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E150GT wrote: ↑Fri Jan 05, 2024 7:23 pm The Springfield M1A was born right here in Texas. That's gotta mean something. I have my 3rd M14 type rifle coming in soon.

Was it? I did not know that.

ScottDLS wrote: ↑Thu Dec 28, 2023 6:23 pm

C-dub wrote: ↑Thu Dec 28, 2023 4:45 pm I was so shocked at seeing the Carbine that I didn't check anything about it. I didn't look to see what year it was stamped with or anything other than the price. Next time I'm there I'll do a more thorough inspection and ask about some details. If it is WWII era for sure then it's coming home with me.

The M1A would also be nice, but since I am pretty sure it is a new one it has less value to me as an historical piece and would be more "just because."

Argh....I remember hanging out in a local gun shop in North Carolina in 1985 and they had a wooden barrel full of WWII era M1 Garands for $85! And new M1 carbines were going for $125. I wish I had bought the whole barrel.

If only we would have known.

The Springfield 1903 I have was bought by my dad sometime in the 60's from some place that had a bunch in a pickle barrel for $25. It had the original stock on it, but he threw that away and sporterized it.

The barrel has been shot out and I haven't been able to get any better than 3-4 MOA that I can remember. It is still a great rifle and I may get an original stock back on it sometime.

I was so shocked at seeing the Carbine that I didn't check anything about it. I didn't look to see what year it was stamped with or anything other than the price. Next time I'm there I'll do a more thorough inspection and ask about some details. If it is WWII era for sure then it's coming home with me.

The M1A would also be nice, but since I am pretty sure it is a new one it has less value to me as an historical piece and would be more "just because."

srothstein wrote: ↑Wed Dec 27, 2023 10:01 pm I think it comes down to personal preference. My opinion is to get the M1A but I fell in love with the M14 when I was issued one in Marine Corps training. I still think it is the best main battle rifle designed yet. I have had two of the M1As since then and deeply regret selling them.

At that price, the M1A is new, at least that is what the ones I have been seeing around here sell for, as a wood stock base model. The optional upgrades to national match or super-match versions increase the cost.

I have always heard how the M1 carbine is a fun carbine to shoot. It is on the list of guns I want, but not very high on it. But I do know a lot of people who who would reverse the order and recommend the M1 carbine over the M1A.

Thanks Steve,

We'll see how things work out. I think I'm going to plan on getting the Carbine first, but take enough with me to get the M1A just in case. I wasn't even looking for them when I went in and just found them. I haven't even looked at my little gun shop around the corner yet. I probably should do that first. He might have one or both at a better cash price for me. I'll also need to familiarize myself with what to look for as far as grade and things like that before I tip my toe any further into this pool. Both looked good, but ya never know until you look closer under the hood.

On my travels today I finally stopped at a place I've been seeing for a few years now and spied one each of those.

M1 Carbine .30 ~$650
M1A .308 ~ $1600

I'm trying to search old threads for a discussion between the two, but not finding very much.

I've searched the internet a little and determined the Carbine is more fun to shoot and the M1A is a more serious shooter. If money were not an option I would get both to go with several of my other WWII era rifles. The Carbine might actually be from that era, but the M1A is definitely newer (duh), but I think this one really is new newer. However, since I already have a Garand it would still be cool to have. I already have a really nice .308 (thank you TAM), so another one can wait a bit. I'm leaning towards the Carbine. Due to price it would easier to get sooner and would fit into my collection better. I probably won't be back by this place until at least Easter, so I have some time to decide. That wait time may also decide for me if I get back by there and one or both of them are gone. No big deal if they are. That's how I got my Benelli. I first saw it on one trip and told myself I'd get it if it was still there next trip around 4-6 months later and it was.

It looks like a wash on the cost of ammo for each. Although, the Carbine has a slight edge in that some of it can be found for as little as .70 cents/round. The better stuff runs about the same as the .308 ammo.

Is there any big reason why I should go for the M1A first over the Carbine?