To build a M1a (M14) or AR-10

[Djstorm100]

I have a chance to buy a new loaded Springfield and been pondering over this. New loaded for $1,300 while they normally go for $1,600+.

I love Garands and love it's "son" the M14/M1a. The role of this rifle would be local precision matches for gas guns out to 1k yards at least.

Building a M1a but more less be throwing a scope and a brake (so I can use a can) and I may throw it in a EBR chassis although they are heavy. Then doing some tweaking to the gas system.

AR10 may be a Aero Precision set with a B/A barrel at least. If I have the money Megan Arms with Bartlien barrel would be tits.

[bulldozer3]

M1a can take alot to get the constant accuracy your probably going to want. It's a good rifle, just the ar10 is infinitely better in this role, not to mention the optics mounting aspect.

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[m1a_scoutguy]

M1a can take alot to get the constant accuracy your probably going to want. It's a good rifle, just the ar10 is infinitely better in this role, not to mention the optics mounting aspect.

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Yea good point ! Now considering I would take a M1a all day over a AR10 I will agree the AR10 will be more consistent and accurate out of the box as a rule. The M1a can be made into a tack driver for sure but just more work involved. The EBR stock will fix a lot and it will increase the accuracy just by itself because of the lock up and such,,but yea they are heavy. I guess chose what you really want more and go from there, either one will be a great rifle.

[T2C]

I have been shooting the M-14/M1A platform for 38 years and currently shoot club matches with M1 Garands. The M1A is a fine rifle, but if I wanted to compete against precision rifles at 1,000 yards I would buy a flat top AR. If you run a wood stock on the M1A, you will need to bed the action to the stock and skim bed it every 1,000 to 1,500 rounds. You will also need to unitize the barrel band to the gas cylinder to achieve consistent barrel band to stock ferrule tension. Close attention to the gas cylinder and gas piston will be necessary for the type of shooting you want to do.

The .30 caliber AR will be more accurate at a lower cost. Maintenance to maintain accuracy will be less intense and less costly.

[Djstorm100]

I'm torn..1,300 for m1a is kinda a once in a life time deal. If I did get it I would put it in a SAGE chassis and dump the wood.

Shiming the gas cylinder for gas lock and unitize the barrel band seems to be the best gains in the accuracy department.

[grizzman]

What are the accuracy requirements for this rifle?

Ya, $1300 is a good deal for an M1A, but it and a SAGE chassis will be well above the cost of a good 308 AR.

For competition, I'd choose a Criterion Hybrid Contour over the Ballistic Advantage (and I have an 18" BA that does pretty well).

[Krazykarl]

I have read of and been told of current production SA M1A parts experiencing early failures. Unless you have a source for older usgi parts, the $1300 will produce more satisfaction with an ar10.

[markm]

I have read of and been told of current production SA M1A parts experiencing early failures. Unless you have a source for older usgi parts, the $1300 will produce more satisfaction with an ar10.

Absolutely. I wouldn't take a Springfield M1a for free. The few that I've shot had parts fall off of them. Springfield is simply a marketing company selling guns on the name of the old, REAL Springfield Armory.

[NongShim]

If you wanted to curl up by the fire and stare longingly (for accuracy and good ergonomics) at the most over rated rifle of all time, DO IT. If you want to shoot often and try to win a contest against superior technology, which seems to be your case, NO.

If you got a deal like that on a M1A from the 1980s, which was essentially a GI gun on a commercial receiver that would be a different story. At least in that case you’d be getting a great deal in today’s market, for a high quality example of the most over rated rifle of all time.

That money could be much better spent on any number of budget AR10 type guns and yield superior results. M14 pattern guns are like boats-holes that you lose money in but enjoy less. It will never exceed an AR, no matter what you do to it.

[Screwball]

If you got a deal like that on a M1A from the 1980s, which was essentially a GI gun on a commercial receiver that would be a different story. At least in that case you’d be getting a great deal in today’s market, for a high quality example of the most over rated rifle of all time.

I picked up a used N/M M1A, with less than 50 rounds through it, that was made in the early/mid 1990s. They were still using a lot of USGI parts at that time.

I paid less than what an identical new gun went for. Can find deals still out there on them, if you look.