Battle Rifle Deathmatch Extravaganza

[Electrons]

Or what should my next rifle purchase be?

I am in the process of selling some of my collection off, mostly stuff I am not interested in or don't shoot anymore. I figure my budget will be between $700 and $1000.

So I've been window shopping, and I've narrowed down my choices to two rifles.

In corner number one, we have the rifle that kicked the Nazis in the balls, defeated the Japanese, and fought communism in her country's name. I am of course talking about the Garand.

http://www.thefiringrange.net/home/highmeh/.jordana/files/JohnGarand.jpg
The Garand is seen here with it's father and mentor, John C. Garand.

In corner number two, we have the rifle that has served over 50 countries. It has traveled to the jungles of South East Asia, the deserts of the Sinai, and the islands of the Falklands. I am talking about the Right Arm of the Free World, the FN FAL

http://www.thefiringrange.net/home/highmeh/.jordana/files/L1A1_DM-ST-91-12005.jpg
This FAL variant is seen here with a US Marine.

The Garand has an eight shot capacity, and uses the venerable .30-06 round, which is abundant as water in the United States. Milsurp .30-06 is considerably cheaper than .308/7.62x51mm right now, which is a plus.

The FAL uses magazines, which means it can use 10 round to 30 round magazines (there are probably larger capacities). It is also something different in an environment overpopulated by ARs, AKs, and other popular rifles. Quality .308 is pretty pricey at the moment, but there is always silver bear which runs $350 per 1000k rounds. Good enough for plinking.

So 230g, what say you?

[Fang]

It really comes down to a question of history vs. practicality, although even then there isn't a clear dichotomy.

The FAL is the more "practical" of the two; it's not as ammo-sensitive, has a higher capacity, can be cleaned from the breech, and is better suited to rapid fire. It'll probably also be more accurate. Plus you can tart it up with all sorts of tactical crap.

On the other hand, the Garand is a quintessentially American rifle, and pretty darn cool for its design in and of itself. It reloads pretty fast for a clip-fed firearm, has unparalleled iron sights, and is very reliable. The ammo is notably cheaper, too. On the practical side of things, if you ever want a Garand, getting one while the CMP still has them would be a smart choice.

If it were up to me, I'd get the Garand for the reasons above, and because the FAL does not do much for me.

[Clinotus]

I wish I could give you a well versed answer like Fang did but I cannot. I'm going with pure emotion and stating the FALs are sexy and you need one in your life.

[Wonder Bread]

I'm going to have to put my vote towards a Garand, beacuse fuck, it's a Garand.

Also, I have to make due with living vicariously through others.

[Electrons]

I think that I am going to go with the Garand. Yes, the FAL is a sexy rifle. But for the price of a FAL I can buy a Garand and a couple of cases of .30-06 to feed it. I'll get the FAL another day.

[Cyrano 4747]

I think that I am going to go with the Garand. Yes, the FAL is a sexy rifle. But for the price of a FAL I can buy a Garand and a couple of cases of .30-06 to feed it. I'll get the FAL another day.

For the price of a FAL you can order two SG Garands from the CMP.

Seriously, FALs are overpriced as hell these days for what basically amount to kit guns made up off of surplus parts and new receivers.

[GSV Exit Strategy]

Buy a FAL.
Rebarrel the FAL in .30-06.
Buy .30-06.
Profit.

[Clinotus]

Updates?

[Electrons]

Out of money, so both will have to wait.