Buying my first M1A

[FeuerFrei]

So I was granted permission from MRS Amishfarmer to purchase an M1A Scout from the BX. I'm excited as this is a dream gun for me. Is there anything I should look at before I sign the paperwork? I've heard some rumors about quality of the new guns so I'm just reaching out to see what the hoopla is about.

I have a Scout and socom 16. Both over 10yrs old and never had to send one to service.

Contrary to popular opinion they are very good rifles and not made out of recycled potato chips.

Proper maintenance is key. All the how to/DIY info you'll ever need is here http://www.tonybenm14.com/videos.html

[smle-man]

The SA Inc M1A is a fine rifle and will give you many years of enjoyment and service. I prefer the standard length rifle and have owned 3 in the past. SA Inc has your back if there is a problem.

[Tere_Hanges]

Never understood the desire for an M14 with anything less than a 22” barrel.

I got an 18" Scout and a 22" NM.

I shoot the scout more often. I put a cheap bushnell TRS-25 on the scout rail. It works great.

Never had any issues whatsoever with either of my M1As. They seem pretty solid and reliable. Eat pretty much anything. More accurate than me. Only cons are mounting a magnified optic is awkward as hell and they are way over priced. A basic M1A scout or loaded should be no more than $800 tops.

I cannot run any kind of magnified optic on an M1A. It just doesnt work. The scope is so high up that the butt rests way low on my torso. So low that the shoulder rest (thing that goes up) is useless. The stock ends up slipping down after ever shot. The M1A simply was not designed for a magnified optic.

[jarhead714]

I got an 18" Scout and a 22" NM.

I shoot the scout more often. I put a cheap bushnell TRS-25 on the scout rail. It works great.

Never had any issues whatsoever with either of my M1As. They seem pretty solid and reliable. Eat pretty much anything. More accurate than me. Only cons are mounting a magnified optic is awkward as hell and they are way over priced. A basic M1A scout or loaded should be no more than $800 tops.

[dfletcher]

I got an 18" Scout and a 22" NM.

I shoot the scout more often. I put a cheap bushnell TRS-25 on the scout rail. It works great.

Never had any issues whatsoever with either of my M1As. They seem pretty solid and reliable. Eat pretty much anything. More accurate than me. Only cons are mounting a magnified optic is awkward as hell and they are way over priced. A basic M1A scout or loaded should be no more than $800 tops.

I cannot run any kind of magnified optic on an M1A. It just doesnt work. The scope is so high up that the butt rests way low on my torso. So low that the shoulder rest (thing that goes up) is useless. The stock ends up slipping down after ever shot. The M1A simply was not designed for a magnified optic.

I put an ARMS 18 scope mount on my Scout with a 1 to 4X scope - very small bell on the rear, straight tube up front. The rear bell clears the aperture by a credit card width and is OK. On a previous M1A I bolted an Enfield sniper cheekpiece to it, worked very well.

Left the full sized version alone. I figure my eyes are still sharp, the thing was made to be used with irons and went with the NM types.

[crufflers]

Balance, handiness, weight. I think the Socom16 feels a lot handier.

[Tere_Hanges]

I put an ARMS 18 scope mount on my Scout with a 1 to 4X scope - very small bell on the rear, straight tube up front. The rear bell clears the aperture by a credit card width and is OK. On a previous M1A I bolted an Enfield sniper cheekpiece to it, worked very well.

Left the full sized version alone. I figure my eyes are still sharp, the thing was made to be used with irons and went with the NM types.

Pics?

[Citadelgrad87]

I got an 18" Scout and a 22" NM.

I shoot the scout more often. I put a cheap bushnell TRS-25 on the scout rail. It works great.

Never had any issues whatsoever with either of my M1As. They seem pretty solid and reliable. Eat pretty much anything. More accurate than me. Only cons are mounting a magnified optic is awkward as hell and they are way over priced. A basic M1A scout or loaded should be no more than $800 tops.

I cannot run any kind of magnified optic on an M1A. It just doesnt work. The scope is so high up that the butt rests way low on my torso. So low that the shoulder rest (thing that goes up) is useless. The stock ends up slipping down after ever shot. The M1A simply was not designed for a magnified optic.

I have always liked the platform, so i watch CG for examples for sale.

Ive never seen one under 1,000, but maybe those disappear because they sell so quickly.

The vast majority of the non national match or even more elite examples is $1,100-1300. And has been for about ten years.

[Tere_Hanges]

I have always liked the platform, so i watch CG for examples for sale.

Ive never seen one under 1,000, but maybe those disappear because they sell so quickly.

The vast majority of the non national match or even more elite examples is $1,100-1300. And has been for about ten years.

Yeah $1,100 is the cheapest I've seen them. Not bad if it comes with some kind of scope mount and mags. I got my scout from a calguns member for $1,200 about 4-5 years ago. I got my NM in a trade. Traded a Chinese SKS a well used Mossberg 590 and $900 cash. "Deals" can be had on M1As. Used is probably the best route to acquire one.

[sigstroker]

Individual preference?
Maybe we should all group think, so you can be more understanding

Need to all be democrats for groupthink.

[Verdha603]

Have an M1A Standard with the wood stock on it, I just rock it stock with iron sights and it shoots better than me. I can hit 300 yard steel plates all day with zero effort, and provided I take my sweet time and provide the proper level of Kentucky windage based on the current winds at the range, I can put the majority of my shots onto the 400 and 500 meter plates as well.

I think the only complaint I have with the rifle at this point is inserting and removing magazines from it is a pain in the *** compared to almost every other detachable magazine rifle I've handled. Honestly it sometimes makes me half tempted to just transition to utilizing the stripper clip guide and feeding it like a larger-capacity M1 Garand instead.

[SloChicken]

I got an 18" Scout and a 22" NM.

I shoot the scout more often. I put a cheap bushnell TRS-25 on the scout rail. It works great.

Never had any issues whatsoever with either of my M1As. They seem pretty solid and reliable. Eat pretty much anything. More accurate than me. Only cons are mounting a magnified optic is awkward as hell and they are way over priced. A basic M1A scout or loaded should be no more than $800 tops.

I cannot run any kind of magnified optic on an M1A. It just doesnt work. The scope is so high up that the butt rests way low on my torso. So low that the shoulder rest (thing that goes up) is useless. The stock ends up slipping down after ever shot. The M1A simply was not designed for a magnified optic.

There are a variety of cheek pads/rests available and then one can use a scope easily.
I like. M14 in irons, but certainly a scope and proper cheekweld is easily done.

[jarhead714]

All you really NEED with the M1A is good fundamentals and a properly utilized sling. You’ll be lookin’ like the Marine on the box in no time.

[crufflers]

That Stainless Loaded Walnut for $1200 new from Sportsman's or wherever was the best deal I have seen in a while. Someone posted it last year IIRC... and more people got in on the deal.

I have that same rifle and got a great deal, but not $1200.

[Gryff]

I have a Texas-production SA M1A. I actually love shooting it more than my M1 Garand.