I think I need help making up my mind. Im buying a standard M1A, and I cant decide which stock to get. Walnut looks nice, but I am very fussy about nicks and dings. Synthetic is cheaper than walnut by nearly $300.00 in my area due to a sale on the synthetic model. I plan to buy a 5 round mag from Springfield in order to Deer hunt in Michigan. Therefore I may be in thick woods with this rifle. I really do plan to use it. With these applications in mind, please share some opinions as to what you guys would choose if you were in my situation. Thanks!
My M1A, Fiberglass or Walnut?
- Thread starter JRiggs
- Start date
Steve Smith
New member
If you're going to get the standard model, you should get the synthetic stock...especially if they're $300 cheaper. Save the $300 and buy some 20 round USGI mags from Cole's Diestributing for it instead. If you later decide to get a wood stock, a beautiful laminated stock can be had for less than $300.
Even if you keep your stock in pristine condition, the parkerized barrel will probably get scratched as well.
For as rifle that is as indestructible as possible, I would get the M1A in stainless/polymer.
If I wanted a warm, fuzzy rifle, I would get the parkerized barrel with a wooden stock and chalk up all "damage" as character.
My Bulgarian SLR-100 has Vietnam furniture and a parked barrel. I bought a polymer set from KVAR as a backup.
Another factor: aren't the Springfield stocks the USGI olive drab ones that have been painted black?
They smell wierd sometimes?
For as rifle that is as indestructible as possible, I would get the M1A in stainless/polymer.
If I wanted a warm, fuzzy rifle, I would get the parkerized barrel with a wooden stock and chalk up all "damage" as character.
My Bulgarian SLR-100 has Vietnam furniture and a parked barrel. I bought a polymer set from KVAR as a backup.
Another factor: aren't the Springfield stocks the USGI olive drab ones that have been painted black?
They smell wierd sometimes?
Geez, I didn't see the $300 price difference....what is up with that where ever you are. Yes, get the cheaper one and buy a nice Walnut one for the good times when you want to dress it up. The Walnut stock is about $100.00 new or I just recieved a catalog where they have them for $79 or something like that, new with no selector cutout mad for the M1A's.
Karsten
Karsten
teufelmann55
New member
Buy the synthetic stock if it is actually $300 cheaper, I think it is the old G.I piece of garbage synthetic stock. Which I would promptly remove what hardware you can then throw it in a corner. and replace with a quality walnut laminate or even a good quality synthetic stock: McMillan, Boyds, a G.I. walnut or whoever.
The old synthetic stocks for the M-14 tend to warp in sunlight and heat and the action nevers fully sits properly in it and tends to shift about under recoil.
The old synthetic stocks for the M-14 tend to warp in sunlight and heat and the action nevers fully sits properly in it and tends to shift about under recoil.
The synthetic stock I got with my standard M1A is a junker. It is an old brown surplus stock that has a black rough texture coating on it. It chips really easy. I am disappointed with it. I'm going to replace it with a USGI walnut and probably get a better synthetic for it too.
Buy a used USGI synthetic stock and nylon GI sling for use in the field. If you want a camo stock Karsten can fix you up. If you want pretty for show and tell buy a presentation grade walnut stock from Fred's then coat it with boiled linseed oil. You can get the linseed oil, tung oil and danish oil at Home Depot whatever you decide to coat the walnut with.
Thanks for all the great replies. After hearing the negative about the fiberglass, I think I will get the walnut. Besides, I really love the look of the M1A Standard in a walnut stock. It just has traditional beauty to me. I figure since I'm saving so much, why cut a corner and settle for 2nd choice. I think I'll have the cash in about 6-8 weeks. Im in the Air Force and on a restrictive budget, so I plan to scrounge hard. Im cutting down on my meals even! I figure I'll do what it takes to get this rifle now. After my wife and I have children, it may be impossible to afford one for YEARS. It's now or never! Thanks guys.
JRiggs
I agree, there is just something about the Walnut Stock especially after you rub a few coats of Tung oil into it.
If you want to check the Walnut stock nice check out Fred's and a used Birch or walnut stock for $35 and up. Or www.sportsmansguide.com has a wood stock with no cutout.
If you want a durable stock that also looks nice email and we can discuss it. I restore USGI stocks, fill the selector cutouts and paint these to look nice.
There is nothing like the look and feel of the real thing
This is one I did that MiniZ has on his M1A now
Congrates on the M1A.
Karsten
I agree, there is just something about the Walnut Stock especially after you rub a few coats of Tung oil into it.
If you want to check the Walnut stock nice check out Fred's and a used Birch or walnut stock for $35 and up. Or www.sportsmansguide.com has a wood stock with no cutout.
If you want a durable stock that also looks nice email and we can discuss it. I restore USGI stocks, fill the selector cutouts and paint these to look nice.
There is nothing like the look and feel of the real thing
This is one I did that MiniZ has on his M1A now
Congrates on the M1A.
Karsten
Mike Kilo Niner
New member
walnut
Go for the wood -- especially if it's a surplus stock with cartouches and markings. I just bought one, literally today and the stock was original GI. The nicks and dings give it some character, and best of all: check the butt stock compartment -- mine had a full, mint field cleaning kit hiding in there. Who knew?
I'll be getting a fiberglass one from Fred's soon, though, and keep the walnut one nice and "collectible."
By the way, since I just got my M1A today, I've just got to say: DAMN, what a gorgeous rifle. Can't wait to shoot it tomorrow.
MK9
Go for the wood -- especially if it's a surplus stock with cartouches and markings. I just bought one, literally today and the stock was original GI. The nicks and dings give it some character, and best of all: check the butt stock compartment -- mine had a full, mint field cleaning kit hiding in there. Who knew?
I'll be getting a fiberglass one from Fred's soon, though, and keep the walnut one nice and "collectible."
By the way, since I just got my M1A today, I've just got to say: DAMN, what a gorgeous rifle. Can't wait to shoot it tomorrow.
MK9
Well, here is my .02...
I too like the wood. With that said, get the synthetic, and here is my rationale...
The wood is not worth $300.00. Fred's has 'Presentation' grade M14 stocks for $150.00 in walnut, $125.00 for birch. In a worst case scenario, you are ahead $150.00(which will buy you a few mags).
If you are inclined to do a little refinish work, you can get 'As New' Walnut for $85.00, or birch for $75.00. Many members of these boards can give you advice on how to get these up to presentation grade(Karsten's tung oil instructions are a perfect example). Even more $$ saved.
I could go on, and show you ways to save even more $$, but my point is made. Wood looks and feels fabulous, but not for $300.00 from Springfield.
Zane
I too like the wood. With that said, get the synthetic, and here is my rationale...
The wood is not worth $300.00. Fred's has 'Presentation' grade M14 stocks for $150.00 in walnut, $125.00 for birch. In a worst case scenario, you are ahead $150.00(which will buy you a few mags).
If you are inclined to do a little refinish work, you can get 'As New' Walnut for $85.00, or birch for $75.00. Many members of these boards can give you advice on how to get these up to presentation grade(Karsten's tung oil instructions are a perfect example). Even more $$ saved.
I could go on, and show you ways to save even more $$, but my point is made. Wood looks and feels fabulous, but not for $300.00 from Springfield.
Zane
Steve Smith
New member
If you're that worried about the fiberglass stock (which you shouldn't be) then still get the fiberglass from Springfield, then buy a nice wood stock from Fred's, and while you'e at it, buy a couple of fiberglass ones from him too, I think they're still 2 for $18, get a few handguards, ($4) and definately get a cleaning kit for each stock, as no rifleman should be without that. Since your rifle isn't glass bedded, taking it out of the stock isn't a problem. What you can do is paint op those el cheapo stocks from Fred's into patterns you like, and do the handguards, too, just like in Karsten's pic.
Sound good?
It's a real shame that Springfield doesn't offer their rifles sans stock.
Sound good?
It's a real shame that Springfield doesn't offer their rifles sans stock.
This is my rifle...
..there are many like it,but this one is mine !
I do not like the GI wooden furniture,to me it's thick and heavy.I picked up an issue 'glass stock,painted it with a DuPont 2 pot to match the local vegetation and Im good to go.It dose have limitations but for field use it's great.
btw.My m14 is a Winchester and she was made in '61.Man I love this rifle..
Sorry about the pic quality fellas,I'm a real amateur when it comes to photograhpy
..there are many like it,but this one is mine !
I do not like the GI wooden furniture,to me it's thick and heavy.I picked up an issue 'glass stock,painted it with a DuPont 2 pot to match the local vegetation and Im good to go.It dose have limitations but for field use it's great.
btw.My m14 is a Winchester and she was made in '61.Man I love this rifle..
Sorry about the pic quality fellas,I'm a real amateur when it comes to photograhpy
