M14 (M1A) or XR41 (G3) or DSA58 (FAL)?

[Alael]

I'm thinking about a .308W semi-auto rifle: my first criterion is reliability and endurance.

my choice is between:
M14 type rifle : specifically the Springfield Armory M1A
G3 type rifle the Saber Defence Industry XR41 (somewhere it was said that the G3 works fine the 3,000 first rounds but went bad after, I need more informations on this)
or FAL type : DSArms STG58

thank you for your advices.

[Dibs50]

Alael,

All three are great rifles. As usual, it all comes down to personal preference. Mine would be the DSA.

The M14 is a great rifle but the mags tend to be very expensive.

I'm a lefty shot (right handed but my left eye is my dominant eye). From a tactical/ergonomic standpoint, a G3 type of rifle is poor choice for me. The bolt handle is extremely difficult to pull back because it's located on the left side of the rifle towards the front of the handguard. On the bonus side, G3 mags are very cheap and plentiful.

I've got an FAL with an 18" barrel that balances really well. It's not a DSA (I don't have those kind of funds now) but it does the job. I've heard nothing but good things about DSA reliability. While the mags cost more than the G3, they are also very reasonable and readily available.

Just my .02. Your mileage may vary. ; )

Jim

[User Name]

The DSA hands down period.

[militarymoron]

i'd pick the FAL type as well.

[Lumpy196]

Originally Posted by militarymoron

i'd pick the FAL type as well.

After many years of saying FAL OR M1A and after much soul searching and getting over biases and emotion, I must say the FAL is the king of battle rifles.


Spend the money on the DSA.

[Bolt_Overide]

I personally prefer the ar10 platform, but of the ones you listed, Id go with the dsa fal type as well. Now if you wanted to spend the money and get an LRB m1a, that would be my preference of the 3.

[ostrobothnian]

Just a bit of information for you if you are looking at the DSA offerings. Specifically if you are shopping at gunbroker.

Often times the name "StG58" or "SA58" get thrown around like they are the same thing. They are not. Although a "kit" rifle may have a DSA "SA58" receiver that does not mean that all of the components are indeed Austrian StG.

That being said, an "SA58" rifle from DSA will use a 7075 black anodized aluminum lower. If the lower is steel it would be an StG. Personally I think this lower is a fantastic upgrade for the rifle as it shaves the overall weight by nearly a pound!

The DSA StG rifles assembled from Austrian parts will soon be a thing of the past as those Steyr parts supplies are running out. They will most likely be replaced with US sourced parts. The barrels are already all US made to my knowledge.

Please disregard if you already knew this stuff.

[LDM]

Just a word to expand on ostrobothnian's post.

I have a DSA StG and recently replaced the steel lower with the 7075 Aluminum lower. It is about a one pound difference in weight. Tremendous difference in feel and balance. Best $130 I have spent in some time.

Based on this experience, I'd have to say that if I were buying today, I'd go with a DSA SA58 in 16" or 18" barrel.

Also attention to the trigger pays a huge dividend. I replaced the trigger-sear-hammer with a matched kit from FSEUSA.com I now have a 4.5# trigger that is smooth and crisp. Again big improvement for the investment.

Stay safe.

[Failure2Stop]

M14<G3<FAL<AR10

Unless you are greatly disinterested in the AR10.

Specific models may slightly change things, but all things being equal (without the Ar-10) I would be quite happy to drop my cash on the DSA.

[Germanfritze]

A new normal version FAL will beat up the rest!!!
But G3- and M14-clones are hard hitting fellows!
Look at those hard treaten guns (mostly G3 and FAL) in Afrika,
nearly undestroyable!!!
The AR-10 is off that way (here in Europe twice!),
nice for the range, but I never would choose one for a combat zone!!!

[m6scout]

Originally Posted by Bolt_Overide

I personally prefer the ar10 platform, but of the ones you listed, Id go with the dsa fal type as well. Now if you wanted to spend the money and get an LRB m1a, that would be my preference of the 3.

What are the differences in the M1A1 and LRB that would make you choose another rifle type all together instead of the M1A ?

[TOrrock]

The LRB's use a forged steel receiver and come with new Criterion hard chrome lined barrels, basically close to GI spec.

Of the 3, I own a Smith Enterprises select fire M14, a DSA StG-58 (currently in Rhodesian R1 trim), and a Springfield Armory SAR-3/8 factory semi auto G3.

I much prefer the FAL as the most practical battle rifle. Both the M14 system and the G3 system are reliable, accurate rifles, but the FAL has them beat in my opinion.

[RAM Engineer]

How's the length of pull on FAL fixed and side-folding stocks? Anything available that approximates a good short AR stock/cheekweld?

[TOrrock]

Originally Posted by RAM Engineer

How's the length of pull on FAL fixed and side-folding stocks? Anything available that approximates a good short AR stock/cheekweld?

Original stocks....not really. The wooden military stocks that use a steel buttplate have ashorter LOP, but the standard synthetic stocks and the para folder would be considered long to guys who came up on collapsable AR stocks.

You can get a Para lower with an adjustable buttstock.

http://dsarms.com/prodinfo.asp?number=P0SPRSTK

[ostrobothnian]

That is a DAMN fine looking FAL I must say! Are those handguards refinished or did you manage to find a NIW set?

[TOrrock]

Originally Posted by ostrobothnian

That is a DAMN fine looking FAL I must say! Are those handguards refinished or did you manage to find a NIW set?

Thanks!

They aren't pristine, a buddy of mine dug thorugh a bunch to get the ones in best shape for me and he cleaned them up some, but they aren't refinished. They still have some battle scars.

[Edm]

You can guess which way I lean.

Mags aren't bad if you buy them as you can. They are steel. They last forever.