Which M1A do I choose?

[Ruger451]

Ok, so within the price ceiling of $2000, which model of the Springfield M1A is going to be the best bang for my bucks? (forgive the tired pun) I really like the Socom 16, but the Loaded Model with Walnut stock and stainless barrel is quite nice. Lets hear some opinions, and feel free to post any pictures of your M1A.

 

[critter]

Guess it may depend on it's intended use-hunting, formal target shooting, plinking, SHTF situations, etc.

I had a full size (not SA) and through 'a horsetrade' just got a SOCOM 16" and love it. It is a VERY handy gun, easy and fun to shoot and very accurate.

Others will chime in I'm sure and maybe they can help more. One thing-it is a no-lose situation whichever one you get.

 

[bgold]

It depends what you are after. For you $2000 ceiling, you could easily get a National Match, and would be very close to getting a Super Match. You could get a loaded and have a lot of cash to play with accessories and get magazines and ammo...or the Socoms, depending on which one, range in between the loaded and NM models (for the most part). I would decide if you want an original or Socom style, and then decide which model to get.

However, if it were my money, I wouldn't get a new one, but rather look for a nice older model, with all USGI parts, and snatch it up for what you would pay for a loaded model (or less). You would be better off in the long run.

Here's mine:

 

[66gt350]

For around $2000 you could get a LRB rifle. They have one of the best recievers on the market. I bought one last year, and I wasn't disappointed. Most of the parts in the rifle are USGI, except the barrel.

 

[BozemanMT]

for 2 grand I'd go Fulton Arms or as someone said earlier LRB

just for bragging rights if nothing else.

Seriously, the springfields are nice, but the fultons are REALLY nice.

 

[cmb3366]

For $2000 you could get a fulton armory service grade (1800), and are very close to the competition grade (2200)

 

[ATAShooter]

Take 1300.00 get a Brand new Springfield M1A Standard with walnut, and put the rest into goodies like ammo, mags, and stuff, or a shiny new reloader. Just remember, you got to get the muzzle brake on the end, due to flash hiders in CA is a bozo no-no.

 

[waterhouse]

I like the scout squad. As ATA said, don't forget to budget for lots of ammo.

 

[gearbox]

Loaded or Scout Squad. The SOCOM has a very short sight radius and a geometry that isn't conducive to accurate 100+ yard shooting.

 

[dmckean44]

I would just buy a M1A standard and use the excess to buy ammo while it's still cheap.

 

[ghost squire]

I always wondered, are the various competition grades (Fulton, Springfield etc) as reliable as their service grade or standard grade brothers?

 

[30Cal]

I always wondered, are the various competition grades (Fulton, Springfield etc) as reliable as their service grade or standard grade brothers?

Probably moreso. The custom built guns are undoubtedly test fired more and are less likely to have the infant mortality failures most commonly seen. The chambers aren't that much tighter and the cycling parts are left in their stock form.

Ty

 

[Seven High]

If you are looking at an M1A type of rifle, how can yo tell if the parts int he rifle are GI or commercial? Are there special markings for GI?

 

[onehorse]

M1A Scout

I've had a basic M1A Scout (18" barrel with scout rail mounted on barrel) for several years and have shot it extensively. The operation and handling are similar to the full size, of course, but the shorter barrel is certainly handier in close quarters or out in the woods. I've shot this rifle mostly between 10 and 200 yards and, though I have used 4x optics on occasion, the iron sights are more than adequate for this usage. Also, accuracy of this 'rack grade' version of the M1A is still much better than I am. I can easily shoot 2-inch groups at 100 yards from the bench and can hold within a pie plate at 200 yards from prone. At the risk of embarrasing myself, I consider this good shooting for me and my poor eyes. The rifle could do better if I would. The point is, you probably don't need match or supermatch luxury; the out of the box standard M1A is plenty accurate, reliable, and even at ~$1500 a great bargain. The LRB and Fulton Armory products are wonderful shooters and beautiful rifles. Start with the plain Jane M1A; make these others the second and third M14 rifles you buy. In short, I agree with above, use the money saved for mags and ammo and lots of shooting.

 

[Farnham]

If you are looking at an M1A type of rifle, how can yo tell if the parts int he rifle are GI or commercial? Are there special markings for GI?

If you're looking at a Springfield rifle, and see anything other than SA on the trigger group, bolt, barrel, or oprod, it's probably GI. If you see TRW, SAK, HRA, or WIN (and probably a couple others, like HRN) it's USGI. There's a way to tell SA Inc from real USGI Springfield Armory, but I forget what it is.

As for the question, I'd go with the Standard model, and spend the rest on mags , ammo, a GI stock from Fred's, and, depending on how you plan to use it, an ARMS 18 scope mount. I keep my (fat, heavy, but undeniably prettier) factory Boyd's stock around for if I ever decide to sell mine, but the GI stocks are lighter and far more comfortable. Incidentally, I was very surprised to find everything on my Standard except the receiver and bolt were marked H&R when I got it. That was only 3 years ago, you might get lucky.



S/F

Farnham