Joining the Black Rifle Crowd

[Jeff Higgins]

Well, kinda sorta anyway...

I just got home from my buddy's gun shop, where I placed an order for a Springfield M1A Scout Squad rifle. This is the M1A with the 18" barrel and forward scope mounting rail, ala Col. Jeff Cooper's "Scout Rifle" concept. The M1A comes in a 16" "SOCOM" variant or a 22" standard length variant as well. To me, the 18" Scout Squad is the "Goldilocks" rifle - not too long, not too short, but "just right".

I say "kinda sorta" joining the black rifle set in that I ordered the walnut stocked version. I just couldn't bring myself to go all the way and order one of the synthetic stocked variants. Not that their walnut is going to have any more figure than their plastic, but I'm still just kind of a traditionalist, I guess.

Brass, dies, and bullets are on their way from Midway. I ordered Norma brass and Sierra 168 grain Match Kings to start. I have H and IMR 4895, H322, H335, Reloder 15, and 760 on hand for powders. I understand NATO uses Reloder 15 in its 5.56 and 7.62 rounds, so I'll focus on that at first.

I'm excited... this is a whole new realm in shooting that I have not yet explored. I have no idea what possessed me, as this is a huge leap from my single shots and lever guns, but I think I'm going to have some fun.

Love it - those are awesome looking.

[vash]

aww crap.

that is awesome. PMing you a question bud.

[911boost]

I have an M1A standard in walnut. It's seen elk, deer and hog hunting. Over the years it had a few different optics and currently just has a red dot on it I had laying around.

Great purchase...

Bill

[Rick V]

M1 thumb, I can tall you it hurts, I had a garande introduce me to it, just take my word and leave that experience alone,

[Evans, Marv]

Bought one a few years ago with the plastic stock. Love the wood stock, but I'm a decently practical person & don't want to be inclined to baby it. The M-14 is what we trained with when I was in the Army & I always loved it & wanted one. Not interested in "black" guns. I just wanted a good, dependable rifle. The reason I originally justified getting it is that we are having feral pigs multiplying in the general area. I haven't seen any so far, but it should make short work of any that come around.

[HHI944]

I'm with Marv, if I bought one, I'd shoot the snot out of it and I'd feel guilty dragging a wood stock through my typical range day.
But, they sure are purdy with the wood stock....and I'm fond of my EBRs

[Jim Bremner]

Jeff, I hope that you live in a FREE state. Get some 20 round mags and dump the California legal muzzle break. and stick on a flash suppressor like it should have.

I've owned an M1A since the late '90s. Mine is a 22" M1A Loaded with walnut stock and Stainless match barrel. 2,500+ rounds later and David E helped me reach out 600 yards to hit a chest sized steel target with it's iron sighs with 1980's surplus ammo.

Rule #1 GREASE, if it moves grease it.

Rule #2 Clean it upside down!

Rule # 3 Don't take the action out of the stock to clean just do the barrel, chamber and once every 500 or so rounds maybe the gas system if it's working keep your bugger hooks off don't clean it just to clean it

Rule #4 it can suck up 200 rounds of 7.62 x 51 in a short time keep plenty rolled up

[Jim Bremner]

Originally Posted by Rick V

M1 thumb, I can tall you it hurts, I had a garande introduce me to it, just take my word and leave that experience alone,

M1A's are magazine fed not embloc fed other than cleaning you're safe.

[tabs]

TRAITOR!!!!

When I saw "Black" I thought, "Ohhhhh goody a black powder spoon Thread." But what did I find... a reprehensible Thread on clip fed spoons...disgusting. Ifn you cain't hit er with one shot you ain't a sure shot. Next you'll all be touting Salsa from New YORK CITY...

Now herein is a real mans spoon that will really reach out and touch someone...


That's my latest and greatest an Axtell 1877 Sharps #1 in 45/70 engraved by Wm Granstadt... %#@$(*& pusssys...wouldn't know a real spoon from a plastic fork ifn it were shoved up their #$#@!%

[Jim Bremner]

Tabs, the term is Magazine. Clip are what girls stick in their hair

[tabs]

Originally Posted by Jim Bremner

Tabs, the term is Magazine. Clip are what girls stick in their hair

Magazines are what I read (look at the pretty pictures) when I sit on the turlette in the morning.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by tabs

TRAITOR!!!!

When I saw "Black" I thought, "Ohhhhh goody a black powder spoon Thread." But what did I find... a reprehensible Thread on clip fed spoons...disgusting. Ifn you cain't hit er with one shot you ain't a sure shot. Next you'll all be touting Salsa from New YORK CITY...

Now herein is a real mans spoon that will really reach out and touch someone...


That's my latest and greatest an Axtell 1877 Sharps #1 in 45/70 engraved by Wm Granstadt... %#@$(*& pusssys...wouldn't know a real spoon from a plastic fork ifn it were shoved up their #$#@!%

Believe me, tabby, this was not an easy decision. I worry how the youngen is going to get along in the safe next to the plethora of Sharps, Ballards, Hepburns, Highwalls, Number 1's and the like. Not to mention the lever guns... all mostly fueled by black powder and cast bullets. This young upstart is going to have to earn his place among such distinguished company.

I've already long since managed to gain acceptance for my 1911's alongside their single action stablemates. I think they can live happily together. That, and I "needed" a serious "Ferguson" rifle - blow-tubing or wiping the bore between shots on the .45-100 Sharps renders it less than ideal as any kind of an "assault" or serious "defensive" rifle...

I'm hoping the heritage, full size rifle caliber, and wood stock may gain this newcomer at least grudging acceptance. We'll see...

[HardDrive]

I'm afraid you can't get credit for a 'black rifle' until you add a laser sight, forestock grip, red dot optics, tactical flashlight, bipod stand and a cappuccino maker.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Believe me, tabby, this was not an easy decision. I worry how the youngen is going to get along in the safe next to the plethora of Sharps, Ballards, Hepburns, Highwalls, Number 1's and the like. Not to mention the lever guns... all mostly fueled by black powder and cast bullets. This young upstart is going to have to earn his place among such distinguished company.

I've already long since managed to gain acceptance for my 1911's alongside their single action stablemates. I think they can live happily together. That, and I "needed" a serious "Ferguson" rifle - blow-tubing or wiping the bore between shots on the .45-100 Sharps renders it less than ideal as any kind of an "assault" or serious "defensive" rifle...

I'm hoping the heritage, full size rifle caliber, and wood stock may gain this newcomer at least grudging acceptance. We'll see...

Well now the way that I handled that problem was to invite them all outa the safe for a Beer Summit where I asked them all, "Can't we all just get along?" Then I told em if they can't do that for me then I would be furious and send them all down to Mexico faster than a speeding bullet. That seemed to quell the velocity of rambunctious high capacity crowd down a bit. But it was the flinty old flinters that had the hardest time adjusting their ways to those new fangled as they called em "cartidge boys." They said that they wouldn't last a fortnight. But in the end I told them all that I loved them, and kissed them all goodnight as I tucked them back into the safe.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

I'm afraid you can't get credit for a 'black rifle' until you add a laser sight, forestock grip, red dot optics, tactical flashlight, bipod stand and a cappuccino maker.

That might not work out so well with the flintlocks, that Cappuccino maker might be a bit cumbersome.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by tabs

Well now the way that I handled that problem was to invite them all outa the safe for a Beer Summit where I asked them all, "Can't we all just get along?" Then I told em if they can't do that for me then I would be furious and send them all down to Mexico faster than a speeding bullet. That seemed to quell the velocity of rambunctious high capacity crowd down a bit. But it was the flinty old flinters that had the hardest time adjusting their ways to those new fangled as they called em "cartidge boys." They said that they wouldn't last a fortnight. But in the end I told them all that I loved them, and kissed them all goodnight as I tucked them back into the safe.

The frontstuffers are all tucked safely away on their own; I've dared not even introduce them to to the uppity ca'tridge boys barely 50-100 years their juniors. I'm sure they'd succumb to the vapors, seeing all of those immodest open ass ends. It just wouldn't do...

[vash]

here's my kid brother's. i keep throwing money offers at him........

[Seahawk]

This is why I hate this web site.

I am trying to keep my logistics tail to a minimum. My son and I have a Garand and a Sportarized Springfield that both shoot 30.06. We also have an AR and a Ruger Ranch in .226. Then there is the Savage bolt action .22 WMR, regular .22's, etc.

F' it: Logistics, smogistics.

[Tobra]

Think of it like this. You only carry one rifle at a time, so it does not matter if it is not the same caliber as your other rifles, because you only are carrying ammo for the one you have with you. Actually I think that maybe makes the problem worse, not better, but I am trying to help.