Thinking of Purchasing an M1A

[Medusa]

What's not to like? Get at least a pair. Now, if I only could get a NM or M21 trigger group shipped here...

 

[Ash]

Why can't you get these parts shipped to you? They are gun parts, sure, but they are semi-auto trigger groups, not barrels or receivers. Is it a US thing or a European thing that causes the problem? I know folks have received SVD parts from the UK without trouble, including front-sight and flash-hider assemblies.

Ash

 

[MTMilitiaman]

Medusa

Mud. Lots and lots of mud. Mud on the boots. Some mud on the rifle. Mud. With mud, that picture would be perfect.

 

[wcwhitey]

Agreed that it sounds like an extractor problem. My loaded has ran with every inexpensive brand of surplus available over the last 10 years. When battle packs were $30 for Portuguese ball. I have shot up a bunch of the early 70's Indian (made by Radway) with no problems, very accurate stuff. My stash consists of LC, Radway and Winchester Nato M80, you could mix up a mag of them and the POI is identical. I have not yet tried the Lithuanian although I here good things. I shoot quite a bit of PRVI in 5.56 and have been impressed I am inclined to go that way for my next purchase (soon)! The reality is the gun has never, ever malfunctioned through thousands of rounds. If you get a gun that has a problem send it back forthwith! JMHO Bill

P.S. Medusa, the "switch" has my blood running fast. Beautiful, simply beautiful!

 

[paratroop23]

You guys are great! Thanks to you all! I love this site!

Glockman19! Thanks for the link to Bud"s! Those look like pretty decent prices! I love my local Gun Shop, but they are marking their M1As up quite a bunch.

I'm trying to decide between the Scout or the Loaded synthetic stock models with a PTR91F coming in at a distant 3rd!

 

[Jacka L Ope]

M21?

Did someone say M21?

My version of the M21 SWS: SA Loaded, SA 3rd generation M1A scope mount, Leupold Mk 4 Rings, Zeiss 6.5-20x50 AO MC Conquest scope w/ Mil Dot reticle.

Does anybody have any experience with the SA mount and how well it works?
Sorry for the slight Hijack.

\hijack

Works quite well. It's a secure, solid 3-point mount. Not difficult to install. Allows for use of the iron sights. Some complain it shoots loose but I installed with Loctite 242 threadlocker and it hasn't budged.

If installing yourself, follow the instructions carefully. Be sure to use a good quality, correctly sized gunsmith punch, NOT the cheap pieces of crap from your local hardware store, to remove/install the pin for the stripper clip guides (if you don't use stripper clips, you won't miss the original).

/end hijack

Cheers!

 

[Farnham]

Get It

SA Inc Standard model, lots of H&R parts, and an ARMS 18 mount.

Haven't posted in a LONG time, but had to throw her in.



And in the Sunday best...

 

[natescout]

Lots of nice m1a's, hard to go wrong with a m14 style rifle. Hey water man where you get all the polys

 

[Medusa]

Why can't you get these parts shipped to you? They are gun parts, sure, but they are semi-auto trigger groups, not barrels or receivers. Is it a US thing or a European thing that causes the problem? I know folks have received SVD parts from the UK without trouble, including front-sight and flash-hider assemblies.

Ash, it's US export regulations. I can't even buy a riflescope and get it shipped here. I'd have to go through a dealer, I think. Then I'd get a new NM gas piston, spring guide, maybe a optics mount and new NM flashhider, besides the trigger group. Good rifle deserves the best.

Otherwise it's a good rifle, a pleasure to shoot. Especially when comparing it to G3.

Mud? why mud? the less mud the better It was an observation post, keeping an eye on a gate.

[/off topic]

[on topic] nice rifle, you like you buy.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

Because only REMF have new boots and shiny rifles. Everything an 03 has is dirty and in need of constant repair. REMFs don't need rifles, or boots for that matter. Mud is synonymous with infantry, which are the only people who can truly appreciate a fine rifle like the M14.

 

[30Cal]

I've not owned one, but I've seen enough problems with them that I'd skip straight to one of the high-end mounts like the Sadlak.

+1

Mine shot loose in 3rd intervals. If you're looking for a solid trouble free mount, the 3rd gen is not it.

 

[paratroop23]

Will there be any loss of accuracy between the 22in standard and the 18 in Scout? Hold on let me rephrase that. Will a Loaded Standard out perform a Scout?

 

[Medusa]

Most of the time the questionable object is the connection between the weapon and the ground.

Heh, one instructor dully noted, that when the shooting result sucks, then the problem might be:
1. gun sucks
2. sights suck (either irons or optical)
3. firing instructor sucks.

I'd believe that within couple hundred yards it won't matter (technically speaking, when the rifles are quality pieces), but when we're talking about the limits of effective range, say 800 yards and more, then the longer barrel has an edge. But it depends on the need.

 

[Ergosphere]

Will there be any loss of accuracy between the 22in standard and the 18 in Scout? Hold on let me rephrase that. Will a Loaded Standard out perform a Scout?

The extra 4 inches of barrel length will give you a bit more muzzle velocity (~100 fps IIRC).

 

[paratroop23]

I understand the extra 4 inches will add velocity to the round, but will the "Loaded" features of the Loaded M1A outshine the Scout? Is there anyone out there that has experience with both models?

 

[30Cal]

I understand the extra 4 inches will add velocity to the round, but will the "Loaded" features of the Loaded M1A outshine the Scout? Is there anyone out there that has experience with both models?

The stock fit is going to be the biggest factor. Luck of the draw with a slight edge to the Loaded model.

 

[paratroop23]

I held both the Scout and the Loaded Standard M1A today and it's official------------> I still can"t decide!

 

[chauncey]

since you already have a PTR (which I'll assume has an 18" barrel) I'd get the Loaded, for a long(er) range rifle with better iron sights and trigger than the PTR.

the scout will give similar ballistics with a similar-length barrel as the PTR, so why not add some variation to the mix.

I'll admit I'd like to get a Scout or SOCOM some day, but they aren't high on my list because there is so little difference in barrel length between a Loaded and Scout (3"?), and in a barrel under 18", 7.62x51 loses velocity and negates some of its ballistic advantages.

if you are going to get anything with a 16" barrel, I'd say the PTR is the best bet, as I believe this is the only MBR that doesn't require a redesign to operate reliably with a shortened barrel. shorti FAL's and M1A's are slightly redesigned for short barrel length.

get a Loaded, then start saving for a FAL!

 

[ShunZu]

here have problems feeding surplus ammo to their M1A?

My SA NM shoots some of the surplus stuff to the point it looks like I hit the target with 00 buckshot at 30 yards. Won't group at all.... specifically, Brazilian '78 and '82 stuff. It absolutely prefer handloads, or at a minimum Federal Match -- and she lets me know it.

Regarding the scope mount... I have what I consider is an overpriced SA 3rd gen. She shoots loose regardless of how much lok-tite and elbow-grease I've used. SO.... it's iron sights on the M1A. I have other rifles with scopes so it's no biggie.

 

[spartacus2002]

All I have shot thru my M1A is surplus -- over 11,000 rounds of it (I got into this hobby when 1K of portuguese was $135 shipped). I wore out a Loaded barrel, replaced it with a standard barrel. In all that time, I cannot recall a single FTF.

 

[paratroop23]

Chauncey

I have the 16 inch barrel version of the PTR 91, that's part of the reason why I wanted a full sized 7.62x51 rifle, and another reason why I was considering the PTR91F (18 inch barrel) That and CDNN has an excellent deal on them!

I'm really digging the M1A's now, and I think that I am going to go with the Standard Loaded Version! Mainly because of the "match" features.

 

[H2O MAN]

spartacus2002 (I got into this hobby when 1K of Portuguese was $135 shipped).

I should have purchased a semi truck load of it back then, but I only got a pick up truck load

 

[chauncey]

you're on the right track, then.

you need a full-size M1A, and an 18-inch FAL.

Three rifles, three appropriate barrel lengths.

I wouldn't get an 18" PTR. $900 for another two inches? doesn't seem worth it (for the extra 2", not the PTR)

 

[H2O MAN]

chauncey you're on the right track, then.

you need a full-size M1A, and an 18-inch FAL.

Or... you can get a full size M14, and an 18.0" M14

 

[paratroop23]

Stainless or chrome moly bbl? I see the either of these bbls are offered for the Loaded Model. What are the benefits or drawbacks for either?