Molot super Vepr - $1100

308 Garand - $800 -$2000 depending on condition

SCAR - $2600

FNAR - $1000

Benelie R1 - $950

BAR 308 - $900 - $1500 (gunbroker)

Saiga - $600

FAL - $700-$2000 (gunbroker)

M1A - $1500

Just a few options I can think of at the moment

 

A lot of people talk about the M1a's price tag like its astronomical, but for the most part it's competitively priced. It's certainly not the cheapest but definitely not the most expensive. The standard, scout, socom, and socom II are all hovering around $1500. The Match's will run you more.

I got to fire the socom version a couple of months ago and the one thing that stuck out in my mind was how heavy the damn thing was..

I've been reading through some posts over at the M14Forum and watching some YouTube, which has me thinking that I'm going to pass (for now) on the SOCOM 16 and focus on the Scout model, since it seems to be a good compromise between the the 16" and 22" barrel. I saw a few posts in which it was suggested to swap out the stock brake on the Scout with something like this:

 

http://www.surefire.com/mb762-213f.html

 

my question is whether or not this brake would be NJ legal since it says that it has an adaptor mount for a supressor (I don't see any thread on the body of the brake though)

M1A Scout doesn't have a pistol grip or bayo lug so you're fine.  

A lot of people talk about the M1a's price tag like its astronomical, but for the most part it's competitively priced.

 

I think for a lot of people it isn't a question on cost but one of value. The OP is not interested in a AR-10 derivative, but today you get a lot more value for your dollar from that platform, and possibly the other platforms as well, depending on what is important to you.

M1A Scout doesn't have a pistol grip or bayo lug so you're fine.  

Does that mean that the brake doesn't need to be pinned/welded on the Scout?

I think for a lot of people it isn't a question on cost but one of value. The OP is not interested in a AR-10 derivative, but today you get a lot more value for your dollar from that platform, and possibly the other platforms as well, depending on what is important to you.

 

I get what you're saying but I think that, in my particular case, I get more "value" from the M1a line since I don't plan on adding anything to the Scout other than a red dot sight and maybe swapping out the stock rail with a Ultimak rail so that the RDS sits lower so that I won't have to worry about a cheek riser. If I was going to add more accessories like a bipod, flashlight, or a laser sight, then the AR-10 line would definitely be a better value. I know that it's a bit outdated, but I like there's something that I like about the simplicity of the M1a action

Understood, if you just like the gun, then buy it, nothing wrong with that at all. Although it isn't a simple action

I get what you're saying but I think that, in my particular case, I get more "value" from the M1a line since I don't plan on adding anything to the Scout other than a red dot sight and maybe swapping out the stock rail with a Ultimak rail so that the RDS sits lower so that I won't have to worry about a cheek riser. If I was going to add more accessories like a bipod, flashlight, or a laser sight, then the AR-10 line would definitely be a better value. I know that it's a bit outdated, but I like there's something that I like about the simplicity of the M1a action

So then really the question is "what model of the M1A should I buy?" As you said in the orginal post. it sounds like you not looking for a full length rifle so I'd agree with your previous post that the scout is a good compromise between the standard and socom. It also gives you that classic look along with the option for some sort of optic. I'm not sure if it's both the socom and socom II or just the II, but the ones that I have seen have a large shotgun style ghost ring rear sight. Kind of stupid for a 308 caliber rifle but hey, they did design the socom around close quarters support after all. iMO if your going after paper at 200/300 yards get the scout. Not saying that the socom can't hit that by any means, but you'll probably have an easier time with the scout.

I should mention that what accessories you hang from your rifle does not determine what rifle you should buy. That's like deciding to which car you are buying based on what aftermarket wheels and ground effects you can fit to it.

Does that mean that the brake doesn't need to be pinned/welded on the Scout?

 

Correct - your 1 evil feature is either the flash hider or the threaded barrel

Correct - your 1 evil feature is either the flash hider or the threaded barrel

Or both together.

I get what you're saying but I think that, in my particular case, I get more "value" from the M1a line since I don't plan on adding anything to the Scout other than a red dot sight and maybe swapping out the stock rail with a Ultimak rail so that the RDS sits lower so that I won't have to worry about a cheek riser. If I was going to add more accessories like a bipod, flashlight, or a laser sight, then the AR-10 line would definitely be a better value. I know that it's a bit outdated, but I like there's something that I like about the simplicity of the M1a action

 

I just don't get the desire for the shorter barrel.  I don't think your intent is the CQB it or anything, and you mention putting the Ultimak rail on it, so why not just get the extra length?

I just don't get the desire for the shorter barrel. I don't think your intent is the CQB it or anything, and you mention putting the Ultimak rail on it, so why not just get the extra length?

I'm not sure really - the Scout seems to be a happy middle ground between the SOCOM and the Standard. I'm looking at some of the other options that have been brought up just to see what's out there. The one thing that I've decided so far is that I don't want an AR-10 style gun right now - not because I don't like them or think that there's something wrong with them, I just want to try something different.

 

 

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Unless SA has changed their design, the Scout Squad is the shortest M1A rifle that still uses the standard M14 gas system. The 16" versions take non-standard parts. I like owning guns where replacement parts are plentiful from multiple sources.

 

 

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Unless SA has changed their design, the Scout Squad is the shortest M1A rifle that still uses the standard M14 gas system. The 16" versions take non-standard parts. I like owning guns where replacement parts are plentiful from multiple sources.

 

 

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The only non-standard part that I'm aware of in the SOCOM model is the gas lock. Everything else is the same as the Standard and Scout models

 

 

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