Thinking about a SA M1A

[madcratebuilder]

Hey, I just looked at one in the shop. Its a SA standard model, wood-blued and he wants a little over 1,500 for it.

Is that a little high?

Seems high to me, check out the PX at m14firinglinefourm.com. You can find some good buys. I looked around and found a 1981 build (more usgi parts) very low round count, with five usgi mags for $1500.
The cast receiver is a none issue inho, some folks really like all usgi parts. The most important usgi part is the extractor. The SAI ones have issues for some. If you go new, look at a "loaded" model, better sights and NM barrel. If you scope it, check out Sadlak mounts, he has a kit for checking the receiver and well mod the scope mount to fit your rifle.

 

[NC-Mike]

Well, I just traded in some stuff at the shop and have a 1,700 credit.

When it came time to get the M1, I locked up. Couldn't decide whether to spend everything on the M1 or get a couple guns out of it.

Problem with the M1 is I have to buy mags, ammo, mount and sight. Easily another thousand dollars.

A Sig 556 caught my eye and I love it. I have ammo, mags and a sight for it. The only problem I'm worried about is parts availability.

Still don't know what to do. That M1A is going to be expensive to run unless I just buy a couple mags, a couple hundred rounds and use the irons.

I'm also worried about getting ammo. .308 prices have gone nuts.

 

[Vityaz]

For mags, go to 44mag.com. Good deals on new USGI mags. About $30 each, compared to $50 most other places.

I say just stick with the iron sights to start with.
You can just buy the mount and scope later, makes it seem like you're putting less money into it.

The rifle is expensive, but you won't regret buying it.

Oh, and don't use Andrewsky's method for making the handguard NM.

 

[NC-Mike]

The easy solution to this "problem" is buy both the Sig 556 and the M1A...

I could do another trade. I have 2 Garands and would be willing to part ways with one one them as well as a Mini-14 and a scoped 10-22 I wouldn't miss.

Its a cunumdrum...

 

[Vityaz]

Can't go wrong with both.

Just be sure to buy lots of ammo for the M1A. The 20 round mags cause you to go through it fast.

 

[NC-Mike]

Thinking about buying .308 ammo makes me nuts...

 

[Vityaz]

On the plus side, it's not 338 Lapua or 50bmg.

 

[Andrewsky]

7.62x51mm brass ammo is $.45-$.50 a round.

Don't go nuts.

 

[NC-Mike]

Thank you to all who replied. I ended up getting the Sig 556. The M1A will have to wait till another day. I saw that 556 and fell in love...

 

[Wes Janson]

Don't remind me of .50 BMG pricing...*ugh*

 

[kimberfan]

i got my M1A(standard, black fiberglass stock) for $1350$, so don't pay more then $1400$

 

[eldon519]

Instead of buying the SIG, you could get the SAI M-1A and invest in a reloading set up if you don't already make your own. That'll help with the .308 sticker shock and open all kinds of doors for your future gun collecting.

 

[coltcollector]

Check out the prices on Wolf .308. Copper jacket bullets and cheap.