Is the M1A really worth it?

[rantingrelentlessly]

I really like autoladers. I currently have a Browning BAR in .300WM, a ruger 10/22, a Remington 1100 12 guage, a Mini14 and an AR15. I would really love to get an M1A but they seem to start at about $2000. Thats quite a bit more than any of my other guns. Is it really worth all that?

[Slamfire]

Ignoring the dollars, the civilian versions of the M14 are an outstanding rifle. For decades past it was the rifle you used at Camp Perry and it was, until recently the best 308 automatic on the market if you were looking for reliability, trigger, sights.

For years you could live off the military parts on the market, you did not have issues with parts not fitting because the civilian receivers were designed to use military parts. However, military parts dried up and are now expensive.

With the introduction of the AR10's parts are not necessarily interchangeable between manufacturers, (I don't know which are or are not), they have unique magazines, etc.

However the AR10's are proving to be more accurate as a target weapon than the M1a, but I don't know and don't believe they are more reliable in a combat environment than the M1a as that rifle went through a decade of development and was fielded.

As for price, they cost too much when I got mine and they have not gotten any cheaper.

[jason41987]

when you see an AR10 being more accuruate, an FAL being the more expandable/adaptable platform, and the saiga .308 doing what the AK does best.. its hard to justify the sheer cost of the M1A which really doesnt do anything better than atleast one of these other rifles can do... and the moment you think about changing the stock, its $600+ for an inexpensively made injection moulded stock

[SR420]

The M14/M1A is a more expandable/adaptable platform than most people are aware of.
This is a result of the continuous use of the M14 by the US military since it was introduced.
The M14/M1A is a robust, reliable and accurate rifle, but it does require quality parts.

It's worth it if you have the money.

[Woody55]

I can't speak to the cost because I don't know if that is a lot of money to the OP or not.

However, the M1A is (or can be) a beautiful rifle, and it is a pleasure to shoot. In my opinion the down side is that it's kind of heavy for walking around.

[FrosSsT]

It was worth it to me. You get what you pay for, and the M1A is a perfect example of that. Try shopping around for a used one if you want to get the cost under 1400

[RampantAndroid]

The M1A is worth it by FAR. The AR10 is expensive, usually. A match grade M1A isn't that much from Springfield. Ignore Fulton's M1As. If you want to spend more on an M1A, get an LRB or Smith one.

I have my M1A in a EBR stock with a Leupold 3.5-10x scope. I love the thing, it rocks.

[Edward429451]

I hesitate to say that it is worth 2K because they'll prolly read this and raise the prices. It is a fine rifle though and I look good everytime I break it out.

It is heavy but I carried it hunting one year. I shut off the gas valve and loaded it with 180 gr handloads, using it like a straight pull bolt action. I have a SA Loaded model and have no regrets buying it. (Took out a personal loan to buy it!)

It's worth it. Buy it. My only regret is not getting the wood stock. I thought the EBR stock would be lighter but it turns out it's only a few ounces lighter, so go wood.

[Shotgun693]

I used to sell the M1A from Springfield. They are really nice and very serviceable out of the box. I had a HK 91 that had been modified into a sniper rifle. I liked the HK but it wasn't nearly stock. If I were looking right now I'd get another HK and put a'bunch more money into it. BTW, don't use commercial hunting ammo in your M1A.

[hodaka]

You will probably always get your money back. Think resale.

[Michael]

the M1A platform in match or M21 configuration is far more accurate than most people realize. It just takes a skilled operator to really make it sing.

Hodaka, you must be old people. I had a Super Rat.

[hodaka]

Me too. Best bike names ever.

[Palmetto-Pride]

I think it depends on what your primary use for it will be. If its to put rounds down range with your POI as close as it can be to your POA efficiently then IMO there are better options like the AR-10, but if there is a nostalgic value to you its hard to put that into $$$.

[SR420]

.



Why is it that the AR-10 has no nostalgic value?

It's been around as long as the M14 and the M14 can be just as accurate as the best AR-10






.

[Palmetto-Pride]

Why is it that the AR-10 has no nostalgic value?

IMO because it was never used as a primary weapon in any US war. Although yes it has been around about just as long as the M-14 the US never adopted it.

It's been around as long as the M14 and the M14 can be just as accurate as the best AR-10

The key words you used are CAN BE just as accurate, for less money the AR-10 can be more accurate. The key word I used is

efficiently

[dontcatchmany]

I got a M14 for free back in 1968....actually had use of several prior to that too.

And that M14 probably is the reason I am here today....had something to do with some folks in pajamas trying to get rid of me and my buddies. Had to give it back in October 1969 and I was very glad to do so at the time.

But, that being said, I have wanted an M14 (Now the civilian M1A) very badly......my reason for not getting one already is not the cost which is a bit much for my retired budget, it is the fact that my shooting shoulder has been completely replaced and I do not think that I can stand the recoil.

If I knew that I could shoot it without a 25,000 buck medical bill, I would have one in a finstant.

[kraigwy]

I'm a competition shooter, high power. I've been shooting my M1A for about 35 years. It got my distinguished rifle badge.

Is it worth it? Heck yeah, for me it is.

[Edward429451]

BTW, don't use commercial hunting ammo in your M1A.

It's ok if you turn the gas valve off so that the op rod does not cycle at all. It only needs to be cycled manually, a straight pull repeater. It cycles faster manually than a bolt rifle, and they do sell 5 rnd mags.

It's not that heavy either, if ya hunt as slow as I do, lol.

[SIGSHR]

It is on my list of guns I will get "Someday" and having trained with it in BCT it occupies an important place in my psyche.

[44 AMP]

I got mine back when they were $500 for a rack grade gun. And $500 was a lot of money then! Completely stock, rack grade rifle, GI parts, even has the full auto cutout in the stock.

And, being I graduated second in the last class USAOC&S trained on the M14 rifle for MOS 45B20 (Small Arms Repairman) I have a certain...fondness.. for the M1A.

its not a black gun (although it could be with the black stock I have for it). ITs a rifle. Not optimised for close battle, or getting in and out of cramped armored vehicles. A rifle.

When used in regular semi auto mode, it should be fed GI ball, or equivalent pressure/velocity loads. In this, its like its parent, the Garand. And though the self regulating gas system makes it a little more tolerant, you should run it on what it was designed to use, or equivalent, not hotter commercial ammo.

My rifle has the old WWII style locking bar rear sight, and for the last 30 years while I could still see well, I could hit anything I could see out to about 600yds, without serious effort. Part of that is also due to my rifle having a sweet trigger. Two stage, but fairly light and very crisp for final let off. A joy to shoot.

I've also done a fair bit of shooting with 3 different AR-10 class rifles belonging to a friend. One of them even had 3 different generations of magazines. ALL of them had magazine issues with several individual 20 and 25 rnds mags tested. The 5 & 10s tested worked ok.

If you got to have an AR10 type, and you want it to work (they are all accuracte) get the one that uses FAL mags.

If you want a modular easily modded rifle, the M1A isn't the best for that. If you want the most you can get from the improved Garand design, that's the M1A.

Own or have owned, HK 91, FAL, SVT 40, Garand, AR, AK, and M1A. My personal favorite? M1A it just fits me, and works well.

Is it worth the cost? Personal decision. In dollar terms, it was to me, 30 years ago. Today? well, I just look at the $4 a gallon gas, and it doesn't seem all that much money. Personal opinion, I wouldn't pay that much for a match grade, because I can't get more from a match rifle than I already get from my "rack grade" on. If you can, it might be worth it, but not to me, anymore....

[Keg]

BTW, don't use commercial hunting ammo in your M1A.

It's ok if you turn the gas valve off so that the op rod does not cycle at all. It only needs to be cycled manually, a straight pull repeater. It cycles faster manually than a bolt rifle, and they do sell 5 rnd mags.

Why? Explain....I use hunting ammo in my Socom 16....I hog hunt with it....I have'nt had any issues....

[akguy1985]

They are worth it, however the street price is much lower than $2,000. More like around $1,300-$1,500.

[madcratebuilder]

I would really love to get an M1A but they seem to start at about $2000. Thats quite a bit more than any of my other guns. Is it really worth all that?

2K is match rifle price. I see loaded and standard models, used but like new, starting just over 1K. If you look around you can find a M1A with GI parts for around 1.5k.

You can have either wood and steel or the new modular stocks. I have a 1980 and a 1989 M1A, the early model went back to SAI for a bolt recall. No expense at my end. The SAI warranty is the best around.

Great shooters, like any larger center fire, they are not cheap to feed. Figure .50 a round for surplus and up to $2+ for match grade. Good round to reload.

Good shooters right from the box, the iron sights are among the best. It is spendy to add optics because of mount cost.

I shoot the M1A's and AR-10's more than any other rifle I own.

[Edward429451]

Why? Explain....I use hunting ammo in my Socom 16.

It's got to do with peak pressure and battering of the op rod. Bullets are supposed to be kept to 175 gr max, and not too slow of a powder. Commercial hunting ammo is loaded too hot for the M1A/Garand operating system. This disappointed me at first but then I realized duh shut off the gas and it can't hurt it.

[Chuckusaret]

Michael
Senior Member
Join Date: July 21, 1999
Location: Texas

Hodaka, you must be old people. I had a Super Rat.
__________________
b

Bought a M1A many years ago for $500 and recently sold it for $1K and now wish I had it back.

My son and i had many Hodakas, mostly Combat Wombat, it was our best motor cross bike racing out of El Paso until the Yamaha YZ125's and CZ's hit the market.