M1A thoughts?

That_FNG · Aug 13, 2019

I had an M1A in the Socom 16 variety. Was well made and shot decent, but not super accurate. I ended up getting rid of it because it didn’t do much for me. I liked how the action operates. When it would cycling it had a very metallic feeling to it. Mine was fixed magazine and was a breeze to load via M14 stripper clips. For me the 308 semi auto landed into a weird spot. Not cheap enough to be able to justify going to the range and just blasting 200 or 300 rounds, but not a big enough caliber to have a big enough boom. Commercial ammo was into the 16-20 bucks a box for 20 rounds price. Every time I would shoot it I would think to myself, for just going out and blasting away I could do it for half the cost with an sks or ar15.

Podmonkey · Aug 13, 2019

505PIR said:
If I sodiered or JB Welded a fake flash suppressor on a NY M1A would it have any negative effect on harmonics, POI? I'm thinking no but want some feedback before doing it. Thanks.

Just go with a naked muzzle with a good crown on it. Cheaper, simpler, lighter. Any M1A sold in NY will already be compliant anyway.

That_FNG said:
I had an M1A in the Socom 16 variety. Was well made and shot decent, but not super accurate. I ended up getting rid of it because it didn’t do much for me. I liked how the action operates. When it would cycling it had a very metallic feeling to it. Mine was fixed magazine and was a breeze to load via M14 stripper clips. For me the 308 semi auto landed into a weird spot. Not cheap enough to be able to justify going to the range and just blasting 200 or 300 rounds, but not a big enough caliber to have a big enough boom. Commercial ammo was into the 16-20 bucks a box for 20 rounds price. Every time I would shoot it I would think to myself, for just going out and blasting away I could do it for half the cost with an sks or ar15.

High volume 308 plinking requires access to internet ammo or deep pockets.
Malaysian 7.62x51 surplus is still the cheapest 308 put there and it shoots well also. You might see it in shops. At a ridiculous mark up no doubt.
I shoot the Malaysian stuff, Aguila when Gander has it on sale and lately the Swiss Saltech 7.62x51 which is available at a reasonable price.
When you can find it.

71velle · Aug 13, 2019

A guy at the range who competes CMP bought one of their match grade models and it shot very poorly. Went back twice and still sucked. he shoots groups with his 70 old M1 grand a quarter of the size. He said if I wanted one get an older one, cant remember the date but they are available.

If your just looking for a cool rifle to F around it may not matter.

Robin · Aug 14, 2019

I had an M1A, Springfield Armory, Winchester barrel. Very, Very accurate and fun gun to shoot. I know the action is outdated and there are better ones out there but I liked it and still like it in the Mini.
Robin

MuttCat · Aug 15, 2019

Always wanted a Mini myself...wifey watches me like a hawk....

Did buy a 308 BAR Mk3 a year ago and topped it with a used Leupold. Have not fired it yet, but it is certainly eye candy.

holdover · Sep 1, 2019

I had a newer M1A match loaded, I didn't care for it. Out of the box it did not have the legendary accuracy I was expecting. In fact, it was all over the place. Now, in order for me to obtain much better results I was going to have to dump at least another grand or more into it. I was more than a little pissed For a rifle that cost 1800 at the time. I would expect some decent accuracy from it out of the box.

Sold it , bought a DPMS panther 308. Much better accuracy, but it needed work too. in my opinion It was weighty , slow to swing, and was neither a great assault weapon nor long range weapon. A specific purpose built weapon system outperformed it in the close and long range roles.ie An M4 performed better at close range and a bolt rifle performed better at long range. It was kind of a hybrid with a mid range purpose . I didn't care for it .

tony · Apr 6, 2020

I'm in the minority here. I like the M1A. In my younger days when I could see better me and a good friend would shoot at bowling pins at 100 yds. off hand. Didn't hit them every time but hit them. From any of the three other positions they were a piece of cake. Was it a match grade rifle? Nope just a M1A standard grade.

I don't believe it to be a good choice for hunting as it is a bit on they heavy side for my old ass to be lugging through the woods. I tend to look at lighter scoped bolt actions these days. But I have to admit that I still enjoy shooting the M1A. It worked well at giving me confidence...

meketrefe · Apr 7, 2020

IMO Not worth the money. I had one and others here in the past and no matter how much money you dump on
them (including $600 match barrels and stocks) they will never achieve the repeatilbility some people claim.
The 16" saiga, while not a ideal barrel length for a 308 produces better consistency with a wider range of ammo
than the M1A socom and we used to be able to buy saigas for $175 and are more reliable and accurate than the M1A.
But we know those have been overpriced too but not the absurd prices of the M1As.

Regarding the FNAR and browning they are good hunting repeating rifles but they are not trouble free neither and
hard to service and maintain. Should you need anything form FN embrace from a long long wait (unless you are LEO or military
contractor, they they will suck d!ck). no way to find extensions and spare bolts for backup or caliber swaps. Aftermarket is close
to zero and $70-80 magazines. ouch!

I am not talking theory but from experience owning all those for many years and being pretty focused in accuracy
and reliability. In the end the saiga is the most dependable given a simple trigger upgrade and some ergonoics but not 100%necessary.

Anything with a pinned magazine looses the most important function of a detachable magazine auto-loader.

Look into the VEPR and remington 750 (now discontinued) but some folks do amazing retrofits and have custom bolts and magazines.
Also look into an AK based galil or yugo quality kits that can be built into a nice rifle grip rig by a gunsmith.

MuttCat · Apr 7, 2020

Many years ago I bought a used BLR in 308. It was scoped and had a hammer extension. Great set-up for woods hunting...took a big bodied buck with it up in Hamilton County. I sold it and have been kicking myself in the ass since.

There's a Belgium bulit one for sale here in the classifieds...I've been watching, but no guns for me until the Kung Fu Flu settles down.

meketrefe · Apr 7, 2020

Vapor said:
I have a friend with a 20" Saiga I got to play around with a lot.

I owned 2 x39s myself, along with a x39 Vepr. (And 3 or 4 sks rifles.) I'm just tired of the AK game.

It sounds like this idea needs to be shelved while I'm in NY, or I need to go the ar10 route.

The 20" saiga is not as accurate as the 16" one.
16" is a tad short for the 308. IMO An ideal size for this carbine would be 18"-19" for a 308.

ikilledkenny · Apr 16, 2020

I have a m1a scout squad. i like it and i am a total n00b and my first gun. shot less than may be 200 rounds.
[I have no reference to comparison as this is my only rifle.
and there are way better guns out there and not qualified to compare]

this is what i shot at 100 yards this past weekend. again i am not sure if it is bad.
Iron sights only. my accuracy is so so.

punishing on my shoulder [without padding]
i do use stock padding to absorb the recoil.

Edwardteach72 · Apr 16, 2020

ikilledkenny said:
I have a m1a scout squad. i like it and i am a total n00b and my first gun. shot less than may be 200 rounds.
[I have no reference to comparison as this is my only rifle.
and there are way better guns out there and not qualified to compare]

this is what i shot at 100 yards this past weekend. again i am not sure if it is bad.
Iron sights only. my accuracy is so so.

punishing on my shoulder [without padding]
i do use stock padding to absorb the recoil.

View attachment 69573

100 yards for an m1a and new shooter that's really decent

Robin · Apr 16, 2020

New shooter, new gun, iron sights, I'd say that is very good! I would expect that the group will tighten even further as you shoot more and become used to the gun, recoil, sights. Nice!!! I had an M1 A with a Winchester barrel that far exceeded what everyone says an M1 a is capable of.
Robin

Edwardteach72 · Apr 16, 2020

If this makes you feel any better.

This was posted in a gun group on FB and the dude wasnt trolling (I know cause I've had other interactions with him before in other groups)

ikilledkenny · Apr 16, 2020

Edwardteach72 said:
If this makes you feel any better.

This was posted in a gun group on FB and the dude wasnt trolling (I know cause I've had other interactions with him before in other groups)

thanks for the encouragement.

i usually wear prescription glasses and see well in them. but for outdoor activities i wear contacts. for snowboarding, riding bikes and any other outdoor activities contact lens are great.

but i find it to be a minor problem, when shooting, the dot looks blurry and my shots look all over the place, as i cant see with absolute clarity.

now if i can find big goggles that i can wear over my prescription glasses may be i can improve? i dont know.

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