. I do like the FAL type rifles, but they don't lend themselves to optics as well as other actions. I'm not even sure I would want to scope it anyway, just trying to cover all the angles. I like the sights and options for the AR10, but I'm not too fond of the AR gas system in general. The FAL types appear to be lighter than the AR style as well. I guess I'm leaning towards the FAL or the M1A currently, mostly the FAL.

Any opinions about what's good/bad on any of these choices would be great. Any other models I'm forgetting? The Saiga 308 AK-style rifle looks interesting, but I'm a little leery of parts and magazine availability, esp hi-cap mags. You can't beat an AK for reliability, though.

If I were to buy a FAL, are there any specifics to be aware of? I think the metric pattern rifles have more parts, etc available, correct? Is DSA the one to buy from, or are there other good choices? I don't want a cobbled-together junker. I would guess you really can't go wrong with an M1A of any flavor. On the other hand, the DPMS factory is 6 minutes from my house. What to do, what to do??

Depends on your intention. As a shooter, the AR10, a collector piece M1A.... Help any?

Captain
I have used the H&K 91, FN-Fal, & M1-A quite a bit. I have also shot the Valmet, AR 10, Knights, and the Galil quite a bit.

My personal favorite is the H&K 91.

I have shot quite a bit of commercial ammo and reloads with out problems, I have even hunted with one taking several deer and antelope.

However in todays world, in a 308 I like the M1-A the best.
For "personal" 308 rifle I like the short bbled versions.

I have shot several Springfield M1-A's over the years and never had any functioning or accuracy problems with them.
I also have quite a bit of experience with a few Armscorp M 14's, and some TRW M 14's realesed to Police Depts.

Rock Rivers 308's might be worth looking into, but I have not tested one of them yet.

probably FN-FAL if it came down to EMDOWCAWUI.
Peaceful times i'll take an HK91 or Centme.

I have a StG-58 (FAL) built by ARS. It is metric and is built on a DSA receiver. DSA and Imbel are the only way to go in FAL receivers, with the nod going to DSA. Metric is also the way to go, mags are plentiful and cheaper. You can get scope mounts for FALs, they replace the dust cover and clamp onto the receiver using rails.

I also have a M-1A and would love to have a G3. Had a couple of CETMEs, too hard to find parts for that haven't been butchered by the drunken monkeys at Century.

I'm still leaning towards the FAL. This will be a shooter, not any kind of collector. Will the FAL handle commercial ammo and handloads well? That was my only complaint with the cetme (although I did have to cut off and reweld the rear sight, since the drunken monkey had put it on crooked...). That and the brake made it very loud.

I see that DSA offers type 1 and type 2 receivers. Are these both metric? What's the better one to get?

quote:

Will the FAL handle commercial ammo and handloads well?

Absolutely since there is an adjustable gas system.

I am somewhat surprised by the answers of some; the M-14 would have to be first, then the FAL as an Austrian or DSA. For .308 ammunition its Hirtenberger hands down. And why even consider a scope? These are battle rifles, not snipers. The others are want-to-be weapons.

I never had any problems with Soft Point or HP factory or handloaded ammo in an H&K 91, M1-A or FN-Fal.

not to put to fine a point on it but the question is very broad.
did i just win $2000 and am looking to spend it on a 308?
or is this The EMDOWCAWUI, entire meltdown of western civilization as we understand it?
in the choice between weapons for the latter i'll take an iron sighted 308 bolt action carbine with a blind mag.

I toted a M-14 for most of my 3 yrs in VietNam.
I have shot a friends M1A. I have put a lot of rds through a FAL/R1 as well. IMHO the M-14/ M-1A is the best battle rifle EVER. I beat an M-16 till the stock broke and got my M-14 back.

The_Captain,

You have a PM

Keith