SA M1A Scout Squad???

[stefan73]

SA M1A Scout Squad Rifle
If you own one or have shot one how do you feel about it?
Worth it?
What grouping are you seeing?

I appreciate any responses about the subject!
I have been thinking about an M1A for a while but it wasn't until walking into a gun shop while on leave that I think I fell in love (like stalker love )!
I know better then to walk into a gun shop because for some reason my wallet always seems to get lighter and my gun safe gets more crowded!

 

[Fredo]

Re: SA M1A Scout Squad???

Wasn't impressed with accuracy of the scout I shot, so bought Loaded with 22" barrel, put it in a JAE Gen -2 stock. Grps with 147 gr 2 to 3 MOA, 168 gr 1.5 to 2.5, 173,175gr 2.0 to 3.0.

Have been eyeballing the piston POF 16." 308 recently.

 

[stefan73]

Re: SA M1A Scout Squad???

I have been seeing that people have had a harder time getting used to auto loaders vs bolt guns and that has been a bit of a challenge?
The other question is optics and what where you using, at what range?

 

[dlc356]

Re: SA M1A Scout Squad???

I've got a Scout and love it. I grew up shooting HP with a DCM owned NM M14. The Scout is not a match rifle by any means. In the walnut, w/open sights and 147gr surplus it's a 2 minute rifle. I shot some M118 which shot a little better but not much. I installed a Sage EBR and the same rifle would hold about a minute or a fuzz over. In the EBR I mounted a Millett DMS since the adj. cheek piece made it a lot easier. While I liked the Sage, it was heavy and IMO took away some of the character I'd grown up with so I sold it (not to mention I needed $$$ for a NF to put on my bolt gun).

Take the M1A for what it is. A battle rifle. I use my Scout for a different kind of match than Highpower. There's a local tactical carbine match that varies from a few feet out to about 300yd and the Scout works well for that. It's also a lot of fun in the occasional 3Gun match despite the slower mag changes and lower capacity (my AR big stick holds 46rds). I haven't had the chance yet but if I make it to my buddies farm this year I think the Scout will make a great pig gun too.

The DCM gun I used as a kid was a completely different animal. It would hold a minute all the way to 1000yds but not with me behind it. One of my coaches proved it to me. The NM rifles aren't standard M1A's either and it takes big money to get one "right". Getting into the youth program was the only chance I had to shoot one.

 

[1stIDvet]

Re: SA M1A Scout Squad???

I have a scout and I love it, Its not the most accurate or modular but it my favorite to shoot. average 2-3 moa on surplus ammo. I recommend it. Also it was my present to me when I returned from Iraq.

 

[MK14 SEI]

Re: SA M1A Scout Squad???

Great rifle! I had one and it was quite accurate.
To tighten up the groups you can always tweak it just a little or go all out once you get it.

Optics: a low powered variable magnification optic would serve you well.

Remove the "scout" mount and hand guard - sell them.
Purchase and install a nice over the receiver mount (SEI or Sadlak).
Get some nice rings (SEI) and mount your optic.
Don't forget to get a good cheek rest.

 

[stefan73]

Re: SA M1A Scout Squad???

What would be the recommended "tweaks" outside of what you posted?

I would like to use it as a pack rifle and for deer possibly and would like to be "confident" in my shot placement! I do not like to guess!

Thank you for all the responses, I appreciate it!

 

[Lindy]

Re: SA M1A Scout Squad???

Several decades ago, the Marine Corps issued me an M14 in boot camp. While I love the platform, I would not use that heavy old bastard for the purpose you described.

I'd take a Mountain Rifle. Click for the link.

 

[Fredo]

Re: SA M1A Scout Squad???

The least expensive, potentially accuracy increasing tweek is unitizing the gas system. I have heard quotes from $40 to $90 but have yet to have it done.

 

[MK14 SEI]

Re: SA M1A Scout Squad???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Stefan73</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What would be the recommended "tweaks" outside of what you posted?

I would like to use it as a pack rifle and for deer possibly and would like to be "confident" in my shot placement! I do not like to guess!

Thank you for all the responses, I appreciate it! </div></div>

Put it in a tight fitting USGI synthetic stock. Shim the gas system and maybe tune the trigger.

Another option is to go all the way and transform it into a MK14 by putting it in a SAGE M14ALCS/CV.

This is my MK14 SEI with an Aimpoint Micro T-1. Weight as pictured below (unloaded) 10 lbs. 9.6 Oz.

 

[stefan73]

Re: SA M1A Scout Squad???

Nice! You did a lot of work there!
Last time in Iraq I had a M1A/M14 it had a Sage EBR stock on it.
It felt a bit nose/front heavy.


I was expecting to see better groupings from the Scout, a bit strange?

 

[MK14 SEI]

Re: SA M1A Scout Squad???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Stefan73</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Nice! You did a lot of work there!
Last time in Iraq I had a M1A/M14 it had a Sage EBR stock on it.
It felt a bit nose/front heavy. </div></div>

Thanks!

The vast majority of the EBRs in Iraq and AFG use the SAGE M14ALCS, it is about 2.5 lbs heavier than the M14ALCS/CV pictured above.



This is the M14ALCS and it is a bit nose heavy.

 

[stefan73]

Re: SA M1A Scout Squad???

This is pic I took of my friend over there.

 

[secondstoryguy]

Re: SA M1A Scout Squad???

While I love shooting the M1A/M14 platform, I've grown tired of carrying them in the field. For the uses you describe(hunting and some plinking), I find myself grabbing my lightweight "practical" type bolt gun much more than my 18" M1A. I've found it satisfies my hunting and fun-plinking needs and it's much handier/lighter. Now if the zombies were piling up at the front door it would be a different story!

My "practical rifle" is a lightly customized Win 70 SA classic compact/featherweight with a NF 2.5-10X32, a ching sling, and a small piece of rail on the left side of the forend for a weapon mounted light. I like it so much in fact, I'm bulding an improved version out of stainless steel with a McMillan stock as we speak.

 

[MK14 SEI]

Re: SA M1A Scout Squad???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Stefan73</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This is pic I took of my friend over there.
</div></div>

That's definitely the heavier M14ALCS.

 

[stefan73]

Re: SA M1A Scout Squad???

I am almost considering the DPMS SASS for accuracy reasons.
I love the M1A platform and really want one but it sounds as though the SASS out performs it, sadly.
Weight is a different issue with me! I pack heavy (not so heavy that I'm going to take my Serbu BFG-50 on some back packing trip)!!
I have a couple of guys that couldn't believe how much crap I really used to carry! You should have seen me clearing a 8 story building in Baghdad in the middle of summer, oh how I wished they had AC in that place and wooden doors vs those steel doors! I thought I was going to die.
I just kind of want a nice good range auto loader that is accurate and I am a bit fond of the .308, 7.62X51.
I also want a couple more bolt guns but that is for later.

 

[MK14 SEI]

Re: SA M1A Scout Squad???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Stefan73</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I love the M1A platform and really want one but it sounds as though the SASS out performs it, sadly.
</div></div>

And then there's the M21A5 Crazy Horse EBR SASS, but a Scout with
the minor tweaks I described earlier sounds like what you want and need.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Put it in a tight fitting USGI synthetic stock. Shim the gas system and maybe tune the trigger.</div></div>

 

[Dark Horse]

Re: SA M1A Scout Squad???

The 18" Scout rifle is actually a very handle rifle. As a pack rifle I would stick with the GI stock though...not really necessary to turn it into something that looks like it came from the movie "Terminator". I know I'm old school in saying this but the demeanor of the Garand, M14 style rifle just says "pick me up and shoot me". The way it handles, points, balances and shoots to some of us is just too natural to change.

For the purpose you described, accuracy more than the Scout will give you is irrelevant to me. Many hunters are using less accurate weapons such as 12 gauge slug guns, muzzle loaders, etc. I know, you can't hang all the goodies off a GI stock, well if it means that much to you Smith Enterprise makes a tri-rail setup for the forend.

You certainly can tweak the rifle or you can go all out and spend thousands. Again, you don't seem to be looking for a Sniper rifle or DMR so what's the point? A unitized gas cylinder, Sadlak spring guide, trigger work, and finding a decent load will go a long way for you. If you are considering optics, Sadlak makes a variety of light-weight mounts for the receiver so you are not limited to a "scout optic".

Honestly, a DPMS may look sexier and outshoot an M14, but given the choice between the two, I would pick the M14 to fit the requirement you described.

 

[stefan73]

Re: SA M1A Scout Squad???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: H2O MAN</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Stefan73</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I love the M1A platform and really want one but it sounds as though the SASS out performs it, sadly.
</div></div>

And then there's the M21A5 Crazy Horse EBR SASS, but a Scout with
the minor tweaks I described earlier sounds like what you want and need.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Put it in a tight fitting USGI synthetic stock. Shim the gas system and maybe tune the trigger.</div></div> </div></div>

Nice!

 

[stefan73]

Re: SA M1A Scout Squad???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dark Horse</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The 18" Scout rifle is actually a very handle rifle. As a pack rifle I would stick with the GI stock though...not really necessary to turn it into something that looks like it came from the movie "Terminator". I know I'm old school in saying this but the demeanor of the Garand, M14 style rifle just says "pick me up and shoot me". The way it handles, points, balances and shoots to some of us is just too natural to change.

For the purpose you described, accuracy more than the Scout will give you is irrelevant to me. Many hunters are using less accurate weapons such as 12 gauge slug guns, muzzle loaders, etc. I know, you can't hang all the goodies off a GI stock, well if it means that much to you Smith Enterprise makes a tri-rail setup for the forend.

You certainly can tweak the rifle or you can go all out and spend thousands. Again, you don't seem to be looking for a Sniper rifle or DMR so what's the point? A unitized gas cylinder, Sadlak spring guide, trigger work, and finding a decent load will go a long way for you. If you are considering optics, Sadlak makes a variety of light-weight mounts for the receiver so you are not limited to a "scout optic".

Honestly, a DPMS may look sexier and outshoot an M14, but given the choice between the two, I would pick the M14 to fit the requirement you described. </div></div>
The M1A just seems to have soul to it vs the DPMS. It is probably because I have always wanted a M1A after shooting a friends dads NM M1A.