Talk me out of buying an M1A.

Status
Not open for further replies.
T

TheArchDuke

Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2005
Messages
511
Location
San Diego
I went in to a gun shop yesterday to buy a Savage in .308 and ALMOST left with an M1A instead (figuratively. We have a 10 day wait here in the PRK)

I left with nothing, taking some time to reflect. If I buy an M1A it will be the most expensive thing I have ever bought or own (yes...including my car haha). I'm not sure any gun is worth $1200+ to me right now. But MY-GOODNESS I want one!

Is there a cheaper alternative to the M1A or maybe could you tell me of a place where I could buy a used one for relatively cheap?

Thanks.
 
If you have time to look around you might find a deal on an M1A at Culver's Shooting Pages, or www.sturmgewehr.com.
I've seen M1As below $1,200 at both places, but it's been a while.
Some show up here too, now and then.

Can you import M1As into the PRK? If not the price you quoted doesn't sound too bad.

I've had an M1A for many years. It was a target shooter's back up rifle and had some target work done before I bought it. I've done nothing to it but shoot and clean it and it is still my most consistently accurate centerfire rifle.

So, I wouldn't talk you out of buying one, unless I was in line right behind you and wanted it myself. :D
 
"So, I wouldn't talk you out of buying one, unless I was in line right behind you and wanted it myself."

I was afraid someone would tell me that haha
 
M1A

Do you have the time to learn to shoot it? Do you have A place to shoot at 300 yards or longer? Do your eyes work well enough to use the iron sights?
I have owned three M1A's and I'm just to lazy to learn to shoot them as well as they can be shot.
I have more fun with lessor rifles that I can use.
A bolt gun in .223 is hard to beat for fun and satisfaction.
 
Nope, you're gonna have to get it. There is no earthly reason why any man who can spell "M-1-A" shouldn't own one.

There is no cure.:evil:
 
I left with nothing, taking some time to reflect. If I buy an M1A it will be the most expensive thing I have ever bought or own (yes...including my car haha). I'm not sure any gun is worth $1200+ to me right now. But MY-GOODNESS I want one!

Is there a cheaper alternative to the M1A or maybe could you tell me of a place where I could buy a used one for relatively cheap?
Click to expand...

Get it. I see you're in San Diego.. Can I ask which shop you went to? Sounds like they're quoting you an excellent price. I have a "Loaded" M1A with Stainless Barrel and it cost $1550 + fees + tax. It is the most expensive item I've ever purchased. It is worth it.

In CA there are no alternatives for a .308 semi-auto battle rifle that takes detachable mags.
 
I have an M1A and I like it but I paid about half of what it's worth. You could do better with the $1200, imho. I think you could sink the $1200 into a Garand and have a much better rifle.

If you get the m1a you'll like it though. They are great shooters.
 
I was interested in getting an M1A until I heard a rumor that some of the cast receivers have been known to stretch with continued firing, possibly causing problems. The M14 receiver is a forging, so it doesn't have that issue.

Opinions seem to vary on the topic, with many people saying that the cast receivers are fine. But if I were going to go the M1A/M14 route at this time, I'd at least consider one of these:

http://www.lrbarms.com/
 
Unless the removeable 10 round mag, or .308 versus 30-06 is a big sticking point, how bout a CMP M1 Garand as a cheaper alternative? Or maybe a CMP M1 carbine when they come in (honestly don't know what price they go for though, so that may not be a good alternative price-wise)?....Just throwing it out there since you ask for alternatives...
 
I had one. I put about 1100 rounds thru it, and it shot under an inch at 100. I put a scope on it and it no longer weighed 10 lbs. It weighed 12. Magazines are expensive but necessary, and being a hunter found that this very large rifle was a pain to lug around. It was equally hard to get in and out of the jeep with as it was long and took a lot of room and as I also said it was heavy.
For the same money you can get set up very well in an AR15 such as a Bushmaster, have the same (or better) accuracy, and half the weight. I use mine on coyotes, bobcats, varmits, and feral hogs weighing in excess of 300 lbs. Mine is an M4A3 with a 2 to 7 vari x 2 scope. Total weight is about 7lbs.JM2CW:scrutiny:
 
Unless you are allowed to strip the rifle and inspect the parts it contains and unless you know what you are looking for while inspecting those parts then simply put, the current rifles are not worth the sum of the aftermarket parts that are being used to assemble them.

Is that enough to make you change your mind?

When Springfield Inc. was still offering barrelled receivers that featured genuine USGI Mil-Spec barrels I was recommending that people buy one of those and assemble, or have assembled, a rifle that utilized USGI parts and stocks.
I have never bore any complaints against the Springfield Inc. receivers and still don't, but frankly, the quality of the parts on recent rifles has been near substandard and the barrels are really not that great either.

I haven't had any dealings with LRB Arms in well over a year or more and don't know if this company is still extent.
It was formed and run by a guy who bought the patent rights to Mike Kelly's M14 type forged receiver.
I used two of these receivers to build rifles for customers and I was quite impressed by the overall quality.
If this company is still around you may wish to look into their offerings before springing for an Illinois made rifle.
HTH and good luck with your decision.
 
Go ahead and get it, you'll like it. :)

If I buy an M1A it will be the most expensive thing I have ever bought or own (yes...including my car haha).
Click to expand...
Dont feel bad, I havent spent more than $1000 on a car for over ten years. No car payments and cheap insurance leaves more money for guns. :)
 
I say just get it, b/c that way your considered cool in my book :neener:

No, but really that Nato 308 cal is a sweet bullet. I enjoy shooting 308's from my buddies rifle.
 
Having owned two M1A's and a Garand in the past, my vote would be for a Garand.
You can get one for not much more than half the price of an M1A and can use the leftover cash for ammo, a new barrel, etc.

FWIW, the early Springfield Armory M1A I had was junk. The op rod was crudely made and would sometimes pop off the bolt roller. That REALLY concerned me. A gunsmith friend examined it and told me to replace the op rod.
I tried to find a GI issue op rod to replace it but was unable to. This was over 25 years ago and parts like op rods were scarce for some reason.
That left a bad taste as far as M1A's were concerned, especially since my Winchester Garand shot just as well. I later parted the M1A out and used the op rod and some cord to tie my tomato plants in place. It was much better suited for that application.

Another consideration was the ease of carry. I used to hike around the desert with my rifles and found the Garand to be easier and more comfortable to throw over my shoulder since it didn't have the large magazine to contend with.
Also, I did not feel I needed 20 rounds to hit what I was shooting at so I found myself out with the Garand a lot more often than the M1A.

Whichever rifle you choose, be sure to examine it carefully so you don't end up with a lemon like I had. I have heard people say to avoid certain brands but I have no knowledge of the details. Do some research before you buy.

Now before the M1A lovers here get their panties in a wad over my negative remarks about MY rifle, keep in mind that I was sharing MY experience with MY rifles and not slamming YOUR beloved baby. I'm well aware that YOUR rifle is much better.:rolleyes:
 
CMP

Last I looked, CMP still had a few Field Grade Garands on hand - $425+$22.95 shipping. I ordered one yesterday.

CMP is expecting to have Carbines available in a few weeks - no word on what the prices will be. (Doesn't matter - I will pay it.)

http://www.odcmp.com/
 
I was interested in getting an M1A until I heard a rumor that some of the cast receivers have been known to stretch with continued firing, possibly causing problems.
Click to expand...

A silly, baseless rumor.

$1200 for an M1A is not a bad price at all, and it will be one of the best rifles you will ever own. I have three :)

As far as weight goes, it's only 9#; thats about the same as an FAL and about a pound less than an M1. A tricked out HB AR weighs almost 9#!
 
Talk me out of buying an M1A.

Okay...

Con: it is expensive, chunky, not a great deer rifle, it doesn't come in 30/30, no pretty bluing, and you can't hunt with it in some states, and hard to see sights at prime shooting times (first/last light).

Pro: go bang bang bang, upset antis, neato rifle, have something as expensive as a used Ford Escort.
 
A CMP Field Grade Garand is going to look awfully beat and worn compared to a new Springfield Armory M1A. The comparison is apples and oranges. I bet by the time you get it refinished with new wood, it's not going to be a ton cheaper than the M1A.

The bad thing about M1 carbines is he can't use the military 15 round magazines. So he has to find aftermarket magazines that won't be as reliable or cheap.

My M1A is one of my favorite rifles.
 
Blah, M1A, just a glorified SKS. If you have got to spend $1200, get yourself some health insurance. Your gonna need it with that Garand-a-tosis.:)
 
I was interested in getting an M1A until I heard a rumor that some of the cast receivers have been known to stretch with continued firing, possibly causing problems.

A silly, baseless rumor.
Click to expand...
I'd hardly call it "silly," considering that any rifle by any manufacturer can have quality control problems, and it's entirely plausible that a cast receiver (especially if improperly heat treated) could get battered out of spec with repeated firing. Kind of like some aluminum FAL upper receivers that have failed catastrophically (as shown on the DSA web site).

Having said that, you might be right that it's baseless. Apparently it was Boston T. Party (author of Boston's Gun Bible) who said he had the problem. While I doubt he's lying, he may have simply gotten a rare lemon that wasn't heat treated right.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
  • Locked
Century M1A???
Replies
6
Views
2K
HankC
H
Jack Package
  • Locked
So I want to buy a M1A
Replies
7
Views
1K
badkarmamib
badkarmamib
D
  • Locked
Durablity of M1a rifles
Replies
16
Views
2K
odysseus
O
G
  • Locked
M1a Loaded-is this a good deal?
Replies
17
Views
729
General Disarray
G
B
  • Locked
Talk me out of an M1A
2
Replies
48
Views
3K
10-Ring
1
Back
Top