[Guest]

It's been over a month since I purchased my last firearm, a Colt 5.56 Match Target. I am going into withdrawal slowly but surely so I "must" make another firearms purchase. This time, a Springfield M1A1. I thought about a Garand, but the heavier recoil of the 30-06 vs the .308 makes my old bod tremble at the thought of absorbing the recoil of a 30-06, even though, in the heavy Garand, it's not too bad. I've had both calibers in my lifetime and I tend to prefer the .308 for some ungodly reason. Anyway, I like the M1A1 because of the M14 styling and handling. Don't want no SOCOM. I want a rifle that "looks like a rifle" and not a "Star Wars" launch platform. No ill will toward SOCOM owners. To each his own. I'm old school. Besides, I believe we're going to have a "600 yd event" at McCain soon and I need a rifle to shoot the event. I don't know why, because I can't see clearly past 200 yds but I bet there will be someone there that will point me in the general direction of the targets so I can at least kick up some dirt and have fun doing that. Might use JBPMidas as my "spotter". Let's hear your thoughts on the M1A1.

 

[jbpmidas]

I'll spot for you, makes me sick, but I'll do it!

On one condition: you let me shoot it.

 

[msredneck]

I got a SOCOM 16 that will blow your socks off...any way

Personally I perceive no difference between a 30'06 vs a 308 as far as blast and recoil etc...either one is no biggie

I love the M1A's...I'd look hard at a SA National Match...like them walnut stocks...pretty pretty

http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?model=15

I haven't bought a gun in at least 3 or 4 hours...That's about my max

:rotflmao:

 

[Rw]

I got a SOCOM 16 that will blow your socks off...any way


I haven't bought a gun in at least 3 or 4 hours...That's about my max

:rotflmao:

Ive shot necks socom.. it is a blast in more ways than one...
3 or 4 hours? thats a record isnt it neck?

 

[jbpmidas]

Please don't buy a SOCOM SGMJody! I won't be able to shoot with you anymore. The jealousy would be too much for me to bear!

 

[Guest]

Like I said, I want a rifle that looks like a rifle and not a "Star Wars" launch platform.

 

[jbpmidas]

Whew! I feel better!

 

[msredneck]

Like I said, I want a rifle that looks like a rifle and not a "Star Wars" launch platform.

My SOCOM 16 will ring the hell out of the 200 yard gong at Magnolia Rifle and pistol...straight irons...no biggie...with a little practice I think 600 would not be a problem...the SOCOM pipe is just a little short so it won't have quite as much "juice" at 600...but that aint what its for anyway

Pull the trigger on a NM Springer then SGMJody....They good to go...fine rifles...we oughta get a "group buy" on em

Get that checkbook out

 

[Caleb C]

There's a M1A1 in my future as well. That SOCOM is one fine piece of hardware but I'd be happy with any of them. In my opinion a good auto 308 is the perfect combat weapon. The 223 just doesn't pack enough punch

 

[msredneck]

SGMJody - check out my SOCOM 16 paint job thread

:fe:

 

[captain-03]

My 2 cents -- Get a Garand while you still can at a reasonable price. Actually you can get 3 NICE Garands for what you will pay for the M1A1 assuming you are purchasing a new Springfiled run of the mill M1A1. Loaded right, the '06 will do what the .308 will do with today's powders and bullets.

OK - now that I have finished pushing the Garand. The M1A1 is a great rifle - just a Garand with a box magazine in my opinion - so it ranks 2nd best. I own an M1A1 Scout - longer barrel than the SOCOM - but shorter than the regular M1A1. I was looking for an M1A1 when I ran across the Scout and just could not pass the deal up. I have often thought about changing out the barrel with a regular National Match barrel. Actually I posted the possibility of doing this on the M14 boards and almost everyone suggested I leave it alone ... several offered to trade me their regular M1A1s for my Scout. I do like it even though I do not shoot it much. It is a very capable battle weapon and interesting to load for and shoot. I have actually been able to develope some cast boolit loads for it. For those of us who actually like the "military" stuff, an M1A1 is a must for the collection; after a Garand has been added.

CMP has some M14 stock sets on sale now for $35.00. I ordered one and received a NEW one with all the metal attached .. Great buy if you want a wood stock.

It all boils down to personal preference. Even with the M1A1, there are a couple different types to select from -- type barrel, finish, wood, etc .... If you want an M1A1, go for it!! --- just get a Garand first!!!!! :lol:

 

[Guest]

I have tried to find a NM M1A and a Super Match M1A but nobody has one, they're all on allocation. With that said, it looks like I "might" consider a M! Garand in CMP's special series. Then again, I've also looked at Winchester's Model 70 Stealth but I want wood instead of plastic for the stock. I went to the Remington site to look at their 700 Target Tactical. Nice but still a composite stock but it's not black. I could live with that. I also looked at the Savage Model 12 Bench Rest. Also a very nice rifle with a wood laminate stock. I could live with that. I "MUST" consider the fact that my eyes are not so great any more, so do I go with a bolt gun w/scope to be able to shoot it for a while or open military sights that I may not be able to shoot for very long. I am a Garand fan and loved the M14 also but I have to be realistic about what I can shoot now and in the not so far out future. Maybe get both. I'm famous for buying guns in pairs. First, I need to exhaust the M1A possibilities because if I get a Garand, JBPMidas and I will be fighting over 06 brass. The heck with it. I haven't had a good fight in years.

 

[jbpmidas]

Buy the Garand with iron sights and you can spot for me! I do think that Zeiss on your AR would look fine on top of an M1 NM!

 

[Free_Stater]

Sigh...

I think SubGunFan took the photo, though I could be wrong.

I love my M1 so much that I forgot all about getting an M1A.

 

[jbpmidas]

Mr. Jody, have you considered an AR10? .308 and AR platform, what's not to love?

 

[VegasSMG]

The M1A would be one of the last rifles to go if I had to start thinning my herd. Yep, I love my M1 Garand, but there's something about the M1A's looks that really turns me on.

I honestly don't feel much difference in recoil between the two guns. If you haven't shot an Garand, then I think you'll be very pleasantly surprised at how well it tames the .30-06 round.

S.A. offers a .308 conversion for the Garand for right at $300.00. I'll never go that route, but a friend had his shot out original barrel replaced and it's now a great shooter.

I understand where you're coming from on the SOCOM and I feel the same way. I understand they'll shoot better than I can, but the classic look of wood and steel on this platform just turn my crank. The only accessories I own for the M1A are different stocks and slings. In addition to the original M1A walnut stock, I own beech and walnut stocks with the M-14 selector cut outs. Oh and I also have a synthetic stock.

It sounds like you have your mind made up. I can't say anything bad about the M1A except that I can't understand why they cost so much! The sum of their parts don't seem to equal their price IMHO, but even a standard M1A is an excellent shooter and probably groups better than most folks can shoot.

 

[chaseguitar]

Like I said, I want a rifle that looks like a rifle and not a "Star Wars" launch platform.

Well said

 

[jbpmidas]

He ended up getting the Star Wars launch platform! It's a sweet shooter though. .493" at 200 yds.

 

[M1A Owner]

I could talk on and on, but I will make this short and sweet!

I have an M1A Standard, M1 Garand, Socom 16, 1873 Springfield "trapdoor", M1 Carbine, and multiple others, but you get the idea. They are all great!

Do it!

 

[BeauBeaux]

Maybe this National Match?

Or this Super Match?

Your choice, can have it here next week.

Midas can bring the barrels and you can ride home with your new toy.

PM or email me if you wish.