Scout M1A for hunting/SHTF?

[LoneStarWings]

I have an M1A scout and really like it. I have a Burris 2-7x pistol scope mounted on it and am pleased with it.

I haven't shot it any further than 300 yards but can hit 12" targets at that distance with decent ammo and iron sights pretty easily, under 1 MOA with match ammo at 100 yards. I have not hunted with it, but plan to use it next time I go deer hunting. I don't see why it wouldn't work great in that role, except that it's loud as hell and will scare the crap out of any animals in a 1 mile radius. I don't think it's that heavy either with the new non-USGI springfield stocks, 8lbs-ish without mag and scope I think.

Very reliable too, I have about 500 rounds through it with one failure to fire due to a faulty primer. I don't clean it excessively, just every 150 rounds or so. Good iron sights, good with the pistol scope, it's the only rifle I own and I feel like it can do just about anything I'd ever need a rifle to do.

 

[dscottw88]

Looking for a Garand myself, same reasons - I'll add another question: anyone make them new other than Springfield?

Doesn't fulton armory make them? or at least provide parts?

 

[LoneStarWings]

Aside from springfield:

LRB arms http://www.lrbarms.com/
Fulton Armory http://www.fulton-armory.com/
Norinco http://www.norinco.com

The first two are about double the cost of a springfield with a 9 month or so wait, the norincos seem to run about $1000 but I'm not even sure if they're still made.

 

[parabolate]

CMP Garand

For those of you looking for a garand just get one from the CMP. You can't beat their deals on surplus military rifles: http://www.thecmp.org/

You can get a field grade rifle for $495.00 or a service grade rifle for $595.00. See their site for descriptions on the amount of wear on the different grades. If surgical new-barrel accuracy is a MUST you can get a special grade for $995 with a new barrel.......keep in mind even the "lowest quality" field grades are probably gonna stay in the black at a ~200 yards at least......

 

[H2O MAN]

Springfield Armory, Inc. makes the M1A.

LRB makes a few different versions of the M14 on their M14SA and M25 receivers

Smith Enterprise, Inc. builds what you want on the receiver that you supply and the new SEI receiver will be available soon.


Norinco and Poly Tech M14s have not been imported into the states for many years.
SEI has built me four custom M14s on Norinco and Poly Tech receivers that I provided.

I don't think Fulton has any receivers to build on...

 

[lipadj46]

Doesn't fulton armory make them? or at least provide parts?

Fulton does not make Garands or M14's anymore. SAI and LRB are the only ones manufacturing M14 clones for the US market. I hear SEI is working on another run of billet machined receivers so that will give us another option (probably pricey though).

 

[HexHead]

If surgical new-barrel accuracy is a MUST you can get a special grade for $995 with a new barrel.

That's the way to go if you want an "almost new" Garand. New barrel and stock, all GI parts and the original forged receiver instead of a cast one like the SA ones.

Garands are really fun rifles. Mine's a 3/1945 Springfield, rebarreled in 1953. I may get one of those special grade ones.

 

[Gunfighter123]

Hello,
As to why you should get a M1A instead of another AR15 --- it's all about the POWER !!!

Most states will not allow a .223 for deer/big game ---- yes, even a .22rf will kill a deer size animal but the .22 centerfires are lacking in doing so.

As far as a SHTF weapon --- again , it's the POWER of a .308 over a .223. ---- if you need to shoot thru a car door or thru cover like a refridgerator , the .308 is heads above the .223.

I have owned about six S.A. M1As and ALL OF THEM have been near 99.9% reliable out of the box.

Like others have stated --- iron sights and a decent rest = 200 yard head shots all day long even with the Scout/Socom.



As to optics , a Red-Dot type is great for closer range FAST shots -- most of them are 1X and have no magnafication --- also the Dot size can be a issue -- a BIG Dot , might take up 1/2 the chest area at 200 yards and cover the whole target at 300 yards+ --- a regular scope with crosshair is better for longer range IMHO. ---- you can get red dots with smaller/adj. dots and some of them do have magnafication BUT they are not cheap.

I would think about a scout/pistol type variable scope , say around 2x5x , with a lighted recticial{sp?} would be best.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Maybe it's just me, but I don't quite understand the Scout rifle concept. I need a thorough explanation of why a scout rifle setup is better than a rifle with good irons or regular relief scopes.

Well, the forward-mounted EER optic (with backup irons), is but ONE facet of the scout rifle concept, and certainly not the MOST important facet of the concept.

But having said that, the idea is that with the forward-mounted optic, its slightly easier to (with both eyes open) track the target/game with the left eye while trying to acquire the target through the scope with the right eye (reverse if you're a lefty), than with a traditionally-mounted scope. I don't know if this is true, but think that it probably is.

But just plain ol' acquisition of a stationary target IN the scope is not claimed to be, nor actually is, any faster than with a traditionally mounted optic. If anything it may be a little slower.

 

[Ned Kelly]

I know I already asked the question once in this thread and hopefully experienced M1a, m14 shooters can answer it.

How much of a loss in accuracy can you expect by having a heat shield mounted sight? I understand there is usually a small amount of movement in the heat shield fit and also with the barrel/ gas tube facing that the stock and heat shield rest against.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Love that wood PG stock, gunfighter.

If you don't already have a second mortgage taken out, so that you can do so to mount optics on the rifle, then by all means, yes, it will work well for hunting, though a bit on the heavy side.

 

[lipadj46]

The scout mounts are clamped to the barrel and it is fairly stable. Stable enough for the accuracy expected from the scout platform.

 

[Gunfighter123]

Love that wood PG stock, gunfighter.

Thanks Dr. T ------ it started out as a Beretta BM-59 stock I had laying around for a bunch of years -- I guess I should take/post some photos of it now that I finished it -- the photo posted was a mid-project photo.

 

[Ned Kelly]

The scout mounts are clamped to the barrel and it is fairly stable. Stable enough for the accuracy expected from the scout platform.

It appears that some of the ones I have looked at seem to have a bracket that screws to the top of the rifle stock and then the rail itself screws into the top of the bracket.

I guess there are different setups. Attaching to the barrel itself would have to be the most stable though.

 

[H2O MAN]

Quote:
The scout mounts are clamped to the barrel and it is fairly stable. Stable enough for the accuracy expected from the scout platform.

Ned Kelly

It appears that some of the ones I have looked at seem to have a bracket that screws
to the top of the rifle stock and then the rail itself screws into the top of the bracket.

Ned, there are a few different approaches when it comes to mounting an optic out in front of the receiver.

The OP is talking about the M1A Scout Squad, this rifle uses the mount pictured below.
It is clamped tightly around the govt. contour barrel with six screws.
It is not prone to movement, but it does quickly transfer barrel heat to the optic.

By comparison, the UltiMAK rail for the M14 replaces the standard hand guard, sits lower
and it's held in place by two or three smaller clamps for strength and better heat dissipation.
It sits low enough to allow you to co-witness the irons through an Aimpoint Micro-1 red dot.

 

[Jason_G]

I didn't read all of these posts, but to the OP:

I hunt with my M1A Loaded with iron sights, and it does just fine. I don't see why a Scout with a red dot wouldn't be a solid choice for the woods.

Some folks will tell you it's too heavy, but if you use a hasty sling it is not bad at all. I held mine up for a good 40 seconds waiting on a doe to move from behind a tree last season, and I could've held it another 40 if I had needed to. I love mine.

Jason