M14/m1a

[sickboy]

Has anyone ever seen a decent M14/M1A for under a grand? I've been looking into getting one, but the cheapest one I've seen was $1600 at a gun show, and it was kinda rusty although the bore was in great shape. I'm a little limited by budget right now.

 

[NozeMan]

Has anyone ever seen a decent M14/M1A for under a grand? I've been looking into getting one, but the cheapest one I've seen was $1600 at a gun show, and it was kinda rusty although the bore was in great shape. I'm a little limited by budget right now.

I think Bud's Gun Shop www.budsgunshop.com maybe be closer to a grand on the basic M1A. I don't think I've ever seen them for under a grand, but Bud's has the best price I've seen. I don't actively look for M1A/M14s though.

 

[Rocketman]

I haven't looked for an M1A in some time so I can't be sure but my first thought is that you will be hard pressed to find anything for less than maybe $1500. I'm not sure you can even find a Polytech for that anymore. Gunsamerica had listed a PolyTech M1A with a Fulton upgrade (brings the receiver up to the correct hardness spec and adds all US GI parts) that didn't meet the reserve at $1400.00

Check out this thread about PolyTech M1A's http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?p=339081

The new Springfields are expensive as well and most now use lots of cast parts etc. Traditional old school thought says that's not great but maybe that's true and maybe it's not.

IMHO your best bet is to save a little more money and look for something with a receiver known to be in spec and all GI parts. Nothing wrong at all with a Polytech. Most will tell you that an origional Polytech is a great value today if you can find one. (especially if it's been brought up to spec by Fulton or someone else.)

My M1A is a 5 digit Springfield with a TRW bolt, H&R barrel and all GI parts. It has a trigger that's silky smooth and breaks like a glass rod. I have no idea what it would go for if I wanted to sell it but it's worth a lot more than $1500. At least to me.

An M1A is something you will pass along to your children when you are gone. Spend the money up front to do it right if at all possible.

Good luck in your search!!

 

[LazersGoPEWPEW]

I have never seen an M1A that was worth buying for under a $1000 and if you do happen to find one you'll probably end up putting money into it that would bring the cost back up over $1000. M14s are worth more than an M1A in my opinion and in the opinions of most others and therefore will demand a high premium even for those that are not in good working order.

However I will claim that both rifles are well worth the money spent and that the M14 is my favorite rifle to fire. If you get one and you get it squared away I am certain you'll love it.

 

[Rocketman]

I have never seen an M1A that was worth buying for under a $1000 and if you do happen to find one you'll probably end up putting money into it that would bring the cost back up over $1000. M14s are worth more than an M1A in my opinion and in the opinions of most others and therefore will demand a high premium even for those that are not in good working order.

However I will claim that both rifles are well worth the money spent and that the M14 is my favorite rifle to fire. If you get one and you get it squared away I am certain you'll love it.

Tread lightly here. A true M14 will cost you a hell of a lot more than $1500.00

If it says M14 and is marked Springfield Armory, H&R, TRW or Winchester on the receiver it's either a class 3 weapon or a reweld of a demilled (cut) M14 receiver. Both are problems. Owning a class 3 weapon without the proper ATF paper is a serious felony. The ATF has also ruled on more than one occasion that "once a machine gun, always a machinegun" so rewelds from MKS and others are also bad ju ju.

On the other hand a transferable select fire M14 with the proper NFA paperwork can be had for + or - $20k or so.

 

[HueyCobra8151]

I have not purchased anything from them, so I don't want to guarantee anything, but you could try the Civilian Marksmanship Program

They have rack and field grade surplus M1 Garands for under $500 as well as rack grade M1 Carbines for under $500

From the site:

The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is a U.S. government-chartered program that promotes firearms safety training and rifle practice for all qualified U.S. citizens with special emphasis on youth. Any U.S. citizen who is legally not prohibited from owning a firearm may purchase a military surplus rifle from the CMP, provided they are a member of a CMP affiliated club. The CMP operates through a network of affiliated shooting clubs and state associations that covers every state in the U.S. The clubs and associations offer firearms safety training and marksmanship courses as well as the opportunity for continued practice and competition.
Camp Perry Ohio Headquarters

The CMP was created by the U.S. Congress as part of the 1903 War Department Appropriations Act. The original purpose was to provide civilians an opportunity to learn and practice marksmanship skills so they would be skilled marksmen if later called on to serve in the U.S. military.