Springfield M1A
- Thread starter Shjourdan
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forindooruseonly
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Yes.
Welcome!
Tough question. I asked the same thing...when I didn't have the money it was NO. When I finally decided I wanted one an had the money...YES.
I got a older Fed. Ord. with all USGI parts, becuase thats what I wanted. I really love this rifle, an love shooting it out to the 740 yd. target, espicially with some tracers. The German MEN ammo is very accurate an doesn't break the bank. It took me over 30 yrs to finally getting around to getting one, but sure glad I did, I have no regrets. Ask lots of questions so you know what you want but only you can really decide if its worth the money.
Tough question. I asked the same thing...when I didn't have the money it was NO. When I finally decided I wanted one an had the money...YES.
I got a older Fed. Ord. with all USGI parts, becuase thats what I wanted. I really love this rifle, an love shooting it out to the 740 yd. target, espicially with some tracers. The German MEN ammo is very accurate an doesn't break the bank. It took me over 30 yrs to finally getting around to getting one, but sure glad I did, I have no regrets. Ask lots of questions so you know what you want but only you can really decide if its worth the money.
Double Vision
Member
Absolutely.
Of course, you'll want an M1 after that.
Of course, you'll want an M1 after that.
cyclopsshooter
Member
I could only afford a Polytec but it is still super fun
boricua9mm
Member
You can put together one helluva M1A package for just under $3k. To put together a rifle package that is genuinely better in all areas (SR25, SCAR17) you'd easily spend a grand or two more.
Bobson
Member
Just under $3,000? Are Springfield M1As (about $1500) low quality? I thought those were pretty much the standard by which all M1As are measured?
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dprice3844444
member
check gunbroker.com
Lot's of people are hung up on USGI parts for some reason. These parts are getting rarer and harder to find. The theory is the parts are better because they are mil spec and are forged or milled. While that maybe true, in a combat weapon, for 99% of civilian shooters it's simply a want.
Springfield keeps cost down by using cast receivers (nothing wrong with them) cast and MIM parts. This allows them less machining and fitting time which really can run the price up. The M1A doesn't have the advantage of being the current issue rifle and the shear volume of production ARs do to have cheap, quality, "mil spec" parts. Most rifles will work right out of the box, if yours doesn't Springfield's lifetime warranty will fix it.
Some companies like LRB make forged receivers and bolts but the bare receiver cost almost as much as a Springer M1A. There is nothing wrong with a Springfield, they are quality and backed by excellent customer service and support. They also try to hit every price point for the average shooter: standard M1A start ~$1200, Loaded models add some nice features and start ~$1400, National match, etc get into the $2000 range because of all the hand fitting and options; and I didn't even get into the Scouts, SOCOM, etc. The M1As will also accept USGI parts, if you must, so you can buy as you find deals and fit them to the rifle. That keeps you form dropping $2500 at once anyway.
One last thing, the only USGI parts that you absolutely want to use are mags. Current Checkmate mags (USGI contractor and OEM supplier for Springfield and others) are ~$25 and will save you a headache vs Korean junk, and US aftermarket junk and save money vs. renamed, branded mags. Older USGI mags are good to go but expensive and lot's of people love them now for collections.
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boricua9mm
Member
A Springfield Rifle does not a rifle package make. You need to think beyond the opened white and blue box...
Curator
Member
Best money I spent on a rifle in a long time. Bought a "Loaded" M1A for $1100 new in the box from a friend who needed the money. Shoots like a champ, Low recoil, good sights, and relatively cheap to feed. Shoots rings around my CMP M1 with mil-surp ammo and no need to fiddle with those dang clips.
Bobson
Member
Nice rifle
Thanks for the info guys.
Thanks for the info guys.
Matthew Courtney
Member
Great rifles, good balance, good accuracy, great sights - the biggest drawback is difficulty in solidly mounting a scope. If you like open sights.... they are a good option.
Fatelvis
Member
Boricua, can you get a good cheekweld on the stock in your M1A picture?
TexasPatriot.308
Member
a few months ago I bought a new Springfield Armory M1A standard/loaded with walnut stock for about $1500, I love it, just about got enough $$$ for a Scout Squad, havent dedcided what type of stock to get for it, gonna the the standard open sight, probably some kind of optics on the scout squad, you will love em too.
boricua9mm
Member
Yes, in fact, one of the problems that the VLTOR setup resolves is the issue of cheekweld when using optics. The stock adapter block places the buttstock inline with the heel of the receiver, whereas with a traditional M14 stock you have a dropped comb and therefore, the need for a raised cheek rest.
For what it's worth, I've had good luck using the same scope setup along with a traditional walnut stock and a Blackhawk lace-up cheek rest, but the stability of the velcro & lace-up cheek rests is of a transient nature and requires regular attention.
InkEd
Member
Thats a nice M-1 set-up. What's the total weight on it?
VLTOR makes very good aftermarket products.
VLTOR makes very good aftermarket products.
boricua9mm
Member
Unfortunately I don't have a scale that can deliver any noteworthy accuracy, but, using the old "Jump on the bathroom scale and calculate the difference" trick, it is coming in at 11.5 lbs. That weight is without the Larue/Harris Picatinny bi-pod, which I no longer use b/c it caused shifts in front band tension, and therefore, accuracy inconsistencies.
bergmen
Member.
I've had a Walnut Scout Squad for about two years and have about 500 rounds through it.
I've been a firearms owner/shooter/hunter/reloader for about 50 years and the M1A is one of the most fantastic rifles I have ever owned (or hoped to have owned).
Believe me, this is one incredible weapon. Completely reliable, super accurate, easy to operate/clean/maintain, easy on the shoulder and darned fun to shoot.
IMO, you cannot go wrong.
Dan
I've been a firearms owner/shooter/hunter/reloader for about 50 years and the M1A is one of the most fantastic rifles I have ever owned (or hoped to have owned).
Believe me, this is one incredible weapon. Completely reliable, super accurate, easy to operate/clean/maintain, easy on the shoulder and darned fun to shoot.
IMO, you cannot go wrong.
Dan
The reason I liked my USGI parts rifle is because its ....well.....USGI. I got my good shooter for 1100.00 off gunbroker....the barrel was made by HR the same month an year I was born, I like the history of these USGI parts guns.
Someone mentioned its hard to find a solid scope mount....heres the one I got an its amazing, doesn't seem like it could work with one bolt an the weight of the rifle to set the the torque on it but it does. And it stays zeroed.
http://www.bassettmachine.com/index.htm
Someone mentioned its hard to find a solid scope mount....heres the one I got an its amazing, doesn't seem like it could work with one bolt an the weight of the rifle to set the the torque on it but it does. And it stays zeroed.
http://www.bassettmachine.com/index.htm
Welding Rod
Member
Well said. Change the "50 years" to "35 years" and you have my input there as well. Mine is a SAI Standard in walnut. It easily shoots sub 1 1/2 MOA with 168 SMKs and has never malfunctioned.
mmay1
Member
I think the M1A is well worth the money. I have a SOCCOM with a 2.75X Burris Scout scope and the thing is really fun to shoot, right out of the box.
Murphy4570
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- Joined
- Oct 14, 2010
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- 433
Spending over $1,000 on a rifle is madness to me, so although I would love and yearn to own one, I likely never will.
Were the civvie M14 rifles always so expensive?
Were the civvie M14 rifles always so expensive?
A Springfield Rifle does not a rifle package make. You need to think beyond the opened white and blue box...
Sooo pretty....
An M1a is pretty much my dream firearm. I carried one for watches in the Navy and loved shooting it for quals. If I were to get one (and I will someday) I think I would be finished buying guns. Well...I'd still need a 1911...but you get the picture.
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