Which M1-A?

[xtarheel]

I would like to complete my collection of US service rifles of the 20th century. I currently have a '98 Krag, '03, '03 Mark 1, '03-A3, 1917 US Enfield, Garand, M-1 carbine, and a M-4gery built on a Rock River lower. I would like to add a 1941 Johnson but they are currently priced out of my reach. The next rifle I would like to add is the civilian equivilant of the M-14 that would have been issued to our troops circa 1960. Which M1-A would best fill this requirement?

 

[flip180]

I would say a walnut stocked standard model.

Flip.

 

[orangelo]

I think the closest you can get would be one of Fulton's custom M14s.

The walnut stocked standard M1A would be close enough for most people. Personally I got the black synthetic stock version because I would cry if I gouged out a big scratch on a $1500 wood stocked gun.

 

[Jim Reaves]

I have the standard wooden stock M1A and it shoots better groups than I am capable of. It is just like the one that I carried in Vietnam and a pleasure to shoot. Springfield Armory's M1A cann't be beat in my opinion. You can buy cheaper ones, that work fine but they are normally not American made.

 

[El Tejon]

Shot a Fulton Armory with an optical sight last weekend. The weapon was just "scary" accurate with a really nice trigger.

Nothing wrong with a Springfield which is what I run.

 

[chuckles]

Walnut stocked "Loaded" version might have a few desirable extras. They have a NM barrel and NM sights. (Non-hooded Rear). I modified mine with unitized gas cylinder, NM piston, NM Flash hider, Brookfield spring guide, TRW GI bolt and other small parts. Shoots as good as my Match version. They are a blast to shoot. Cheap ammo,(relatively), cheap mags now. All good stuff.

 

[TexasRifleman]

I have a Fulton on order. I did opt for the shorter "bush barrel" and NM trigger but other than that it's the standard service model. You can get the full auto selector switch (non-functional of course) if you really want an accurate look (although not even all "real" M14s had that).

 

[glockenstein]

Also check out LRB Arms: http://lrbarms.com/
They make the only genuine american-made forged receivers. They will build you up a rifle that has all USGI parts (except for the barrel, which is commercial). They are more $$ but great. I have one of their "Tanker" models. This is a great site for M14 info.: http://m-14forum.com

 

[stoky]

http://www.tanksrifleshop.com/m14.htm

 

[MAUSER88]

Here's mine.

 

[Gewehr98]

Fulton Armory uses Armscorp of Baltimore receivers.

I built this one in 1992 on an Armscorp M14NM receiver, H&R donor M14 parts kit (sans naughty bits), and a Krieger medium-weight barrel. The stock is a plain USGI fiberglass version, albeit Devcon bedded and with two aluminum stiffening rods in the forend. It was my NRA High-Power rifle for many years, winning me many leg matches and taking me to Camp Perry. After some arm twisting by the long-range folks, I later mounted a scope and comb riser, then moved things out to 800-1000 yards.