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.
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.
