[ozm14]

Hi...a new guy here with my 1st rifle, SA M1A Scout in flat dark earth.

I disliked the front mounted scope rail so I removed it. Now there is this hole in the handguard so I have contacted SA to see if they have one matching the color of the stock but without the hole. They are asking $35 for it shipped.

Well, after buying this rifle I am suddenly feeling cheap spending $35 on a plastic piece which should be there originally on this iron sights rifle.

I know I can get all kinds of handguards in black, brown or can paint them cheaper. It is difficult to envision how the rifle would look like with these handguards. Some pictures of these handguards lack of details and they do not look attractive at all.

I want the rifle to look good, like it, and not looking like built from lego parts of random colors.

Should I just spend $35 and buy the matching flat dark earth SA handguard or take a chance with some random color one?

EDIT: I am now even thinking to replace the stock with wood....

 

[nf1e]

Spend the 35.
Over thinking will result in more rifles and that can be expensive.

Semper Fi
Art

 

[M1aInSWPA]

Get the SA one to match your fde stock and then when you get a wood stock you can get a usgi fiberglass to go with it

 

[M1A's r BEST]

Matching paint colors can be an iffy thing.

From the factory the colors should match.

Then again, the FDE handguard won't match the wood stock or the USGI synthetic stock.

Looks like you may be buying several different color handguards.

 

[M14vrp]

Get the SA one to match your fde stock and then when you get a wood stock you can get a usgi fiberglass to go with it

Welcome from SE GA.

I agree with M1's above comment.

If you get a wood stock and decide to sell the SAI stock later it would be easier to sell with matching handguard.

 

[Killashrub]

Welcome from SE GA.

I agree with M1's above comment.

If you get a wood stock and decide to sell the SAI stock later it would be easier to sell with matching handguard.

I agree with this also. It will be easier to sell it as a set. Also you may be able to sell the barrel mount and handguard to help towards the handguard you want. Or you can keep that too in case you sell the stock in the future and can sell 2 handguards, mount, and stock.

 

[racer]

Ask your wife or "girlfriend"...or just give her the $35...she'll know what to do with it. Welcome aboard.

 

[KurtC]

New polymer handguards (black, OD or FDE) run about $26 plus shipping. You can put a WTB in our classifieds, you might be able to save a few dollars.

Factory handguards are not always a perfect match to the stock in regards to shade, as they made at different times and are of a slightly different polymer.

If you look at photos of actual USGI M14's, the only time you will see a handguard that matches the stock is if they have both been painted. RNGR2

 

[ozm14]

Thanks guys for all the good advice. I will put the $35 towards a wood stock. I did not realize that there are drop-in stocks and some of them look gorgeous. I love how M14 rifles looks with wood stocks.

 

[Coriolis]

I put a new handguard on my Scout tonight. I got it from Fulton Armory. They sell one for $20 without the rear clip installed, $26 with it. You don't need a special tool to in replace it. I used two nails. The color is an exact match to the one it came with.

 

[wiz1997]

These are my two favorites.

She started out as a Scout.

View attachment 182802

View attachment 182810

 

[Buelligan]

I paid $5 for a beat up USGI ventilated HG I found at a gun show. I reconditioned it and painted it a semi-gloss black that matches the Parkerizing on the receiver. The ventilated HG is wispy thin and more fragile compared to the solid one, but I think its lightness influences barrel harmonics to a lesser degree and makes my groups a little more consistent.

I keep the solid one on hand just in case. If I was depending on the rifle in field conditions, the solid one would definitely go back on.