cslinger
Member
Well Sheslinger has recently be looking for a rifle with very specific criteria as laid out by this thread.....
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=58777
Well we went to our local gun monger and came across a used M1A Squad Scout already set up with the Springfield Scope mount and NM sights. The price was very good and apparently the guy who traded it just couldn't live without something else and decided to trade his Springer.
Anyway I have been a little leary about M1As with the current quality control reputation being not the best but the gun was priced great, was set up with everything Sheslinger wanted and fit all the criteria set forth by her. I checked it out and it had some character marks on the stock but the breach face and barrel was immaculate. Either it had not been shot much or had been extremely well taken care of.
Well based on the price being at least a couple hundred dollars cheaper than the cheapest Scout on Gunbroker and the fact that it came with the scope mount not to mention the stock forward scope mount, NM sights and the wood top end I figured tha worst case scenario we could get our money back if we needed to.
Well we got a chance to get it out to the range for a very abbreviated 40 round function test today. I am happy to report the following.
Functioning was flawless and smooth as silk.
Recoil from the 18 inch braked barrel was almost non-existent.
Sheslinger was able to shoot it offhand so it is short enough for her to handle.
We did not have time nor did we plan to sight in but I was able to easily get on a medium shoot and see at 50 yards. As near as I can figure the previous owner had the irons set up for a 12 O'Clock hold. We will sight in as soon as the weather warms up though.
I like the fact it has a stud set up for a bi-pod and also sling swivels.
It also came with a very nice leather sling. Looks like one of the nicer Garand thing, alough definitely used and darkened with time.
So all in all I am very impressed with this little M1A. My favorite rifle is the M1 Garand and this little guy is very similar and extremely fun to shoot, albeit without that wonderful PING.
So the plan is to most likely mount a cheap scope so Sheslinger can simply spot at a distance without altering her hold. She plans to shot with irons but wants an easy way to spot. This gun is set up so that should work out great. I person want to mount a forward red dot on the forward mounts just to play with it.
All in all it works out perfectly for Sheslinger and quells my desire for a .308 Garand. Once shouldered it is like a baby Garand and is wonderful fun to shoot.
The gun seem to have no quality problems at all. Everything functions as it should and I don't see how one could accidentally yank the charging handle rod out of the track without specifically trying to. I tried to do so while shooting and it wasn't happening.
So in the end Sheslinger gets her own rifle that she loves and I get my .308 box fed, semi auto that is ergonomically perfect for me. FALS, and G3/HK91s just don't work for my little girly hands. Although I like shooting them.
So where is the best place to pick up a few pre-ban 20 rounders. GI only please. I would also like to pick up a flush fitting 5 rounder or two.
Sorry for the short 40 round range report but this seems to be shaping up as one of the best rifle deals we have ever gotten. The surplus ammo is dirt cheap as well which is a new experience to me as the only .308 I put through our bolt gun is pretty expensive match grade stuff.
One question on ammo. Should 150 grain commercial .308 like those made by Federal American Eagle and UMC be ok for the operating system just like the Garand?
Thanks
Chris
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=58777
Well we went to our local gun monger and came across a used M1A Squad Scout already set up with the Springfield Scope mount and NM sights. The price was very good and apparently the guy who traded it just couldn't live without something else and decided to trade his Springer.
Anyway I have been a little leary about M1As with the current quality control reputation being not the best but the gun was priced great, was set up with everything Sheslinger wanted and fit all the criteria set forth by her. I checked it out and it had some character marks on the stock but the breach face and barrel was immaculate. Either it had not been shot much or had been extremely well taken care of.
Well based on the price being at least a couple hundred dollars cheaper than the cheapest Scout on Gunbroker and the fact that it came with the scope mount not to mention the stock forward scope mount, NM sights and the wood top end I figured tha worst case scenario we could get our money back if we needed to.
Well we got a chance to get it out to the range for a very abbreviated 40 round function test today. I am happy to report the following.
Functioning was flawless and smooth as silk.
Recoil from the 18 inch braked barrel was almost non-existent.
Sheslinger was able to shoot it offhand so it is short enough for her to handle.
We did not have time nor did we plan to sight in but I was able to easily get on a medium shoot and see at 50 yards. As near as I can figure the previous owner had the irons set up for a 12 O'Clock hold. We will sight in as soon as the weather warms up though.
I like the fact it has a stud set up for a bi-pod and also sling swivels.
It also came with a very nice leather sling. Looks like one of the nicer Garand thing, alough definitely used and darkened with time.
So all in all I am very impressed with this little M1A. My favorite rifle is the M1 Garand and this little guy is very similar and extremely fun to shoot, albeit without that wonderful PING.
So the plan is to most likely mount a cheap scope so Sheslinger can simply spot at a distance without altering her hold. She plans to shot with irons but wants an easy way to spot. This gun is set up so that should work out great. I person want to mount a forward red dot on the forward mounts just to play with it.
All in all it works out perfectly for Sheslinger and quells my desire for a .308 Garand. Once shouldered it is like a baby Garand and is wonderful fun to shoot.
The gun seem to have no quality problems at all. Everything functions as it should and I don't see how one could accidentally yank the charging handle rod out of the track without specifically trying to. I tried to do so while shooting and it wasn't happening.
So in the end Sheslinger gets her own rifle that she loves and I get my .308 box fed, semi auto that is ergonomically perfect for me. FALS, and G3/HK91s just don't work for my little girly hands. Although I like shooting them.
So where is the best place to pick up a few pre-ban 20 rounders. GI only please. I would also like to pick up a flush fitting 5 rounder or two.
Sorry for the short 40 round range report but this seems to be shaping up as one of the best rifle deals we have ever gotten. The surplus ammo is dirt cheap as well which is a new experience to me as the only .308 I put through our bolt gun is pretty expensive match grade stuff.
One question on ammo. Should 150 grain commercial .308 like those made by Federal American Eagle and UMC be ok for the operating system just like the Garand?
Thanks
Chris
Ok, just a couple would do.