M1A1/M14

T

TOPKICK

New member
I'd like to have the $'s to get a real nice Springfield M1A1, But I'm afraid it will never happen.

What are some good clones for this rifle, and where to find them? Costs?

What about Ocala Armory's "M1A type rifle with all G.I. parts, bayonet lug, flash hider, sling, 20rnd mag., any good? Listing on GOA for $799.

Any info on this rifle or others, plus this dealer would be appreciated.
 
It is possible!

I bought my M1A when I was going to college at UCLA. And I am not my parents welfare case, I had to support myself on a $7.50 job. The key is to save a little at a time. But hey, I don't need to give financial advice. Just start saving $100 a month and in a year, that nice quality M1A is yours! You won't be sorry you spent the money. I know I am not.

From what I hear, there really is no cheap alternative to the M1A. Maybe the others can help you.
 
What I did

I waited and waited and waited until I found one used that was exactly what I wanted. I happened to get one that was an unfired "loaded" model, with the coupons for free stuff still unused, with an ARM scope mount, all for about $300 less than street prices for new. Plus, no sales tax. Took months to find it. Had to drive 600 miles.

Wait. You won't be sorry.

Regards.
 
Full length bedding? Start with a synthetic stock and take it from there. Any serious work should preclude wood, unless it's the newer pressure treated laminate. Don't get upset if they don't "full length bed" it.
 
Sorry to nag you TOPKICK, but the M1A1 is a totally different gun than the M1A. The M1A is the semiautomatic copy of the U.S. M14 rifle made by the Springfield Armory. The M1A1 is the version of the Thomson Sub-Machinegun ("Tommy Gun") that was used by the U.S. in WWII (it was the version with the flat fore-grip).

I picked up my standard synthetic-stocked M1A for $1011. Save a little money out of every pay check and you'll have the money before you know it.
 
Topkick
You can get some deals every now and then on http://www.gunbroker.com SA NM with goodies there now for $1200. One last week for $980.
Just watch and save your money. Or do like I do and go lay the darn thing away, you will be surprised how soon it got paid for.
There is a place here that has NIB SA Standard Grade for $1180 and they have a layaway deal for up to 4 month. But I would hold out SA should hold it's value better than a clone will

Just MHO

Karsten
 
Sorry about the wrong name!

Must have been "brain-housing group lock-up. But you guys were all smart enough to know what I really meant. Good advise from all of you. It's hard to save and wait, but I know that it will be worth it in the end. I was just thinking that maybe I could go cheap now and trade up later. I thought maybe that a clone would help satisfy this itch that I have for one now! I get these itches more and more frequently now! :) :)

But thanks for the sound advice from all. Maybe I'll meet some widow womman thats selling her dear departed's guns and I'll be able to get it for $200 or so. Ya think maybe? Well, it COULD happen! :) :)
 
That's good to know Jim, thanks.

I'll post some pictures for those that like to look at what we're talking about.

Springfield Armory M1A:
2001-products-rifles-loadset.jpg


M1A1 Carbine:
m1a1.jpg


M1A1 Thomson Sub-Machinegun:
m1a1thom.gif
 
When someone says M1A1, I think Abrams with a 120mm smoothbore. I'd sure like to have one of those too, but even saving my pennies, I don't think I'll ever make it.

Sure would make the commute more fun, though ;).

M1911
 
That is a very good deal, after you add up everything that is being offered with it. Plus it would save the time required to track down and purchase all of those accessories.


There are 26 letters in the alphabet and an infinite supply of numbers, but they just keep using the same "M1A1" for every other piece of military hardware.

M1A1 main battle tank
abram6.jpg
 
How do you reload 120mm?

Does Dillon have a 120mm reloading adapter for my RL 550b? Who makes the dies for that round? I would think that 120mm would be expensive unless you reloaded it. What kind of powder should I use? I only have about 4 lbs of IMR 4064 left. Will that be good for one round probably?
 
If you can wait a few weeks, I'll have a brand new never been fired except at the factory M1A National Match (not a Loaded model) for sale at lower than dealer cost, WITH an ARMS scope mount and rings to boot. Please stay tuned.
 
I'm interested!

And will be waiting! Hope it's well below a $grand though.

And if I can't afford the "street" price of a M1A, how am I supposed to come up with the $ for the M1A1??? :) :)
 
one other option...

...is getting a clone and having it worked over down the line.

From all the reading I've done so far (not to mention pestering the smith I know) -- the Polytech/Norinco clones have a reciever the equal (or arguably better) of even Springfield. (Though it seems lookin' at the two, Springfield wins appearance-wise hands down, and the forged/cast/milled debate at this point remides me of the old "would you rather have a .45 or a 9mm through your left vertricle?" Fun to blather about, but no real practical diff.)

The downside is the other parts aren't exactly top of the line. Info and commentary:

http://www.smithenterprise.com/gen_info.htm#M14RIFLE PARTS COMPARISON

http://www.fultonarmory.com/M14S_Eval.htm

http://www.snipercountry.com/hottips/HighEndRifles.htm



All that said -- I'm the same boat as you TOPKICK. What money I have, well.. I don't see plunking down 1200-2000 to start. (And I'll admit, a year-long layaway's a little much for my nerves ;) ) So I'm picking up a Poly clone I found, and HAVING IT CHECKED FOR SAFETY BY AN INDEPENDANT SMITH.

A few months down the line, I plan to send it to Smith Ent for a bolt conversion. Should come out to a little better price than Springfield's basic model (though not by much) -- and after that, who knows. Gives me more room to experiment first hand with the thing, and then have it tweaked to fit me.

Personally, I like the idea of "rifle on the installment plan." Others will wisely tell you you're paying just as much, just not all at once, so you might as well get the Springfield to start with. Your call.

-K
 
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