Welcome everyone to the 116th edition of ‘Hot Gat or Fudd Crap?’, one of our many series here on TFB. If you’re new to the series, this is where we look at the most obscure firearms that are actually for sale and ask the question – is this Gat a sweet deal or only has a Fudd appeal?  Each week the TFB staff weighs in with their thoughts, but readers get the final say in the poll at the bottom of each article.

In our last edition, our poll showed that you, the readers, decided the founding fathers themed 1911 was a hot gat.  

HGFC – Founding Fathers or Lord of the Fudds? — Poll Results

At this time the original auction remains up with the founding fathers themed Auto-Ordnance 1911 still up for grabs.  We can only hope this gat finds its way to a new home in the near future.  

In this week’s edition of HGFC, we look at a custom Springfield M1A chambered in .308 Winchester. As is tradition, this custom match grade gat is currently up for sale on GunBroker for $2,995 Starting Bid or $3,595 Buy It Now.  

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP?

Custom Match or Fudd Road Rash? 

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Custom Match or Fudd Road Rash?

Let’s see what the Staff had to say about this week’s offering:

“This Springfield fangirl doesn’t believe the hype.” – Adam S.

Selling this retro clad gat is GunBroker seller Shoals, located in Shoals IN.  Let’s see what they had to say about this custom Springfield M1A.  

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Custom Match or Fudd Road Rash?

The M1A is a civilian legal version of the Legendary M14 Army Rifle, the Legendary Icon, the Ultimate Hero chambered in .308. The M1A military rifle that dominates the competition fields & the heart of America. 

The windage & elevation adjustable rear site makes zeroing in the rifle a real pleasure while the 2 stage military trigger, detached box magazine, op-rod & military cam provide functional ease of operation & faithful reliability. All the design features the armed services found essential for a battle rifle now legally offered to the civilian people. This is a Custom built rifle assembled at Springfield Armory.  This rifle listed as used, but the only time it has been fired was when Springfield Armory mounted the match grade barrel, the Springfield Gen 4 Scope mount, the Springfield  A.R.T. 3×9 Scope & the composite stock. I then added the cheek rest for additional comfort. It comes with 4 magazines, original box for the ART Scope. For those not familiar with the are scope, it is made by Springfield for the M1A & is an auto-ranging telescopic sight with 3×9 magnification. This is a Custom Build by Springfield Armory,  not the “Springfield Loaded” version with target stock. I chose to put the military version composite stock on this rifle.  Even though this item is listed as used, the only time it has been fired was by Springfield Armory & (1) 10 round magazine at the gun dealers range as test firing. It comes with (4) magazines, (2) 10 round & (2) 20 round. 

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Custom Match or Fudd Road Rash?

I’m not the foremost expert on M1A’s, but I’m pretty sure the top tier is either the Super Match or M21 configuration from Springfield. That’s not to say that there wasn’t a limited run of guns years ago I’m unaware of, but this listing does seem a little suspect.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Custom Match or Fudd Road Rash?

More interesting than the rifle to me is the A.R.T IV or Automatic Rangefinding Telescope. This of course has no build-in rangefinding capability but does have a BDC that you can use to range targets. You know, if you prefer doing math instead of using more modern technology.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Custom Match or Fudd Road Rash?

M1A enthusiasts usually draw their love of this firearm from the military version, the M14.  The M14 had an incredibly short service life lasting from just 1959 to 1964.  It was also the last battle rifle issued in large quantity to U.S. troops. This combined with later accurized versions of the rifle has developed a cult-like following around the aging platform. Love em or hate em, I don’t think the M1A is going anywhere anytime soon and I’ve recently seen new models chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor.

The real question is now what to make of this “custom” M1A package.  It does have all the retro goodies that a collector would crave, but are you willing to trust this seller “custom” rifle for a shade under $3k?  As always, I leave it up to you, the readers, to decide.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Custom Match or Fudd Road Rash?HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Custom Match or Fudd Road Rash?

What do you think?  Is this custom Springfield M1A a Hot Gat or just old tired Fudd Crap?  Be sure to let us know in the comments below, and cast your vote to let us know if this Springfield M1A Custom Match is a Hot Gat or Fudd Crap: