Owned a CMP Special n .06. Beautiful fine smooth weapon. Kick my self every time (ouch) I think or write about it.Unfortunately, I don't have either. Lol. However, I am considering them lately. At one point I was even thinking about a PTR 91 but there were too many cons. Now I know the AR-10 is more customizable but something about the M1A really appeals to me.
After seeing my buddies AR10t in action, I am intrigued. I will only buy 1 and fully expect to put a good scope on it and work with it in the 100-300 yard range. Probably mostly from the bench or prone with bipod. If anyone out there with either or both could chime in, I'd appreciate it.
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For purely nostalgic reasons I'd rather have an M1A.
I have never shot an M1A with a scope. I would venture to bet the AR platform would accell in rapid fashion in that use. Irons only, M1A all day.
Having seen long-range matches shooting iron sighted M1A's, I've got a feelin' that if both were scoped, that M1A would show the AR some new tricks.
Correct me if i’m wrong, The M1A had the shortest service life of any Primary US military rifle.
Both M1A and Ar10 have peep sights. And use .308. But that’s the end of their similarity’s.
M1A looks wicked. It is inherently “standardized” It kicks like mule, good luck mounting an optic that keeps Zero. Wood stock? That’s cool. Standard Buttock storage, cool. All metal? That’s good too. Drop it, get one scratch, have a heart attack at the gun range.
M1A CAN be “accuratized” For the cost of about 2 AR10’s. If you end up not liking it, you won’t get anything close to what you put into it. Did I mention blemishes?
Gas piston operation is Flintstone technology compared to direct gas impingement. Less parts, less weight,
less reciprocating mass= less recoil, less pain, less flinch, more accurate. Buffer weight technology is superior for controlling recoil as well.
Ar10’s are like legos, many may say “not everything is interchangeable“ that was the early days, now that the Military is going Ar110 for “sniping,” the AR10 platform is getting very close to “milspec”. It’s hard to find “Aw10” or early bushmaster AR10 receiver stuff anyway. As long as it’s AR308M5 you are good to go. Ar15 trigger parts drop in Ar10. Plus, the lower can be used with the AR12 platform that will become popular very soon. So it’s a two for one.
A word of caution. DO NOT MIX Ar10 upper receivers with mismatched BCG’s. Go with ONE manufacturer or you might get cycling problems. Also use only Rifle length buffers and rifle buffer parts, For the same reason. So the M1A has inherent “milspec” standardization over the AR10. Cool.
I’ve owned both. The AR10 is superior in almost every way.
It’s like comparing a Porsche vs Toyota. You are paying for prestige.
If there are some things I over looked, I would be happy to hear them.
That’s my 99 cents.