[dinosaur]

I`m not a big rifle nut so I usually don`t check the rifle forum. Consequently my knowledge is limited so this may seem stupid.

Yesterday I saw 3 M1A`s at a local dealer. One I know was made in the USA as I could just read the markings on the left side of the receiver. It looked well used but decent for $600.

The 2nd one was all camouflage with no mag for $1100.

The 3rd was shorter and had a tag that said "squad weapon" I think. What is that? It also was priced at $1100.

So basically what was I looking at. Are those prices in line? The dealer gets very busy and I figured I`d post to get expert :D advice first. Thanks.

Also, check my post in general handguns for some of the pistols this dealer has.

[fal308]

You need to find out some more information. first off look to see the manufacturer's or importer's name. USGI receivers go for about a lot more than what commercial receivers go for, if you can find one. Domestically produced receivers usually go for more than imports also. Others here are a lot more knowledgeable than I on these fine firearms.
Not all that familiar with the details of what to look for in the operating system but check the usual suspects; gas system, trigger group, mags etc.

[Carston]

Humm, If I didn't know better I would have said you were at Impact guns in Ogden, Utah.
They have a Polytech on sale for about that price, A NIB SA M1A Standard grade for $1180.00 and a used one in a Cammo stock for $1100.00.
Here is my guess with the limited info, $600 rifle could be a Polytech or a Century, if it is a Century run very fast cause it is about $599 to high :eek:
$1100 rifle could be a Used SA M1A Standard grade in a USGI Fiberglass stock.
The short one is what SA called the Scout that has a forward rail in front of the reciever to mount a long eye relief Red Dot or pistol type scope on. $1100 is a good price if it is SA and in the walnut stock.
More info would be great and and again, these are just a guess.

Good luck

Carston

[ 06-12-2001: Message edited by: Carston ]

[dinosaur]

I seem to know about 200% more about these guns than I knew when I posted. :) I never heard of Polytech or Century.

The short one does have a rail for what I thought was a scope. The $600 one has a wood stock and sort of looks like a GI issue if it was an M14. Web sling which could be aftermarket.

I don`t know this dealer except by rep. He may be the sort to haggle if money is present. He told me that tomorrow he`s getting in 2 collections of about 120 guns. I`m like a kid n a candy store! :D I haven`t seen this many guns in one place since I retired.

[tree]

Hi,
the 600 dollar rifle could be an M1 Garand.
It is the Father of the M-14 aka M1A.

The Garand uses a clip and hasa capacity of 8 rds of 30 06.

The M1A uses a detachable magazine and uses 308 ammo.

Based upon the price I would say its a Garand.

Easy to confuse them because they have similar lines.

[dinosaur]

Originally posted by tree:
<STRONG>Hi,
the 600 dollar rifle could be an M1 Garand.
It is the Father of the M-14 aka M1A.

The Garand uses a clip and hasa capacity of 8 rds of 30 06.

The M1A uses a detachable magazine and uses 308 ammo.

Based upon the price I would say its a Garand.

Easy to confuse them because they have similar lines.</STRONG>

No, it was an M1A. Detachable box mag. And there`s another reason. It had a tag that said M1A! :D Unfortunately, that`s all it said besides the price & their stock #. I try not to take up a guys time when he`s busy and I`m not ready to buy. When I go back I`ll have $50 bills hanging off my ears and we`ll get down to some serious business.

[Carston]

Dinosaur
On the top rear of the reciever is where all the ID marks are are. I have not seen marks on the left or right side....But I haven't seen them all either.
Maybe Cliff will pop in and give us his words of wisdom ;) and he can post his reciever and the markings.
If it is well used you may be best to save abit more as you may have to start rebarreling and things.

Find out who's M1A it is, heck just make a phone call.

Carston

[Cliff C]

Dinosaur - Sorry I couldn't pop in here earlier. You've already received a lot of sound advice... let me try to clarify some things here.

First - The M1A is the Springfield Armory designation for their M14 clone. It shares many of the design specs and features of the U.S. Rifle, Cal. 7.62mm, M14. Unlike the M-14, it does not offer select fire capability (naturally) and uses an investment cast receiver rather than a forged receiver.

Also note, that this is NOT the same Springfield Armory well known for their production of the M1 Garand. The name was purchased (back in the 60's, I think) by the current manufacturer. M1A is their marketing designation for the rifle.

To identify, look at the heel of the receiver. That is where you should find the manufacturer name and the rifle serial number.

There are other M14 clone manufacturers out there. Polytech is one, and their receivers, which are forged, are an excellent platform upon which to have a rifle built. The rest of the rifle is generally held in low regard due to a variety of problems (bad headspacing, bolt that is too soft, etc.).

Other well known manufacturers of M14 clone receivers are Armscorp and Smith Enterprises. Smith got out of the receiver mfr'ing biz a while back, but you still might find rifles built on their receivers. Both of these receivers are investment cast.

Why no original M14 receivers floating around out there? Most of them were demilled.. the receiver was cut in half front to rear with a torch. The select fire ones would also be considered Class 3 items by the Federales.

This brings us to re-welds. Some enterprising souls bought the scrapped receivers and then welded them back together. Generally, this is not considered to be a Good Thing. Sometimes a re-weld is easy to spot, but other times it can be very difficult.

There's a company out there, m-kspecialties (http://www.m-kspecialties.com) that swears by their re-welds. They also have just introduced a brand new forged receiver.

This is probably more than you wanted to know, but it should cover just about everything you may run into out there.

Good luck on what you find!

Cliff

[ 06-12-2001: Message edited by: Cliff C ]

[Carston]

Ya see, what Cliff said :rolleyes: Now can I get a Grape Nehi....Oh whoops Radar never held a rifle, thank God http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1580853&a=12026221&p=50165741
By the way, this is what all the wantabees dream about, Stu....what are they again :confused: Follow your dark side young Stu, be with the force and cast out those inferour rifle and buy AR's and M14/M1A's. Do it now my son....Obewon

Whoops, Geez I forgot Carston but Stu never reads the whole post anyhow :p

[Cliff C]

Carston - Radar O'Reilly never held a rifle? In MASH? Ever?!

Hmmmm... come to think of it, I can't recall ANY of the main characters holding a rifle.

Grape Nehi. Bleeech. That stuff will stunt your growth. Too bad Radar found out too late. :p

Cliff

[tree]

Dinosaur:
thanks for clarifying the M1 vs M1A.

The $600 price was throwing me. This could be a real problem child, there has to be some reason why it is so cheap (cheap in terms of good M1A's).

Get a closer look, and get details. Let us know what you find.

Good Luck

[stu]

Carston- I read the whole post, even your attempts to bring me to the dark side of the farce. Hell if I could get a M1A for $600, Id sell my AR in a heart beat to get it. :D

[Carston]

Hey Stu, I just read your post and hell.....I ordered you an M1A :rolleyes: So lets see, CIA M1A well...you don't need to know then take the COLT AR off your hands. Oh shucks i forgot shipping :confused:
Honestly say just send me $300 and we shall call it even...I mean what the heck am I to do with a Colt, I will soon have a Stoner. Oh and a few of US (notice "US") have real Rifles :p
Trust in the Force Stu, it is easy to see the ways of the wrong......it takes courage to see the true light. Trust in God and for all others use an AR of an M1A

Carston

[dinosaur]

I didn`t realize there were so many clones out there. The $600 price threw me too. Sunday I was shooting with some guys from TFL and the M1A subject came up. $1100 seems ballpark for a SA. If I buy one I want the genuine article, not some demil.

I`ll probably go back this week. The problem is he`s got so many interesting guns. I was originally looking for a *&* Model 17 and he had one. It had a 6" barrel but I want a 4". He told me he gets them in a lot. I`d buy the BHP with the shoulder stock but he`s gotta come down in price.

Any more info on the M1A is appreciated. :D

[TerrySC]

When you fellows say $1100 is in the ball park for a SA M1A are you talking about used only? What kind of shape we talking about here? What's a new one go for in your area? I'm slightly dazed and confused by these prices.

[Carston]

Here I can get you one for $1180, Standard grade. $1449.00 for a Loaded. I would get the Walnut stock and a USGI Fiberglass as a beater and Paint it......Humm, does any one know someone to paint a stock?
I also now where there is a very nice M1A, used for $1049.00 and I could get you pic's if interested. It is in a Cammoed Fiberglass stock. Be glad to help if I can as well as everyone here.

Carston

[dinosaur]

My Squad Scout & the Standard were on sale for $1099+tax. What makes it a really good deal is the scope package from Springfield for $99.

I took it to the range the other day just to try it out. At 50 yards both offhand & resting the forearm on the bench I put 14 out of 15 3 inches outside the bull. Not bad for me with the iron sights. I knew I threw one right away. The gun functioned flawlessly as it should have.

Stu, what about those mags? Any luck?

[TerrySC]

Thanks Carston and dinosuar. I'm not in the market for one, mines a loaded gun with SS barrel setting in a laminate stock. I just thought those prices were rather good. Last time I checked around for someone I thought they were going wholesale a little bit higher. Checked a few places and see that I need to keep up better with who's got what and for how much. Davidson's prices seem to be the best but if you know of someone with a better deal let me know.