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XCR-M Standard v. PTR91/Springfield M1A

NOTPARS
Debates over which is best are tedious and that is not what I'm after. I am interested in a SHTF type battle rifle in .308. There are reasons for that caliber and why the other calibers have been considered and rejected as well as other rifles. My choice has been narrowed down to:

M1A: pros simple design, reliable.
conss way too expensive for what you get
PTR91 pros simple and price much more reasonable
conss inconsistent opinions about reliability even with the
GI model. Concerns for problems with the trunion and cracks
Robinson
Arms XCR-M pros size and operation
cons information lacking. Probably ultra expensive

A "battle" rifle should be reliable and accuracy appropriate for that function.
Thanks in advance
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • llama
    Lots of good FAL type rifles to choose from out there as well...


    You should be able to get into a basic DSA for $1k or so... or a good kit built on a good receiver (DSA, Imbel, DCI) for $750-900. I paid $780 w/ shipping and xfer for a Imbel on DCI w/ required 922r parts.
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  • NOTPARS
    Agreed. They tend to be pricey as well but in the end you are right and I may have to go that way. In fact, I'm going back to DSA and give the a second look. I really like the PTR91 but the comments about cracks and so forth are running almost 50/50. I checked DSA and MSRP is $1700 about the same as the Springfield M1A. PTR91s in the GI configuration are going for around $900
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  • CDMead
    If reliability and accuracy is the goal, then pricing should be secondary IMHO.

    The M1A is an upgraded M1 Garand. To me this is the standard by which to measure others.

    I have experience with the PTR91 type platform (with the CETME) and am not particularly impressed. The reliability was good, but the balance, to me, was off. It was a very uncomfortable rifle to handle for extended periods of time. Got to love the $3 magazines though.

    I have no experience with the Robinson XCR-M, and I don't think too many other people do either. It is still not available (per their website), so I think it's a non-starter.

    For your consideration, I would also add the FAL and an AR type platform like the Armalite AR-30.

    Personally, if I had to choose a SHTF battle rifle from the three you listed, I would go with the M1A, especially an older one, and not look back.

    My second choice would be an AR type platform in 308.

    YMMV.
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  • cpermd
    Find a JLD PTR w a ser no above 300.
    It will be awesome!
    I have four and looking for another for a new grandbaby coming this summer.

    CP
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  • rufe-snow
    My experience was with the original H & K 91's, back in the dark ages. They were very reliable and durable. Ergonomics and trigger pull sucked big time though. I can only imagine that the modern U.S. made replicas are probably even crappyer then the original H & K's.

    I just was scoping out one of the modern Saiga rifles chambered in .308 recently. Was quite impressed. A 7.62 X 51 on a AK platform appears to me to be about the best thing going, other then the lack of hi-cap mags.
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  • tsr1965
    Im thinking, that if you must have a 7.62x51, or 308 Winchester rifle, personally, myself, I would have it on none other than an AR-10 platform. Most all of the lower reciever parts that I can think of, interchange with the AR-15, and what other parts you might need are more readily available. The new Springfield M1A's are JUNK compared to the original's. I wouldn't own any of the above you listed.

    Best
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  • 17tobyracing
    I have a Springfield M1A, a PTR91, and an FAL. The Springfield beats them all in accuracy, with no contest. The Springfield has a better trigger pull and has proven itself to be more reliable. The PTR91 has a crappy trigger and destroys brass (an issue if you are interested in reloading). The FAL platform was not originally designed for the .308 and actually lost against the M14 during US Military Trials in the mid-1950's.
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  • NOTPARS
    CD Mead: An excellent and very informative post. Yeah, you got me thinking. I hate to be a stickler about price but these are so expensive but no denying what you said. What feels best in my hands, and when I shoot it is the M1A. Guess I better save a bit longer.
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  • NOTPARS
    Thanks to everyone for your replies. What I realize is my evaluation needs more work. I was looking for an easy answer but that was not realistic. In a perfect world, I'd settle this by buying one of each. But you all have given me enough to work with as I evaluate the various rifles. Good job to all.
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  • llama
    quote:Originally posted by 17tobyracing
    I have a Springfield M1A, a PTR91, and an FAL. The Springfield beats them all in accuracy, with no contest. The Springfield has a better trigger pull and has proven itself to be more reliable. The PTR91 has a crappy trigger and destroys brass (an issue if you are interested in reloading). The FAL platform was not originally designed for the .308 and actually lost against the M14 during US Military Trials in the mid-1950's.


    Actually, it won (or failed equally - they both had real troubles in super cold weather) except the fact that it wasn't an american design...
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