M1 or the M1A?
Paul - I have been debating on getting a Garand, but am in a quandary whether to get the M1 or the M1A? Any feedback is appreciated.
Boomer
"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as it is by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed."NRA Life Member
Boomer
"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as it is by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed."NRA Life Member
0
-
The M1 and the M1A are close relatives, but are not the same animal. I have, and shoot both, but forced to choose (an unspeakable evil[:0]) my heart would say, "M1" but my brain would say, "M1A". Why? Better balance. Holds more ammo that is ballistically almost as good. Better gas system. Generally more accurate. As reliable.[:)] 0 -
I also would choose the M1A but I have a soft spot in my heart also for the M1. The M1 is a great gun but the M1a is a fantastic gun. I am very proud to say I own both so I won't have to fight myself as to which one I want.[:)] 0 -
I have an M1A and love it. I really want an M1 also. For me the M1A is a little more practical of the two for the reasons already mentioned plus that military surplus 30-06 is getting kind of expensive. Just my opinion.
81st FA BN WWII...Thanks Dad
U!S!A! ALL THE WAY!!0 -
OK - It looks like the consensus is the M1A. Now, which package is the preferred one to get and why? The best bang for the buck so-to-speak.
M1A Bush rifle,
M1A Scout Squad Rifle
Standard M1A Rifle,
Loaded Standard M1A Rifle,
Nationhal Match M1A Rifle,
Super Match M1A Rifle
Thanks, Boomer
"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as it is by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed."NRA Life Member0 -
I own about 30 M1 Service Rifles and hardly ever shoot any of them...I like to COLLECT them. I own a Springfield Armory NM M1A I purchased 20+ years ago and shoot it often in Service Rifle matches and for fun. For most types of shooting, the M1A is the better choice than the M1 and for the exact reasons that Hauptman G mentions. For shear strength and reliability under the most extreme field conditions (which I will NEVER experience) then I think the M1 has an edge over its younger brother.
My opinion is that you should use a match rifle only if you want to shoot in matches...otherwise you are wasting your money. If you are not going to take part in match shooting than by the standard (or "loaded") rifle and spend the money you've saved on ammo and shoot up a storm. The Scout/Bush Rifles simply do not interest me because if you need a compact rifle then I'd suggest you purchase an AR-15 type rifle rather than a cut down M1A.
Mark T. Christian0 -
Mark - As always I count on you for a thoughtful response. Now which of the loaded variants would you go for?
MA9822 Loaded, Walnut stock, stainless steel barrel
MA9826 Loaded, Black fiberglass stock, stainless steel barrel
MA9222 Loaded, Walnut stock, carbon barrel
MA9226 Loaded, Black fiberglass stock, carbon barrel
"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as it is by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed."NRA Life Member0 -
Man, wouldn't it be sweet to have a Garand with the capability to take 20 round detatchable magazines, chambered in the 7.62 NATO? What am I thinking! Beretta BM59!
http://www.reesesurplus.com
To err is human, to moo is bovine.0 -
Well if you are CMP eligible you could get three M1 Garands for the price of one M1A... I'd start with the M1 and if you like it move on to the M1A. Both are very accurate weapons, but only a match shooter will really be able to take advantage of any additional accuracy in the M1A.
"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf0 -
I'm suprised it took this long to hear about the BM-59! Come on boeboe, how much of a commission do you earn each time that you mention BM-59 or provide Resse's link? I HATE the looks of the Springfield back fiberglass stock and would go for the walnut stock. I see no real purpose in the SS barrel unless you are expecting to use the rifle under very harsh field conditions, in which case the SS "may" be of some use. Call me a purist but I'd go for the walnut stocked loaded rifle with the carbon steel barrel. My opinion only and since I'm not the one spending your money I suggest you go with what you like best and looks nicest-- lots of folks like the black/stainless look.
Mark T. Christian0 -
If I were buying a Springfield, Inc M1A, I would look for an older one. They have run out of some surplus USGI parts & are using cast parts that they ordered from a subcontractor; these are not as good as USGI parts. You should be able to find a used standard grade for close to what you would pay for a new one.
Or, you might want to consider having an armorer build one for you on a US-made commercial receiver. Yeah, I know, but this is one case where a Mixed Parts Mongrel is preferable, since most of us can't buy a real M14. MY M14-clone was custom built by an armorer on a SA, Inc receiver, with all USGI parts, including a SAK (Saco Lowell) USGI lightweight National Match barrel, & bedded USGI stock.
Neal0 -
The best of the lot would be the stainless with black laminate best looker out of the bunch with the sability of the fiberglass, get the 1-10" twist it's best for the 170 range bullets. 0 -
go with the M-1A. the m-1a was designed to be an improvement over the garand. common sense would tell you the m-1a is a better gun. the weak link on garands are the long op rods. the m-1a system was shortened to eliminate that. bm-59's a re just glofified long op rod garands with mags. (i owned bm-59 #61x out of springfield armory in 82.)
garands have a longer mushy recoil, (wumpf!) m-1a's are crisp and short. (pop!) triggers are all the same. garand has all that loose wood moving around, .....nehhhh, as much as like both, i'd grab the m-1a first.
former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction.0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
12 comments