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Posted: 12/3/2006 1:16:34 PM EDT
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OK, I finally decided what to spend the income tax refund on (Hard choice, around $2K) Its going to be a M1A, now I have been reading about alot of the problem with the New ones like the SOCOM, would I be better off getting a used one and pay for some Upgrades ?. |
I bought a custom built Peerless Match Grade. $2200 around 1986.  My friend has a SOCOM. The front sight broke and flew off on round 11. Springfield fixed it. Another friend came by one day selling one for $1000 with what was left of the box of shells he got with it new. The stock was cracked on that one. When he left, he asked me if I would trade him a Springfield XD 45 for it. I did not have one to trade. It'd gone now. Danny  |
| I voted neither..I think there other platforms that are as good, offer equal accuracy, and are as flexable. I'd look at a Fal, or a Hk clone like the PTR-91 Both of these rifles offer reliabilty, accuracy, and ease of finding parts and mags...cheap. I sold a polytech and bought a PTR-91 G3 mags which fit the ptr-91 cost $1.95 each in excellant condition, compare that to USGI mags..Parts everyone knows M14 parts have pretty much dryed up, complete bolts are going for $150, op-rods $150 and up you know the score, While I like the M14, the price of spare parts, mags, pretty much turned me off, Maybe it's me but I like the idea of should I need any parts I can get them at a very reasonable price without the need to take out a loan from the bank. And with Hillary announcing that she, is going to run for POTUS, I'm buying as many parts and mags as I can reasonably afford,while I can..Anyway, good luck with what ever you decide. |
Poop. I'd trade him my XD45! Oh yeah, all my M1As were purchased used with a bunch of USGI parts-and they all shoot great. |
Same here, I buy only pre-owned now as well. |
Sir, you're missing a front sight. 
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It all depends on the overall condition of the internals; you can replace a cracked stock with one from Orion 7 or get one from McMillan or Sage Ind.; personally, if I could get an M1A under $1,000, I'd be all over it. I currently own a 1940s vintage Garand and an even older M1903A1 that probably saw action with the Marines in the Pacific and other than worn stocks, they perform excellently; why would a used M1A be any different? |
| I bought my Scout new over 2 years ago & have never had any problems. I say if you find a good deal on a used one then get it. If you can't then I see nothing wrong with buying new. Anytime I buy something used I can't help but wonder what's wrong with it that the other person is selling it. Just my opinion. |
That's exactly how I feel. That's why I have a M14 on order from Fulton. |
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Springfield has a lifetime warranty, whihc greatly reduces any "problem" issues. I had some minor work done on one of my rifles I bought off the EE, and they replaced an out of spec commercial trigger group with a USGI group. No complaints here. The most I have in an M1A is 1,000. You would be amazed at how much (little!) I have into a USGI parts- laden, extremely minty Bush rifle I lucked into  . You would be amazed at how many guys buy something, maybe put a few rounds through it, and get an itch for something else. I rarely buy a new gun these days. |
Since we are sharing, I’ll share my learning experience. The Scout I purchased brand new in 2001 was a mess from day one. Starting with the second round fired my rifle spent more time in the repair shop at Springfield Armory, Inc. than in my hands. To their credit ~ SAI was able to fix all of the problems, but it took 4 RMA numbers, 1 visits to the factory gunsmith, 2 visits to the custom shop for warranty repair and NM match modifications. I paid for the NM mods. I highly recommend the SAI custom shop for NM mods. The final SAI warranty repair was a trigger group swap by mail. I admit that I knew very little about the M14/M1A rifle when I purchased my Scout. I didn’t even know how to field strip and clean it. Got the picture? Allow me to share my experience and a few things that I have learned … I learned my rifle was built with 100% reproduction parts. No USGI parts were used. My first failure was related to a rough bore and the bolt! I returned my brand new rifle to the factory. The cast bolt was replaced with a forged reproduction bolt. Problem solved, but I’m looking for answers. I researched the net and quickly learned USGI parts were available. At the suggestion and with the help of seasoned M4teenoholics I purchased a NIW TRW bolt and GI bolt parts kit. t’s a good thing I did this. I think my round count had swelled to 300. Keep reading… My second failure was bolt related! I returned my new spare parts along with my POS rifle. SAI head spaced my GI bolt in the rifle. Problem solved. I fired a few hundred rounds over the next few months. My third failure was op rod related! I returned my GDPOS Scout to Springfield and they returned it to me with a new TRW GI op rod. Problem solved. I spotted a trend and new just what to ask for when my fourth and final failure occurred. I had just opened my second case of Port and was deep into the first battle pack. My fourth failure was trigger group related! I mailed off my trigger group for replacement. I requested SAI replace it with a TRW GI trigger group. They said maybe. UPS delivered the trigger group to my previous address. It took about 3 weeks for SAI, UPS and myself to track it down. Not quite ready to give up on the legendary M14 platform I searched for how one makes the M14 platform ultra reliable. During this down time I learned all about GI parts, surplus ammo, NM mods and enhanced stocks. This quest for knowledge led me to Lee Emerson aka Different. Lee led me to Ron Smith. Problem solved. Thanks again Lee. I hope the long story of my learning adventure helps pointtarget and others avoid at least some of the issues I experienced. NOTE: Springfield Armory, Inc. does have a great warranty and my Scout was a better rifle each and every time I was granted visitation. BTW, SAI sent me a new NM tuned TRW GI trigger group. Problem solved. H2O MAN |
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If it were me and my soul purpose was to have a sweet M1A I would go with an older used one and find one with as many G.I. parts on it as possible. For two grand that shouldnt be a problem. You should have several hundred in change left over. But in my warped "gun-nut" nature i would be looking for a couple thousand dollar rifles. The more the merrier. I would also say that if you go new, dont be afraid of Springfield Armorys customer service. |
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