Steyr AUG worth it? Or buy something cheaper?

[steelrain82]

Its an apples to oranges comparison, I know. However, since I don't shoot a lot, and have a few lowers to build up. I'm going to purchase a new rifle before the deadline. I'm debating between a Steyr Aug and a Century C308. If I get the Steyr, I will probably still have to pay for optics since the ones I've seen at the lgs don't have those versions, just the rail ones. Yet, part of me says get the c308 since it's cheaper (significantly).

Part of me has no real reason to buy anything. I kind of just want to build/assemble what I have. I don't shoot often enough. But at the same time I feel that I want/have to get something before the ban actually kicks in. So I don't regret it.

Any suggestions? Is it worth buying over say a higher end AR?

[Lonestargrizzly]

Worth it. You'll be the koolest kid at SSZS.

[Lonestargrizzly]

I wish I had one.
Also I want a FAMAS. (I know, good luck with that one )

[oc16]

most people I hear just say to buy a ar but again its not an aug. it all depends if you want something odd get it if it doesn't really matter pass.

[Jabroni619]

Not quite the same thing, but it is a bullpup, I just bought a Tavor X95 and I really enjoyed shooting it. I want to say I liked shooting it more than my AR but i'll need to take it out a few more to let the novelty wear off before I can make a fair comparison.

[Gauss]

My AUG is just about my favorite rifle. If on the fence I say go for it!

[someR1]

the aug is gonna be about $2500.

[p7m8jg]

I like mine......

[someR1]

on the G3 route, you can buy the gun, plus a nice scope....AND a butt load of 308 ammo

[elSquid]

Which would make a better RAW?

Which would be easier/more natural to buy as a featureless rifle?

-- Michael

[Drew Eckhardt]

Its an apples to oranges comparison, I know. However, since I don't shoot a lot, and have a few lowers to build up. I'm going to purchase a new rifle before the deadline. I'm debating between a Steyr Aug and a Century C308. If I get the Steyr, I will probably still have to pay for optics since the ones I've seen at the lgs don't have those versions, just the rail ones. Yet, part of me says get the c308 since it's cheaper (significantly).

I have a X95 because it's a compact (30.5" in delivered form, 26.1" as a RAW) gun which points fast and can be metaphorically held all day (all the weight is in back), it has a normal hand guard to grasp, the trigger can be made great (I bought the Geissele Super Sabra pack + bow during their Black Friday sale), it has an AR15 located magazine release, it has last round hold-open with AR magazines, and after market support should emerge as it did for the SAR.

I don't have an AUG due to vertical grip in place of traditional fore-end, trigger, and having to choose between proprietary magazines (no 10 round AR PMAGs) and last round bolt hold open. With 16" barrel in free-state/RAW form it's 2" longer than the Tavors with 16.5" barrels. It's a few hundred dollars more expensive than the Tavors, although relative to total price (~$2K before adding goodies like trigger pack) and amortized over decades that doesn't matter. With a bigger budget I'd overlook all that on an additional purchase because it's an iconic rifle like the FAL and MP5.

I suggest a X95 or SAR. The SAR lacks the AR magazine release, needs an aftermarket trigger (the X95 addressed that with an OK service rifle trigger which is lighter than milspec AR with more take-up), and has better aftermarket support like the pistol grip mounted bipod. Some people find the SAR shoulders better with its taller buttstock. I noticed that, but didn't prefer the SAR stock enough to favor it over the X95 with its AR style magazine release.

The X95 is about $1800-$1850 as a dealer Californicated free state model before shipping/FFL/tax/DROS. You can get a factory IWI CA compliant model for $1700, but they left out AR located magazine release parts which cost more to have retrofitted than the price premium for a dealer conversion.

Shop around for a FFL if you haven't been buying online - mine charges $40 for inter-state transfers and offers appointments for starting DROS/pickup so there's no waiting in line (just California's 240 hours between the two).

I don't have a C308 because it has CETME sights and is more likely to have bolt gap or other assembly problems than a PTR-91.

I have a PTR-91 FR CA because the G3 is a neat battle rifle with good sights and floating barrel, an off-list HK (911, SR9, SR9T, SR9TC) would be at least 3X the price, a decent custom build would double the cost, and at the time I didn't want to spend another $200 getting an in-stock free-state model Californicated which was a mistake given parts, labor, and hassle to add the flapper which is absent on factory CA models.

I suggest ordering a Californicated free-state GI model from Atlantic Arms for the AK/FAL/HK paddle release (a long trigger finger won't reach the button), lighter barrel, and cleaner look without optics (you can add a rail using the claw mount provisions) then adjusting to suit your tastes.

The PTR 91 GI Californicated by Atlantic is about $1000 with a grip wrap plus the usual costs. You'll need a bullet button from elsewhere before 12/31 to be grandfathered.

If I had to get one or the other it'd depend on what I already owned. For my only modern sporting rifle, it'd be a .223 for ammo price which is about half .308 shooting reasonably accurate (brass case commercial) ammo. If I already had a .308 I'd buy the bullpup for something different. If I owned one or more sport utility rifles in .223 and none in .308 it'd be a tough call - .308 guns shoot less like toys, like moving from .22 LR to .223 or a BB gun to .22 LR.

Buying both is the correct approach. I'd regret not having one of the two later much more than spending an extra $1000 now. I wouldn't want to live with either in mag-locked (load through the ejection port) or featureless (thumb around the grip able to operate the safety) form.

[Drew Eckhardt]

I wish I had one.
Also I want a FAMAS. (I know, good luck with that one )

All we have are the hundreds imported in one batch by Century before Bush 41's 1989 ban. With a $1000 price tag versus the AUG's $650 they didn't sell well enough to justify bringing in more. With the resulting scarcity $8000 won't buy one today.

It is an interesting gun I'd like to own - lever delayed blowback with a fluted chamber, floating barrel, configures for left or right handed operation with no part changes.

[steelrain82]

Well....I did it. I called around and no one in the area had one, except Turners. No one else would order one, or accept an ffl transfer. Even then I couldn't find any in stock that were California compliant. So I bought the only one they had, the display model.

It came with the NATO stock so while I'm seeing it as a plus, I really wanted the standard stock. Oh, and no sights.

[elSquid]

It came with the NATO stock so while I'm seeing it as a plus, I really wanted the standard stock. Oh, and no sights.

FWIW, parts n stuff galore:

http://www.pjs-steyraug.com/

-- Michael

[jmpgnr24k]

Super worth it