Buy bolt 308 or wait for M1A prices to come down?

If you're asking if a Ruger gunsite or any bolt action rifle a good alternative for the M1A, I'd have to say no. You don't state what you are wanting one for but if I go back and think about the reason folks buy the M1A (even if I think their reason is nuts) then ANY bolt action .308 is a poor substitute. No history, slower action, etc etc.

Would I pay a premium for one? Heck no. But then again I wouldn't go looking at a bolt action as a substitute. Heck SKS's and Mini 30's are more likely substitutes regardless of the smaller cartridge.
 
I carried the Army's version of the M1A for several years, until they issued me their version of the AR. I get it, okay? But the bigger rifle is heavier, although it has a lot of panache, is a true battle rifle, great cartridge. But, when you lug the thing around for a while, it gets burdensome.

Nowadays, in my curmudgeon status, my carrying rifles weigh about 8 lbs, loaded down. I don't think anyone can go wrong with a bolt .308. They're great rifles, come in lots of flavors, and are easily personalized. I have several of the darned things and I like them a lot.

But, if you want an M1A, save your pennies and be ready to take advantage of a deal when it comes around. I get it, I really do.
 
There are three basic things at work here. Regular supply and demand, the panic "bubble" currently underway, and the fact that our money isn't worth crap anymore....

I have a rack grade M1A. All GI parts, except the reciever. Got it, and 6 mags, scope mount, and a black fiberglass stock, for $500 cash. About 25 years ago....today, that won't even get me a case of ammo!:eek:

The price isn't going to come down, significantly. Once the bubble bursts, it will drop back to close to pre-panic pricing, BUT, odds are, by then, the devaluation of our money will mean it still costs more dollars than it did before.

Get the bolt gun, and have fun shooting it. Get a jar, and at the end of every week (or every day, if you are really serious), and toss in all the coins in your pockets. A one liter bottle will hold about $300 in quarters....it is slow, but also relatively painless way to save for toys...
 
Jackpine If you look around M1A prices should settle down at some point and if you have a gunshop that you deal with regular have them put an M1A on back order for you and you'll probably have the cash in hand by the time it rolls in.
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+1 although from everything I've heard the gunsite scout is a fine rifle you'll end up wishing you had the M1A. Put the money down that you would spend on the bolt gun on an M1A now and have your shop order one, then put it on layaway if you have to. IMHO you will not regret buying an M1A even if you pay panic prices for it, just don't pay more than $2k

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Check Armslist, saw some M1As on there for less than $2k
 
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Would I pay a premium for one? Heck no. But then again I wouldn't go looking at a bolt action as a substitute. Heck SKS's and Mini 30's are more likely substitutes regardless of the smaller cartridge.
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Agreed.
 
L_Killkenny said:
Heck SKS's and Mini 30's are more likely substitutes regardless of the smaller cartridge.
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Concur, and that's actually not a bad idea. I have a buddy who bought a Mini 30 for his wife to hunt with. (Yeah, right. She doesn't hunt). He's killed several deer with it and likes the little rifle a lot. He's also got an M1A Socom that never comes out of the safe. He carries and shoots the Mini 30 a whole lot more.
 
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