Has anyone bought a FNAR 308 rifle ? looking for feedback

[westcliffe01]

Since I will shortly be permitted to own a firearm again after a 10 years abstinence, I was wanting to get a semi auto 308 for a reasonable price and without the super aggressive styling. The FNAR seems to retail for around $1300, promises minute of angle accuracy and it looks like it won't need a bunch of accessories out the box. I would prefer something other than black, but it seems that would be a custom paint job at this time.

I like the SCAR 17, but they are scarce and expensive and I may just want to wait to see how that pans out longer term. The folding stock also complicates things in many states. I also like the FAL's but they are more expensive for an older design. I don't know how the FNAR is for field stripping.

If anyone has one, I would like to hear real world experience with the FNAR.

 

[jdonovan]

I was wanting to get a semi auto 308 for a reasonable price and without the super aggressive styling.

I would prefer something other than black, but it seems that would be a custom paint job at this time.

If you are looking for a more traditional looking rifle, Browning makes its BAR in .308 with a nice wood stock.

The FNAR seems to retail for around $1300, promises minute of angle accuracy and it looks like it won't need a bunch of accessories out the box.

In all honesty its hard to get a modern, high quality rifle that won't shoot MOA with quality ammo.

I've had some time with them and they are a nice rifle. They only complaint I've heard is magazines are both hard to find, and expensive when you do. They don't have mag compatibility with any other rifle that I know of, so if the model gets discontinued and it turns out to not be that popular mags could become very hard to get.

 

[rtimgray]

Since I will shortly be permitted to own a firearm again after a 10 years abstinence, I was wanting to get a semi auto 308 for a reasonable price and without the super aggressive styling. The FNAR seems to retail for around $1300, promises minute of angle accuracy and it looks like it won't need a bunch of accessories out the box. I would prefer something other than black, but it seems that would be a custom paint job at this time.

I like the SCAR 17, but they are scarce and expensive and I may just want to wait to see how that pans out longer term. The folding stock also complicates things in many states. I also like the FAL's but they are more expensive for an older design. I don't know how the FNAR is for field stripping.

If anyone has one, I would like to hear real world experience with the FNAR.

An option for a semi-auto .308 could be a Saiga. I think their standard set-up is with a plastic (or composite or whatever) black stock, but it is sporterized, not "assault-weapon style".

I know that you can get nice wood furniture for it and get rid of the "evil black rifle" look. Or you can get all the tacticool accessories if you ever wanted to go that way.

I think the selling price is around $500-$600, depending on what you buy with it.

The only thing that I'm not sure about is accuracy. Being that the Saiga is based on the AK-47 platform, I think it's more for robustness and reliability rather than accuracy. I've had good luck out to about 100 yards with mine shooting cheap steel cased ammo, and I'm probably not going to shoot any further than that anyway.

Have fun with whatever you find. Good luck and take care.

 

[MicroPilot]

HK G3 style or a Spanish CETME based gun.

 

[dmccarty]

Have you looked at the Springfield M1A aka the semi auto M14?

It is a 308 and Springfield had/used to have three models depending on how much you want to spend for accuracy. Parts are not too hard to find depending on the market. They came out with some short rifles but the last time I checked they had the standard, match, and super match. I would be very shocked if they still do not have those models.

There is also the CMP, Civilian Marksmanship Program, down in Anniston, AL. They sell surplus M1s pretty danged cheap. You have to do some paperwork and participate in a marksmanship program to get the rifle but it is not hard to do at least in NC. There are clubs in NC that have matches that you can attend to meet the CMP requirements. Course the M1 is a 30-06 and has an internal magazine.

Later,
Dan

 

[gsganzer]

Check out an Armalite AR-10. They've been around a while, are well proven and you'll have options for different caliber uppers.

 

[BruceWard]

I went through this same decision process in 2008. I chose a DPMS LR-308B. It is very well built, very reilable, very much more accurate than I am but also very heavy. With scope and magazine it is 13 - 14 pounds. I like it and the weight does not bother me. Most people are shocked when they hold it.

The Browning BAR

Was my second choice.

The Benelli R1

Was my third choice

The FNAR had just come out and I did not research it well. At the time I thought it was too expensive at over 50% more than the other options. Obama's election sure has changed that.

If it had been available I would have considered a Remington R-25

It is much lighter than my DPMS with many DPMS parts.

 

[gsganzer]

Armalite AR-10 flat top, 9lbs. You can find these on gunbroker for around $1300. If you really want to have the best, spend the extra cash to upgrade to the T model for a free-float barrel. Buy once... cry once. You won't regret it.

Armalite AR-10A4

 

[EarPlug]

I went with the JP Enterprises package JP Rifles after talking to several 3-Gun Grand Masters. VERY pricey at $3200 comes out of the box ready to run.

Slapped a scope on it and using Federal basic soft point ammo had touching holes at 100 yards in less than 10 shots on a brand new barrel. With the compensator that comes with it, the barrel jump off the bags was less than 1/2 inch. Recoil was less than my 12 gauge semi-auto.

This is a "production" gun that will out perform most custom models.

Jack

 

[westcliffe01]

Here are my thoughts: Weight, price and trigger favor the FNAR. There is no way I am spending upwards of $2k on my first rifle and I still have to put a scope on it.

What I didn't mention was that 5, 10 and 20 round magazines are available. Thats not an option with the sporting rifles posted (BAR and Benelli), at least not that I am aware of. I don't want a wooden stock. The BAR is available with a composite stock, but it adds to the price.

I'm just not in love with the black. The plastic parts may not be too difficult to paint. The metal can stay as it is and any rubber would also have to stay "virgin". I need to have an up close and personal look at one soon.