NCLEO89

I don't need an M1A...but I have always wanted one. The only thing that stops me from getting one is the cost! If I want, I don't think it would be too hard to save up and finally buy one. Still, I'd like to hear from any Springfield Armory M1A / SOCOM owners: Are these rifles worth their very high prices?

Benemorte

Well, that depends! What do you expect out of one? What are you going to use it for? Are you looking to get the "fabled" match type accuracy out of it?

Springfield has had a "monopoly" of sorts on the M1A platform for quite a while now. Besides brief competition from Norinco, nobody besides Springfield Armory has produced the weapon in any amount really worth noting.

There are of course reasons for this, the main one being the expense to produce the weapon as it was designed, requiring a bulk of forged-machined parts. There are also widely different grades of M1A's, and for the most part, you are not going to get the fabled accuracy out of anything less than a top tier model without some fairly extensive tuning. While you can pick up an M1A used for about $1,100 or so, and a new base model for around $1,450, a competition grade/tuned gun can run upwards of $3500.

There are a lot of alternatives to the M1A if you are just looking for a .308 caliber battle rifle, but I personally consider them to be my favorite weapon, despite the high price and fairly "old" technology.

laidlerj

It's an excellent rifle - accurate, reliable and tough. The question of whether or not it's worth the cost is up to the individual. I use it to shoot in service rifle competitions, where most people (at least in my area) are switching to AR-type rifles. An M1A is a bit more expensive than some AR-style match rifles of comparable accuracy, but there are AR's that are more expensive.

I guess the question hinges on what you intend to do with the rifle. It's probably too expensive for a plinking rifle or a self-defense rifle (unless you intend to engage your threat at long range) and it's not the sort of rifle you'd use hunting deer or antelope.

Jim

NCLEO89

Benemorte: I know how ridiculous it sounds, but I'll give you honest answers: What I expect out of an M1A is solid reliability, and reasonable accuracy at reasonable ranges. I'm not into long range shooting, or match shooting. I seriously doubt that I'd put a scope on the rifle if I bought one. Heck, I don't even hunt anymore! I would shoot it, but probably not that often. I don't consider a .308 to be my idea of an HD rifle, what with muzzle blast and over-penetration concerns. As you can see, I honestly cannot justify my buying an M1A. I guess it's not much different than the guy who buys a Lamborghini, a Ferrari, or a Corvette. Who needs a car that can go over 200 miles an hour, unless they're planning to take it to the race track? Even so, I have on occasion seen the aforementioned cars on the highway....as they plodded along at the legal speed limit. Bottom line: While I have no NEED for one of these rifles...boy, do I WANT one!

Revoliver

I have the same issue with the AR10A2. What I did was stop drooling continually looking at pictures of it and instead bought a few smaller and cheaper things like grips, sights and different types of ammo to try so that I get that fix of a new stuff but not the credit card bill of new toy.

Good luck!

laidlerj

That, of course, is the reality for most of us. For example, I have no real need for a 1911-style pistol in 10mm, but I want one. And that's enough for me (well, that and having the money to get one).


Jim

jlh820

Oh yeah! I've got a M1A SOCOM and I LOVE that rifle. It's heavy by today's standards, but it's a nail driver!

Benemorte

I think most of us have or at least have had, at one time, a gun just because they wanted it, I sure did. The M1A is a hell of a weapon, one to be proud to own no matter how or how much you use it.

If you want one, just accept the fact that Springfield is gonna be making a handy profit, then enjoy having one!

bwinters

If you want a good 308 battLE RIFLE THERE IS A LESS EXPENSIVE ALTERNATIVE. tHE gARAND MAN FROM NJ converts an m1 garand to take m1a mags for 1099.00 dollars. he uses a garand action rebuilt and barrel set back if necessary and the gun is a great shooter. He also makes a variation of the Beretta 59 in 308. I have 1 of his rebarreled m1 rifles and it feeds flawlessly and is about 11/2 ich 100 yard accurate. He is listed as the Garand man or the Garand guy.

NCLEO89

jlh820: Did you absolutely HAVE to post that picture? Dude....you're KILLING me here!

NCLEO89

Benemorte: I knew you'd understand!

TMB

I really like the looks of these the garand guy advertises on his site if I did'nt live in California I'd get one. Not much point with 10rnd limit.My 308 M1 is also 1 1/2" or better 8 shot 100yrd grouper.

Spike12

I have one, a standard model, something I've always wanted. Man, it looks great up on the wall too. It is very effective at generating gun-envy at the range. Toys cost what they cost. It's an emotional purchase so don't try to cost-justify it. You'll just take the fun out of it.

BUT I can count on my thumbs the number of times I've had out to the range. I reload so ammo cost isn't an issue. However, it's a battle rifle and an excellent one at that. Thus it's not the best at anything else (does hold a bayonet pretty good though). Over penetration for HD? Ya think?

Scoping it was NEVER a design consideration. So it will cost $150-$300 just for the scope mount, plus the scope, plus the cheek pad.

But, man, does it look great on the wall!

It's a serious 'NO BS' rifle and placed next to an AR, well, class tells.

NCLEO89

Spike: Yeah, scoping it [if I ever get one] is off the table. Mainly, I just want one, in the worst way. I have no doubt that yours causes envy at the range....Heaven knows, I'M envious!

jlh820

Sorry about that! I love showing it off and it does really draw a crowd at the range. The scope in the picture is currently on loan to my Remington 700 SPS stainless. It's Bushnell Elite 6500 2.5-16x50. Since the Remington has no sights, I couldn't bear the thought of having it and not shooting it. The M1A still has iron sights. But the long range plan (pun not intended, but acceptable) is to get the same scope for the Remington only 4.5-30x50. Then the M1A gets it's scope back.