M1A with a ...

[Joshua M.]

I saw the otherday, a M1A with the "A" selector on the side. After somewhat looking this unit over, it appeared that nothing was hooked up. I was wandering if the M1A is just a standard receiver, mounted on a ? stock with the selector for looks, or if this was a "real" one, that has been made inoperable. On the backstrap it is stamped U.S Military M1A sn# 157xxx. Can someone tell me alittle more about this unit, and would it be legal to own, and if so would $1500 be a reasonable price. The wood looks pretty good, and the iron is in meticulous cond, with very little/ no wear. I am a virgin to this type of stuff, but seem to be quite interested. Thanks...Joshua

 

[50 Shooter]

If it was $1,500 it wasn't FA, probably just the owner wanting it to look the part. An FA M1A will set you back about 10 times that if you can find one for sale.

 

[Joshua M.]

I realize it wasn't FA, other wise it prolly wouldn't have been there, but what I was wandering was if this was "real" at one time, or if it just had the decoration on the side, and what to look for inside to figure out what was "fixed" to make a SA, and is it legal to have this even eith what appears to be a real switch?

 

[General Geoff]

Never seen any M14 style rifles stamped "U.S. Military". If it was stamped US Rifle M1A, then it was manufactured by Springfield Armory Incorporated, which started manufacturing semiautomatic M14 style rifles after the government Springfield Armory closed its doors forever.

From what I understand, SAI did make a scarce few select fire M1As before the '86 ban, but I couldn't tell you what serial number range they were.

 

[hawmanai]

You can buy a fake selector switch to make it look more M14, or just to fill the gap left in the military stock. Fulton Armory makes one.

 

[Coronach]

Yep. I have one for one of my M1As, haven't gotten around to installing it yet.

Mike

 

[skipbo32]

it was a dummy switch. like mine on my birch.

 

[Speedo66]

Although I like the rifle, just looking at those photos reminded me how much I hated carrying a 10 lb. weight around with me everywhere I went.

I particularly disliked running for miles with it at high port.

But then, what is there to like about Basic?

 

[Gunfighter123]

skipbo ---- nice looking rifle and dog !!! What kind of vest do you have on in pic # 2 ??