Which FN SPR to get

[blhar15]

I am looking at a 24" barrel FN SPR, which model would be best, the A1, A3 or A5?

I like the price on the A1, are they any less accurate?

Thanks

[emptybrass]

I would go with the A3G or A5M TBM

A3 holds a tighter spec but has a floor plate.

A5M TBM has a detachable box mag with 5-10 rd capability.

[ddsd]

I went with the A3. Hopefully will be here tomorrow to pick up. Going to top it with a Leupold VX-R Patrol 3X9X40 and see how I like it. I think any FN will shoot great but I am no expert till I get some range time. I am like you though, would like to hear some more opinions on current owners thoughts on all of these models.

[bulldog_81]

Best deal going IMHO: AR15, M16, M4 Tactical Gear, Parts, Accessories, Optics, Sniper Rifles, Piston Systems, AR15 M4 Uppers & Lowers Lowest Prices Tactical Coordination

A2 in an A4 Stock for $1550-$1600.

[SgtStrykerUSMC43]

One A5M I had a while back.
Old A5M.jpg

[SONYtec]

Can the A5M be worked on, to shoot the same, or better than a factory A3G???

What would it take???

[djv38]

Not much. I think the main difference between the A3G and A5M is that the A5M is pillar bedded whiled the A3G has a full glass bedding IIRC.

Also Sarge, I'm digging the ATAC's camo on the stock and NVD mount forward of the scope Just need one of those $15000 NVD's for it

[SgtStrykerUSMC43]

When I sold it, the weapon was bone stock. The buyer, one of our fine SF soldiers stationed in Iraq at the time, purchased the weapon and SAC did the work. He was kind enough to send me a photo of the weapon after the work was completed in '09.

It shoots...

On another note:

There is no statistical deviation between the A3G and A5M barreled actions.

[tacjon]

I have a A3G That I am selling. Check the for sale section of the forum.

[mikieg]

my first exposure to fn bolt guns was t work. when we changed over from remington 700. it came in the form of the a3g. fine rifle no doubt! but there are some deficiencies.
an average training day will have more than 150 rounds logged, and without time for maintenance. we had many problems with the cheek pieces coming loose and dropping. thi s may be fine for safe queen recreational guns, but unacceptable for operational weapons.
secondly was the cost. i just did not see justification in cost for price jump from a1 to a3g. george gardner does a great job bedding and such on these babies but... so here was my solution.
i decided to acquire my own rifle. upon looking thru all my suppliers i found only one that had just two in inventory. so here we go.
i received said rifle and promptly disassembled it and shipped the barreled action to george for mods. i also sent the stock out to joe ducos (the wizard) for mods.
upon receiving my parts back, i made and installed a rear pillar and a half front pillar then bedded with marintex.
then i milled the receiver to accept ai mags via a cdi bottom metal.
george did a wonderful job duplicating the fn a3g flutes and also installed a badger bolt knob. nicely done!
i met foe ducos at a sniper school in 09. he comes highly recommended by terry cross for stock mods. joe cut my mcmillian and installed terry's logger cheek piece hardware. the work was perfectly factory looking. to be expected as the wizard is respected by guys like terry and george!
so lets add it up shall we.
nib spr a1 $1400
cheek piece install, $150 (far superior to a3g)
bolt knob install, $150 (not offered on a3g)
fluting, $95 (same as a3g)
bedding marinetex, $20 (identical to george's a3g bedding)
cdi bottom metal and ai mag, $300 (not offered on a3g)
in the end i have $2150 invested in a rifle that is superior to the a3g
how much $ is the a3g?
you get the picture. the spr a1 is a great value that after desired mods, you will not be over invested as compared to similar factory stock models.


these are the chronicles of my observations and journeys. they are not open for debate, as i am not interested in arguing with any resident internet know it alls.