thumbtack
Member
I really like the look and feel of this rifle. For the past couple of years I have been kicking around the idea of getting one, but is it really worth $1,100 to $1,6oo?
Springfield M1A
- Thread starter thumbtack
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echo3mike
Member
Since there have been a few threads on buying an M1A, I guess I'll make my opinion public.
I wrote about my experiences in a thread on Pro Shooter , but long story short, it would have taken between $650 and $2000 more to make my $1600 rifle into an MOA rifle thanks to SA's use of cast repro parts and shoddy workmanship. All this after a $300 700 ADL in 30.06 outshoots it by leaps and bounds. I'll be the first to admit I didn't help matters much, but there wasn't even a hint of consistancy in that rifle IIRC.
If you want a peice of history, get a CMP Garand. If you want an accurate rifle, get one from Jeff Hicks, George Gardner, or one of many excellent smiths out there. Heck, you can probably get an out of the box Rem 700, Savage, CZ that would be more of a shooter than the average M1A.
There are MOA / sub-MOA M1A's out there. If you look through the for sale sites, you might be able to find a bargain. But you'll still pay beaucoup for either a high maintainence thoroughbred, or a lemon that someone's trying to pawn off.
I'ld urge the CMP Garand for the history or a good bolt action for the accuracy. Go this route, and you'll have money left over to shoot the thing.
MHO,
S.
I wrote about my experiences in a thread on Pro Shooter , but long story short, it would have taken between $650 and $2000 more to make my $1600 rifle into an MOA rifle thanks to SA's use of cast repro parts and shoddy workmanship. All this after a $300 700 ADL in 30.06 outshoots it by leaps and bounds. I'll be the first to admit I didn't help matters much, but there wasn't even a hint of consistancy in that rifle IIRC.
If you want a peice of history, get a CMP Garand. If you want an accurate rifle, get one from Jeff Hicks, George Gardner, or one of many excellent smiths out there. Heck, you can probably get an out of the box Rem 700, Savage, CZ that would be more of a shooter than the average M1A.
There are MOA / sub-MOA M1A's out there. If you look through the for sale sites, you might be able to find a bargain. But you'll still pay beaucoup for either a high maintainence thoroughbred, or a lemon that someone's trying to pawn off.
I'ld urge the CMP Garand for the history or a good bolt action for the accuracy. Go this route, and you'll have money left over to shoot the thing.
MHO,
S.
3 gun
Member
Cast repro parts are the main reason to spend extra $$ for a preban rifle. I have a standard preban M1a in a good fitting wooden stock. With match ammo it will hold 1 1/2 inch groups as long as you can stand to shoot it. I doubt it would take much work to make it a MOA or better rifle. Get the Match M1a book offered at Fulton Armory, learn what to look for in GI parts, and hit the gun show circuit. A preban M1a with USGI parts is worth the time, effort, and money.
Marshall
Member
Thumbtack,
I know what it's like to fall in lust with a rifle! I don't own an M1A but, I want one too! Springfield is a good company and makes good guns, I have spoken with quite a few people like do like there M1A.
I have decided when I buy one that I am going to take up the issue of accuracy with Springfield before I do and see what happens.
As far as what to buy, IMO, you buy the National Match or, the Bush or Scout rifle.
I know what it's like to fall in lust with a rifle! I don't own an M1A but, I want one too! Springfield is a good company and makes good guns, I have spoken with quite a few people like do like there M1A.
I have decided when I buy one that I am going to take up the issue of accuracy with Springfield before I do and see what happens.
As far as what to buy, IMO, you buy the National Match or, the Bush or Scout rifle.
twoblink
Member
I have a Springfield M1A National Match, and I can tell you, it shoots a lot more accurately then my bolt action.
That said, the accuracy is worth the $1450 I paid for it, but the fit and finish makes it look like a $45 gun.
Springfield needs to get some QA in there! I'm about to take a dremel to the thing and actually polish it! Ug..
Ugly as sin, especially for the price.. I've emailed Springfield about it, and they said to send it back to them... I haven't yet...
That said, the 308 in surplus is the same price as .223. Also, it's a great hunting round if you get a bolt action of the same caliber... (or a 5 round magazine) The 308 is more potent and I like it a lot... One of the most versatile rounds just under the 30-06, but in a more compact and less expensive form..
That said, the accuracy is worth the $1450 I paid for it, but the fit and finish makes it look like a $45 gun.
Springfield needs to get some QA in there! I'm about to take a dremel to the thing and actually polish it! Ug..
Ugly as sin, especially for the price.. I've emailed Springfield about it, and they said to send it back to them... I haven't yet...
That said, the 308 in surplus is the same price as .223. Also, it's a great hunting round if you get a bolt action of the same caliber... (or a 5 round magazine) The 308 is more potent and I like it a lot... One of the most versatile rounds just under the 30-06, but in a more compact and less expensive form..
I've had my M1A Loaded for over 3 years. When I purchased mine, the fit and finish were excellent. I've had no malfunctions or parts breakage on my rifle. It has eaten all ammunition fed to it. It still shoots better than I can, but I'm getting much better than when I first got it. My Rem700PSS shoots better, but that's a bolt-action rifle compared to a semi-auto. I have been 100% satisfied with my M1A. YMMV.
BerettaNut92
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The fit and finish and QA in general sucks. Mine looked old after shooting it twice.
I don't know enough about metallurgy to comment on the quality of the parts.
I don't know enough about metallurgy to comment on the quality of the parts.
TABING
Member
I got a loaded model last year and though I've only put a couple hundred rounds thru it, I'm pretty satisfied. the finish on mine is good, only problem, when I cocked it, I inadvertedly pulled the handle out of the track, now I've learned the correct technique and have had no further problems. Accuracy with iron sights is 1.5-2 MOA. Haven't installed the SA scope yet, but expect accuracy will improve. It's expensive, but I'm happy. No denying, it's an awesome weapon.
Redlg155
Member
Speaking of M1As, a private seller had one for sale at the last gun show I went to. A pre ban Springfield M1A , Excellent condition...$700.
I was $100 short and wanted to cry!
Good SHooting
RED
I was $100 short and wanted to cry!
Good SHooting
RED
Sing it, Brother Echo3Mike!
I saw some of the same crappy workmanship on a SA receiver back in 1992! So I went looking elsewhere, and screwed a Krieger barrel into a Baltimore Armscorp M14NM receiver, for my own sub-MOA M14 clone.
SA had better watch their QC process, they're gonna lose potential customers if more of those lemons slip through their doors.
I saw some of the same crappy workmanship on a SA receiver back in 1992! So I went looking elsewhere, and screwed a Krieger barrel into a Baltimore Armscorp M14NM receiver, for my own sub-MOA M14 clone.
SA had better watch their QC process, they're gonna lose potential customers if more of those lemons slip through their doors.
My experience with Springfield M1A's has been excellent. I got lucky with a new loaded model in January. The op rod, trigger group are H&R forged GI parts. The op rod spring guide is a TRW part. The bolt is a repro, but the new ones are forged. The QC may not be good, but learn about the rifle and check it out thoroughly before you buy. I think the horror stories represent a minority of what is really out there.
If your serious about quality, there are some forged receivers due to hit the market in April. I don't remember details, but you can see more info at the M14 forum at battlerifles.com.
--Todd Dow
If your serious about quality, there are some forged receivers due to hit the market in April. I don't remember details, but you can see more info at the M14 forum at battlerifles.com.
--Todd Dow
XYZsniper
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