[M14wannabe]

This is for the guy that has been interested in a m1a and is ready to buy .This hypothetical buyer is looking at spending 1000 to 1500 bucks .He isn't a competitive shooter just a guy with a job and family and 1500 dollars is a lot of money ,probabally the largest thing he will buy himself until his kids get out of college .He knows what the new springfeilds go for and he has his eye on a couple of used possible deals .Ok experts what does he look for to not get ripped off .i will start with the obvious ,if it is too good to be true it is probabally not true.

 

[POLACK]

just google new rifles and compare prices for new/used. the sales might be close enough that buying new might be the way to go.
buy from reputable dealers.

 

[m1sniper]

A rifle built by a known armorer/gunsmith like members Ted Brown and Art Luppino.
If an SA incorporated rifle, they say the "golden" years (built with all or most all GI parts) are from approx SNs 28,000 to 88,000 if I remember correctly.
Any other rifle sporting as many GI parts as possible.
Bula or LRB rifles.
I'm sure others will add their thoughts, but see my avatar pic. LMAO
Just my 2 pennies and worth whatcha paid...

 

[M14wannabe]

Ok guys good information ,keep it comeing .

 

[SA762]

I once met up with a guy local to me who had a Springfield Loaded for sale. Upon inspection of his rifle it had a significant amount of surface rust on the barrel and receiver. It would not pass the tilt test. I asked if he ever cleaned the piston/gas system and I got a deer in the headlights look. Also I asked what kind of ammo he fired through it and he said mostly Hornady Superformance 308 (too hot of a load for the M1A). He wanted $1200 for it and I passed, a couple hundred more and I could buy a new not neglected or abused rifle.
Good luck

 

[KurtC]

Each rifle has to be judged on it's own merit. Every manufacturer produces both pearls and lemons. The important parts are the barrel, bolt and receiver. Everything else can be easily changed to suit your wants or needs.

It's difficult to put decades of experience into a few paragraphs.

SAI put a lot of USGI parts into their rifles from about 60,000 up to about 125,000. That's when they completely ran out. However, that doesn't mean that the USGI parts were brand spanking new. They are in spec, but not necessarily new. Just reparked to look proper. They had a limited run of Standard rifles with USGI barrels around the 150-160k serial range. These rifles still have nice heel marks and parkerized small parts.

I am not a big fan of rifles over the 200k serial range, but they work and I know numerous owners who are happy with them.

If USGI or commercial forged parts are part of your wants, then $1500 is a low end, blind-squirrel-nut starting point. A seller who knows what he has isn't going to part with a high quality rifle for less than the current ones sell for.

The first thing I look for in a used rifle is a Lifetime Warranty. RNGR2

 

[M14wannabe]

Good point on the usgi parts not being new kurtC as my own 1999 118k serial range has usgi parts but the gas cylinder housing is refurbished if you look real close with magnifier and know what to look for it shows .ok so rule 1 compare to new prices .rule 2 stick with reputable dealers and builders,rule 3 know your serial number range and look for usgi parts but look very carefully.also rule 4 kurtC is correct expect to pay for what you get .Ok I have to edit here I just looked at the price for new SAI rifles on gander mountains site . Yea kurtC is correct 1500 bucks would be a deal so let's say guy saves a little more money now he has 15 hundred to say 2 grand to spend ?

 

[Hemi45]

I once met up with a guy local to me who had a Springfield Loaded for sale. Upon inspection of his rifle it had a significant amount of surface rust on the barrel and receiver. It would not pass the tilt test. I asked if he ever cleaned the piston/gas system and I got a deer in the headlights look. Also I asked what kind of ammo he fired through it and he said mostly Hornady Superformance 308 (too hot of a load for the M1A). He wanted $1200 for it and I passed, a couple hundred more and I could buy a new not neglected or abused rifle.
Good luck

I'm picking up a new Scout Squad (dang conditional approval at my ffl or I'd already have it) next week. I thought these rifles were tanks and never gave thought to any ammo being too hot.

I have a lot of Federal Match .308 on hand but will obviously buy more down the road. What should be avoided in the current production SAI M1A's?

 

[SA762]

If you look at Hornady Superformance there 150gr SST load has a muzzle velocity of 3000 fps. Other ammo manufactures produce 308 of similar velocitys . I'm not saying it will blow up a M1A but it will hammer on it causing premature and unwanted wear.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/4...nition-308-winchester-150-grain-sst-box-of-20

Federal gold medal match is first rate with the M1A. Everyone here shoots it along with surplus 7.62x51 ammo. Federal American eagle 168gr and 150 Gr both shoot well too.

 

[KurtC]

If I wanted another rifle, I would buy this one from the our own PX.

http://m14forum.com/px/290434-m1a-pre-ban-all-us-gi-parts.html

Put in a Bula Defense NM Guide rod and a Schuster vented gas plug. Drop it into a nice piece of walnut and call it a day.

As it stands, I have four such rifles sitting in the safe right now. I may part with one in the near future, but it won't be a deal like the one above.

 

[M14wannabe]

Yea that pre ban in the px is nice if I had the extra green I would get it just because

 

[PFC THOMAS]

Wannabe,
What KurtC said in Post6 is right on the money. I bought a rifle from a guy at local gun show who I worked for 3-4months on his house. The WAS a level of trust on my end,but soon learned cut the "deck of cards". I see you are in Bama try see if you can reach out to Hytekrednek for help in sourcing or inspecting. He is also a Bama boy with a incurable addiction to the 14 platform. But be cautious he will drag you into believing 1 of these M14 types is NOT ENOUGH. That is the problem with this forum is most of the guys will say"just 1 more" it will make you feel better. My 2 cents before I get banned.
Pfc out

 

[brianns]

I got my SAI std sort of in a rush before they got banned in Md and paid a bunch for it at Cabela's. Then after getting on this forum I would hear of prices well under $1,500 for a std. I think if you can get those prices where you are at then get an SAI and you'll have a lifetime warranty if you get one that has an issue if money is the main issue. I know it's tough to check every thing in a shop or if your order one in before you shoot it. Some places don't want you field tripping it all up and down when they are showing guns, etc.

Edit:
Sorry I didn't focus on the 'used' consideration. I was thinking of new SAIs. I still could of sworn there were new ones under 15.

 

[Allen Humphrey]

That price point is tough and only achievable with patience and knowledge. The safest way to buy is to see the rifle in person, but the best deals are usually on-line. Any on-line buy must come with some sort of inspection period unless you are super confident (not the first time buyer you describe). don't hesitate to ask questions of the seller.

Bore condition is usually my first real indicator on a used gun. Besides being important for good accuracy and function, it indicates if a used gun was well cared for and stored carefully. This rule can be a little fuzzy for older Mil-surp stuff, but I think it holds for a used M1A built in the last 30 years.

Overall condition of the metal finish and wood also tips you off to care and use the rifle has seen. Multiple stock dings, Gouges in the muzzle, sight ears....be carful.

Another way to get a good buy is to look for something broken that is easy/inexpensive to fix or replace. It is shocking how many people are utterly incapable of even basic repair. A missing front sight, broken rear app, loose knobs, missing sling swivels, jacked-up butt plates, and heavy triggers are all things that can save you money.

 

[ordnance21XX]

if you buy a pre owned take it to a armorer for head spacing, 1.630 to 1.636 or go and no go gages. Happy shooting

 

[Dougboffl]

For the sake of the kids,

get out now,

while you still can!


If you cannot,
if thoughts of the dark mistress with the exposed bolt won't let you rest - whoa unto you! For your's is likely the fate of all others here at The Firing Line Public Forum. We, who write of our experiences and tell tale of owning and making adjustments grand and minuet to she who's profile is know in all corners. We who claim to own one or more of the dark mistresses make it an inviting thing. You will join us, we who dipped our toe, by choice or by force, into a swamp of things M14/M1A, and are forever now lost in it. Her attraction, her wood and metal, the cut of her lines, the power she unleashes at your command, to be envied at ranges by all sorts of other, unencumbered, men. To hold her up in trophy like display, at the range, with your proud face on, while knowing, knowing in your blackened heart that she owns you!


I say go brand new SAI for a starter, get the warranty and assurance you have a factory backed product with a current market value. As you learn more you can save your pennies and get a custom or higher end if you want.

 

[brianns]

geez Doug.

 

[Buelligan]

Whoa... that was the best prose I've read in quite a while.

 

[Chingon]

Quickest way to get ripped off is falling for the old National Match line. Pretty walnut stock!? National Match! NM on the barrel!? National Match. Built from a receiver!? National Match....don't do it Ethel!!!

 

[Phil “Murphy” McGrath]

This is for the guy that has been interested in a m1a and is ready to buy .This hypothetical buyer is looking at spending 1000 to 1500 bucks .He isn't a competitive shooter just a guy with a job and family and 1500 dollars is a lot of money ,probabally the largest thing he will buy himself until his kids get out of college .He knows what the new springfeilds go for and he has his eye on a couple of used possible deals .Ok experts what does he look for to not get ripped off .i will start with the obvious ,if it is too good to be true it is probabally not true.

If I wanted another rifle, I would buy this one from the our own PX.

http://m14forum.com/px/290434-m1a-pre-ban-all-us-gi-parts.html

Like KurtC pointed out this is a pretty tuff deal too beat. However if Dad is willing too wait he can build overtime exactly what he wants in a rifle with nothing he doesn't. $1500 is a lot of money right now for anyone but spread out over the year its under $60.00 a payday, just keep saving until the right one comes along.