M1A models and applications

[hmp32]

My desire is for a Hard Steel / 3 gun match application. But because certains tides have turned, I want something to compliment my AR-15 before it is too late. I may also consider it for hunting if I decide to learn the hunting skills. I also want a FAL, but I am still doing research on how to assemble one leagally.

In 7.62 NATO (.308 WIN):

The Scout Squad
The SOCOM 16
The M1A STandard Loaded (I dunno which stainless or carbon?)

So, what are the intended applications of each?
And since I can only get one in 2007, which one?

Thanks.

 

[wayne in boca]

Starting with the shortest,here goes;
Socom 16-intended for relatively close range encounters up to say 300 yards-short and very maneuverable,front sight a bit thicker and glows in the dark,rear sight aperture enlarged for quick sight acquisition.Equipped with forward Scout mount for optics attachment.
Scout- perhaps the best of both worlds-short and maneuverable,but with an 18" barrel that increases the effective range inherent to 7.62 X 51 NATO.Accuracy potential equivalent to full-length.Equipped with forward Scout mount for optics attachment.
Standard-full length 22" barrel gives longest sight radius of the three,closest configuration to original military M14.Capable of bayonet attachment.Carbon steel or stainless steel barrels largely seen as personal preference issues,with accuracy much the same.

I have one (or more)of each,so I'm not the guy to help you pick just one.I got a Standard first,then a Socom,then a Scout,then a Standard.Once you have one,you'll understand.

 

[4719]

Fired the SOCOM this summer during training. Loved it. Wish I had the money for one now.

 

[funfaler]

I must admit that I do not have experience with the shorter barrels on the M1a, but I have shot an 17.25" FAL. The above post by Wayne gives a good general story of the barrels and intended use. I have several M1a Standards (he is right, get one and you will understand) and several FALs. I like both rifles very well. I had the FAL first, and would not have gotten a M1a if I had not found a smokin deal on one, cheaper than what I paid for some of my FALs.

My M1a recommendation would be to get a Standard carbon barrel version first. It will give you an opportunity to get into M1a's at the entry level, give you very good performance and retain the best resale value if you decide that you don't want it later (or wish to trade for an upgrade). The Loaded and National Match versions have Match chambers, and have been reported to have problems running with 7.62x51 surplus, so if you intend on running surplus, this is a consideration. Of the two rifles, I would recommend the M1a first, over the FAL. PM me if you would like my detailed opinion.
If you are going to get the M1a, I highly suggest getting a bunch of CMI mags, 44mag.com has them at a good price and is good to deal with. These will be very $$ and tough to get after the Dems get their new assault weapons ban.

For the FAL: I would recommend getting a DSA Stg58 kit gun, great quality at a very fair price. Next would be a kit gun built on an Imbel receiver, there are always good deals on the various gun boards (though you will incur some risk as to the quality of the build, the Imbel receiver and quality kit make it worth the repair cost if needed). To build one should be considered a hobby task. You will not be able to purchase the required parts and assembly cost for what you can get a complete rifle for.

Either one you get, if you stay with quality (ie Springfield, DSA or Imbel) will be able to get your $$ out of it if you change your mind

Good luck on your purchase then get yourself to an Appleseed Shoot http://www.rwva.org/yabbse/index.php?topic=1385.0 They will give you the tools to run your M1a or FAL out to 500+ yards where they belong

 

[ATAShooter]

HMP32, yep, I'm pretty much doing what you are only in reverse. I shoot an M1A Standard now...Love that pig. My brother has the SOCOM, and it shoots darn good. Me, I like the longer barrel of the Standard. I, like you, am trying to beat the Assault weapon ban that you know the Dems are gonna do / try. So, I am putting together an AR. Really could have stood financially a tad longer before I did it, But I figure to get it while the gettin was good.

 

[hmp32]

Thanks for the help... if I can only have one, I have narrowed it down to the SCCOM and the Scout. If I can have two, I will get 1 of each.

 

[possum]

i personall have experience with them all. a socom in an ebr stock, didn't like it it was way to heavy and awkward, without th erb stock i like em but i personally wouldn't get anything less than an 18" barrel in a .308 it makes no since to me. i like the scouts, they are great mid range rifles that are great with red dots or a scope which ever way you want to go, and probally the most versatile, filling the most gaps of any of them, the standard is by far my favorite though i like the 22" barrel and want one badly. if you really want the scout mount on the standard you can order on from sa and have it installed, but is won't be quite as handy as the scout though.
my picks in order
standard
scout
socom(i wouldn't buy one)

 

[darkknight]

if you got a garand could you get a new barrel to withstand modern ammo and make it live longer or no. sorry not trying to threadjack.

 

[The Guy]

I am the proud owner of 2 M1A's, and I will certainly own more before I am done. But probably not a SOCOM.

I did get to handle one, and I did not at all like the feel and balance. Way too much forward weight, and it handled like crap. If you get the chance, pick one up, but do not order one unless you do handle one first. There are lighter mounts avalible if you want all the dodads. Fulton Armory and UltiMak are two examples.

Now a scout is fine for a shorter barrelled .308, and you really don't loose that much in "reach out and touch someone" ability. The single rail can be suplemented by Fulton's forward sling swivel/mount rail, so you can have 2 dodads mounted (scout scope/light or red dot/light).

Now, after all of that, I would recommend the fullsized standard M1A. Pick one up sometime and you will have one heck of a time put her down. The standard shoots very well out of the box, mine is right at 1 MOA. I believe that the average M1A is very accurate out of the box, and I would have no qualms about buying another.

Get your mags from .44mag.com, the cmi ones, as stated above. Also be sure to check out the Revolutionary War Veterans Association at www.rwva.org, and the forum at www.rwva.org/yabbse/index.php, or click the forums link on the home page. You will find many nice folks there (like funfaler) who shoot the M1A a whole lot.

If you're real lucky, there might even be an Appleseed near enough by that you can make the trip to show off that new M1A you got. Or to try one out before you buy.

Oh yeah, just because I don't like the SOCOM don't mean a thing if YOU do. I just recommend you at least hold one before you spend all that dough.