Why Bother Finding Accessories for the M1A?

M

munk

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Mar 22, 2002
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I picked up a recent copy of Please Buy GUN Products Magazine, and saw a tricked out SOCOM ll. That's Springfield's attempt ( admittedly at military request) to modernize the M14. Humoursly enough, it weighs as much as the old Garand, considered obsolete for many reasons, one being weight.

The adjustable butt-stock could be moved upwards, placing the line of fire, the recoil energy closer to a straight line backwards to the shooter's shoulder. That's a good thing, provided you have a new sighting system, because old sights are now too low. No problem; those nifty accessory weaver style rails take care of that. Get an Aimpoint, get something. Put a flashlight on there.

I followed the money trail to these products, and am ...unfullfilled.
Nifty things for M1A's are not like nifty things for AR series rifles. AR is so prevalent, there is more market and more competition. Not so the old M1A

Springfield sells the SOCOM 11. You can buy one for about 1900 dollars. The reviewer in Please Buy GUN Products Magazine, promptly threw away the stock and got a Vltor stock instead. That's 500 bucks more. You get the ajustable stock and a pistol grip. Rails? No, you see, Vltor sold exclusive rights to those directly to Springfield Amory. I called Springfield. 400 bucks for the low option and almost 500 for the deluxe.

New stock and rails; 1000 dollars. But we're not done. Surefire's 900 combat light comes integral with a forward hand grip. Up above we have the Aimpoint Comp M3 and an additional device, an Aimpoint 3X mag magnifier.

I could hunt down those prices too, but I already know what I'm looking at. I'm guessing at least another 1000, and maybe more. That's a four thousand dollar rifle.

>>>>>>>>>

My M1A has a military walnut stock with the select fire gap wood filled. I've managed to aquire the original ammo belt for it, the bayonet, the sidemount, and a bipod. I thought these things pricey at 30.00, 40.00 dollars, 80 dollars and 50 dollars.

I took pictures today and hope I can post them here soon.

There must be a world where a guy can buy a 2000 dollar gun, drop the stock out, put another 1000 into a new stock and rails, and another 1000 after that into grip and optics. But I don't live there.

I remember one reason I like HI khuks so much; I can afford one!


munk
 
munk said:
I picked up a recent copy of Please Buy GUN Products Magazine, and saw a tricked out SOG ll That's Springfield's attempt ( admittedly at military request) to modernize the M14 Humoursly enough, it weighs as much as the old Garand, considered obsolete for many reasons, one being weight.

The adjustable butt-stock could be moved upwards, placing the line of fire, the recoil energy closer to a straight line backwards to the shooter's shoulder. That's a good thing, provided you have a new sighting system, because old sights are now too low. No problem; those nifty accessory weaver style rails take care of that. Get an Aimpoint, get something. Put a flashlight on there.

I followed the money trail to these products, and am ...unfullfilled.
Nifty things for M1A's are not like nifty things for AR series rifles. AR is so prevalent, there is more market and more competition. Not so the old M1A

Springfield sells the SOG 11. You can buy one for about 1900 dollars. The reviewer in Please Buy GUN Products Magazine, promptly threw away the stock and got a Vltor stock instead. That's 500 bucks more. You get the ajustable stock and a pistol grip. Rails? No, you see, Vltor sold exclusive rights to those directly to Springfield Amory. I called Springfield. 400 bucks for the low option and almost 500 for the deluxe.

New stock and rails; 1000 dollars. But we're not done. Surefire's 900 combat light comes integral with a forward hand grip. Up above we have the Aimpoint Comp M3 and an additional device, an Aimpoint 3X mag magnifier.

I could hunt down those prices too, but I already know what I'm looking at. I'm guessing at least another 1000, and maybe more. That's a four thousand dollar rifle.

>>>>>>>>>

My M1A has a military walnut stock with the select fire gap wood filled. I've managed to aquire the original ammo belt for it, the bayonet, the sidemount, and a bipod. I thought these things pricey at 30.00, 40.00 dollars, 80 dollars and 50 dollars.

I took pictures today and hope I can post them here soon.

There must be a world where a guy can buy a 2000 dollar gun, drop the stock out, put another 1000 into a new stock and rails, and another 1000 after that into grip and optics. But I don't live there.

I remember one reason I like HI khuks so much; I can afford one!


munk
Click to expand...


Find one that does the job. enuf said :thumbup:
 
I was just going to just give a smart-ass reply to the thread title, but you're totally right.

I don't think the "SOCOM" looks cool; I think it looks stupid. I look at the short barrel with that ugly muzzle brake, and think how loud that bastard's going to be.

Hell, if you needed an Uber-tactical .308 shorty, you could just get a Fn-FAL carbine...or the SCAR Heavy. Both of these would do a better job, I believe.

John
 
They can keep all the goofy acessories. I just want my rock stock M1-A back.:(

all the money spent on bolt on accessories could be better spent in practice ammo, IMHO
 
The M1A is about the only 'assault rifle' or battle rifle I did not part with. Gone are the AR's, the Garands, the carbine, numerous SKS's,.....

Though I admit I still have a couple AK's and a orphan SKS is making it's way home to me.


munk
 
I'm a big fan of accessories for the M1A/M14. Every owner should at least consider the following:

- Combination tool/ cleaning kit.
- Extra magazines.

That's about it, actually. Clips and chargers are nice but not necessary. Any problem with the weapon that can't be solved with what's listed above is inherant to the design and cannot be corrected without inordinate amounts of money...at least, not without generating other (and more serious) problems.

It's far from perfect but it's arguably perfected. Does that make sense?
 
It makes sense. It does what it does very well. It really is a battle rifle. Bringing the M1A up to the shoulder is as natural and points as well as a good shotgun or rifle.


munk
 
I am tempted to start a long, win-baggy reply (that's what us geezers are good for). It's a beautiful clear night out, and a small fire is on the grate......Suffice it to say that Uncle Sam ( thru DEA ) kept pressing all manner of semi and full auto weapons into my hot little hands, telling me how each one was somehow better than the others. Retired now these eleven years, I invite you down to my gun room. You will not find a semi or full auto of any kind except for five 1911's, the ONLY one that lived up to its billing and then some. You will find four Ruger #1's and unless one of my sons or grandsons have carted one off lately, eight bolt actions....all with better balance and accuracy than any high cap marvel I ever held. If we are invaded, none of those poor B@st%ds better come within a half mile of my house......small plots are sold around here, one round at a time :D :D :D
 
Any chance I could carry off one of your Ruger #1's?


There is a thought line that goes an individual will never firepower over a government process. If they're not with you, it's done. And against gangbangers and intruders and whatever; nerve, help of God, and Accuracy is what you need.

I never felt I'd made a mistake when all I had by the bedside in Fontana California was a Ruger single action .45 Colt.


munk
 
Munk,

You have probably formulated the only rational sentence I can imagine that would include the words "Ruger", "Single action", "45 Colt", and "Mistake"!

Congrats!

Tom

PS I do miss my former #1A in .243. I would probably want one in 30-06 next time around though.

Should there be a next time.
 
Tom,
Noticing and putting together the divergent words and making a funny, is out of the box thinking. What it reminded me of is how kids know where every panel of broken sidewalk is. I used to, in the neighborhoods where I grew up, but not now. (there aren't any sidewalks here anyway) You have to notice things, observe, and everything is interesting.

But adults don't notice things like that. I think crazy engravers do.

>>>>>>>>>

Having owned both M1A's and Garands, I think the edge for sheer fun goes to the Garand. It's just an edge, because the M1A is a blast and a relative.
But the good old boy Garand just goes, 'boom boom boom' with much enthusiasm. You're holding a comforting peice of timber, too, one that would be hard to let go of and is very easy to use.


munk
 
Munk,

"Engraver" almost always implies "crazy".

I know, I know, you just wanted to emphasize the point!

-----------------------------------------------------------

I re built an M1 in gunsmithing school.

It shot well.

You already know what happened to it.

(another sigh)

Going to bed, in a few minutes.

Thanks Munk!

Tom
 
Spectre said:
I was just going to just give a smart-ass reply to the thread title, but you're totally right.

I don't think the "SOCOM" looks cool; I think it looks stupid. I look at the short barrel with that ugly muzzle brake, and think how loud that bastard's going to be.

Hell, if you needed an Uber-tactical .308 shorty, you could just get a Fn-FAL carbine...or the SCAR Heavy. Both of these would do a better job, I believe.

John
Click to expand...

I read a review on the older SOCOM 16 in American Rifleman a few years ago. They noted that the brake made the noise sound sharper but not necessarily louder (to them anyway).

I'd prefer the older SOCOM myself. The extra weight and all those "cheesegrater" rails on the new model doesn't appeal to me at all.

Bob
 
Experiment in progress: failed
I'll try again. As close as I ever came to posting picts. I could not figure out how to get the 'browse' window to accept the picts I wanted in the My Pictures folder.

The block- my fear of computers and the numb shutdown of my brain, has prevented me all these years. I decided to heck with that. Still can't do it, though.i

munk
 
second experiment:

Came closer. I moved the pictures to "MY Documents" so I could find them easier. It worked- but after the download, the photo selected exceeds the 100 whatever data number required; the picture was 108. What do I do?


munk
 
Use photobucket.com to upload them. Drop me a mail if you need further help.

That should eliminate all of your problems.

Blessings,

Keno
 
Well, wouldn't they still be too large even in Photobucket.com? Shouldn't I find a way to trim them?

munk
 
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