Considering an older M1A

The_Next_Generation

The_Next_Generation

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Hey all,

With a potential ban looming overhead, I’m really considering picking up a 1997 Springfield Loaded National Match M1A in 308 with the 22” stainless barrel.

It seems to be in great shape, and the shop is asking $1600 out the door for it. Based on the greenish finish of the bolt and some of the other parts, I’m assuming they’re USGI bits from demilled rifles.

Any reason not to jump on it? I have a CMP garand, but I’d like a similar option in 308. I enjoy shooting longer distance with irons.

Thanks!

Edit 03/04/23: It’s just a “Loaded” model, not a National Match. My mistake, hope that clarifies the following thread on value for any future researchers.
 
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It's a touch on the high side for pricing, and I'm sure someone will come along and inform you a Bula or JRA is a better built rifle, but the Springers are fine and the price isn't outrageously high.

I'd try and talk the price down what I could, but wouldn't walk away if it's something you really want and they won't budge.
 
That is a bargain. They don't make them anymore. Look on gunbroker for what they are selling for. You will be suprised.
 
I know almost nothing of M1As, except that a friend of mine is a freak for them and they are fun to shoot. Based on what I've seen, I'd say that it's a bit over priced, but I've learned something over the years .... the sting of paying a bit too much for something doesn't last nearly as long as the regret of a missed opportunity.

If you want it, get it.
 
If it's in excellent to LNIB condition, good price. But it's within about $300 of new price, so take that into consideration.

I recently picked up a nearly new M1A scout with a couple extra mags and a full length new picatinny rail for $1,400 locally. I had talked myself out of buying one for years, which became easier when .308 ARs dropped below a grand. But, like you, we face horrible legislation coming down the pipe here in CO, and while I can still buy or build anything as an FFL07/02SOT, transferring to myself personally, to my wife or to my kids is another matter, since all the new gun control grandfathers the owners, not the items. So all the things will be transferred to me on 4473 and then put in a trust naming all my children, since there is no minimum age for possession/ownership of title 1 long guns.

I had other things I needed to be spending money on right now, but none of those things are threatened legislatively.

It will all be moot when we get to Wyoming in a few years, but it's still a prudent safeguard that ensures ownership for at least one more generation. Anyone born after the effective dates of these laws is screwed, no way around that, but we have to do what we can to preserve as much as we can.
 
FWIW, I just paid $1.65K out the door for a cherry (as in possibly unfired) Springfield M1A 'Tanker' model -- I'm picking it up at the LGS today. So by my local standards, the price seems reasonable.

I had been considering a Shuff's Mini-G in .308, but it's a higher priced option.

https://shuffsparkerizing.com/services/the-mini-g/

Another option is M1 conversion to 7.62 NATO. I've got one of those too, the work having been done at the CMP Custom Shop.

US M1 Garand.jpg

Conversion costs about $400 total, including return postage, the cost of the new Criterion barrel and mag spacer:

https://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/custom-gunsmithing/
https://thecmp.org/sales-and-service/services-for-the-m1-garand/
 
Depends on if it's original, or if it's been monkeyed with. I forget how far back Springfields go with USGI parts, and some were a mix-master, so not all the parts may be USGI under the hood. That being said, that's neither good or bad... if the rifle functions and shoots, well, then there you go.

The NM should have the upgraded sights, it should be tight in the stock... in fact, you shouldn't disassemble it from the stock if you don't have to, but that would be one of the things I'd check. Check the gas lock to see if there has been any work done on it.

I don't think $1600 is a great deal, but it's not bad. Maybe off them $1600 out the door, including tax, and see if they'd bite.
 
MachIVshooter said:
If it's in excellent to LNIB condition, good price. But it's within about $300 of new price, so take that into consideration.

I recently picked up a nearly new M1A scout with a couple extra mags and a full length new picatinny rail for $1,400 locally. I had talked myself out of buying one for years, which became easier when .308 ARs dropped below a grand. But, like you, we face horrible legislation coming down the pipe here in CO, and while I can still buy or build anything as an FFL07/02SOT, transferring to myself personally, to my wife or to my kids is another matter, since all the new gun control grandfathers the owners, not the items. So all the things will be transferred to me on 4473 and then put in a trust naming all my children, since there is no minimum age for possession/ownership of title 1 long guns.

I had other things I needed to be spending money on right now, but none of those things are threatened legislatively.

It will all be moot when we get to Wyoming in a few years, but it's still a prudent safeguard that ensures ownership for at least one more generation. Anyone born after the effective dates of these laws is screwed, no way around that, but we have to do what we can to preserve as much as we can.
Click to expand...
The Ex-Californians will find Wyoming eventually too. Sucks what happened to CO and is happening all over the free West.
 
MachIVshooter said:
I think it's too cold, windy and barren for them. At least that's my hope.
Click to expand...
I hope so. I love everything about living in the PNW except for the traffic and politics that have infected everything. I’ve been overseas for the last three years and just recently returned, having the new laws and pending legislation in my face (10rd mags, 10 day waits on ARs, etc) has been shocking. I’m trying to convince my wife we need to move to Wyoming.

MachIV, 1KperDay, and DesertFox, it’s really cool to see you guys are still active on THR. I learned a ton reading your posts when I was still in high school, before I made an account here in 2011. Seeing your usernames reminds me of how much fun I had learning about shooting back then. Hope everything is going well for you guys.
 
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As the others have said, get it and enjoy it.
I think it being out of production adds value.
None of these rigs are getting any cheaper.
 
I have both a Springfield Loaded M1A and a CMP 308W Garand. I like shooting Garands better than the M1A but it is mostly a personnel thing.

If you are happy with the price of the M1A, and I have not kept up with prices, then go for it.

If you reload, I would stay away from fired cases unless you are sure what they were fired in. I had a batch of cases that were fired in a machine gun and I had alot of case head separations.

Most of the military once fired 308W came from machine guns these days. Law enforcement still use some 308W bolt rifles.

I have a good supply of cases I know were fired in bolt action rifles but in general, I shoot new cases or cases only fired in my rifles.
 
I paid around $1700 for my scout squad back in 2008ish, I believe the loaded NM's were going for around $2200 at the time.

I don't follow the M1A scene these days, but to me $1600 sounds like a deal for a NM in excellent cond. It would make a nice companion to the Garand.
 
When it comes to M1A's, "older" is generally better (because of the higher GI parts count). But I wouldn't consider a 1997 gun to be "older." They were already being made for more than 20 years by that time, and the GI parts had largely dried up.

If they're asking $1,600, I would consider a DSA FAL instead. Way better choice for a .308.
 
It's a little high but not bad for a late 90s Springer M1A. GI parts were becoming scarce by then. I will be that one that says check out the Bula M14s who built for JRA. Yes even though they are not FA they are marked M14. Awfully fine weapons and well built by a company that builds for the military. You wont be disappointed...
 
MachIVshooter said:
I think it's too cold, windy and barren for them. At least that's my hope.
Click to expand...

CA folks won't like WY. I used to live there and it's indeed cold and always windy. One day the wind stopped and we all fell down! And they won't like the fact that the men are real men and the women are men too. I do miss the ability to go shooting whenever and wherever you want.
 
It is a fair price in todays market . The next time i come across one i will buy one. I passed on one a year ago and kick my self every time i think about it!
 
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