Almost have myself talked into needing a 308 gas gun. I have done many searches and read up on both the AR-10 (Stoner) and M14 (M1A) platforms.
Seems that there are varied opinions on the subject and many are given with no substantial technical reasoning. So my question is not which is preferred for reasons relating to cost, familiarity, or anything else of a subjective nature but rather from a mechanical and design standpoint which is better and most importantly why.
I have had the opportunity to get behind 2 308 AR’s but neither was in full precision dress, just basic Armalite and DPMS rifles. I have never owned an M1A myself however my father has two that I kidnap with frequency one a scout the other a NM Loaded SA. I have also been behind many very built up 14’s. In either case I consider myself to be very familiar with the operation and design of both platforms. From a mechanical standpoint I have a difficult time seeing the Stoner as a better design IF compared to an updated M14. By updated I mean we address the stock bedding issue by using a Sage, Troy or JAE stock and a LRB receiver for scope mounting considerations.
Serious discussion and insight as to why one is better than the other is what I’m interested in here, I keep visualizing the firing sequence of both rifles as well as the assembly of the major components. For me I can’t help but think that a barrel screwed into a steel receiver would be the superior of the two when compared to a steel barrel held into an aluminum receiver with an aluminum barrel nut. Also the two piece design of the AR’s upper and lower compared to a receiver solidly mounted into a chassis style stock doesn’t seem advantageous either.
Accuracy of the M1A is something I never seriously doubt. The majority of shooting I have done with the 14 is with iron sights and I don’t find it difficult to maintain 1.5-2” groups at 100 with just a sling for support. The 308 AR’s I shot were holding 1-1.5” at 100 off a bench and bipod. Ill admit right now that the last time I fired a 308 AR I had a lot to learn about driving an AR and would say I have improved in that area in the last three years. Just wanted to be fair with the comparison by saying my recollection of the AR-10’s accuracy could be improved if I were to shoot one today.
Well that’s about all I can think of for now. Looking forward to getting some solid info from the knowledge base here, as always thanks for taking the time to share what you know.
A.S.
Seems that there are varied opinions on the subject and many are given with no substantial technical reasoning. So my question is not which is preferred for reasons relating to cost, familiarity, or anything else of a subjective nature but rather from a mechanical and design standpoint which is better and most importantly why.
I have had the opportunity to get behind 2 308 AR’s but neither was in full precision dress, just basic Armalite and DPMS rifles. I have never owned an M1A myself however my father has two that I kidnap with frequency one a scout the other a NM Loaded SA. I have also been behind many very built up 14’s. In either case I consider myself to be very familiar with the operation and design of both platforms. From a mechanical standpoint I have a difficult time seeing the Stoner as a better design IF compared to an updated M14. By updated I mean we address the stock bedding issue by using a Sage, Troy or JAE stock and a LRB receiver for scope mounting considerations.
Serious discussion and insight as to why one is better than the other is what I’m interested in here, I keep visualizing the firing sequence of both rifles as well as the assembly of the major components. For me I can’t help but think that a barrel screwed into a steel receiver would be the superior of the two when compared to a steel barrel held into an aluminum receiver with an aluminum barrel nut. Also the two piece design of the AR’s upper and lower compared to a receiver solidly mounted into a chassis style stock doesn’t seem advantageous either.
Accuracy of the M1A is something I never seriously doubt. The majority of shooting I have done with the 14 is with iron sights and I don’t find it difficult to maintain 1.5-2” groups at 100 with just a sling for support. The 308 AR’s I shot were holding 1-1.5” at 100 off a bench and bipod. Ill admit right now that the last time I fired a 308 AR I had a lot to learn about driving an AR and would say I have improved in that area in the last three years. Just wanted to be fair with the comparison by saying my recollection of the AR-10’s accuracy could be improved if I were to shoot one today.
Well that’s about all I can think of for now. Looking forward to getting some solid info from the knowledge base here, as always thanks for taking the time to share what you know.
A.S.
