If you were going to buy an M1A...

[roscott]

If you were going to buy an M1A:

1. Which one would you buy and why?

2. How would you scope it?

3. If you were to select an aftermarket stock, which one and why?

The M1A has been my dream rifle for a long time, and I may soon be acquiring one. I'm willing to go big on aftermarket options, if they are necessary. The rifle will be intended as a 600 yard, practical rifle. So 1-1.5 MOA is good, but it doesn't need to be 0.4 MOA or anything ridiculous.

 

[roscott]

Son of a gun. I thought I was in the long guns forum. Can a mod move this for me?

 

[DocIndy]

I wanted a M1A for quite awhile. I finally ended up buying a SOCOM 16. I have magpie flip up sights on the Troy MCS and couldn't be happier with it. I have been thinking of adding glass. If I end up going that route, A&A has the Vortex 2.5-10 ffp on sale for $450. That should fit your needs just fine.

 

[armyvet209]

1. have both a scout model and standard model, both great rifles
2. i've used both the sadlak and bassett machine mounts, both worked very well
3. only after market stock i've used so far has been the vltor modstock on the scout rifle, very comfortable, works well with a scope, and looks great (personal preference)

 

[lcole1969]

I bought a scout and put a sadlak mount on it, as far as stock I went with a archangel.

 

[red_zr24x4]

1- I have a standard model. I would buy any of the full sized with wood stocks
2- I wouldn't scope it, but thats just me. It's a battle rifle
3- after market stock, USGI wood.
The wood stock that Springfield uses is oversized.

 

[42769vette]

I wanted a M1A for quite awhile. I finally ended up buying a SOCOM 16. I have magpie flip up sights on the Troy MCS and couldn't be happier with it. I have been thinking of adding glass. If I end up going that route, A&A has the Vortex 2.5-10 ffp on sale for $450. That should fit your needs just fine.

Thats exactly where I would be. I would go with a Sadlak, or Basset mount as well.

 

[indyjohn]

1- I have a 20 yr old National Match in a walnut stock. Of all my rifles, it is still my favorite.
2- I shot mine with iron sights for years, even out to 1,000 yds with a filed down front blade. I did put a Vortex Viper 4-16x50 with Bassett low mount on it. I've had good success out to 1,000 yds with that configuration as well.
3- I prefer a wood stock but wouldn't turn away an Archangel.

 

[PaulF]

No one has mentioned the Scout-Squad yet...

I bought mine...heck...five years ago? Maybe longer. I really like that rifle. I guess it depends on what you want to do with the gun, but I find the longer barrel length of the Standard and National Match rifles to bee a little unwieldy, and I don't really care for the aesthetics of the shorter SOCOM 16" rifles. The Scout-Squad has nice proportions, shoulders well, and isn't too long or heavy to double for emergency defense or patrol use.

Now, I'm an odd duck...there's really no argument there. One of the big selling points of the Scout-Squad is that it comes factory-equipped with a Picatinny rail mounted forward of the receiver allowing for the use of an EoTech, AimPoint, or other "Scout" optic. I took that off mine so I could replace the upper handguard with a nice walnut piece from Boyd's...it give the rifle a more traditional "Generation 1 M-14" look and feel.

I like that.

I don't regret losing the optic mount. This rifle has amazing iron sights (once you figure out how the adjustments work), and I enjoy firing the weapon with an "open" receiver.

I make this offer to any INGOer interested in the M1A: I will gladly let you fire mine...you have to provide your own ammo, and I don't have my own place to shoot.

 

[Hookeye]

Scout, no scope (maybe a Burris Fast fire).
Or a full size walnut, nothing added.

 

[Winamac]

If you were going to buy an M1A: 1. Which one would you buy and why? 2. How would you scope it? 3. If you were to select an aftermarket stock, which one and why? The M1A has been my dream rifle for a long time, and I may soon be acquiring one. I'm willing to go big on aftermarket options, if they are necessary. The rifle will be intended as a 600 yard, practical rifle. So 1-1.5 MOA is good, but it doesn't need to be 0.4 MOA or anything ridiculous.

1) I would buy a standard model pre-ban. Why? Because the pre-ban contain more GI parts VS aftermarket parts 2) I would scope it with a Leatherwood brand scope which is what the military used on the M14 3) I would not select an aftermarket stock Just my two cents

 

[RustyHornet]

Scout. Irons. Wood stock.




If you happen to be near the Fort of Wayne, I'd gladly let you try it out.

 

[ol' Huff]

If I was buying an M1a and I KNEW I was going to scope it I would get an LRB M25 or a Smith Ent. It's soo much less jacking around and a lot more rugged than a cantilever mount is ever going to be.

 

[indyjohn]

Scout. Irons. Wood stock.




If you happen to be near the Fort of Wayne, I'd gladly let you try it out.

Ah. Porn. And I was doing so well to refrain. Obviously I need to upgrade my album.

1,000 yd work.

The targets are down there. Somewhere.

And just for good measure RH

 

[Hop]

I have a loaded and it's one of my favorites. I have a couple stocks. The Archangel works great when scoped. My favorite config is irons and a walnut GI stock.

 

[RustyHornet]

Looks good, indyjohn. I've not had mine past 200 yet and sadly I sold my RO recently... They made a great pair, but I just didn't shoot it worth a darn.

 

[rhslover]

Mine is a NM model, that's what I would get. It's glass bedded, has a better trigger, barrel, hooded sight etc. Never scoped it so no input there. And since it's factory bedded that pretty much leaves that out.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

If you were going to buy an M1A:

1. Which one would you buy and why?

2. How would you scope it?

3. If you were to select an aftermarket stock, which one and why?

The M1A has been my dream rifle for a long time, and I may soon be acquiring one. I'm willing to go big on aftermarket options, if they are necessary. The rifle will be intended as a 600 yard, practical rifle. So 1-1.5 MOA is good, but it doesn't need to be 0.4 MOA or anything ridiculous.

1. Fulton Armory Enhanced Service Rifle. Based on what I have shot, I like them. Others offer solid pieces too.

2. I would not.

3. I would not.

 

[roscott]

Thanks for all the responses! (And the amazing pics!)

Indyjohn, what kind of MOA did you find your rifle capable of? Did you have custom work done? And have you found that style of scope mount to be sufficiently secure?

I see there is plenty of love for sadlak and basset mounts. Have you guys found these to be secure and hold zero over a reasonable amount of time (and abuse)?

As for everyone saying not to scope it or put an aftermarket stock on, I am very aware that what I am doing is a bit sacreligious. On the other hand, I'm not opposed to a USGI stock if I can squeeze 1-1.5 MOA from it.

 

[red_zr24x4]

Check out www.m14forum I think most of your questions will get answered over there