New M1A vs M1A made in 1973.

[dragonflyluck]

I have been interested in adding a Springfield M1A to my collection. At a gun show recently, a dealer had an M1A that was manufactured in 1973, which could be verified with the serial no. He claims it had been unaltered in any way. The gun seemed to be in pretty good shape. His asking price was $1800. I thought this may be a bit high for this gun. What are the differences in the quality of production and materials for this 1973 rifle vs a new one? I know the ones produced today are CNC machined and the 73 model is not. Is the receiver on the 73 model made of better steel than a new one? Is $1800 about right for an M1A from 1973? Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Orlando]

SAI recievers have always been cast
Older SAI M1A's will have all USGI parts (except receiver) newer M1A's have "alot" of new commercial made parts. They seem to have some issues but the good thing is SAI has great Customer Service Warrenties
I personally would rather have a older SAI M1A. $1800.00 is to steep for a used standard M1A

 

[1KPerDay]

IF the old one is in stellar condition and IF it has all USGI parts (apart from the receiver obviously) you MIGHT be able to justify 1800 for it. IMO it's still pretty pricey for a standard as Orlando says.

 

[henschman]

GI parts are better than non-GI commercial SAI parts, and a chrome lined GI barrel is generally preferable to a non-chrome SAI commercial barrel. Look at it this way -- for a comparable rifle, you'd have to pay over 2 grand for one from 7.62mm, Fulton, Smith, or LRB.

 

[fragout]

If the M1A your looking at was truly built in 1973, then this would make it a "DEVINE" M1A.....meaning that it was built in Devine TX, and not Genesho IL.

Look at the receiver closely for any markings on it that identify it as a Devine M1A. (They built service rifles as well as match grade rifles. The service rifles were built using USGI parts to include the bbl)

If the rifle your looking at is such a rifle, it should be easy to find out, and if it is, then I have seen examples sell for more than 1800. 1973 was the year that they opened for business.

This would make for a heck of an addition to your collection, depending on overall condition.

For more info, go here......

http://imageseek.com/m1a/

Hope this helps some.

11B

 

[madcratebuilder]

If the M1A your looking at was truly built in 1973, then this would make it a "DEVINE" M1A.....meaning that it was built in Devine TX, and not Genesho IL.

Look at the receiver closely for any markings on it that identify it as a Devine M1A. (They built service rifles as well as match grade rifles. The service rifles were built using USGI parts to include the bbl)

If the rifle your looking at is such a rifle, it should be easy to find out, and if it is, then I have seen examples sell for more than 1800. 1973 was the year that they opened for business.

This would make for a heck of an addition to your collection, depending on overall condition.

For more info, go here......

http://imageseek.com/m1a/

Hope this helps some.

11B

+1

If this is a Devine rifle buy it, I've seen these sell for much more than $1800. A Geneseo rifle it may have several GI parts but not guaranteed. Some of the early Geneseo rifles had a bolt recall, SA still well handle this on their dime, including shipping both ways. You can call or email with the serial number.

Check it out closely, I have encountered a fake Devine last year.

$1800 for a standard with a GI bolt, op-rod, fcg, is close to top dollar. I turned down 2k for my all TRW rifle.

 

[henschman]

Devines also had a forged receiver. They are good to go. Semi-collector status rifles, and very highly valued in the M-14 community. Definitely wouldn't go down in value. I'd check the markings to be sure though.

 

[fragout]

Actually, all Devine receivers were investment cast and not forged, but they still bring collector value if an actual one is located. USGI parts from head to toe, with exception of receiver of course. The one and only match devine I have seen sported a SAK marked medium weight tube. Although it sported a NM gi tube, it did not have the correct devine address markings on the bbl.

You dont even want to know what they were asking for this one.....

11B

 

[AlexanderA]

I have a Devine, Texas, M1A with serial number in the 900 range, that I bought brand new back in the day. It's never been fired. Upgrades are front and rear National Match sights, and Brookfield Precision gas piston, operating rod guide, and scope mount base. It's glass-bedded in a walnut GI National Match stock, with the selector cutout neatly filled with walnut. It also has a GI compensator assembly and GI M2 bipod.

I wouldn't even consider selling this outfit for $1,800. $3,000 would be more realistic -- if I wanted to sell at all.

 

[1KPerDay]

I have a Devine, Texas, M1A with serial number in the 900 range, that I bought brand new back in the day. It's never been fired.

That's too bad... it's your rifle so of course you may do as you please. But if there was any rifle that was meant to be fired, it's that one. Bet it'd shoot lights out.

 

[AlexanderA]

^^^^
I'll leave it for the next owner to do the shooting. I have too many guns to shoot them all -- I've actually shot only a small percentage of them. But then, my prime motivation to have guns is as a collector, not as a shooter. At my age, my attitude about shooting is "been there, done that." I've done very well financially with the gun collection. The secret to having a financially appreciating gun collection is to educate yourself, select good ones in the first place, and to buy what you like.

 

[gun&knifecountry]

If it's a verified 1973 it's Devine buy it and don't look back.