M1A, you can only pick one...

[DrBrianDDS]

I know the answer is BOTH, but for the sake of discussion, pick one and defend your choice. I know there are all kinds of different models available, but I have a picture of these two...

Brand new Springfield M1A Scout (without flashider)
Late 1980s Springfield M1A (fixed mag)
m1s.jpg

[Dan 0351]

I love and own several M1A's. If I would only be allowed to keep one, it would be my SOCOM 16 (I think that's the top one in the photo). The SOCOM II has lots of rails and lots more weight. The standard/National Match/Super Match are very long and get progressively heavier. I don't think I'd need all that barrel and weight. The Scout/Squad is only slightly longer than the SOCOM, due to a longer flash suppressor, so no real difference there to me.

SOCOM 16 for the win.

[mossy930spx]

Get the one with detachable mag.

Fixed mag defeats the purpose. Might as well get a Garand.

[hawkeye]

I love and own several M1A's. If I would only be allowed to keep one, it would be my SOCOM 16 (I think that's the top one in the photo). The SOCOM II has lots of rails and lots more weight. The standard/National Match/Super Match are very long and get progressively heavier. I don't think I'd need all that barrel and weight. The Scout/Squad is only slightly longer than the SOCOM, due to a longer flash suppressor, so no real difference there to me.

SOCOM 16 for the win.

i agree. I bought the Socom 2 when it first came out and after shooting it, took off the rails (both top and bottom).
much easier to shoot and hold. When I need a scope mounted, I use the SA 3rd gen scope mount or the $99 mount (forgot the name) from Texas.
Of course I removed the mag release lever to make it (un)Safe compliant.

[MossbergMan]

My one month old...

[Huntington Guy]

My one month old...

She is beautiful, congratulations. They can be temperamental, keep you up nights and are expensive to feed but they do bring sooo much happiness. Any plans for brothers or sisters?

[Huntington Guy]

I'm just a big fan of wood furniture. The fixed mag is just sad. All things considered, I'd go with the unmolested one.

[Barnslayer]

I love the look and function of the old school M1A with walnut stock. But if I gotta deal with a fixed mag, I'd chose the plastic…… or forget them both and get an M1 Garand.

[C6NY]

My one month old...

Congrats
Looks just like mine when I first got it. I had it that way till I got the buzz in my ear to get the walnut. I got the walnut. I'll swap back and forth depending on weather and mood.
I see you have the suppressor, Do you keep it out of state?
Mines fixed magazine. I can swap it out in about ten minutes if I go out of state or whenever I choose so it's not like a M1A in that respect.

op, I would get full size fixed mag. As said you can swap on/ off at your convince and still have the iconic front end.

[rts414]

I want the wood stock one, only if that selector switch actually works.

[iceburg]

M1A Scout ...Not into fixed mag bullshit..

[Surfer21]

Top one with black fiberglass/ polymer stock. More options for optic,removable mag and stock wont be affected by weather.

[M14Shooter]

22 inch barrel Standard or Loaded. Fixed mag and top loading with stripper clips is very cool. Faster loading than refilling mags. Then put a Bassett high mount on it for a scope and you have plenty of room to roll rounds into the mag. Very cool also.

Oh and nothing beats a Walnut stock.

[spider]

Rack grade M1a, iron sights, I have a wood stock and the fiberglass stock. Helmup says there's a conversion trigger to make it a fixed mag NY legal. I haven't done that yet. I put a Dead Mule in the fiberglass stock. It makes the recoil very manageable. It will stove pipe.

[C6NY]

Rack grade M1a, iron sights, I have a wood stock and the fiberglass stock. Helmup says there's a conversion trigger to make it a fixed mag NY legal. I haven't done that yet. I put a Dead Mule in the fiberglass stock. It makes the recoil very manageable. It will stove pipe.

The company(KGB) makes both a complete trigger assembly and a piece that is sold seperatly that you can do yourself in minutes to your own trigger assembly in minutes. The part itself is about $50 and the trigger assembly I think is over $200.
M1A's due to its weight and SA gas action makes recoil really insignificant for most unless one has injuries of some sort. Guess the mule cause stovepipes?