AR-15 vs M1A -Which Semi-Automatic Rifle is Better?

Semi automatic weapons are the most popular firearms of choice for hunters and gun enthusiasts because they are easy to maintain, cheaper to purchase and are less heavily regulated in most states than other types of firearms.

Today we will look at two very popular civilian weapons, the Springfield Armory M1A and the ArmaLite AR-15 which later became the Colt AR-15.

So, let’s dive into it!

Table of Contents

Dimensions and Aesthetics

	AR-15	M1A
Manufacturer	Colt	Springfield Armory
Length	37.25 – 44.33 in (946mm-1126mm)	26.7 – 30 in (680mm-760mm)
Barrel Length	16 – 24 in (410mm-610mm)	16 – 22 in (406mm-559mm)
Mass	7 – 8 lbs	7 – 10 lbs
Cartridge	.223 Remington, 5.56mm x 45mm NATO	.308 Winchester, 7.62mm x 51mm NATO
Action	Direct impingement	Gas operating, rotating bolt, self-loading
Muzzle Velocity	3300 ft/s	2500 ft/s
Effective firing range	550 meters	550 meters
Feeding System	5, 10, 20, 30 round STANAG magazines	M14 detachable magazines

The AR-15 boasts a pretty modern and punchy look, which I simply adore. It also looks really good with a suitable optic mounted on it. Design-wise I have nothing to complain about. Have a look yourself:

The M1A is a classic and it does not try to hide it. The design is very simple and dare I say, primitive. That does not mean that it is not a looker

Additionally, it is as close to what you would imagine a hunting rifle to look like as can be. Here’s a cool photo:

History

The original ArmaLite AR-15 was designed in 1956. However, due to financial difficulties ArmaLite had to sell the design to Colt and they produced it from 1959 to 1964 as the M16 rifle but with ArmaLite markings.

Colt has continued to manufacture the new variant with the name Colt AR-15 for both civilian and law enforcement. They still use the AR name for their semi automatic firearms range.

The Springfield Armory M1A was designed in 1974 by Springfield Armory Inc and was based on their M14 platform. It was designed to be used by both civilians and law enforcement individuals.

Feel in Hand

The AR-15 was designed to be lightweight and with a gentle recoil. You can feel the muzzle go upwards a bit when firing and you can feel a bit of push back against the shoulder but as long as you adjust accordingly the gun is easy to handle.

Although it is quite a loud rifle it is pleasant to shoot and as long as proper head and eye gear is worn the noise is not bothersome. It is also the easier of the two to maintain.

M1A due to its weight and stock configuration has a mild recoil although slightly more than the AR-15. It is also a very reliable rifle and offers fast follow up shots.

The M1A is well known for its accuracy and it makes shooting and targeting easier for novices. The shorter barreled variants of the M1A are considered to be extremely loud. The SOCOM variant is extremely loud but with a flash suppressor you can fix that problem.

Shooting Experience

The M1A is a very nice rifle but the standard model will not be the most accurate and the minute of angle (MOA) of the rifle seems to be 2-4 MOA for 100 yards.

However, the M1A with Federal 175 grain Sierra rounds performs very well with grouping of 1.4-1.6” at 100 yards. The M1A Loaded Precision is advertised as a very accurate weapon and with 0.52” grouping at a 100 yards it is.

Most of the AR-15 rifles will typically get around 2 MOA per 100 yards. There are some that will get 1 MOA but those cost a lot more to purchase. With the right ammo like the FMJ or Federal XM193 55 grain the accuracy can be improved to 1.25” per 100 yards.

One key difference to remember is that the AR-15 platform does not offer the popular 7.62×51/308Win calibre. For that, you will have to go with the AR-10.

Magazine Capacity

For the M1A it can accept any M14 specification magazine in 5, 10 or 20 rounds. For the M1A SOCOM it can hold 25 high capacity rounds of 0.308 Winchester cartridges.

While most AR-15s come with Stanag magazines usually with 30 rounds capacity of either NATO rounds or 0.233 Reemington ammo. It is possible to get drum magazines but those are not the most reliable and can lead to FTF (failure to feed) the next round promptly which is not ideal for law enforcement but for civilians it won’t be much of a problem.

Uses

The AR-15 is well loved by Americans and provides a good and sturdy hunting as well as home defense weapon. It is also used for target shooting.

M1A is a very versatile weapon and is a great choice for home defense, hunting and target range shooting. So, both weapons are similar in this regard.

Price and Value for Money

M1A comes in a few different variants with different prices. The M1A Standard has a starting price of around $1800 on Guns.com and can go up from there. However, Brownell’s has them in limited numbers in black and walnut versions for less than $1600, thus I would recommend getting it from them. The most expensive variant is the M1A SOCOM 16 which will cost you $2240, if you buy it from Guns.com.

The M1A has become a national icon at this time. It is pretty accurate as well as offers fast follow-up due to a decent amount of recoil suppression inherent to its design.

I also recommend you click here to view the entire collection of all the new and used M1A rifles, that Guns.com stocks, which is one of our recommended online retailers.

The price range for the AR-15s starts from $820 for the Smith and Wesson M&P15 Sport 2, a great rifle indeed. The price can go as high as $2500 for some rifle. However, if you ask me favorite AR-15, it is none other than the iconic Daniel Defense DDM4 V7. The lowest price I could find for it was on Brownell’s, close to $1900. You can click here to check the updated price and buy from Brownell’s.

The DDM4 V7 is a very robust and battle-tested rifle that will consistently serve you well even after 8000-10000 rounds. This is indeed high praise and its reliability and longevity help justify its slightly higher price, in my opinion.

An important factor to consider is that you can not opt for the popular 308 Win (7.62mm) caliber with most of the AR-15 rifles. An important exception is the Ruger SFAR, which is not only a phenomenal AR, but also costs below $1000. A win-win if you ask me!

If you are on a budgetary restraint or if you want to save a bit of money to customize your build, the AR-15 will surely not disappoint. In fact, I would argue it even offers a better value for money.

Conclusion- Which One to Buy?

While the AR-15 offers more value for money and the recoil is much better, the M1A is a more versatile gun and probably my ultimate choice beacause of better looks and a superior shooting experience and accuracy.

Pertinent to mention here is that the competition is really close between these two and I would happily own a well-built AR-15 any day of the week as well. It’s just the way the M1A looks and feels is what sways me towards my decision. I do realize, however, that this is entirely subjective.

Both these firearms have a plethora of scopes and butt stocks as well as other accessories available to customize however you want. It really comes down to your personal preference since there isn’t much difference between these two, in this regard.

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