M1A options

I would go with the first option. I'd spend some range time with it and get accustomed to the rifle. By the time I ran a bunch of rounds through it I'd know more on what the rifle is capable of.

A M-1A is a great rifle, but for serious long range target shooting a bolt action will do better. And the fitting of a scope onto a M-1A requires a quality scope mount, part of the expense of the scope installation.

i ended up going back to irons on my M1A rifles. to me the M14/M1A style rifles are better *as is*. i have other scoped rifles for other tasks but the M1A's will stay naked. just more fun that way.

so for target shooting *i* would run it with no scope.

ditched the scope on my Scout while on a hunting trip. just didn't feel comfortable with it.

removed the Tri-Power from my SOCOM. i use it for hunting in the brush and didn't feel that the RDS provided that much of an improvement over irons for the intended use.

i like having a scope on my rifle, can hit x's at 300 t0 500 yards all day long.. iron sights my group open up some (probley my eyes)... any way is fun tho.....

They are expensive to scope. The mounts are expensive for a good one. If I had to do it over again, I would left it stock and put the mount money towards an AR-10 platform and scoped that.

Given the mount is somewhat expensive, as are high quality rings such as the Leupold Mark 4s, be prepared for the additional expense of mounting a scope. With a M1A Third Generation mount, your iron sights are always available at the range you set it for (battle zero?) and its design allows for rapid dismount of the whole rig at the same time.




Cheers!

First I got my M1A Loaded with a synthetic stock. Sent it to Springfield to have it factory bedded and QD stud installed to accept the Harris bipod w/swivel. Then added the 3rd generation springfield scope mount and a Bushnell Elite 4200 6-24x40 scope. Used loc-tight and it hasn't lost zero in over 2 years and approximately 1,000 rounds.

I use the 3rd gen scope mount because it allows for use of Iron sights.

I can esaily hit a targer 300-400 yards with iron sights. The scope gets me 800-1,000 yards.

Leave it as it is but get a USGI sling.

Top of the line

http://www.sadlak.com/si_rifle_parts_sm.html

middle of the road

http://www.armsmounts.com/default.asp?mode=products&sub=mounts&id=[hsh]18

low end, really low end

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/22625-34.html

I like the idea of leaving it with just the irons, but I feel like hitting the X's is more luck than aim since I can barely see the X's.

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You aren't supposed to see the x's, focus on the front sight post.

The Brother in law put a Leupold VX-3 CDS on it. Looks pretty sweet. I wasn't sure how it would look scoped, but I like it.

If you shoot with a sling, get a unitized gas system, put in a Sadlak spring guide and call it good.

If you opt for a scope, get a SEI or Sadlack and a good scope. You'll need a check piece as well.

Unless you have vision problems, stick with the irons and use your arm, not a bipod. Shoot it like a man!

shooting like a man.... means hitting your target... if need a scope, then get you a scope... even a 5 gallon water jug ... is super hard to see with your bare eyes at 600 yards....

No..Shooting like a man is the same as peeing like a man...Standing up and using your own two hands

I LOVE my M1A NM but the only rifles in my Arsenal that carry glass are used to feed the family...

Learn to shoot the rifle slung up and from the cross the course positions. It is very rewarding.

For the moment, I would (and did) leave it as it is. Use this opprotunity to become familiar with the rifle's excellent sights. As you do this, you can research scope mounting options to your heart's content and pick the option that you feel works best for you at your leisure.

I'd add a military style shooting sling and rock the iron sights until I was confident in them and knew which optics and mounts I was interested in.