M1A Who likes 'em and why?

[MdlMkr 7.62]

So how many members have expirence with the M1A? I don't want to get into a FAL vs G3 vs M1A discussion. I just want to know what you love & hate about the M1A

7.62

[Arizona Highlander]

I had an M1A National Match rifle almost 20 years ago. For me at least, they're probably the nicest-handling battle rifles around (heresy to all the FAL fans around here, I know).

But, the thing was a functional dog. Never did work reliably. Sent it back to Springfield Armory, and it worked better (though not perfectly) when they were done . . . but the jackasses there also swapped out my NM trigger group for a frightfully creepy GI one while it was in there for repairs!

Really pissed me off, and I finally sold it. I bought a FAL many years later, which handles a bit more clumsily for me, but at least it's stone reliable.

I've been really drawn to the new short-barreled M1A's, but I keep hearing - over and over - so many people having problems with Springfield Armory's rifles that I still hesitate to recommend them.

Sorry to be a such a downer . . .

[MdlMkr 7.62]

Not a downer. YOur reply was just what I was looking for. Let's hear from some other members. Dr. X. don't be shy. No need to STFU! :D

7.62

[funfaler]

I have a "couple" of FALs and M1As, all standard.

For me, I like the M1a better for the following reasons:

-out of the box, it is a more accurate, easier system.

-The sights are one of the best out there, front is nice and crisp, narrow enough for precision work (@8 moa vs. 11.5 moa for the FAL). The rear are adjustable out to 1000 meters, at 1 moa clicks, much finer than the FALs

-The trigger is much better than the FAL, lighter, crisper

-No gas from the gas system getting into the chamber, and no adjustments to mess with.

-less parts to concern myself with

Here are the biggies:

-For a Righty, in the prone and sitting positions, the controls are in the right spots, the FAL is fine for standing run and gun operations, but once sitting/prone for long precision work, the charging handle and bolt release are a pain to operate.
-Sling use is much easier and better with the M1a, for shooting.

Some of the issues with the FAL can be fixed, and the M1a parts are costly, so there is trade offs. Both are very capable out to 500+ yards, but the M1a makes getting consistant hits easier.

Putting a scope on the FAL is much easier and cheaper than the M1a.

Recoil is about the same,

When you come to the Appleseed, you are welcome to shoot mine, you will want one.

[MdlMkr 7.62]

I want one already! Any expirence witth the Scout version? to me the 18" barrel balances better than the 20" and it looks "right" with the F/H on it.

7.62

[Bidah]

A friend of mine got the scout version a few years ago. It simply would not function reliably (I am not sure that it still does). He did replace a lot of the problem parts with ones from Fulton Armory, which did help. It certainly is a nice handling rifle, and he is a big proponent of the scout type mounts (has been for a while).

-Bidah

[MdlMkr 7.62]

A friend at work wants to sell his SA Scout for $1200. He bought it about 5 or 6 years ago and has only shot it 16 times - not even 1 box. He says he just wants something else. He's funny that way. Good deal for a M1A or not?

[GS Rider]

I have an M1A and I haven't shot it in over a year because my FNs are just so cool. The M1a sights are better and all that wood on the rifle gives me a chubby and if I wanted to hang a rifle on the wall the M1a wins hands down. But it isn't as reliable as the FN. Now the Socom is a diffrent beast. I love that little thing and if I didn't have so many FNs I would buy just Socoms and spare mags and parts. Is the Mia better than the FN? NO WAY but is the Socom better than the FN? I belive so.

[MdlMkr 7.62]

The SOCOM has a 16" barrel and the Scout has an 18" barrel. So is the Scout and 5 hi cap mags a decent deal for the $$$? This one has the black FG stock that I prefer. Gunbroker has new mags for $220 / 10 so more mags aren't a problem.

7.62 :cool:

[jrayborn]

Thats a pretty good deal for a lightly used Scout. I paid 1400 almost 8 years ago for mine. Especially if you get the mags too, very good price I think. I really like mine, its accurate, and has had absolutely no problems of any kind so far.

Good luck!

[funfaler]

$1200 for any M1A and 5 mags is a good deal. If the mags are USGI, they are worth $25 each. You would be able to get your $$ back on the package, if you decide you don't want it.

[MdlMkr 7.62]

The mags are from Dillon's catalog so I figure they are good ones. I told him I want it - done deal. Seems like a nice rifle but I really don't know that much about M1A's. I sold my Beretta Storm to fund the deal. I won't miss the Storm at all. I hated that little thing.

7.62 :cool:

[funfaler]

You might have an interest in getting some CMI M1a mags. I get mine from 44mag.com http://www.44mag.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CM20 He is great to work with and has very good prices, also has AR15 mags at a good price.

Happy shooting and shopping.

You gonna bring the new rifle down for the Appleseed, RIGHT!?

[MdlMkr 7.62]

Looking forward to the Appleseed shoot. Any other members going?????

7.62

[MdlMkr 7.62]

Good deal on the M1A mags at 44mag.com Might have to order some from them.

7.62

[MdlMkr 7.62]

The mags arrived yesterday. Wow! Super nice mags with a heavy park job on them. I'll definetly order more! Can't have too many mags!

7.62

[MdlMkr 7.62]

After wringing out the FAL and the M1A yesterday I'd say the FAL is slightly more ergonomic than the M1A. Magazine changes are slightly easier on the FAL too.

The M1A is a much more accurate rifle for me. Way better sights than the FAL. The M1A has a better trigger. It's a much nicer to shoot off the bench than the FAL too.

I need to do something about the sights on the FAL. The sights are so crappy that I may as well shoot my AK. With an upgrade in sights I feel it would be closer to equal with the M1A.

I feel they're both excellent designs but for accuracy, the M1A wins without a fight (pun intended). Too bad the M1A mags are so expensive :mad:

The Smith Industries F/H works very well. Well worth the money.

7.62 :cool:

[funfaler]

We will talk about FAL sight modifications this weekend. Still not M1a sights, but better:D

[jrayborn]

To me the sight issues don't mean a whole lot. No argument that the M1A has more easily adjusted and user friendly sights, but on a properly adjusted FAL in battlefield type conditions, they are far more than adaquate. I just can't see me trying to dope out a 500 yard shot on someone who is either shooting at me, or unaware of my presense altogether.

The thing that gets me on the M1A is the insane prices on spare parts. For the cost of a complete M1A bolt, I can almost buy a complete FAL parts kit. Thats just simple economics. I own four FAL's and, unfortunately, only one M1A. I have enough spare parts to keep my FAL's running for likely hundreds of years for the cost of about one M1A. That is something there is just no arguement for. M1A parts are expensive.

Buuuuuut...My FAL's just don't "speak" to me like my M1A and his M1 Garand buddies. I learned that for about the cost of a kit FAL I can get a nice Garand. I can tell you that with a Garand I do NOT feel undergunned in the least and I'd be perfectly content to go to war with it today. Anyone who has a hard time comming up with the cash for an M1A should seriously consider a Garand, in my opinion.

Well this post took a strange turn didn't it...oh well. Later.


JR

[MdlMkr 7.62]

Yeah, M1A's are expensive but have you ever heard of a National Match FAL? I like 'em both but the M1A's sights are superior to the FAL's.

When it comes to price, a DSA FAL is about the same price as a Springfield Armory M1A. A Norinco or Polytech is about the same price as a franken FAL....

7.62

[MdlMkr 7.62]

I used my M1A Scout at this weekend's Applessed shoot. It really is a GREAT rifle. I couldn't be happier with it. The Appleseed program was AWESOME too. I'd highly recommend it.

7.62 :cool:

[funfaler]

To me the sight issues don't mean a whole lot. No argument that the M1A has more easily adjusted and user friendly sights, but on a properly adjusted FAL in battlefield type conditions, they are far more than adaquate. I just can't see me trying to dope out a 500 yard shot on someone who is either shooting at me, or unaware of my presense altogether.

JR

The FAL sights are very adaquate, they just need a little "tuning up" to make more adaquate. I turn the front sight down to .050", to make it 8 MOA. This makes it a better range estimating device, easier to calculate wind corrections, moving target leads, and easier to engage targets out to 500 yards. The rear sights on most FALs need to be tightened up, to eliminate some of the wobble they have, this will increase repeatability on the rear sights, and increase accuracy.

My M1a Standard ran great, and shot very well at the Appleseed shoot, that is nearly 400 rounds over a 2 day period. I did not clean between days, had to know how it would run.

As far as M1a parts, atleast there aren't a bunch of them, only 60 some parts total on the rifle, and few are gun stoppers. However, I have opted to get a complete rifle for a "spare" rather than trying to stock spare parts :D Once you get one, you will understand.