M1A Owners Chime In

[rwmagnus]

Okay I need some opinions. I'm looking to get an M1A to shoot in matches and generally have some fun with it.

Should I buy a M1A Standard or a Loaded M1A Standard (to get the match trigger group and stainless steel barrell) or step up to the National Match which from my understanding has a little better rear sight (hooded).

I can get a new Standard CA legal w/ fiberglass stock for $1050 which is a pretty good deal. Not sure how much extra the other will run most likely $500-$700.

Lastly is the Walnut wood stock preferred over the Black Fiberglass stock and if so why?

 

[MarineTech]

The question to ask yourself before this decision is "How good of a shooter are you?"

If you're just getting into match shooting and you're going to be doing recreational shooting with the rifle, then the Standard or Loaded should fit the bill.

If you're a 1 MOA shooter already, then by all means pickup a National Match or a Super Match. Otherwise, you're going to be spending extra money on accuracy that you're not even going to begin to use.

Besides, you might shoot a match or two and decide that match shooting isn't for you.

Get the Standard or Loaded and a few crates of surplus ammo and have at it. If you decide to stick with it, you'll wear a non-chrome lined out in about 5000 - 6000 rounds. At that point you can trade the rifle in on a higher ticket rifle, or have it rebuilt to Match grade.

 

[rwmagnus]

The question to ask yourself before this decision is "How good of a shooter are you?"

LOL well the real question is do ya get better with age, LOL? Use to be pretty good back in the USMC shooting the Western Division Matches but it's been a long time since competiting with a rifle.

Pistols have always been my preference but the M1A bug has got me.

What's your opinion on the stock, wood or fiberglass?

 

[MarineTech]

I would normally suggest fiberglass, because it dosen't swell and flex like a wood stock. BUT. The Springfield Armory black fiberglass stocks just don't hold up. That black crinkle finish starts flaking off immediately and looks like garbage.

I'd pickup the M1A in fiberglass and then buy yourself a USGI fiberglass stock and paint it to suit you.

 

[BerettaNut92]

rwmagnus, are you in California? Where at?

Okay I need some opinions. I'm looking to get an M1A to shoot in matches and generally have some fun with it.

What type of matches?

Should I buy a M1A Standard or a Loaded M1A Standard (to get the match trigger group and stainless steel barrell) or step up to the National Match which from my understanding has a little better rear sight (hooded).

IMO it doesn't really matter unless you really want the barrel...the other parts like the trigger group are pretty easy to change. Don't know about the rear sight.

Lastly is the Walnut wood stock preferred over the Black Fiberglass stock and if so why?

Do a search on the Skunkabilly paintchip camo stock

 

[Blain]

Don't get a Springfield M1A, get an all USGI parts (forged) M14 built up custom for only $100 more than the standard springfield at West Texas Ordances!


http://groups.msn.com/WestTexasOrdnance/m14rifles.msnw

Here are some photo's of his work

The Rifle he Built for Me

One of his Scout's

A Polytech he built for a Battlerifles.com member

One of his Custom M1 Garands

 

[Jaeger]

I was shooting into the 460s before I noticed the lack of "match" parts on my standard M1A. My vote goes to the standard witht he GI barrel.

Older M1A's have more USGI parts on them and (to me anyway) are more desireable. That Texas company might be worth looking into.

 

[TechBrute]

I'm going to go with Blain on this one. Springfield has got current issues that I wouldn't want to deal with. WTO does some real quality work and should give you a more trouble-free product.

 

[rwmagnus]

Skunkabilly

are you in California? Where at?

What type of matches?

Do a search on the Skunkabilly paintchip camo stock
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes. Laguna Hills. (Orange County)

Standard NRA type matches, perhaps some steel plate stuff as well for fun.

I will do a search suggested above. I think I may have researched this before but I'll check it out.

 

[rwmagnus]

Blain,

Don't get a Springfield M1A, get an all USGI parts (forged) M14 built up custom for only $100 more than the standard springfield at West Texas Ordances!

Thanks for the info. Yes I'd much rather go this route. I need to check what the CA regulations are on this however. I think CA passed legislation preventing this because it was a fully automatic receiver at one point. I od have a work-around for this issue if a converted M14 to M1A isn't legal in CA. Do you know anything it?

For the other posters mentioning current quality control issues with Springfield Armory I agree. Generally speaking that holds true of many newer designed weapons today from those of their older brothers.

Thanks again.

 

[Blain]

The M14 reciever is not an origonal USGI M14 reciever, it is a commercial cast reciever like the Springfield M1A, but it is built up with all USGI parts. The reciever is an Armscorp M14NM

It is actually of much better quality than the current Springfield M1A recievers which have declined a lot during the years.


Since you live in CA you may have to order an M14 with a muzzle brake instead of the FS, but that is really not a big deal, or a problem for them to do for you. Give em a ring and check em out.