Buying a used Rifle from an unknown source is like buying a Used Car. It may have had a Pampered life from someone who Drove it Properly, or it may have been run on the local Race Track every Saturday night. A used Rifle may have a High Round Count or have been fed a Diet of over Pressure Ammo. When it comes to Cars, Trucks, or Guns, I'd rather go with a Virgin. JMHO
How not to get ripped off on used m1a
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.
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"Only fired 200 rounds" is a common line in most Fore Sale ads on Gunbroker, Armslist, or Forums. Probably true, since a lot of people buy a M1A and find the ammo expensive, or put a 25X scope on it and get discouraged by the 2-3 MOA groups. The only time I see a "rip-off" is on a "Custom" or "Match Ready" ad for M1A's. All others are just used rifles in various conditions.
As KurtC says....................
I'd jump all over this one if I had the extra dough right now.
http://m14forum.com/px/290434-m1a-pre-ban-all-us-gi-parts.html
I would not add anything until you learn to shoot it as well as you can THEN dump a few more pesos into a Sadlak NM op rod spring guide, piston and some bolt guts, NM sights and maybe a USGI stock of walnut or birch.
If you really want to go ape then reload your own ammo, you will thank me for it down the road.
It's very satisfying to be the high shooter with your own recipes of ammo.
JOKER OLIVEHELME
I'd jump all over this one if I had the extra dough right now.
http://m14forum.com/px/290434-m1a-pre-ban-all-us-gi-parts.html
I would not add anything until you learn to shoot it as well as you can THEN dump a few more pesos into a Sadlak NM op rod spring guide, piston and some bolt guts, NM sights and maybe a USGI stock of walnut or birch.
If you really want to go ape then reload your own ammo, you will thank me for it down the road.
It's very satisfying to be the high shooter with your own recipes of ammo.
JOKER OLIVEHELME
Buy one from:
A 14 Forum member you have confidence in... Art
A 14 Forum member you have confidence in... Art
Ok a couple more rules 5 beware national match rifle especially if it has only been fired 200 rounds ,rule 6 buy from m14 forum members with good reputations if possible thanks Art .
To be honest, I'd just watch for a good deal on a new M1A and call it good. I've been all over online and the prices between new and used guns of the same type are all running neck and neck within $50-100 of each other. A little patience and you can probably stumble across a new loaded model for less than $1500 if you're living right.
I bought my M1A used for $1350, but mine had all USGI parts save the receiver, stock and flash suppressor. But I knew what to look for.
I bought my M1A used for $1350, but mine had all USGI parts save the receiver, stock and flash suppressor. But I knew what to look for.
Wannabe,
What KurtC said in Post6 is right on the money. I bought a rifle from a local gun show who I worked on his house for 3-4months. 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 Hightechrednek 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
I would be glad to help out if I can. I am in Tuscaloosa County, AL.
Doing research and knowing exactly what you want are a good place to start before spending the money. If the rifle is used, I suggest gaging the barrel if possible. Trust, but verify. Buy the rifle, not the story.
Let me know if I can help.
Brand new standard models with wood stocks are ~1200-1300 bucks, as long as his FFL doesn't screw him on transfer and taxes he can squeak in under 1500.That price point is tough and only achievable with patience and knowledge.
Very addictive endeavour...................
HOWEVER... if you decide to go for the "All USGI" parts rifle, the additional $200 plus monetary output for an older SA rifle that is in great condition will more than pay for itself in function and value.
Another thing to consider is that some parts on the newer SA rifles like extractors are prone to be weak and will need to be replaced as they are imported cast parts.
I'm not trying to throw a wrench in the gears or sour you in any way only that I have been thru this more than once and I prefer a rifle with ALL USGI parts even the chromelined barrel over a "match" aftermarket barrel.
Just my opinion as many prefer the aftermarket barrels and scopes ( this is blasphemy on a battle rifle IMO).
Go get HYTEKREDNEKS help and get some..................
JOKER OLIVEHELME
I'm all for a new SA M1A for the warranty.............Brand new standard models with wood stocks are ~1200-1300 bucks, as long as his FFL doesn't screw him on transfer and taxes he can squeak in under 1500.
HOWEVER... if you decide to go for the "All USGI" parts rifle, the additional $200 plus monetary output for an older SA rifle that is in great condition will more than pay for itself in function and value.
Another thing to consider is that some parts on the newer SA rifles like extractors are prone to be weak and will need to be replaced as they are imported cast parts.
I'm not trying to throw a wrench in the gears or sour you in any way only that I have been thru this more than once and I prefer a rifle with ALL USGI parts even the chromelined barrel over a "match" aftermarket barrel.
Just my opinion as many prefer the aftermarket barrels and scopes ( this is blasphemy on a battle rifle IMO).
Go get HYTEKREDNEKS help and get some..................
JOKER OLIVEHELME
I'd give Wades snarling birch for sale in the PX right now heavy consideration. Comes with a second stock which is FG done by Adrianus Van Der Staak, that's probably $250 alone. Maybe more since he has passed. He ain't painting them anymore. The FG stocks he used were the best that Fred had, and Fred's retired.
So you can get a Springfield in a walnut stock. It will look great. It will look like a thousand others I've seen over the years that have the "as issued" look many like and want.
Or you can put a few more H out and get something that pops. It's all what you want in the end.
So you can get a Springfield in a walnut stock. It will look great. It will look like a thousand others I've seen over the years that have the "as issued" look many like and want.
Or you can put a few more H out and get something that pops. It's all what you want in the end.
I'd give Wades snarling birch for sale in the PX right now heavy consideration. Comes with a second stock which is FG done by Adrianus Van Der Staak, that's probably $250 alone. Maybe more since he has passed. He ain't painting them anymore. The FG stocks he used were the best that Fred had, and Fred's retired.
So you can get a Springfield in a walnut stock. It will look great. It will look like a thousand others I've seen over the years that have the "as issued" look many like and want.
Or you can put a few more H out and get something that pops. It's all what you want in the end.
Wades rifle in the px is one very nice setup. Nice parts, well built, nearly brand new, a gi stock that looks like it could be on a $20,000 shotgun. Plus, Wade is a very trusted forum member, and friend to many here.
I was this guy earlier this year. I spent several months reading on this forum, and finally figured out that I wanted something with some USGI parts, but wanted a good deal. I reeeally wanted to splurge for the rockola, but I didn't feel good about spending that much on a rifle. I didn't feel like I was putting the family first.
As I said, I wanted something with USGI parts but I didn't want to over pay. It took me a long time to figure out what was a good deal and what wasn't. After I figured out what I wanted, I just watched the PX. I also checked the "bargin" section of this forum because KurtC would periodically post rifles from gunbroker that were sort of hidden deals to novice folks like myself. He pointed out one that had a winchester bolt and I ended up buying it. Once I got it it ended up being a loaded model and had several small USGI parts (not the OP rod or trigger group).
So I guess the short answer from me is, read up, figure out what you want, and then stalk KurtC's bargin posts. LOL1
As I said, I wanted something with USGI parts but I didn't want to over pay. It took me a long time to figure out what was a good deal and what wasn't. After I figured out what I wanted, I just watched the PX. I also checked the "bargin" section of this forum because KurtC would periodically post rifles from gunbroker that were sort of hidden deals to novice folks like myself. He pointed out one that had a winchester bolt and I ended up buying it. Once I got it it ended up being a loaded model and had several small USGI parts (not the OP rod or trigger group).
So I guess the short answer from me is, read up, figure out what you want, and then stalk KurtC's bargin posts. LOL1
References are worth a lot, as is a valued reputation.Wades rifle in the px is one very nice setup. Nice parts, well built, nearly brand new, a gi stock that looks like it could be on a $20,000 shotgun. Plus, Wade is a very trusted forum member, and friend to many here.
Character doesn't hurt too
I don't know the guy, but I've done business with forum members that I've gotten to know, on fairly trusting terms, simply because they've developed a good reputation by treating others on the forum well.
You never know for sure, but if they've been good to everybody else, I figure, why change now?
Thanks a lot KurtCIf 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.
^^^^^^I was this guy earlier this year. I spent several months reading on this forum, and finally figured out that I wanted something with some USGI parts, but wanted a good deal. I reeeally wanted to splurge for the rockola, but I didn't feel good about spending that much on a rifle. I didn't feel like I was putting the family first.
As I said, I wanted something with USGI parts but I didn't want to over pay. It took me a long time to figure out what was a good deal and what wasn't. After I figured out what I wanted, I just watched the PX. I also checked the "bargin" section of this forum because KurtC would periodically post rifles from gunbroker that were sort of hidden deals to novice folks like myself. He pointed out one that had a winchester bolt and I ended up buying it. Once I got it it ended up being a loaded model and had several small USGI parts (not the OP rod or trigger group).
So I guess the short answer from me is, read up, figure out what you want, and then stalk KurtC's bargin posts. LOL1
Another excellent idea. Kurt knows his stuff and he seems to really know SA so if he posts a bargain, have a look.
And when he sells one of his own boys as he does from time to time, have 2 good looks.
Was at a shop last month to pick up a rifle. The owner said a guy came in to sell a used SA NM M1A. The owner called SA ran serial numbers to convince the guy it was not a NM. The guy would not believe it, argued that the guy he bought it from said it was a NM so it had to be a NM. He stormed off in a huff. I guess he had got taken. He is probably still out there trying to sell it to someone as a NM.
There have been many Loaded models incorrectly sold as National Match models, just because the "NM" stamped on the barrel. Ignorance is no excuse for the sellers, but it is also up to the buyer to know what he is buying. A little bit of knowledge goes a long way to keep yourself from being scammed or paying to much.Was at a shop last month to pick up a rifle. The owner said a guy came in to sell a used SA NM M1A. The owner called SA ran serial numbers to convince the guy it was not a NM. The guy would not believe it, argued that the guy he bought it from said it was a NM so it had to be a NM. He stormed off in a huff. I guess he had got taken. He is probably still out there trying to sell it to someone as a NM.
Just maybe................
I have heard worse. I have a friend in south Florida who has an H&R M1 Garand that he claims his deceased father used in WWII. GI3
I looked at the heel stamp and just said "thats a nice rifle" and left it at that.
Truth be told his dad may have said " This is like the one I carried in WWII" and over time it "became" the actual one he used.
Why argue or break the guys heart if he believed this about his dad ?
Sorry for the off topic rant !
JOKER OLIVEHELME
Maybe the original owner or the owner prior to him shot the rifle in a "National Match" at Camp Perry so in his opinion it was then it became a NM rifle. BIGTHUMPUPWas at a shop last month to pick up a rifle. The owner said a guy came in to sell a used SA NM M1A. The owner called SA ran serial numbers to convince the guy it was not a NM. The guy would not believe it, argued that the guy he bought it from said it was a NM so it had to be a NM. He stormed off in a huff. I guess he had got taken. He is probably still out there trying to sell it to someone as a NM.
I have heard worse. I have a friend in south Florida who has an H&R M1 Garand that he claims his deceased father used in WWII. GI3
I looked at the heel stamp and just said "thats a nice rifle" and left it at that.
Truth be told his dad may have said " This is like the one I carried in WWII" and over time it "became" the actual one he used.
Why argue or break the guys heart if he believed this about his dad ?
Sorry for the off topic rant !
JOKER OLIVEHELME
NM means anything that has "NM" stamped on it, and mil-spec is anything painted black.There have been many Loaded models incorrectly sold as National Match models, just because the "NM" stamped on the barrel. Ignorance is no excuse for the sellers, but it is also up to the buyer to know what he is buying. A little bit of knowledge goes a long way to keep yourself from being scammed or paying to much.
_________________________________________________________________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.
I have 3 cardinal rules about buying guns.
1. NEVER BUY A GUN AT CABELA'S
2. NEVER BUY A GUN AT CABELA'S
3. NEVER BUY A GUN AT CABELA'S
First off I have never seen such absurd prices on their guns.
Second, I once went I went in there with a really desirable weapon and needed some fast cash. I was hoping I could get 85% of fair market value. They offered me about 50% and then planned to mark it up to about 125% of fair market value. Instead I got my wife a second job and kept the weapon.
Piracy is alive and well at Cabela's
21 - 40 of 46 Posts
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