M1A recommendations and where to buy

[leadcounsel]

I'm looking for an M1A sub-$1600 range. I cannot justify spending significantly more for 'match' barrels, etc.

Would you get a wood or synthetic stock. I love the look of wood, but the durabiltiy of synthetic.

I'm leaning toward a Scout - what would be the benefits of the standard vs. the scout vs. the socom?

What are 'must haves' in this rifle?

Anyone tracking any good deals on rifles 'in stock'? Seems they are hard to find.

 

[Frankl03]

I would look on Gunbroker. Here is an M1a Loaded for under $1600:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=155914603

I would just look through the listings until you find what you are ling for.

 

[xsquidgator]

I have a Socom that I bought used from someone since it was available there and no M1As were in the shops around here. I like it, especially the synthetic stock. If you'll maybe be exposing the rifle to the outdoors, I like the synthetic stock for that.

If I'd had my choice of any of the M1As, I'd probably have gotten a standard M1A or a Scout. IIRC the Scout has a 18" barrel. The 16" barreled Socom handles nicely and would be easier to carry out in the field hunting or whatever than a regular M1A. I'm more of a paper puncher and I always find myself wondering how my reloads would be performing out of a longer barrel. (Loaded near max I, 165 grain 308 bullets are going about 2500 fps, which is 100-200 fps slower than what I think standard 308 velocities are for that bullet weight).

 

[Z-Michigan]

The best deals I've seen are randomly occurring on Gunbroker. Close runner-up, and still great deals, at:

http://www.whittakerguns.com/

I have a loaded model and really like it. I would recommend that, or a standard, or a scout squad. I've read far too many reviews in debating getting a scout squad vs. some other .308, and I can tell that based on reviews here and elsewhere: (1) almost everyone who has a scout squad (the 18" model) loves it, and (2) most people seem to think that the SOCOM and SOCOM II models are clumsy mistakes, with the SOCOM II getting the worst reviews.

If I were you I would get either the Scout Squad or the base model. To the base model you can add an Ultimak scope mount if you want a red dot or forward scout scope. The loaded is nice but weighs 1/2lb more and is not compatible with the ultimak.