I'm buying an M1A, a few questions first though

[hirdlej]

Ok, time for me to get my first big boy rifle. I've always lusted for a nice M1A or M1 Garand and have settled on getting a new M1A from the Springfield Armory. For looks, I have chosen a walnut stock, and I want the carbon barrel. Nothing flashy, I want it to look as close to the real thing (M14) as possible. The questions I have are as follows:

1. Should I get a standard model or should I pony up the extra $120 for the "loaded" model? What advantages are there to the loaded model other than sights and trigger group? Is that all?

2. Are they making the new ones with bayonet lugs again now that the ban is over? Gotta have a bayonet lug

3. Are any of the parts old surplus GI parts or are they all new manufacture?

4. What pretty much is the rock bottom price for both the standard and loaded model in the configuration I listed above? Buds has the standard for $1422 shipped and the loaded for $1538 shipped. Surely I'm further ahead to buy online than to find one locally that's been molested by lots of "gunshop dreamers" right? Have you ever seen these cheaper in the stores? Then there's sales tax........

Also, if you own either of the two rifles I listed above. Please give me your personal experience on it. Why I should or shouldn't go with one or the other.

Thanks in advance for your input!

[tacticalninja32]

I have the M1A, and four people from this forum shot it yesterday, they had a blast. I got mine from thunderjohn, the one i got from him was onku molested by me and left in the safe til yesterday, a these rifles were meant to be tack drivers and still performs real well, so a little molesting should not hurt it

[rockcreek]

The new ones will have the bayonet lug, and will have few, if any GI parts. Have you checked with your local dealer on prices? If you are willing to pay up front to have them order it for you, they should be able to get close to the prices you listed. I personally would get the standard M1A, and add any upgrades you decide you need later yourself.

[hirdlej]

Oh good! I was worried that springfield didn't put the lugs on the new ones. All the ones I've seen on gunbroker are lacking the lugs. That must be why they're so cheap, people are wanting the newer or older ones. Not the ones sold during ban times. I did my research late last night and I'm set on a standard model with walnut stock and carbon barrel. Now I'm just on the hunt for the best price. I may call buds on tuesday and see if they're shipping the rifles with the lugs for their currently listed price. Otherwise I may cruise over to Bills on Tuesday at lunch and see if they have one in stock. Do you guys think It'd be rude or out of line to ask a local dealer to meet the advertised price of buds or similar online? The worst part is not the price, but the taxes. If I buy from buds, I just had a $25 xfer fee at the FFL of my choice. If I buy local, I'll have $150 of taxes.

[45Badger]

Get a used gun with as many GI parts as you can find. It's easy to swap out a neutered FL for one with a bayo lug if that's your main criteria. There's a nice used one for $1249 at a certain local shop with a camo fiberglass stock. If I was in the market for another one, I'd have snapped this up

[hirdlej]

Did this rifle sell for silly cheap or is this about the going rate for private party? I don't know how I missed this one: http://www.armslist.com/posts/412243/mi ... y-m1a--308

[illbits]

Did this rifle sell for silly cheap or is this about the going rate for private party? I don't know how I missed this one: http://www.armslist.com/posts/412243/mi ... y-m1a--308

silly cheap

[hunterfreakhd]

Did this rifle sell for silly cheap or is this about the going rate for private party? I don't know how I missed this one: http://www.armslist.com/posts/412243/mi ... y-m1a--308

silly cheap

Prolly another scam!

[45Badger]

I tried to snag it. It was a scam.

[hirdlej]

Alright, well I feel better about missing that one then. I'm going to Bill's south tomorrow to fondle a standard then see if they're willing to deal. If not, I'll make some phone calls around town to check other shops. Anyone know of any other Standards available around locally? I wonder if I'm further ahead to order from Bud's or GB. What would you guys do?

[highwarden]

Go to Gunstop. They had 3 the last time I was in there.

[hirdlej]

I saw them there yesterday, the prices are signifigantly higher than what I can get them for online. I'm going to pass on those.

[Sammichman]

You might try on Line I Bought my NM from Grab A Gun no sales tax and shipping was about 9.00 also no 3% credit card fee if thats your intent,,I,ve dealt with these guys 4 times now and have never had a problem,,,they also have a list of local FFL dealers to ship to ,,I get my stuff shipped to BPR,,,jmtc

[yuppiejr]

Alright, well I feel better about missing that one then. I'm going to Bill's south tomorrow to fondle a standard then see if they're willing to deal. If not, I'll make some phone calls around town to check other shops. Anyone know of any other Standards available around locally? I wonder if I'm further ahead to order from Bud's or GB. What would you guys do?

My advice is to get the least expensive Springfield M1a you can, new or used, and spend money on ammo to practice with plus a weekend at Appleseed ($70) + a Service Rifle Clinic ($30). Training + practice > equipment. Once you hit the limits of the equipment you will likely be able to determine where to spend money on upgrades to fit your abilities and needs.