[trimation]

I am looking to pick up a good quality autoloader, unfortunately I happen to live in the great state of Commifornia.

What is out there that I can sill get that is legal?

I want something with good irons that would also leave me with the option to put a good scope on if I wanted to.

I know one option I have is the Springfield line of rifles, but there are ony a few models that I can get of that line that are Californa legal right?

[Sactown]

M1 Garand
M1 Carbine
Mini 14/30 (caveat emptor)
HK SL-6, SL-7 (good luck finding one)
BAR
SKS
M1A

off the top of my head....I'm sure there are some I missed. I've got a Garand, Mini-14, SKS, and M1A. I like my Garand and M1A the most.

[trimation]

Sactown,

Doesn't Sprinfield make a version of the M1 Garand?

Also, how do you like your M1-A

[Sactown]

I have one of the new SA Garands. It's worked just fine. No problems at all.

Between the M1A and the Garand, I prefer the M1A. I purchased a loaded model. The M1A has performed great. I'm able to get fairly consistent 2" groups from the bench using surplus Portygese and I'm not the best shot. I've had a coupla thousands rounds through it with no stoppages or any parts breakage. My next M1A will probably be a scout model. If you want to scope the M1A, one of the best mounts is the Arms #18. I think they run around $130-$170.



I see you're from Northern California, I'm here in Sacramento. See if you can make our next Nor-Cal shoot.

[trimation]

Sactown,

Where can I get information about the Nor Cal shoots?

Also, I don't yet have any rifles. Do you guys meet to shoot handguns as well? If so I would love to come.

Actually, I take that back. I do have one old rifle that belonged to my grandfather. I don't even know what it is.

My grandmother says that he used it in the military. It does say Fabrique National, or something like that, on the side. I think that means it is a Mauser right?

I guess I am kind of getting off of the subject at hand. Sorry.

Trimation

[Sven]

trimation:

I asked the same question a few months back, and now I'm working on building my own M1A from the receiver up. My reasoning is that I want to avoid some of the quality control issues Springfield has had and also I get to choose exactly what I want on the rifle... not the path for everyone. No, I'm not doing all the work myself, but I'm having fun creating my dream rifle. Well, my CA dream rifle, anyhow.

Where are you in CA? I'm in the Bay Area and you can learn about one of our recent shoots here (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17013&highlight=Bay+Area). Next Bay Area shoot is loosely scheduled for mid-June and there are Sacramento shoots every month or so. Great folks! Just keep watching the forums and you'll see the threads.

Scroll to page two to view the video of the jugs of water being shot with rifles... totally cool. ;)

-s

[xsquid]

You can add the 10-22 to your list. Not a bad rifle to begin with as .22 is fairly cheap. I would also suggest that you attend a DCM shoot at Chabot - that is if your in the SF Bay area. The club have a few M1 Garands they lend out for the shoot and it's a great introduction to hi-power shooting. Best of all by attending a DCM shoot, you qualify for a DCM M1 Garand. IMHO most of the recent QC problems of Springfield M1As stems from them running out of USGI parts. BTW, you can find more CA shooters here CalGuns (http://calguns.net)

[trimation]

thank you for all of the info guys.

I am actually in Modesto so it isn't too much of a drive for me to go to eithe Sacramento or the bay area.



Sven:

How do you go about building a rifle from the ground up?

trimation

[Sactown]

Trimation,

The Nor-Cal shoots have been at the Yolo Sportman's Association between Woodland and Davis. They have pistol and rifle ranges. There have been both rifle and pistol shooters. It's a good chance to checkout other people's firearms and possibly test drive something you're interested in purchasing. Keep an eye out in the general section. I don't know when the next shoot is scheduled.

[Sven]

trimation:

Start by buying a 'bare' receiver. Champions Choice in TN had one in stock when I called. I opted for the rear-lugged receiver as this is what is used on the higher end 'Match' rifles.

Next, you need parts. Companies like Orion 7 or Fulton Armory can sell individual parts or complete kits. I got a complete TRW kit from Orion 7. McMillan makes high-end synthetic stocks, but there are many other options available including wood stocks from Fred's M14 stocks.

Next, I send the receiver and a few other parts to Krieger and have them 'mate' the receiver with one of their barrels - top notch stuff.

Then, lastly, I send everything to my gunsmith who glass beds the receiver and does all the 'voodoo' to make the gun shoot under 1" groups at 100 yards. IF I do my part.

If you need links to any of the firms mentioned above, let me know. Another excellent source of info on M1/M1A/M1 Carbine is http://www.battlerifles.com

[trimation]

Thank you Sven I will check out the firms you mentioned.

Sactown,

I will keep an eye out for the shoot times in the general area. I greatly appreciate it.

[El Rojo]

To start, I would recommend the CMP (Civilian Marskmanship Program). Find more info about them at www.odcmp.com . Basically you need to first join the California Rifle and Pistol Association if you haven't already. www.crpa.org . That is going to run you I believe $18 for a year. Then find a local range that shoots a 50 round high power match. As Xsquid said, attend a DCM match at Chabot. Xsquid dates himself there because the DCM (Department of Civilian Marksmanship) was dissolved during the Clinton Administration when it wasn't PC to have a government entity issuing rifles to the civilian population. In its place came the non-government CMP. So anyway, go shoot a CMP match at Chabot. Have them give you some sort of verification that you shot at least 50 rounds. Fill out your CMP application, get it notarized, send off $515 and you will get a USGI M1 Garand in most likely great shape. I bought a CMP Garand, and I really like mine.

If you have money laying around, buy any one of the Springfield Armory M1A's. The only thing different from PRK M1A's and others is that we have to have a muzzle break instead of a flash suppressor. What does that mean for your guns performance? As far as I know nothing.

And I don't have one myself, but a mini-14 is still a good rifle. They run around $400-500 and they shoot .223. The only draw back is you can only get 10 round mags, which technically applies for the M1A too. Of course you might have 10-20 of the standard capacity M1A or mini-14 mags you bought in 1985 stashed in the trunk of your car. Imagine your surprise when you finally remember that is where you left them when you are unloading your luggage from the trunk after that trip to Reno.

[trimation]

:D

Thanks El Rojo

[Sven]

trimation:

CMP shoots are a blast... some will loan you a club rifle so you can get qualified and buy your own.

-s