I have a friend with a pre-ban m1a National Match with a 07xxxx serial number for sale ($1900). Rifle is in excellent condition with less than 500 rounds fired. Is this a fair price? I can't find many comparable M1a NM rifles that have sold recently to know if this is a fair price! I believe rifles in this serial number range have USGI components. I currently shoot a standard m1a which I'm very happy with. Thought it might be time for an upgrade! Would I be better served just buying a new NM model from Springfield? The price is close for a new rifle vs a 20 year old pre-ban.
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Pre-ban M1a NM value?
- Thread starter tnrednk74
- Start date
Assuming that the rifle has all USGI parts (except of course the receiver) under the current parts availability and pricing, the asking price is about average. It is not a smoking deal.
The question is, in your own words, what makes it a National Match? I shoot a lot of competitions with my match conditioned M1As, a couple double lugged and single lugged all in McM stocks and heavy barrels. I never paid attention to the SAI nomenclature. Not to be smart xxs I can stamp NM on any barrel with the best of them.. To be clear, what kind of rear sight does it have? Is it the NM 2A with hood or is it the standard sight with ball and detent? How about the front sight, standard or the 0.062 post? Is the handguard glued/epoxied to the front band? Is the gas system unitized? Is the stock bedded? What kind of stock is it? Is the receiver lugged, most likely not? What are the visible USGI parts, bolt, trigger group?
The reason I am asking these questions, a friend was so proud he picked up a "NM" M1a. Upon inspection the only NM in the rifle is the barrel was stamped NM and it is a standard weight skinny barrel. The rear sight is standard 1x1 click and loose as a goose, non unitized gas system, not bedded, and the trigger pull has a mile long creep. Oh, it has a NM stamped front sight, forgot that one.
Just trying to help.
Nez Rongero
The question is, in your own words, what makes it a National Match? I shoot a lot of competitions with my match conditioned M1As, a couple double lugged and single lugged all in McM stocks and heavy barrels. I never paid attention to the SAI nomenclature. Not to be smart xxs I can stamp NM on any barrel with the best of them.. To be clear, what kind of rear sight does it have? Is it the NM 2A with hood or is it the standard sight with ball and detent? How about the front sight, standard or the 0.062 post? Is the handguard glued/epoxied to the front band? Is the gas system unitized? Is the stock bedded? What kind of stock is it? Is the receiver lugged, most likely not? What are the visible USGI parts, bolt, trigger group?
The reason I am asking these questions, a friend was so proud he picked up a "NM" M1a. Upon inspection the only NM in the rifle is the barrel was stamped NM and it is a standard weight skinny barrel. The rear sight is standard 1x1 click and loose as a goose, non unitized gas system, not bedded, and the trigger pull has a mile long creep. Oh, it has a NM stamped front sight, forgot that one.
Just trying to help.
Nez Rongero
Thanks for the information. I learned more with your post than I ever thought possible. I think I will pass on that rifle, since so many variables come into play when valuing these rifles. Do you have a recommendation of a rifle upgrade to my standard M1a? I would like a better front and rear sight, trigger, and barrel. Bedding may also be important. Upgraded gas system? Thanks again for your help.
If you're not concerned with keeping it "historic" looking and/or competing in service rifle comp...put it in a sage stock
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Here is a good read for you. If you are a DIY kind of person you may try some of the tricks, otherwise find a 14 smith who can accurize your rifle. If you need referrals send me an email [email protected]. There are other written stuff about the 14s out there that you can Google. After all these mods are done to the rifle the limiting factors as you would know would boil down to the barrel, ammo, and the shooter.
In unitizing the gas cylinder there are other alternatives. Some people just put tack weld on the outside, and then there are others who use epoxy to hold the front band to the gas cylinder applied and cured in the final assembly.
Unlike the black guns, which I call LEGGO guns that anyone can put one together and as long as you have a good barrel it will shoot, the 14 requires more tweaking.
Enjoy the journey.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0XyOXhO5LcXVTEwczhNaFBXcHc/edit?pli=1
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Thanks Nez! I will begin my journey to the next level. Your guidance and recommendations have been extremely helpful. I researched a local 14 Smith named Ronnie Morris in TN. This may work out well, since I live 1 hour south of his shop. Thanks again!
Ronnie Morris will do you good. He is one of the most respected 14 guys around. In fact for the most part Champion's Choice uses him to install barrels if you were to order a barrel from them. When you talk to Ronnie tell him I said Hi. He built one of my non lugged match conditioned M1A. If your barrel is any good, you should be very happy with your rifle once Ronnie is finished with it.
Just last week I received a full blown accurized M1 Garand from him. This is in 30-06 dedicated for 1000 yard matches.
Just last week I received a full blown accurized M1 Garand from him. This is in 30-06 dedicated for 1000 yard matches.
Decision made! McMillan for sure. The 14 looks slick in a Mcmillan. Thanks for the pics. Where to get one? Is this the right one:McMillan M1A Match Rifle Stock Fiberglass Semi-Inletted
In re is the Sage better stock vs McMillan...
Not necessarily...sort of a personal choice / preference. The McMillan will need to be glass bedded by a gunsmith who knows what they're doing though (plan on some additional expense).
An upside, with the McMillan (and I prefer the McMillan stock) is that you could still compete in service rifle competition with it should you ever want to (although service rifle now is pretty much dominated by AR-15 shooters).
Not necessarily...sort of a personal choice / preference. The McMillan will need to be glass bedded by a gunsmith who knows what they're doing though (plan on some additional expense).
An upside, with the McMillan (and I prefer the McMillan stock) is that you could still compete in service rifle competition with it should you ever want to (although service rifle now is pretty much dominated by AR-15 shooters).
If you are going to put a scope on it, you may want to consider the McMillan M3A stock with the adjustable integral cheekpiece. The integral cheekpiece is much nicer and stronger than the old style saddle cheekpiece. However, this stock is not legal for Highpower competition if you plan on doing that.
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As others have said the Mac stock is service rifle legal and really a foundation for building an accurate rifle. Sage stocks are not totally drop in either and both the Mac and Sage needs to be set up or installed correctly.
If you are getting a standard M1A about any stock will fit. If you are using a super match (rear lug receiver) you need a stock inletted ( or enough space) for the rear lug. The Mac stock has the room and can be inletted for the rear lug or used as a standard M1a stock.
My forest green camo Mac stock is on a rear lug super match rifle that I added a pillar and tapped the rear lug.
You can bed it yourself if you are handy....
The link below has lots of pics on whats needed to finish and bed a Mac stock.
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/sniper-hide-gunsmithing/181001-bedding-m1a-mcmillan-stock-rear-pillar-installation-pic-heavy.html
If you are getting a standard M1A about any stock will fit. If you are using a super match (rear lug receiver) you need a stock inletted ( or enough space) for the rear lug. The Mac stock has the room and can be inletted for the rear lug or used as a standard M1a stock.
My forest green camo Mac stock is on a rear lug super match rifle that I added a pillar and tapped the rear lug.
You can bed it yourself if you are handy....
The link below has lots of pics on whats needed to finish and bed a Mac stock.
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/sniper-hide-gunsmithing/181001-bedding-m1a-mcmillan-stock-rear-pillar-installation-pic-heavy.html
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Cal50 that was a very good step by step demonstration of how to bed the M1a. It showed me I definitely have no business attempting to bed and pillar install a M1a. I will leave that to the pro's like you. I may give you a shout when I find my McMillan stock! I definitely want the forest green setup shown in your pics. Thanks for all the replies! I learned a lot! Upgrading my rifle with a new sight, trigger, stock, barrel, etc. seems to be the most logical choice.
Far from an expert but it shows you what needs to happen to finish install the Mac stock once you take it out of the box.
