Should I get an M1a?

[artherd]

Let me preface this with the following.

What I really want is an Armalite AR-10. But the PRK won't let me have one.



So, the next best thing seems to be the M1a. I'm too wussy to shoulder it though.

I have a Remington 7400 that I like, especially it's 6lb weight. But no >10 round mags, and mags over 4 rounds really aren't that reliable.


I do have pre-ban 20 rounders for the M14 already. (big factor here in PRK.)



Should I get one? Are they really worth $2k? What I want is basically a 18" DM type rifle. Maximum element resistance is a must, no wood.

Can I lighten the damn thing up? With a scope & holosite, and bipod it's going to weigh a ton. Gun's no good if I can't move with it and gets me killed.


I want it to be a 1MOA gun, and have as good handling charestericts as I can get.

Does Springfield make a M25 in 18"? Are the NM chambers and mechanisms as reliable as the plain M1a? As the M14?

 

[Mark whiz]

Let me start off by saying that I absoluely LOVE my Springfield Loaded Standard M1A. Gorgeous rifle, fun to shoot, and pretty much accurate.

These things are pretty heavy and not much you can do about it either. The composite stock helps some, but not a whole lot. However, that weight becomes your friend when shooting................... as it absorbs a LOT of recoil. I can go fire 100+ rounds through mine in a 3hr time period and not even feel the slightest twinge in my shoulder.

One MOA accuracy out of the box may be a bit much to ask of a M1A, except for maybe the National Match version. 1.5 MOA is very do-able though..............my loaded standard will do that with the right ammo and it isn't bedded or had the Match modifications to the gas system either. The Match version will operate fine..........there's no concern about mechanism or chamber dimensions. In fact, if you're lucky you can find a rifle that's been sitting for awhile and still has a lot of USGI parts in it - as they are the most reliable and sought-after parts.

One thing about your M14 mags...................are they USGI?? If the lug on the rear isn't a rectangular piece welded onto the body, it is aftermarket and undependable - as they tend to fall out of the rifle at the worst times.

AS far as barrel options & such, you can see all they offer at Springfield's website:

http://www.springfield-armory.com/index.shtm

 

[Highland Ranger]

We just did this thread a few weeks ago - might be of some help: M1A Vs Garand

 

[QuarterBoreGunner]

I think a better question would be... "Why don't you already HAVE an M1A?"




I keed, I am a keeder

The fact of the matter is that as long as you are a resident of Cali (as am I) you're unlikely to ever get that AR-10. The M1A should not be seen as a poor substitute, 'cause it's not. It's a darn good MBR in it's own right. And as you already have standard capacity magazines for it, it sounds like a no brainer.

 

[Fatelvis]

Yes.

 

[artherd]

OK, I suppose the question really is, M25 or Scout Squad?

Can I get the M25 withought the 'white feather' stuff? It's a nice oomage, but I'm not nearly as ballsy as Hathcock, and would just assume there be nothing glinting and white

 

[Kaylee]

OK, I suppose the question really is, M25 or Scout Squad?

Much better.

I like the M14 platform quite a bit, and I'll second the above comments that it shouldn't be seen as a "poor second" -- it's a good rifle in its own right.

BUT it sounds like you're wanting two contradictory things here -- lightweight/fast handling and "precision marksman" setup -- which is almost by nature a heavier beast, especially with glass.

In your place, I'd decide what role I wanted to fill, and go from there. That said.. my inclination would be to go for the 18" squad variant with a lighweight red dot or the like, and save the precision stuff for a bolt gun. YMMV, of course.

-K

 

[cslinger]

We have a Squad Scout 18inch and although it is a bit heavy it is a pretty good handler. The recoil is negligible at the most with the muzzle brake and the length is just right for a nice inbetween battle/entry rifle.

Ours has not been shot much yet but has been flawless in operation and reasonalby accurate but has not been properly sighted in. All in all a great weapon IMHO.

An M1A, as are most if not all .308 semi autos, is relatively heavy though. If I was in California I would have at least one M1A.

Chris

 

[artherd]

I don't need something with silly-long range (I have an AR-30 in .338 Lapua Magnum for that But I do want something with close-range accuracy. It can fall off after 600 yards or so, but I want to pick off quarters at 100yds.

 

[Carnitas]

The M1A is, almost literally, the only game in town in California.

So, YES, you should get 1, Hell get 2.

I have a scout squad. Its an easy shooter with long enough legs for any range I have the opportunity to shoot on. I use it for 3-gun. Its not as competetive as a 223 but its no worse that shooting a carry hand gun or a pump shotgun instead of the trick competetion setup.

Springfield seems to have more then their share of lemons but mine has run fine. If you figure that you'll have to do a little work to get it right you may be pleasantly suprised when its a shooter right out of the box.

 

[geekWithA.45]

Sigh....

I've said this in other threads, but I guess I gotta keep saying it.

The M1A suffers in weight comparisons only to .223 fighting rifles, but compared to other .308s, she's in the same ballpark.

The weight difference between a poly stocked scout squad and the equivalent DSA SA-58 is 3/4 of a pound.

Sure, you can go on about how nearly a pound makes a difference when you're humping a combat load on patrol for 10 days, but if that 3/4 an lb is really going to make a difference to you, bring a .223 AR type instead.

You're not going to get an MBR @ M4 weights, it just ain't gonna happen, and even if you do find one that light, YOU DON'T WANT IT for a fighting rifle.


Sorry, I just get touchy about the m1a's weight reputation.

I return to the main issue.

Yes, you want an m1a, and it sounds like you probably want a scout squad.

It's a little lighter than it's fullsize brother, and IMO balances better for faster handling.

Accuracy wise, you're going to get 2-3 moa out of a rack grade rifle, which isn't going to get you quarters @ 100 yards, but will get you apples, no problem. You can tweak your rifle for more accuracy, but whenever you do that, you risk turning it into a fragile prima donna that has to be babied.

 

[artherd]

I think I want an M25 LDM (Lightweight Designated Marksman) rifle 18" bbl, good scope mount, and 1/2 or 3/4 MOA.

 

[ocabj]

Another option would be to put one together from scratch. Fulton Armory sells receivers and barrelled receiver kits. Once you get the receiver and trigger group put together, you could send it to McMillan to get it bedded into one of their stocks (M1A or M3A stock; the M2A is a pistol grip which would render the rifle illegal in California).

As far as getting 1MOA, it's going to cost you quite a bit of money and/or a lot of gunsmithing. If you want a semi-auto .308, then the M1A is a solid rifle. But if you want 1MOA or better precision, you should be looking into a bolt action, where you will be able to obtain 1MOA or better accuracy easily.

Here's a a thread on The Sniper's Hide forum where another person inquired about the M1A. Scroll down to the post by "Froggy" and you will see that accurizing the M1A is difficult.

 

[hube1236]

SWAT MAG

Swat mag on stands now does a comparrison of many popular 16" 308's out there. The AR10 is not light. My buddy has one, it is like a muscular woman, thin lines but a back breaker to pick up with one hand.

The best rifle is the one you are going to shoot. These boards are repleat with those who bought one and stuck it in the safe. Buy the rifle you will use.

BTW. The White Feather M-25 ain't $2000. That gun is buku more ($4100) from what I have seen and it is an anchor. Like Ronco's "set it and forget it" slogan, once you put it down it is staying there. The scout is too cool not to get.

 

[gulogulo1970]

Don't want to steal this thread. But, I have a question about the squad scout. All of the ones I've seen have a muzzle break and not a flash hider. Muzzle breaks are very loud. Can this gun be fitted with the standard M1a muzzle break?

 

[Kaylee]

Springfield's "Bush" model is virtually identical to the scout, except without the scout scope mount and.... (ta-dum) a USGI-type flash suppressor.

HOWEVER -- the bbl length is too short to allow mounting a bayonet, so if you have a pre-ban gun with the bayo lug on the suppressor, it won't do you any good. (If you care)

-K

edit -- ah -- here ya go:

http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-rifles-m1a-bush.shtml


(why isn't there a drooling smiley? )