Does the M1A feel cheap to anyone else/

[Smiley]

I have been thinking about getting an M1a from Springfield for quite a while and put quite a bit of research into it. I decided that it would probably be a good investment anda fine rifle for paper targets or SHTF.
I try not to buy anything without having tested it first. I learned that lesson the hard way several times. Especially since a new M1a goes for about $1300 around here. i was able to fire a friend of a friends recently.
I was very unimpressed. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the rifle itself. It shoots straight and feels fine in my hands. But for $1300 I was expecting some fine craftsmanship with something special. The cheap plastic heat cover really pissed me off making me think "is this what I get for $1300?" The wood stock was fine but for that amount of money I would have expected something that felt like the definition of craftmanship. What are you really paying for??

Now that I have heard of some QC issues and an M1A falling apart here on THR. I think my search for a .308 rifle is going to continue unless I missed something here.

Anyone wish to convince me otherwise?............ please

 

[000Buck]

You can get a Saiga 308 for $229 through CDNN, and the quality doesnt seem that far behind an M1A. No hicaps though. No last round bolt hold open. Not quite as accurate probably, but just as reliabe and costs 20% the price of an M1A.

Not flaming M1As.....

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

The cheap plastic heat cover really pissed me off

It's fiberglass, and it works better than the wood ones, which break. The fiberglass heat shield is an improvement.

You're paying for an m-1a.

 

[SodaPop]

There isn't a battle rifle out there that should be more than $600.

The United States military pays about $500 for an M16A2. I pay $800 for a Bushmaster AR if I'm lucky.



I love the M1A but I chose the FAL because of magazine and scope mount costs.

I'm always on the prowl for a deal on an M1A (they are out there) but I won't pay more than $950 for one.

 

[Kaylee]

The United States military pays about $500 for an M16A2. I pay $800 for a Bushmaster AR if I'm lucky.

Well, I'm sure if you order a few hundred thousand rifles at once, Bushmaster will cut you a deal.

As to whether an M1A is worth four figures.. that's entirely subjective. I know folks who've paid that much for a preban AK. That's an awful lot of cash for an underfolder and bayonet lug. Not to mention the folks who drop the price of a car (or house!) on transferable full autos!

Given the smaller market than ARs (and no gov't orders to help pay for the tooling!), the machining costs of that crazy receiver, and through-the-roof liability insurance, I can understand the (relatively) high cost of an M1A.

Is it worth it? That's up to you.

 

[Sven]

Build your own and have it properly bedded. Consider at Match grade barrel. Not cheap, but doesn't feel cheep.

 

[Gewehr98]

How many data points for bad M1A's/M14's?

You've seen or heard all of about 2 or 3 here on THR, including Skunkabilly's. How many were made that have been perfect in function and durability? You'll hear about the dogs, but happy users tend to stay fairly quiet about their rifles, they're too busy shooting them. Here's my M14NM, which falls into the latter category (although it has nothing on it that either came from, or was assembled by, Springfield, Inc):

 

[Kingcreek]

frankly, I don't understand all the m1a criticisms.
the youngest of my 2 was purchased new about 12 years ago. A springfield armory m1a "bush" rifle just for fun and the other a SA M1a "supermatch" that I've had for 15 years. I have never had parts fall off, never had failures, and both have always been very accurate and totally reliable. Cheap??

 

[geekWithA.45]

The first time I handled an M1A, the fiberglass handguard also threw me for a loop. I was expecting something much stouter. When I learned more about the rifle, I realized it was that way for good, functional reasons, (better heat dissipation, doesn't crack from heat, very little weight, and does it's job of protecting my hands)

Once I understood that, it was no longer a problem for me.

As for the cost, I agree its a bit steep, but the bottom line is this: A properly made M1A is a true prince of a battle rifle, an utterly dependable, solid, and accurate full house semi auto that with reasonable care will be up and at em long after all of us are gone.

You get AK reliability, Garand toughness, well above average accuracy, the ability to engage targets out to at least 600, 700 yards, and the mighty .308 all in one handy package that can pass for politically correct from a distance in a pinch.

I didn't buy mine to be pretty. I bought it for shootin', and for that purpose, it's damned hard to beat.

 

[glockenstein]

Man there seems to be a lot of M1A bashing going on around here. I own 2 of them and I've had nary a hiccup with either one (read: flawless.) The M14 (which the M1A is a clone of) is in a tie for 1st place with the M1 Garand for the coveted position of "Glockenstein's favorite rifle." I like my bushmaster but it just doesn't do it for me like John Garand's fine rifles.

If you don't want to spend the $$$ you can get a USGI Springfield Service Grade M1 Garand from the CMP for $500. (like this one

 

[ACP230]

I bought an M1A used several years ago. It has a Springfield Armory receiver, and a synthetic stock. It had been used as a shooter's backup rifle and I used it to shoot HP matches for several years. I had no problems worth mentioning with my rifle.

It is the most accurate rifle I have for long strings of fire. I have shot two shots touching at 200 several times and a sub MOA three-shot group once. Both of these were shot from prone with a tight sling, not off the bench. Ammo was my reloads using bulk Winchester 147 grain boattail bullets, H4895 powder, and whatever large rifle primers I could get a deal on.

You won't find me bashing M1As.

 

[Edward429451]

Anyone wish to convince me otherwise?............ please

OK I'll bite. Ahem..May I direct you now kind sir to your own words...

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the rifle itself. It shoots straight and feels fine in my hands.

That says it all right there.

I too, went "hunh?" when I first got my M1A and looked at the handguard. Then I took it to the range and the and I couldn't see the handguard any more in front of the targets and reliability. It continues to shoot better than I do and it makes me look good. First time up with mine, I took a styrofoam head that women hang wigs on and tossed it up on the 50 yd range and proceeded to bounce it all over the place. The head would bounce like 10 or 12 ft high and created quite the spectacle. Small crowd when I turned back around.

I know 50 yds isn't nothing to this rifle but its a joy to shoot a major caliber rifle and hit consistently. I can do 2.5 to 3" at 100 yds with the standard irons and I've never been able to do that with any other rifle sans scope. It's got awesome iron sights on it, probably why. Do get the match trigger and barrel though. I've shot others without them and they do make a significant difference. I can't tell you it's worth the money (cause they'll see my post and up the price!), but I can tell you that I don't regret the 1100 I paid for mine.

Nice camo job Gewehr! Freds Ambush pattern?

 

[Gewehr98]

Yup, Fred's Ambush Pattern.

Don't think he offers it anymore.

 

[BamBam-31]

Sigh....here we go again.

Yet again, add me to the list of satisfied customers. Only malfunction mine had was when I installed a recoil buffer. Made ejected brass get caught up between the bolt and the scope mount every so often. Off went the buffer, off went the problems. Mine's currently getting bedded by a local M1A smith.

Me likey.

 

[TODD3465]

The original complaint seems to stem from the fit and finish which is pretty close to original milspec.

For the money or cheaper you could buy a semi-auto Browning BAR with a nicer finish.

But I'd bet it wouldn't function through 500rds of Chinese .308 at one time without a cleaning as my N.M. M1A did when I first got it.

Of the 5 M1A's I've had first hand knowledge of including my own, all were capable or shooting groups 2" or less at 100yds. And, I've never witnessed a failure to function in any.

 

[Smiley]

Thanks everybody. I needed to hear some non-gripes about the M1A. As some of you said. You hear more about the lemons than the perfect funtioning ones.

 

[Engineer]

Add me to the list of happy M1A owners. I own three - one S.A. standard and one S.A. SuperMatch and a Polytech M14S. I've never had any function trouble with the mine and all shoot well. True, they are expensive rifles and just to add, the list of tools that you need to upkeep the rifle aren't cheap either. I can't speak for others, but I've never regretted the money I've put into my M1A rifles:

 

[uglymofo]

My only complaint about my M1A is I'm too old to shoot it without a scope.

m1a 175smk avgmv 2675 20030519

 

[Grayrider]

My M1As are in my collection to stay. Period. As mentioned above, they run like an AK for reliability but are as accurate as sin. I feel they are worth every penny they cost. If that is the gun you want, buy it. You won't find much to complain about except maybe that you cannot buy enough .308 to satisfy your urge to shoot it!

GR