Please talk me out of buying this

I wouldn't buy it, but you should.

.308/7.62

If I got a M14/M1A variant, I would lean more towards a M21 configuration, or, at worst, either wood or synthetic stock in the classic configuration. I'm not crazy about target style stocks on a battle rifle, just on general principle.

That seems like a decent price though, and it should be a fun one to shoot if that sort of thing is your bag, baw.

I wouldn't necessarily assume that unless you research it some first. And who makes that by the way?

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Springfield

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Well, then, forget what I said about assuming - it will likely fit whatever standard stocks will fit M1A.

However, let me ask you a question - that's the ironically labeled "loaded" - the National Match only lists for about $300something more - street price they may only be $250 or so difference. Why not go that route rather than buy this one and have to swap stocks?

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However, let me ask you a question - that's the ironically labeled "loaded" - the National Match only lists for about $300something more - street price they may only be $250 or so difference. Why not go that route rather than buy this one and have to swap stocks?

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From what I've seen, this setup has a better mounting system for optics. As I understand it, the NM is more for iron sight use.

Have you ever picked one of those up? I have and it was enough to convince me that I didn't want to carry that heavy fricker around. I bought a ruger precision instead (I highly recommend).

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Are M1's fickle about different types of ammo?

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It's an older cartridge design and a weapon designed in a bygone age. You know the basics, right? The M1A is a civilian M14. It's based off the old M1 Garand. They wanted it to be select fire and accept detachable magazines (in other words, a battle rifle based off the Garand). It could have been chambered in .30-06 (the BAR was), but they went with the newer (at the time) cartridge.

Anyway - each M1A will have it's own personality, not unlike some flavors of AR, and you'll have a couple of things going on - what ammo you're running will end up varying due to range issues and performance with your gun. I'm not saying you'll get a lot of cycling issues, as most bullet profiles are pretty standard and there just aren't the underpowered/tracer options available with an AR. But, you may experience a wide array of terminal performance accuracy issues. This particular platform choice will require a more active integration by the user of skills, properly tuned trigger and optimal (or at least acceptable) cartridge for the range to/type of target.

Having said that, if you get everything working correctly, they are some of the most accurate semiautomatic rifles you can shoot - not quite bolt gun accuracy, but certainly competitive with H&K semis costing 2x to 3x as much.

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Have you ever picked one of those up? I have and it was enough to convince me that I didn't want to carry that heavy fricker around. I bought a ruger precision instead (I highly recommend).

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Yeah, the "loaded" version he posted a picture of - with optics, sling, bipod and fully loaded magazine is going to be pushing 16 or 17 pounds - almost 3 empty AR15s.