I often think of buying an M1A1 in 308, What do I need it for? Zombie apocalypse, home defense? To me it is the M1 Garand and M14 plus the new rifle all wrapped up in one. $1,500 to $2,000 in cost is all that has held me back, Still, I never shoot more than 50 yards. Surely, I can come up with some valid justification other than it is a cool firearm. Thank you for your comments and pictures.

American made, great caliber, accurate (with the right ammo) out to 600 yards and available now for immediate delivery!

Buy now, play later and often!

Sorry, I can't help you.

These are wonderful rifles.

Big
Heavy
Kicks hard
No good reason to have one
Expensive
Chews up ammo
Loud
Not easy to scope

The only reason to get one is "Just Because"
Which is all the reason you need

I would get a used one on Gunbroker and be prepared to resell it at a 10% loss if you do not like it
Here is a link to a completed auction:
Springfield Armory M1A .308 with scope : Semi Auto Rifles at GunBroker.com

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Buy American
Vote Responsibly

Easy! Forget it. Just a copy of a battle rifle. Doesn't even use USGI parts anymore. Nothing but MIM!!!!

What you really need is a FAL!



Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Drop the M1, raise your arms, lock your fingers behind your head and walk backwards towards me.

It is like having a trophy wife (trophy boy for the ladies), you have it and day 2 you are wondering what the heck you just did.

Both the trophy spouse and M1 have the same IQ...

M1A's are solid rifles. I think they are at their best in standard form with a wood stock and open sights.

If you want a scoped precision type rifle, the AR-10 is a much better platform. M1A is simply too much work with glass bedded stocks, high scope position, necessity of hiring a gunsmith for things that an average Joe can do on an AR10, like a barrel swap. The M1A is not the most effective platform for a suppressor either.

I think the FN SCAR 17 is the best of the currently manufactured .308 battle rifles. I also really like the HK91, a beast of a rifle with a tremendous track record.

Everyone should have a .308 semi. They are awesome.

That said, here is my M1A, an older one with a McMillan stock that was glass bedded by the SAI custom shop. It is a hell of a shooter.



Also, if you like something a little more Garand like, here is my Beretta BM-62.

Great, now I have to go shoot mine.

Here's my M1A Super Match, hard hitting door buster and lethal at a 1000 yards. Mine from the early 90's and flooded with mil-spec parts.

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Only to talk you in to the Squad Scout. I love mine!

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Even older, even crankier....

and we should talk you out if it, why? it is a cool gun and surely you can go find a quarry somewhere to shoot it more than 50 yards.

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Regards from THE Old Fart

I wanted one till I found a super nice all original Garand. Maybe someday I'll find it in my budget, but not today.

You won't find me talking you out of one. Yes, as others mentioned, if group size and/or scoping it are in the plans, get an AR style platform...Noveske has just re-released their N6...Heck, the box stock Sig 716 is a unique bird also - really like them.

But, if you're just in need of something that will hit what you aim at with "fighting" distance, will run 100%, is tougher than most any long gun out there....get one!!! I've owned all three sizes over the years. The most enjoyable was the scout model. I soooooooo wish I didn't trade it off about 8 years ago. I want it back.


The one I do still have is not even a Springfield - it's and Armscorp M1A custom build by Roland Beaver from Old Corps Weaponry. He was a legend in the USMC M14/M1A armorer world and his rifles were made for Camp Perry and any other shooting match - absolute perfection in that type of rifle. I won't be getting rid of this one. With iron sights, and on a day my eyes feel up to it, it'll shoot as well as a match bolt gun. I added the winter camo finish to the stock. I guess I could wipe it off one day and return it to the blue/black/gray McMillan pattern that was original.


Are there better rifles out there???? Sure. Cheaper? Sure, but not by much. If it feels right and fits your fancy, why not? We only get one ticket on this trip, so might as well enjoy it.

Besides, if you get one and don't like it, sell it.

One piece of advice if you're going to get one - grab a pile of magazines now. Once it's closer to Billary or the Bern threatening our doorsteps, or god forbid one of them wins, those mags will be unicorns. During the last few ban attempts, if you could find them, they were easily selling for $50-75 each...used.

Buy it. I have two. A standard that i have bedded and turned into a match rifle and a a semi home-built. Receiver from Fulton, if memory is working. Sent receiver to SEI many years ago and had them build a Crazy-Pony. 18" bbl semi-heavy match, headspaced the bolt i sent em and reamed a match chamber for 175 smk. I built the rest. I can laze a basketball-sized rock at 485 yds, dial the el, and hit. If not first round, the second. Same with the long one. They are addicting as hell.
Check the extractor when you get it. It may not be good. Buy a good one.

Just go get and be done with it.

Mine is a former IDF Sniper that has a pretty neat story. Bottom line is it was sent to Israel in the 70's in time to kick *** in the desert, then they spec'd them out and made designated snipers out of them. When they went back to bolt action Mausers Springfield armory bought them back, minus the receiver (once a machine gun always a machine gun) put a semi receiver on them, a NM barrel and sold 'em off. From what I have gotten SA is they sold about 300 of them.

Mine has also made a couple of trips to visit Al Ewing here in Spokane. The trigger is unbelievably crisp and breaks exactly at 4.5lbs. He is just a great guy to sit around and shoot the bull with also. He won some matches at Camp Perry with an M14 and has been smithing for many years.


Ready for night:




Or day:



bob

You want it you really do. So what are you waiting for?. Go out and get one. I'm with the rest of the enablers here. I've shot one a few times and was accurate and fun. Guess I'm no help here. Frank

I talked myself out of one so maybe my experience will work for you,
or maybe not. When I went through basic training at Fort Leonard
Wood MO in Jan-Feb 1966 I trained on the M14. Expecting the new M16
I was disappointed to be handed an M14. By the end of basic I was in
love with my M14. My advanced training at Fort Polk LA simply
strengthend my affection for the M14. Fast forward several years later.
I was going to own my own legal version of the M14 via SA's M1A
until I ran into the price tag of the basic wood stocked military
model. Those are now distant memories and I hardly ever even think
about a M1A or M14.

Having gone through Marine boot camp in 1969 and lugged a M14 for many miles and having qualified with one several times firing up to 500 meters you won't get any help from me taliking you out of getting a copy.

The heart wants what the heart wants.

I try to resist looking at these. I was told by owners at the sporting club to which I belong to seriously consider Fulton if I wanted to buy new. I might get a "M14 Service 16" if I win a certain long-shot bet this fall.

I'll sell you mine!

Can't help you,buy it then figure out what you want to do with it!

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Hue 68 noli me tangere

[QUOTE=bushmaster1313;139119667]Big

Not easy to scope

Actually, very easy to scope. Bassett, Smith, Spgfld armory all have options. An M1A is easier to scope than a bolt action rifle.

There you go!
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

I bought my second M1A just last year when my dealer received a
older national match in new condition. I will use it with open sights. Never forgave myself for selling my first one. Yes I have a FAL and an early M1 I shoot. My M1A is still my favorite shooter. You can't go wrong.

The M1A is a Great rifle and the best reason to get one is because you want one IMO.

I would like to help but I could not resist this two weeks ago

Why would anyone want to talk you out of such a fine rifle? Not me!!

I shot NRA High Power Service Rifle for many years with my Springfield Armory M1A Super Match and wore out 4 barrels, had it re-barrelded with an Obermeyer 5R barrel. What a shooter!! 10 shot strings are consistently at or under 1 MOA when I use my M852 reloads.

Buy it and enjoy!!

Randy

Back in the 60's when we swapped the M1, Browning machine gun and 9mm grease gun out for the new
"Made by Matel" weapons, I was not impressed when we issued them to the men in our battalion.

The main thing I disliked was the rust problem and having to use a star guage to keep the flash depresser lined up
and tight at the rifle range. One good option was the full auto selector.

It shot ok with the click sights and had the option of a bi-pod which helped at the range, if allowed.

Hard to beat a 308 for general accuracy and a reloadable cartridge.

Heads or tails.........

I am not talking you out of buying a M14 clone either!

I have two, a 2012 SAI Standard that now has quite a few GI parts and a James River Rock Ola that I built from a barreled action and USGI parts,



To really enjoy these rifles you need to stretch your shooting legs to 100 meters and beyond. The iron sights are just about the best every put on a Infantry rifle and they are not that hard to scope, that is a low rise Basset on mine. The recoil is actually rather gentle, a slight shove rather then a kick.



I have a M1 Garand and I shoot the M14 clones a lot more. I also have a PTR 91GI R that I shoot pretty regular along with AK's and what not.



I use the SAI M1A as my scoped gun and the Rock Ola as my iron sight gun, I have been having a lot of fun with them. I have been using the M1A on hogs up at the hunt lease and 7.62 NATO does a great job on them!

Life is too short to own boring guns and to keep any of the good ones locked up in the safe as safe queens, take them out and get them dirty.

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Life NRA, Life TSRA, C&R FFL

Talk you out of it?
I am absolutely the wrong guy to ask to do that!



I much prefer a real rifle over those plastic and alloy poodle shooters.

The bottom two are, of course, Springfields. The Scout/Squad and a Socom 16.
The top full sized rifle is a Federal Ordnance M-14A made in the 1980s. Very early 4 digit serial number rifle built on Fed Ord's receiver and all G.I. parts. I swapped out the old heavy wood stock for the lighter and trimmer composite that Springer currently makes. This gun is just as reliable and accurate as any G.I. issue weapon and will shoot 1" or less at 100 yards.

Hard to scope? Nah, especially the shorter ones with the mid-barrel rail. Just pick your optic and put it on. You may have noticed that my old eyes need all the help they can get.

The Scout /Squad is my favorite. If the shtf should ever happen, that's the one I'll grab.

So.......OK, I shot the M14 competitively for Uncle Sam in the Army in 1966, got a trophy (well actually...a small medal and a certificate....the 3rd Armored Commanding General kept the trophy at Headquarters I guess until the colors were returned home and folded).

Anyway, loved that M14, never played with an M16, have an 03A3 and several other goodies in my collection but never could find those big bucks for the Springfield M1A.

Fast forward to January 2016, pawing around in a local MilSurp store, came across a 20 round magazine stamped OM (Winchester) in what appeared to be full parkerized, unissued condition. Price was more than right so bought it on the spot. Already have a USGI OD Green cotton web sling (marked MRT 1958) from long ago so NOW..........the moral of this story....Even the skeptical wife has to agree that you have the 20 round mag, the sling, you surely MUST have the rifle to attach them to or you will be laughed out of your next "boys club meeting".

Anyway.........try it this way..........it worked for me.

PS The M1A only comes with a 10 round mag and it has been neutered by no bayonet lug on the flash suppressor, but it really is a sweet shooter...just like the old days, and those battle sights are as good as ever.

My M1A came all new in the factory box, and the box has a bright yellow sticker on both ends "Not Legal in CA" so hope like heck you're not in PRC.

No. Wouldn't help with talking you out of an M1A.

Shot one in NRA High Power for a few years. I was bad at highpower but did best with the M1A. Had no trouble reloading for it either. Very accurate with 147 grain Winchester overrun boatails, Lake City '68 cases, and H4895 powder.

I love the damn thing.
Basset low scope mount, & Bradley cheek rest make for real easy on, off of scope w/o loss of zero. Easy on the shoulder. Shoot all day.
Great iron sights, similar to the Garand.
Since I prefer wood stocks it was an easy choice for me over a black rifle.

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"from my cold dead hands" C.H.

M1A is a fine rifle, I have one that was built by Springfield Armory back in the late 70's or early 80's. All GI parts with the exception of the receiver. This one has a Garand match lock bar rear sight w/hood. Front sight is .062 blade. I used this in CMP competition years ago. Carried an M14 in SE Asia back in '66
I'll never part with it. I'm old school. Get to know it, you'll likely like it too.

I'm gonna get flamed for this I know.

For your purposes, you might be better served by a Ruger mini, has sort of the look and feel of the m-1A, and a lot cheaper to buy,and feed.

I don't know what else you have, but it might scratch the itch, especially @ 50 yards.

Bought this Super Match in 85 brand new along with the ART-4 scope. Trained on one at Ft. Polk in 67. Wanted one ever since. The one to have when the ballon goes up. Sold it once and bought it back after realizing what I had done. Probably be buried with it. What's that tell you?

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SSG Ret.
TN & TX ARNG 66-06

Nope, not going to try to talk you out of a great rifle.

My 1994 all SA parts:

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Isaiah 41:10

"Easy! Forget it. Just a copy of a battle rifle. Doesn't even use USGI parts anymore. Nothing but MIM!!!!

What you really need is a FAL! "

FAL does not have the same history for me. No attraction. Thank you!

I have a trophy wife, but the contest for the trophy apparently was in Hell.

The best answer is:

YOU DON'T HAVE ONE, SO BUY ONE!!!!!

Back in 2005 or '06, I bought a Springfield SOCOM. It's NOT for sale.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

You're not even sure what you might need one for? You want
to be talked out of spending two grand for a HD rifle that will
never be fired at a target more than 50 yds away? Ok, the
Zombie apocalypse is nothing but gamer nonsense and the
real world of HD hasn't really changed much. And as the US
Government learned the 5.56 mm M16 round is more
effective at close range than the .308 of the M14. And that
same two grand will buy you three new AR15s that will work,
be made of quality US made parts that are everywhere in
the unlikely event you have to buy one and are light and
handy to use. Oh yeah, the ammo is cheaper too. Is that
enough or do you need more reasons?

If you don't ever plan on shooting over 50 yards it makes for a tough expensive plinker... but until a few weeks ago I had 3 M1A NM rifles ranging from 1979 to 1999... 1979 custom built for long range... 1989 was upgrade and balanced professionally... will sit on magazine... 1999 out of the box stock...
I finally traded off the 1979 for a Sig 716... could not figure out how to shoot all 3 at once...lol... M1A NM are easily 600 yard guns with iron sights... the best indication I can give for accuracy... took 2 co-workers to range to site in their antelope rifles... brought the box stock one... after all their work to get their scoped bolt guns on a paper plate at 300 yard I made them try my peep sight in high winds... 18" steel gong at 400 yards... they both hit on either the first or second shot... they both want one as soon as their wife's allow it...

I could never talk you out of it - it was my ideal rifle/grail gun for decades until I acquired mine - I don't use it often but I love it when I do!

I bought mine far back enough that it's completely TRW mil-spec throughout, except for the fiberglass stock, which I love (used one in the Army but it was brown). 50 yards, 200 yards, plinking, pig eradication, it's the ideal battle rifle bar none in my opinion, and I know others disagree, and it's a great toy, too!

Even after all these years since basic training I would still love to have
a standard mil spec wood stocked MIA and would have one if it wasn't
for the excessive, in my opinion, price. But civilians don't shoot at
targets at 400 yds in HD and the AR with the green tip ammo will
reach out to 400 yds and more. I've never owned an M1A but from
what I've read the accuracy of the standard model is well below that
of a typical AR. I bought an original mint G series( Browning import)
FN FAL at an estate auction one day at a pretty low price. I knew
what it was and never fired a round through it. I sold it for a HUGE
profit and never looked back. In the end it comes down to money.
If you are flush enough to own impractical toys regardless of cost
go for it. If you need to get value returned for your hard earned
money then an M1A isn't going to provide that.
Actually I love the .308 ctg. But it's really at it's best in a
bolt action for the civilian user and the price of an M1A
would buy at least three good sporters and the scopes to
go with them.

When I was in the Army, our grease guns were .45ACP. Did they ever make a 9mm variant?

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My sgntr is mor thn 30 chrctrs

Vietnam 1968. Reached out and touched someone. 1100 Meters, confirmed. Yeah, I love the M1A ............ a lot.

Bob

I'm not talking you out of anything, I've been where you are.
I could never stand Stoner's plastic fantastic, didn't like the M16 when I was a USAF SP in the early '80s. Never warmed up to ARs when we started getting away from shotguns in cruisers and moved towards patrol rifles. Lived with them when I had to, replaced the AR with a SIG556 when I had the opportunity. Still, there's no replacement for displacement and I wanted booms, not pews. I bought an FAL but it really didn't trip my trigger. When I retired from LE I sold everything I had that was 5.56, had no interest in it. I kept looking at all of the M1A variants and just couldn't bring myself to spend the money until last spring when Springfield came out with the Loaded model with the factory Archangel stock. That's the one the called my name and finally pushed me over the edge. I bought one and sold the FAL. It's a great rifle, very accurate, and a pleasure to shoot. I've used it in a couple of three gun matches and had a ball.




I swapped a few pistols for this SOCOM EBR a couple of weeks ago, it's a blast. Shot it in an action rifle match last weekend and had a ball, won the Heavy Metal Division. Don't listen to the naysayers, buy what you want. These things are like 1911s, everybody needs at least one!

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Don't kiss smiling dogs!

Can't and don't want to "talk you out of it". I have a Socom 16. I put a wood stock on it and it is a bad-bad boy. My problem is I can't take it to the range with my shooting buddies because they don't want to give it back for me to shoot. It fits the "if I could have only one rifle" scenario.

Doesn't matter to me but since you ask:

Not made in America. Like everything else they have the M1A is made with parts from Korea and Taiwan that are assembled here in the U.S. Their 1911's come from Brazil and I believe at least the receivers for their Garands are made by Lithgow in Australia and their SD series of pistols are made in Croatia. If this is no longer the case then I stand corrected but as I said, it matters to some.

As someone who owned a Polytech M14S and was issued an M14 in the military I do like the design and would like to own another one at some point. If you want one and can afford the price I think you'd enjoy owning one.

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BCCI Life Member #2068