SHTF rifle - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Monkhouse · 09-10-2007, 02:05 PM

I'm looking at getting a real SHTF rifle before the gun grabbers come to power. Right now i'm leaning towards a .308 semi-auto. Which would you recommend: An AR10 platform or an M1A? And why? It seems that brand new they are similar prices. talk amongst yourselves.

**PackerfanXD** · 09-10-2007, 02:14 PM

I like the AR platform. It's light weight and parts are readily available.

Devil Dawg · 09-10-2007, 02:33 PM

Mine is and will remain the Rem 700 UltraMag 300 SS. I know it isn't as fancy as some black rifle, not as cheap to shoot. But I don't have to chase anything, and the noise scares off people even during annual scoping days prior to season at the range. This is one loud Boomstick. If I had a second choice, probably one of those new fangled black rifles in .270 Just a personal preference. No data for reasoning. I like to keep it simple though. Have too many choices and ammo ain't light.

**beardman2** · 09-10-2007, 02:50 PM

If you have the coin an M1a looks pretty darn cool. Not sure how they compare reliability and accuracy wise to the ar10s though.

griz · 09-10-2007, 03:01 PM

Given the choice, I picked the M1A. Solid design, very accurate and utterly reliable. Just took the M1A out to the range yesterday. Shooting 150 gr Remingtons, I was grouping <1" at 100yds. The AR platform is lighter but harder to control compared to the M1A IMO.

zac07 · 09-10-2007, 04:05 PM

It depends, If I remain at my house it would be a AR, because I will have stuff to clean and maintain the rifle. But if I had to leave on foot I would want it to be a AK or SKS platform. They will always go bang without any maintenance. If I could I would also take a small .22 rifle for killing small game to eat, because the ammo is light

panther308 · 09-10-2007, 04:17 PM

Sold off a DPMS .308 and bought my first M1A, will post pics when I get it done (scope, bipod, etc)

robinsre · 09-10-2007, 04:25 PM

If it's JUST a SHTF rifle, might I suggest something else :

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firear...fire/336C.aspx

I have one of these on layaway currently. They make them in a variety of calibers (including some popular revolver calibers) and, from what I've experienced with them before they are incredibly reliable.

They also don't look as "menacing" to many anti-gunners as an "assault" style rifle, but allow for quick follow up shots in some pretty powerful calibers.

They are limited in capacity to about 10 rounds (depending on the caliber you choose) but are VERY quick to reload and easy to operate.

ichy_trigger · 09-10-2007, 04:29 PM

I have an AR and love it. im currently in the planning stages of putting together a sniper rifle too. That should cover all aspects of SHTF guns when you combine my tactical shotty and handguns.

aubie515 · 09-10-2007, 04:41 PM

I think some members need to learn how to read before posting. The OP said he/she was leaning towards a semi .308, so not sure where AR15 comments are popping up.

I've owned an M1A and I love the looks and the history behind them, but that's about as far as it goes for me. I don't feel that you can compare the M1A to the AR10 platform. Go to Camp Perry and you will see what dominates the lines. While the M1A has proven itself in combat, it's not a good weapon platform to be used with optics. Sure there are optics mounts, but the rifle wasn't originally designed to be used with optics.

As much respect as I have for service rifles, I will have to say the AR10 type is hard to beat. You get bolt action accuracy along with fast follow up shots, due to being a semi-automatic. I've owned two DPMS LR 308 Panthers and they are truly amazing. I have never had an issue with my rifles. I would recommend them to anyone looking for an accurate semi. I have shot hunting ammo along with match ammo in the DPMS and both group very well. I have had 5 round groups under .5 at 100 yards with factory ammo.

Another consideration for the AR10 type is that you can have multiple calibers in a matter of a couple of minutes to swap out calibers.

09-10-2007, 02:05 PM	#1
Monkhouse XDTalk Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 75	SHTF rifle I'm looking at getting a real SHTF rifle before the gun grabbers come to power. Right now i'm leaning towards a .308 semi-auto. Which would you recommend: An AR10 platform or an M1A? And why? It seems that brand new they are similar prices. talk amongst yourselves. __________________ Monkhouse XD .45 Compact tactical (The big one) XD 9mm Sub-compact (The little one)

09-10-2007, 02:14 PM	#2
PackerfanXD XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ground zero of the invasion Posts: 7,054 Blog Entries: 1	I like the AR platform. It's light weight and parts are readily available. __________________ The wealthiest nation in the world with the mightiest army man has ever assembled could not stop them. http://www.break.com/usercontent/200...00-358890.html PALIN/McCAIN '08 An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject. -Author unknown.

09-10-2007, 02:33 PM	#3
Devil Dawg XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Woodlands, TX Posts: 338	Mine is and will remain the Rem 700 UltraMag 300 SS. I know it isn't as fancy as some black rifle, not as cheap to shoot. But I don't have to chase anything, and the noise scares off people even during annual scoping days prior to season at the range. This is one loud Boomstick. If I had a second choice, probably one of those new fangled black rifles in .270 Just a personal preference. No data for reasoning. I like to keep it simple though. Have too many choices and ammo ain't light. __________________ XD-45ACP ...still lacing them left over right General James Mattis, USMC to Iraqi tribal leaders. "Allies or enemies. You make the call. I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you Faq with me, I'll kill you all."

09-10-2007, 02:50 PM	#4
beardman2 XDTalk 4K Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 4,950	If you have the coin an M1a looks pretty darn cool. Not sure how they compare reliability and accuracy wise to the ar10s though. __________________ - He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from opposition; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach himself. ~Thomas Paine I will not be involved with the dreams of angry men. Founding Documents Freedom isn't free: http://www.anysoldier.com

09-10-2007, 04:17 PM	#7
panther308 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 509	Sold off a DPMS .308 and bought my first M1A, will post pics when I get it done (scope, bipod, etc) __________________ panther308 Always Remember: A firearm is only an instrument. It contains no evil, no conscience, and no ability. It is strictly the intent, competence, and character of its user that decide the outcome of any and all actions taken with it.

09-10-2007, 03:01 PM	#5
griz XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NW MO Posts: 746	Given the choice, I picked the M1A. Solid design, very accurate and utterly reliable. Just took the M1A out to the range yesterday. Shooting 150 gr Remingtons, I was grouping <1" at 100yds. The AR platform is lighter but harder to control compared to the M1A IMO.

09-10-2007, 04:05 PM	#6
zac07 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: West Texas Posts: 1,117	It depends, If I remain at my house it would be a AR, because I will have stuff to clean and maintain the rifle. But if I had to leave on foot I would want it to be a AK or SKS platform. They will always go bang without any maintenance. If I could I would also take a small .22 rifle for killing small game to eat, because the ammo is light

09-10-2007, 04:25 PM	#8
robinsre XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 2,793	If it's JUST a SHTF rifle, might I suggest something else : http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firear...fire/336C.aspx I have one of these on layaway currently. They make them in a variety of calibers (including some popular revolver calibers) and, from what I've experienced with them before they are incredibly reliable. They also don't look as "menacing" to many anti-gunners as an "assault" style rifle, but allow for quick follow up shots in some pretty powerful calibers. They are limited in capacity to about 10 rounds (depending on the caliber you choose) but are VERY quick to reload and easy to operate. __________________ Zeroth law of thermodynamics : If you have 1 six pack of beer and your neighbor brings 4 beers over, you will each end up drinking only 5 beers. First law of thermodynamics : There's no such thing as a free beer. Second law of thermodynamics : Even if there was such thing as a free beer, you couldn't drink it all anyway. Third law of thermodynamics : The colder it gets, the less beer you will have.

09-10-2007, 04:29 PM	#9
ichy_trigger XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 7,525	I have an AR and love it. im currently in the planning stages of putting together a sniper rifle too. That should cover all aspects of SHTF guns when you combine my tactical shotty and handguns. __________________ "The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." http://militarysignatures.com/signatures/member2645.png

09-10-2007, 04:41 PM	#10
aubie515 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pottstown, PA Posts: 202	I think some members need to learn how to read before posting. The OP said he/she was leaning towards a semi .308, so not sure where AR15 comments are popping up. I've owned an M1A and I love the looks and the history behind them, but that's about as far as it goes for me. I don't feel that you can compare the M1A to the AR10 platform. Go to Camp Perry and you will see what dominates the lines. While the M1A has proven itself in combat, it's not a good weapon platform to be used with optics. Sure there are optics mounts, but the rifle wasn't originally designed to be used with optics. As much respect as I have for service rifles, I will have to say the AR10 type is hard to beat. You get bolt action accuracy along with fast follow up shots, due to being a semi-automatic. I've owned two DPMS LR 308 Panthers and they are truly amazing. I have never had an issue with my rifles. I would recommend them to anyone looking for an accurate semi. I have shot hunting ammo along with match ammo in the DPMS and both group very well. I have had 5 round groups under .5 at 100 yards with factory ammo. Another consideration for the AR10 type is that you can have multiple calibers in a matter of a couple of minutes to swap out calibers.

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