Springfield M1a Scout Squad, Thoughts and personal experience?

Rate_of_Twist

Rate_of_Twist

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Interested in a "non AR" semi auto in a larger caliber... looking for something that suits a SHTF type rifle, highly durable and reliable even after lots of rounds through it. Also looking for something that (currently) falls outside of any Mass AG BS going on. Pre ban hi cap availability would be a plus.

I generally favor shorter rifles for a more handy or quick feeling in the hand... so, I'm not sure the standard 22" model would fit well into the way I use firearms. I enjoy using my firearms in a move and shoot type scenario, including in and around my car as well as shooting prone for accuracy.

Are these M1a legitimate or gimmicks?
 
I have a Loaded and wanted to pick up a Scout also, patience wore out and at the time nobody could tell me when they would be able to get any in so I opted for a M&P10 instead. Not that there is anything wrong with the M&P10, I just wish I had waited for a Scout to appear as I've found myself grabbing the M1A a lot more than the M&P10 whenever I head out to the range.
 
I love my scout! I wanted something just a little bigger than an ar for shtf or just hunting. I added a 2-7x32 leupold firedot and its a great up close or at distance. got a bunch of 20 rounds mags and a few 5's for hunting.
 
To clarify a little more, for me personally my most impractical rifle is a DMR type rifle I built in 5.56... while it's accurate and fun it's also an 8 pound 38" long rifle in 5.56 where the AR's I shoot and have a practical purpose for are all short and light (my BCM Recce 14.5 being the primary setup). A "battle rifle" in .308 will replace my DMR build.

I'm looking for "practical accuracy " to 500 yards, not group size. I've heard reports that some M1a's are 4.5 moa rifle out of the box which is a bit concerning.

The only other thing I'm considering is a SCAR 17, but personally I think the price difference being 2 cases of ammo and reloading dies and components difference the SCAR is a hard sell
 
I will be honest , i own a scar , and i am so glad i got one. It is amazing . I had a AR 10, sig 716 dmr and the weight is huge .

Go get the scar if you can :)
 
My #1 gripe with the M1A platform is they suck to put optics on, i couldnt make it work well at all without bubba'ing the gun and making it even heavier.
 
AllaSnackbah said:
My #1 gripe with the M1A platform is they suck to put optics on, i couldnt make it work well at all without bubba'ing the gun and making it even heavier.
Click to expand...

My thought was a long eye relief optic that might do 1-5, but options are not exactly plentiful. I guess even a red dot mounted on the forward rail would require some sort of adjustable cheek riser
 
SCAR does everything the M1A does and does it easier / better.

M1A's are annoying to put optics on, heavy as ****, and springfields quality control on them has been shit for going on 10 years now.

Buy once cry once. I have an M1A in a JAE stock and I dont think ive touched it since I picked up a SCAR17.
 
**DRB** said:
To clarify a little more, for me personally my most impractical rifle is a DMR type rifle I built in 5.56... while it's accurate and fun it's also an 8 pound 38" long rifle in 5.56 where the AR's I shoot and have a practical purpose for are all short and light (my BCM Recce 14.5 being the primary setup). A "battle rifle" in .308 will replace my DMR build.

I'm looking for "practical accuracy " to 500 yards, not group size. I've heard reports that some M1a's are 4.5 moa rifle out of the box which is a bit concerning.

The only other thing I'm considering is a SCAR 17, but personally I think the price difference being 2 cases of ammo and reloading dies and components difference the SCAR is a hard sell
Click to expand...

4 moa out of the box .....maybe on a good day with Ammo like federal gold medal match....maybe. I honestly can't see the scare being much better.?
I don't really know what practical accuracy is but 4 moa would fit that bill IMHO
After all that's on the better side of mil spec accuracy for NATO ammo and US small arms..

I know nothing of the scar I see a handful at the club but I never really see anyone trying to shoot at distance or accuracy.
Both are what they are. SHTF though I think I would opt for the M1a.? I'm,just not a fan over all of the M1a.. well I might be if they where 1/2 of the cost.?
 
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Tarsook said:
SCAR does everything the M1A does and does it easier / better.

M1A's are annoying to put optics on, heavy as ****, and springfields quality control on them has been shit for going on 10 years now.

Buy once cry once. I have an M1A in a JAE stock and I dont think ive touched it since I picked up a SCAR17.
Click to expand...

Except it costs twice as much and you need to modify FAL mags or you're stuck with 10 rounders
 
Sure, the scout squad is a nice rifle, but for some reason I just don't seem to care for mine. I rarely take it out to play. It will be in near mint condition when my kids inherit it...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Adding an optic to the M14 platform is pretty easy if the receiver is in spec...many newer Springfield M1As are not in spec. You also need a good scope mount. I prefer the Brookfield type mounts and have a Sadlak Airborne on my M14A1. It's never lost it's zero.

For an M14 type rifle I suggest buying a Bula Forge, Rock-Ola (made by Bula) or an LRB first and then a Fulton. I would not buy a new Springfield.

I like to buy the parts and build my own though it isn't inexpensive. They're also 7.62 NATO battle rifles so they aren't light. I just screwed together and head spaced a new Bula with their 19.25" GI contour barrel and Bula bolt. I'm waiting on a Bula op rod so I have a USGI H&R installed temporarily.

 
I was unaware of a mag mod for the SCAR, and yes, I get that it's a "better" platform. I guess I should get my hands on both and try them first. I really didn't want the cash outlay of a $2700 setup, as while I plan on spend about th much my original goal was to have a stack if ammo, dies, and reloading components for that price.

But, in the end that's why I asked the question... if it's better to wait and save up some more cash, than maybe that's what I need to do
 
Sweeney said:
Adding an optic to the M14 platform is pretty easy if the receiver is in spec...many newer Springfield M1As are not in spec. You also need a good scope mount. I prefer the Brookfield type mounts and have a Sadlak Airborne on my M14A1. It's never lost it's zero.

For an M14 type rifle I suggest buying a Bula Forge, Rock-Ola (made by Bula) or an LRB first and then a Fulton. I would not buy a new Springfield.

I like to buy the parts and build my own though it isn't inexpensive. They're also 7.62 NATO battle rifles so they aren't light. I just screwed together and head spaced a new Bula with their 19.25" GI contour barrel and Bula bolt. I'm waiting on a Bula op rod so I have a USGI H&R installed temporarily.

Click to expand...

What's it costing these days to build one out.
I sold my 2 cmp M14 parts kits a while back ....I couldn't refuse the offer.
I was going to go with the LRB receiver..at the time I was at about 1300$ to build out with the kit. Which was at best "service" grade. I opted to sell the kits to the guy who offered my what I call "dumb" money dumb to offer and dumb to refuse...
 
This is the price list I got from Bula on the parts they are currently producing. Mine is a combination of some new Bula parts I got in a group buy and some parts I've had stowed away. I plan to make it as much Bula as possible.

I payed $600.00 for my receiver and $200.00 for my Bula barrel second hand but never mounted.

 
**DRB** said:
Yeah, ok, well I impulse ordered a FDE Scout Squad. For all the times I obsess for months before buying something... hopefully I don't regret it
Click to expand...

Well you should not regret it..also you could possible sell it for more than you paid. I see many used SAI rifles listed for more than you can buy new...do they sell?
 
Sweeney said:
This is the price list I got from Bula on the parts they are currently producing. Mine is a combination of some new Bula parts I got in a group buy and some parts I've had stowed away. I plan to make it as much Bula as possible.

I payed $600.00 for my receiver and $200.00 for my Bula barrel second hand but never mounted.

Click to expand...

Makes me have a little sellers remorse... I'm having a bit of trouble deciphering that parts list as I'm not so sure if some parts come with other parts.
But it looks like you could build out a bula for less than a CIA...if you have the tools already...
 
mac1911 said:
Makes me have a little sellers remorse... I'm having a bit of trouble deciphering that parts list as I'm not so sure if some parts come with other parts.
But it looks like you could build out a bula for less than a CIA...if you have the tools already...
Click to expand...

Well, the only tools I used were a large vise, a large wrench and 'GO', 'NO GO' gauges. Screw the barrel on and clock it, check for headspace and lap the bolt for lug contact.

Example; 'Complete Bolt' is the same as M14 Forged Bolt + Bolt Parts Kit assembled...The bolt comes with the roller installed. A gas cylinder assembly has the valve+spring+pin installed, etc.
 
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Sweeney said:
Well, the only tools I used were a large vise, a large wrench and 'GO', 'NO GO' gauges. Screw the barrel on and clock it, check for headspace and lap the bolt for lug contact.

Example; 'Complete Bolt' is the same as M14 Forged Bolt + Bolt Parts Kit assembled...The bolt comes with the roller installed. A gas cylinder assembly has the valve+spring+pin installed, etc.
Click to expand...

I have the vise block for barrel and action wrench that does M1/M1a , M1 carbine and 1903/mauser style recievers. I also have the pull through reamer to final cut the chamber for correct headspace on short chambered barrels...
I have the bolt lapping tool which can easily be made useing a modified case and the hammer spring...
Been into M1s more than the M1a ...might revisit that though?

I bought the kits from cmp with all intentions of building one. I was just more into other projects and I sold them to a offer 2.5x what I paid...hard to turn up at the time and I could build a better rifle for that same money than those kits.
 
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Picked up my scout early last week and finally got to the range today. I was impressed how soft shooting it was and love the irons. The muzzle brake was quieter than the pws fsc on my AR-10. The safety is extremely stiff and needs breaking in. Shot cbc, pmc xtac, reloads and ended with tula steel. Ate everything without a hickup. Ive been wanting one for years and am pissed I waited so long. Paper City gave me a price I couldn't turn down.
 
wmass said:
Picked up my scout early last week and finally got to the range today. I was impressed how soft shooting it was and love the irons. The muzzle brake was quieter than the pws fsc on my AR-10. The safety is extremely stiff and needs breaking in. Shot cbc, pmc xtac, reloads and ended with tula steel. Ate everything without a hickup. Ive been wanting one for years and am pissed I waited so long. Paper City gave me a price I couldn't turn down.
Click to expand...

And that price was?
 
mac1911 said:
I have the vise block for barrel and action wrench that does M1/M1a , M1 carbine and 1903/mauser style recievers. I also have the pull through reamer to final cut the chamber for correct headspace on short chambered barrels...
I have the bolt lapping tool which can easily be made useing a modified case and the hammer spring...
Been into M1s more than the M1a ...might revisit that though?

I bought the kits from cmp with all intentions of building one. I was just more into other projects and I sold them to a offer 2.5x what I paid...hard to turn up at the time and I could build a better rifle for that same money than those kits.
Click to expand...

I use the cut case with spring for lapping. It's nice that there are high quality parts being made for these rifles that are less expensive than USGI.
 
Sweeney said:
I use the cut case with spring for lapping. It's nice that there are high quality parts being made for these rifles that are less expensive than USGI.
Click to expand...

Yeah I have the lapping kit... I bought off a retired gun Smith and the next day found the cut case/spring trick. I find that works just as well and easier to use.

- - - Updated - - -

Sweeney said:
I use the cut case with spring for lapping. It's nice that there are high quality parts being made for these rifles that are less expensive than USGI.
Click to expand...

Agree I had not checked on prices in a while... seems some prices have come down a smidge also.
 

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