If you had yer choice....

[xpertgreg]

For all around use what would it be?

I'm wanting a new rifle and I'm stuck between an AR (EBR) or a SOCOM 16?

which would you choose and why?

gw

[No4Mk1]

Well, taking the question purely at face value, I would have to say the AR, since I have two.... :D

They are fun, reasonably cheap to build, lightweight, cheap to feed, reliable (despite what anyone else may say, my AR's are VERY reliable), and eminently suitable for personal defense in any conceivable SHTF situation.

Oh, did I mention they are fun? ;)

Now, for specific purposes, I choose specific rifles. i.e. I wouldn't pick the AR for hunting big game, but they are great varmint rifles.

[xpertgreg]

what about an AR in .308? or are they better suited to the .223?

[DOGolden]

I too would pick the AR, but for different reasons. Yes, they are cheap to shoot. They have no kick, seldom jam, and are very accurate weapons out to a few hundred yards. And yes, they can spray some lead out too.

The biggest reason for picking an AR over the SOCOM would be because I was in the Infantry for a few years. I can still put an AR back together and perform a weapon functions check in under 2 minutes. So, I guess in a nutshell I am more familiar with the AR?

AR's in .308? I do not know that much about them. Yet I see them at gunshows and in catalogues all the time.

[SAC22PPC]

for all around use? hands down its a 12guage shotgun even though i dont own one or know much about shotguns at all. you cant argue with the fact that for home defence theres nothing like a short barreled slide action...from what i understand most robbers will wet themselves at the sound of the slide. with slugs you can reliably hit large game at 100yards, with shot you can take any small game.
so if i didnt like rifles thats what i would go with...but my taste is for popping very small targets way out there...

0] SAC22PPC 0]

[No4Mk1]

I agree with all the reasons Dog said too.

I've seen the .308 AR's around too, but don't know much about them. I think if I went the .308 route in semi-auto I'd probably go the M-14 route, tried and true....

[DOGolden]

I agree Lee, or maybe even grab a FN/FAL?? I have only shot a M14 a few times. Very nice and accurate.

[Stan in SC]

I had a chance to really examine the Socom at a recent trade show for dealers which I attended.They are really NICE.I'd have to take it over an AR type any day.

[Jr~]

Don't know much about the Socom. But they look cool. The ar's are nice with a gentle recoil. I never shot a 308 ar. I wounder what the recoil would be like.



Jr. :)

[Rockman]

If it were legal to hunt with an M-1 Garand like I own in my state, I'd call it my hands down choice with the 12 ga., of which I own a couple in a close second. I reckon I must move back home to hunt with an M-1 Garand legally. Home for me is K.Y. . ;)

Jr., Where in P.A. do you reside? I live in the Eastern portion of the state myself.

[Ash]

I've never handled the SOCOM, so I really can't judge that creature.

I have an AR15, but it's currently setup for target shooting/practice. I guess if I dropped a shorter/smaller upper on it, it would be OK for carrying around.

Just from what I've read, the tried and true FN FAL or the M14 would get my vote for a 7.62x51 NATO chambered autoloader of that type.

I've seen a scoped AR10 in action at the range (100yds). From what I could tell, the guy next to me was shooting about 1.5 - 2" groups with it from the bench.


:occasion14:

[sc-closer]

I'd go with the socom.

I have an M1-A and I really love it. For some reason I tend to shoot it better than my AR. I think that the 308 is a more versatile cartridge. If you handload, you should be able to do most anything that you want with it, other than safari.

AR's are fun and can be very accurate, but they lack punch at distance. They are generally reliable in milconfig, as most rifles are, but if you get a match grade you will lose reliability...I know that first hand. :cussing:

If you want to use an AR for more than just match shooting, get a lighter one. Mine is an over 13 lbs match grade monster...not fun to tote around.

Overall, I prefer the m1a...and teh M14 is still the official rifle of the USN! :grinning-thumbsup:

sc-closer
former USN

[Rockman]

In all honesty though, I'd go with a McMillan .50 BMG rifle. Those are great rifles, I've shot them before and they make a Barrett look like a Tonka toy too. No offense, just facts. ;)

[txpete]

I looked at this hard last year.I wanted something that could do double duty as a hunting rifle.I went with the fn fal.while I like the ar's and with over 20 years in the army I wanted something with more punch than the 5.56 /223 cal for hogs and deer.parts are cheap and alots of milsurp ammo and mags.one of the easiest weapons I have ever owned for cleaning and like the idea of a adjustable gas system.
pete
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/txpete/17jan06008.jpg

[Ash]

Hmmm, A few years ago I considered building a FN FAL. Then I got into C&R rifles. Maybe I'll get one of those FN FAL sometime if my taste/$'s change. :dontknow:

My AR15 is the closest thing to an 'evil black rifle' that I own. I havent' shot it in 2 years though. (come to think of it, I really need to replace that crappy Mil-spec trigger)

[TaosBob101]

I have an AR w/ org Colt 3x ART scope but....


I also have this FMP and looking to put a Hensoldt 4x on it. I think I have to have a 7.62mm/.308 rifle. After having both for 20years.

The black G3 w/ the 6x is nice. Along the lines of what I want.

[Waldo]

If it's a choice between the AR and the Socom, I would personally go with the Socom.

It is not what I would recommend, however, I would go with the M-14 variant because that's the rifle I love and I absolutely despise the M-16 and all of its variants. This is an emotional response based upon bad experiences over 30 years ago. It is not a logical or reasoned response.

Based strictly on logic, I would recommend the AR because it takes considerably less maintenance, it is lighter, more ergonomic (for most), usually less expensive, an unbelievable number of accessories are available to customize it to any configuration you want, ammo is cheaper and you should buy one before they are outlawed like they are in my Kommie state.

With all that said, I am saving for an M1A. I just don't like plastic rifles.

EDIT: One caveat...if by general purpose you include hunting, it would be the Socom hands down because of the variety of .308 rounds available. In many (if not most) states it is illegal to hunt deer with a .223/5.56 so that pretty much limits you to the larger round.

Conservative Olde Pharte Waldo

[Rockman]

M-14 / M-1 Garand, IMHO hands down and its variants now the more I think of it. ;) and the others I mentioned earlier.

[jjack]

Between those two, I'd go with the AR. The gun itself is cheaper and so is the ammo. But if I could only have one gun I would go with an AK-47. They never jam and will eat anything you feed them. I bought one that was loaded with rails and other options for only $500. Ammo is also half as expensive as .223 ammo.