[Nightcrawler]

This is something that's been quietly gnawing at me for awhile now.

A few months back, I had the opportunity to put a few rounds through a Springfield M1A.

I liked it. More than my FAL, I think. The sights were better, the weapon had less muzzle climb, and it wasn't as heavy.

I have a substantial amount of money invested in my FAL. Until I got my car, it was the most valuable things I owned. $950 for the gun. 12 magazines at eight to ten bucks a pop. Quick detach bipod, sixty bucks. A 30 round mag, sixty bucks. Scope mount, sixty five bucks. A set of Walnut Furniture, a hundred and forty bucks.

All that money and time, and I find myself wanting an M1A.

I don't know that I'd want to part with my FAL, or sell it (though doing so would certainly facilitate me getting the M1A). But if I could only have ONE rifle, it wouldn't be a FAL. It'd be an M14-type, probably an 18" carbine with a flash hider and black synthetic stock (if I could have only ONE).

So, what do you all think? Should I go for it and get the M1A? Should I sell the FAL?

Don't get me wrong, it's not that I DISLIKE my FAL. I LOVE IT. It's just that I've got this idea in my head that if I just find the PERFECT Rifle, It'll be the only one I ever need, I can have a small and managble collection and dedicate gun money to accessories, magazines, ammo, and training instead of more guns. Reasonable, I think. My father was a logistician by trade; I guess I get that from him.

[Billy Sparks]

Have you considered sending your FAL to the "Sparks Home for FALS" we offer lots of TLC and plenty of exercise. :D

Seriously I know what you mean I have a FAL and a M1A and I really want a carbine...of both...

[Art Eatman]

Well, you get right down to the nitty-gritty, any gun is nothing more than a tool. This doesn't mean you can't enjoy the use, but to get all wrapped up in the notion there is some mystique involved in a particular type is not real bright.

That's why I'm regularly jackin' my jaws about "purpose". "Whatcha gonna do with it?"

Only you can work your way through the logic. Only you know what are your primary interests in the use of any rifle.

IMO, if one's primary interest is a military rifle, aesthetics are as good a base for judgement as any. Most are reliable and reasonably accurate. (Junk is easy to avoid.) The odds of ever needing one for a military-style purpose are so low as to be near-laughable.

Art

[Nightcrawler]

I don't fancy myself staving off hoards of UN troops, if that's what you're referring to.

It comes down to how much fun I have shooting it. I liked the M14's sights better. It's controls are a little easier for me, being a lefty (though, because I"m a lefty, I can hit the bolt release on the FAL with my trigger finger). It's a little lighter, and the carbine would be a little handier.

You know, small stuff like that. It'd sure help if I knew somebody that actually HAD an M1A, so I could shoot one enough to decide if it'd be worth buying.

[Art Eatman]

Hordes. :)

I had an M1A Match, back around 1984. Shot just fine. Enjoyed it for a while until I realized that it didn't really fill any hole in my "stuff". Already had a Garand, and a buddy wanted an M1A worse than I did.

IMO, it's a Garand with a box magazine, and probably built to closer tolerances due to today's better machinery. Generally oughta group a bit tighter; mine did, and the Garand is glass-bedded.

Art

[Nightcrawler]

It's not that the FAL's not accurate. It's certainly enough so for me. I've had better than 2" groups at 100 yards, with a Bushnell 3-9x, off of the bipod. With Port surplus.

The thing that hinders iron sight accuracy is the front sight post. It's wider than the M14 front sight post, making precesion at range more difficult. Doesn't help that I need a new glasses prescription, either.

You know what though? I think I'll stick with it. I want an M1 Garand a lot more than I want an M14 type. And I waited months and months to get that FAL. As I said, it was the most valuable thing I owned (dollar-wise) for a long time. Technically, it still is, since my car isn't paid off and isn't really "mine" (still owe the credit union like four grand for it).

Besides. I've got all the parts, and accessories, two sets of furniture, and I can take it apart blindfolded. I don't feel like learning an all new system just yet. :)

[Art Eatman]

If the thickness of the front sight is an issue, make it narrower. Nowhere is it written that parts and pieces gotta stay "as is".

:), Art

[4v50 Gary]

A gunsmith can easily do a couple of passes with a mill and reduce the thickness of your front sight post. Some of us did that for our M-1As or M-1 Garands. Instant NM without the $.

[Frohickey]

Instead of selling the FAL and the accessories that you have collected for it, why not just scrimp and save a little for a brand new M1A?

About the only time I'm satisfied when selling a gun, is if I think that the gun I was selling is a piece of junk. Otherwise, a few months later, I find regretting the decision to sell it.

Save some $$$ and get a M1A, but keep the FAL.

"Variety is the spice of life."