Official M1A thread.

[Malibu]

These kind of "vipers" make me wonder if I should upgrade my Mini 14 to one of those.
That would mean I'd be all in on .308 for rifle caliper.
I have lots of .223/5.56 in storage, I'd prolly be sitting on it w/ out any shooting apparatus for it.

All these M1A variants are very nice. But considering the cost difference in ammunition between the .223/5.56 vs .308, I would keep at least one weapon that uses the .223/5.56 for that alone. When I was younger and didn’t have orthopedic issues that defined how much I could carry all day, those M1A’s were no problem. Thirty + years later the increased weight of the platform limits my use of such. The weight issue, and higher cost of the ammunition are something you might consider before dumping the Mini-14, if you are OK with the differences between the two cartridges. Why not simply keep both?

 

[tedster]

All these M1A variants are very nice. But considering the cost difference in ammunition between the .223/5.56 vs .308, I would keep at least one weapon that uses the .223/5.56 for that alone. When I was younger and didn’t have orthopedic issues that defined how much I could carry all day, those M1A’s were no problem. Thirty + years later the increased weight of the platform limits my use of such. The weight issue, and higher cost of the ammunition are something you might consider before dumping the Mini-14, if you are OK with the differences between the two cartridges. Why not simply keep both?

That's exactly my thinking. Thanks for sharing this opinion. 1k rounds of 5.56 is usually easily obtainable, price and availability wise.
I think the Mini 14 is a great practice gun, easy to carry. Anything from 25-150 yards is well within range for a skilled shooter.

I actually gave my Rem 700 .308 bolt into consignment. I'm down sizing. I always admire the talent of being able to do more with less or those who state "I only keep what I shoot". Fact is, I am not shooting much of anything at these days. I need to find a way out of this hiatus.

 

[NASAcollector]

Oh yeah, Mr Nasa Collector, you got a few, right there.
You're a good man. I seem to struggle with holding on to too many guns.

I wish I had 1/2 the guns I've sold over the last 40 years. The SEI M1A is a custom one built by Ron using an SA forged receiver. I also have 4 original Brookfield scope mounts, a Bassett, a couple of Sadlak and a box of SA mounts.

I also have an early Devine in storage. The Norinco M14's cost me $250 but I had to buy all 10 left in inventory. I have a few NIB left but they're in storage. Back in the olden days when M1 Carbines & Garands were coming in from Korea, I had the chance to go through a 40' container and cherry pick. The carbines were $49.95 and Garands were $69.95, i bought 160 carbines and 85 Garands, all in original excellent shape.

 

[Malibu]

^^^^The good ‘Ol days .
I remember the Recycler classifieds, and my “must have, must satisfy” the interest in all the various HK (Oberndorf) and IMI-UZI products a younger man could get ahold of. I was really good at living on the cheap while building up a nice collection until Roberti-Roos pretty much put a stop to it. Fortunately I had the means to somehow move the bulk of it all back to America (Free State), and reluctantly registered a few to keep here, to avoid any employment disqualification means. Nowadays when on the rare occasion that some go out, they can be the subject of discussion from curious folks who have never seen, let alone handled some.

 

[Radman64]

The Norinco M14's cost me $250 but I had to buy all 10 left in inventory. I have a few NIB left but they're in storage. Back in the olden days when M1 Carbines & Garands were coming in from Korea, I had the chance to go through a 40' container and cherry pick. The carbines were $49.95 and Garands were $69.95, i bought 160 carbines and 85 Garands, all in original excellent shape.

Holy cow, that had to have been a long time ago!
I got into military surplus firearms back in the mid/late 80's and never saw prices like that lol, I'm taking it you used to do gun shows (god they were so epic back in the 80's).

 

[M1A Rifleman]

Can’t beat the look and hard hitting from a 22 inch barrel M14/M1A.

 

[bergmen]

I've had a Springfield Walnut Scout Squad M1A for about 15 years (bought new at Reeds in Santa Clara), one of the finest firearms I've ever owned. Accurate, reliable, soft recoil (mostly because of the weight). A few years ago I had a local expert hand checker and hand rub the stock. Here is a picture of the work he did.

 

[M1A Rifleman]

Reeds brings back memories from the 1980’s . My dad would drive over hwy 17 from Santa Cruz with a teenage me to go to Reeds. I used to gaze at the M1A’s. Great times

 

[bergmen]

Reeds brings back memories from the 1980’s . My dad would drive over hwy 17 from Santa Cruz with a teenage me to go to Reeds. I used to gaze at the M1A’s. Great times

Yeah, it was originally over on Alum Rock (IIRC). I bought a few guns while they were there, great place to do business. Very well stocked and knowledgeable people.

Dan

 

[DRH50BMG]

Finally finished my birch stock (tung oil and wax), still need to finish and mount the faux selector switch.

 

[chefdude]

ok I will play

 

[ilikeike]

Definitely want to go with a wood stock in the future.
Since I already have a bunch of 6.5 for my bolt action rifle, I went with that.

 

[gsp. .]

My heavy pig. The white was done by a former Marine with a powder coat company I was doing a lot business with. He was about bout it and did right. Sanded the sears on the trigger so the second stage is a hairpin. Anything under 300 yards fells like a waste of round cause it’s to easy. Maybe 2k rounds through it zero issues.

 

[gsp. .]

I always wanted a M14, thought it was the baddest rifle the US made.
Back in the 80's-early 90's I do not recall Springfield making them for civilian purchase just Norinco which even back then ran around 7-900.00 but they were made well. The DoD never released M14's that I know of, from my understanding is they destroyed them all except those they retained.

I always wanted a M14, thought it was the baddest rifle the US made.
Back in the 80's-early 90's I do not recall Springfield making them for civilian purchase just Norinco which even back then ran around 7-900.00 but they were made well. The DoD never released M14's that I know of, from my understanding is they destroyed them all except those they retained.

I got my hands on a m14 parts kit made in 1968 a few years back. The uppers were all cut up with a torch when they were brought back. Cleaned all cosmoline that was packed into every little piece. Never got around to buying a new cold forged receiver and having the barrel head spaced to it and glass bedded. One day tho

 

[SDDAVE56]

My one and only, SA Loaded Model. Purchased new 2005. Trigger group marked TRW.

 

[EBR Works]

Started as a Scout Squad from about 2010 and was a 3-4 MOA rifle. Better now at about 2 MOA, but it's heavy! Optic on a Sadlak mount. Trigger was tuned by a gunsmith in CA. Adjustable gas system & other changes I don't remember. In retrospect, too much spent on this project, but fun to shoot prone.

https://imgur.com/ZWjTOcl

 

[gsp. .]

Started as a Scout Squad from about 2010 and was a 3-4 MOA rifle. Better now at about 2 MOA, but it's heavy! Optic on a Sadlak mount. Trigger was tuned by a gunsmith in CA. Adjustable gas system & other changes I don't remember. In retrospect, too much spent on this project, but fun to shoot prone.

https://imgur.com/ZWjTOcl

Is that a Jae stock? I was on a wait list for one back around that time and then the shop burned down. This is the build I wanted, but trijicon acog on top. Super jealous

 

[gsp. .]

Is that a Jae stock? I was on a wait list for one back around that time and then the shop burned down. This is the build I wanted, but trijicon acog on top. Super jealous

Nvm see the archangel on the bottom. Still sweet

 

[EBR Works]

Nvm see the archangel on the bottom. Still sweet

Correct. Thanks!

 

[Nureru56]

My first long gun about 4-5 years ago, Scout model. A bunch of things changed out, adjustable gas, US Coast Guard/NAVY Brake, M14.ca handguard, Aimpoint PRO, front pic rail/sling stud and other SEI / Sadlak internals.

Still my favorite rifle to date.