M1A Question

N

Nightcrawler

New member
I'm at the Springfield Armory website now. I'm a fan of compact, yet powerful firearms. I mean, I like the short DS Arms FALs, the 18" Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70, etc.

The M1A is available with either 18" or 22" barrels. Sure, 4" isn't much of a difference, but usually such things include other features to reduce the weapon's overall size.

But the "shorter" M1A isn't any shorter. In fact, it's LONGER. The standard M1A, with a 22" barrel, is 44 1/3" long. The "scout squad rifle" with the 18" barrel is 44 1/2" long.

I don't get it? What's the point of shortening the barrel if the overall length is just as long? How do they even do that? Lengthen the stock?
 
I have a second question.

Does anybody make .308 stripper clips for use with the M1A? I remember seeing this old Army film from the 1950s, in which a GI testing an M14 left the magazine in place, and when the bolt locked back after the last round, popped a stripper clip in. I suppose that was a holdover from the transition from the Garand, but it would be nice nonetheless.
 
I don't know about the length difference -- could it be a typo? I noticed it too when I was looking over their new site. As far as stripper clips: they may not be in current production, but there are surplus clips out there, same as magazines (though not so expensive ;)). At the last gun show I went to, I saw a 10-pack for a dollar, IIRC.
 
Greetings,

They don't look the same size in this side-to-side picture


prod_image2.jpg
 
Nightcrawler, the Scout is shorter, short enough that it took me about 45 minutes of staring at them both to make my decision. I just bought an M1A this last weekend.
I'm new to the whole centerfire rifle scene, but the obvious pros and cons that I noticed were:

M1A: Traditional/Historical look, pretty stock, longer barrel (Q-man told me the M14 was built to reach out and touch someone, and this baby will do it)...

Scout: Shorter barrel, shorter synthetic stock (may not be as pretty but won't change with weather like wood), and scope mount installed on rifle ~(see above the handguard in the pic? that will save you over a hundred dollars).
 
Righteous...

I think I'll go down to Freeman's Gun Shop and buy an M1A scout rifle. Does that have a see-through scope mount? If so, I'll also buy a Trijicon ACOG 4x Tritium powered scope, and zero that for 400 yards. I'll zero the iron sights for 100 yards. Then I'll pick up a bunch of 20 round aftermarket mags from cheaper than dirt (they might not be the best, but you can afford 'em) and maybe a couple GI 20 rounders too.

And, while I'm at it, I'll trade in my rusty Oldsmobile for a Ford Mustang.

*sigh* Hey, a guy can dream, right?

'Sides, it costs a lot less than a DS Arms light FAL carbine. Though the FAL mags are more abundant and cheaper.
 
Or maybe..

...I'll get a full size one. The two or three inches difference in length doesn't really matter, I suppose. I'm not going to be using this in an APC or anything, and even if I did, it's only a few inches longer than my M16A1.

But it's not for everybody. This petite sailor seems to have a little trouble with it.

m-14-dvic531.jpg
 
Neat Picture.... Lean in to it! LOL!
She better watch her fingers. They are right over the operating rod. Crunch! That's the hard way to learn. (I'll reserve my comments about women in combat positions....) Anyone know what they are shooting at?

I'm not sure how that forward scope mount is attached to the scout. I could be wrong, but I would think that the mounting position would induce more inaccuracy. I think another rifle, such as the FAL or the AR15, would better fill the role that the M1A scout is supposed to fill. But I’m just an armchair firearms expert!

[Edited by Q-Man on 04-17-2001 at 09:21 PM]
 
Well...

...she looks like she's about five feet tall. Anybody of that stature is gonna have difficulty with a full-length rifle like the M14. That's a pretty long stock on that thing, after all.

This person doesn't seem to be having trouble at all.

m-14-dvic532.jpg
 
Humm, Nightcrawler.
Scout or full lenth SA M1A....My Opinion, check the boards, here, ar15.com and AW and pick up some good USGI mags used or even NIW at good prices. IMHO I have seen 7 after market mags are trouble ( bought those mags ) For $10.00 to 14.00 you can get good to better USGI AR mags. For $40 to 45 you can get good to NIW M14 mags.
Look up used Mags, and ask the sellers...they will tell you the truth, Tapco, Cnnd and other will just sent you mags.

Geez I bet I get flamed for this

Karsten
 
My guess is she's shooting at the ocean. Give a squid a target like that and they still miss!
Speaking of which, tonight at the range I saw someones gun that started life as a Garand, got the Italian BM-59 conversion, then got custom worked into a Garand tanker length gun that has a BM-59 gas system and eats outta USGI M-14 mags. I want one too!
 
Oh wait, that gal not on a cruise ship...Geez they are all dressed alike.
Okay Capt Stubin, Gropher and the rest were there but what is she shooting at? A Sea Gull, or the water. Note the lack of hearing aids.
Oh but I agree, a lady with a rifle is something to behold and respect.
 
Magazines

I hear that most of the aftermarket magazines for the M1A are junk. But I heard the same thing about AR magazines, and none of my USA Mags brand ever gave me any trouble.

See, I'm on a limited budget. Assuming I manage to scrape up $1200 to drop down on an M1A, I haven't got the money to spend $50 for a single magazine.
 
I know what you mean. The day I picked up my rifle I got two aftermarket mags because they were cheap and everywhere else was selling USGI mags for $60-70. Then I came out here on the net and got some good advice from TFL posters who told me where to get used ones for cheaper. I also picked up a Gun List and a Shotgun News and see better deals for mags and ammo than any of the shops around here.
Anyhow, if I can find that rifle range this weekend I'll let you know how the aftermarket mags worked. ~Everyone tells me they are going to stink... kinda worried but it's too late now!
 
Nightcrawler check out the rifle For Sale section for a post I put up for a friend of mine. He's selling his M1A with a bunch of mags, Smith Enterprise mount, harris bipod, and sling for only $1200 I belive it was. It's $1600 with a scope and rings.
 
Nightcrawler,

Don't know about the el-cheapo steel aftermarket mags, but the chi-com mags are just as good as USGI, and usually sell for a few bucks less if you can find them.

Also, the Thermold mags work OK too. They do require a bit of very minor grind work with a file or Dremel on the locking lug to make them fit and on the back end of the right feed lip to free up some rubbing against the bolt, but once this is done they work great. I've picked up several "junk" Thermold mags real cheap from guys who didn't like them and thought they were unreliable, made the mods, and now use them all the time, trouble free.

Swampy
 
I prefer rifles with an "as issued" configuration. It's usually easier to find parts and they've been around long enough for the bugs to be worked out (or at least widely known).

You should be able to find M-14 stripper clips pretty easy, either in the Shotgun News or at a gunshow. I've found nice bandolier sets that would go nicely with an M1A.
 
I opted for the loaded full size. I was thinking of adding the scout mount to it (SA sells the part) but i had a chance to shoulder a scoped scout M1A and found it didnt line up as fast as my other scoped rifles. Even with that low mount, the cheek weld was way low for a proper allignment...for me anyways. If you get the scout, you should also count on needing a cheek pad/elevator to help you shoulder faster.

As for why i got the loaded over the scout in the first place- my reason for getting an M1A was for a full size battle rifle. By definition of scout, light and hand come to mind, and many other guns are better suited for this role than a chopped M1A.
 
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