Have Garand, Need M1A?

[amprecon]

I've been eyeing the M1A, but they are expensive. I already have a SLR-95 and a Garand and am thinking that I have all my bases covered. M1A mags are expensive and the Garand clips are pennies relatively. Aside from the larger magazine capacity what other advantage would I have in a M1A over a Garand? I've also been considering the M1A Scout Squad for an all-around utility rifle but I can do anything with the Garand, just a bit heavier and longer.
I already have a scoped Rem 700 in .30-06 and was thinking of keeping the calibers down to a few for logistical reasons, to add a M1A to the collection would mean another caliber to buy for. I do like the .308, but since I am already set-up for .30-06, I'm thinking stick with it and be happy.

 

[Cpl Punishment]

IMO, you're fine with the Garand.

As long as you know its failure modes (like you need to with any weapon) and are practiced at loading with the enblocs, you're good to go.

I'm sure there's plenty of guys that will argue the opposite though.

 

[iamkris]

I guess I'm having a hard time with your question.

I don't even think of the Garand, M1A or a 30-06 boltie in the same breath. I own a few modern bolt guns to hunt with, I have a Garand because I'm a WWII history buff and it is fun to shoot, and I own an M1A because it is a classic, accurate Cold War rifle (and is a complement to the other Cold War rifles I own).

If the question is "I can only afford to own 2 rifles" or "I only have interest in having 1 rifle per 'purpose' (e.g., hunting, self defense, target shooting)" then it is different. Your Garand is fine and it keeps you to 1 caliber.

 

[Onmilo]

I had an M1A before I owned a Garand and I now have no desire to be without either,,,,,

 

[ScottsGT]

I bought my M1A about 3 years before I got the Garand. I always take the Garand with me and it seems that the M1A never comes out to play. I guess I'm into the historical aspect of it. I even thought about selling the M1a and getting a "Correct Grade" M1 from the CMP. But I cannot seem to part with it, especially since it is my only mag fed .308

 

[Ed]

Yes you do. In fact, If you get one, there is this thing called the rule of twos.

 

[Sunray]

The M1A Scout Squad is a marketing thing with vastly increased muzzle blast/noise and decreased velocity. If you're looking at an M1A, buy a whole rifle. To load for it, all you'll need is brass and a set of dies. Same shellholder. Same bullet. Same primers.
"...what other advantage would I have..." More toys. I'd be looking at a used Standard rifle though. BNIB is far too expensive.

 

[FXR]

Stick with what you have, you're fine. I have both the M1A and the M1 Garand and don't see the "need" for both. Of course, if you want them just because you "want" them, then that's good enough reason. But you sure pay a lot of extra money for that 20 rd magazine!

If I had it to do over, I'd keep the M1 and not bother with the M1A. Now that I've got it, though, it's not for sale, either. (As if that makes any sense, but what the heck...).

K

 

[Dienekes]

I have X number of Garands and one M1A. The M1A has some theoretical advantages over the M1, one of them being able to mount a scope if I really need and want to. So far I haven't felt the need but some day it may arise.

Obviously my "solution" is to own and shoot both. I could get along very nicely with one or the other. What I cannot imagine is not having *any* .30 caliber Garand-influenced rifles.

BTW I am perfectly happy with my glassed standard rifle. Unless you expect to be getting in and out of APCs and clearing houses the normal M14 configuration is fine. The additional barrel length pays dividends in velocity and sight radius.

It also has a very businesslike look that can't hurt and could someday be an excellent deterrent...

 

[longhorngunman]

I personally love the M1 Garand! If you really want to get into .308 look at an FAL or a HK G3 clone like the Ptr -91. Both are excellent rifle designs in their own right and if it wasn't for some favoritism during the Garand replacement trials the military would probably have gone with the FAL.

 

[Marshall]

Buy one.

 

[226]

M1a/m14

M1A mags are expensive...

Not always. Check this deal out.

M14 Magazine Blowout

You have to check your mags from armalite as a small percentage are not true USGI. Ppl say they are happily replaced by armalite.

M14 magazines

M14 Magazine Comparison - Fake "GI" vs Real USGI

 

[odysseus]

The M1A Scout Squad is a marketing thing with vastly increased muzzle blast/noise and decreased velocity.

Disagree with you there. Perhaps you are thinking of the shorter SOCOM model? The Scout Squad has many, many satisfied customers.

 

[varoadking]

Quote:
The M1A Scout Squad is a marketing thing with vastly increased muzzle blast/noise and decreased velocity.


Disagree with you there. Perhaps you are thinking of the shorter SOCOM model? The Scout Squad has many, many satisfied customers.:

As does the SOCOM...

amprecon - a thought for you... Get yourself an M1A whenever you can - it's one of those "must have's", the Standard being my personal favorite. Down the road, when your Garand barrel is shot out and 30.06 ammo is even more expensive than it is now, rebarel your Garand to .308. You use the same clips and enjoy the benefits of .308/7.62x51 in both rifles...

Viola...

 

[amprecon]

I've also been eyeballing the PTR-91, just to have a different action type, supposedly they are as reliable as the AK-47. Magazines are cheaper and they are supposedly very accurate. For the money, I've been seriously considering them instead. Any experience with these would be appreciated, pros and cons over the M1A.