Gun Shop: Called the guy in SA and told him I waned to order some parts for my AR. Had some time on my hands as wife is out of town, so I said WTH, I will run down there. I did and he seems to be a gunsmith, not a gun store. He carries no nothing. But, I said I wanted a AR 10 SASS Lower. Then he tries to sell me a DPMS, which I push back all I get is a story about how long it will take. If I had wanted a DPMS lower I could have bought one anywhere, not drive 32 miles to order a AR and told they take too long to come in...seems like that is my issue not his. He quotes $575 + tax + shipping for a DPMS lower, bare, trigger kit and a Magpul stock as comes on the SASS.
When I asked if the trigger group was the AR Tactical or the NM, he did not seem to know what I was talking about. I then told him that AR refers to their groups as Tactical and NM or National Match.
I then asked him could I see the catalog he was looking at, he was reluctant to provide it, but did, it was a Brownells catalog...unless I m wrong they do not have AR parts or I could not find them on the website.
Of note is the whole discussion took place with me standing at a counter and him at the very back of the room almost having to yell for me to hear him.
Maybe he is a good gunsmith, but that is not how I do business, I get face to face, books are open and while I may try to provide info about a similar product the reality is the customer is always right. You make sales based upon a developing a personal relationship, not yelling across the room.
I think its more a combo of weight and physical size. The M1 is larger dimensions, especially the user interface (grip etc). While the SASS is not light, its ergonomics are much better for handling, is a easier grip and works with smaller hands. She has a Ruger Ranch rifle in 5.56, it weighs in at about 7 lbs dry and is quite short for her. I don't see her really using the SASS or a variant of in 7.62 very much if at all.
I do agree with you on your points, but having landed on this at this price point I will suffer it...
I am big guy and spend a lot of time driving a Husky 455 Rancher chainsaw that comes in at about 16 lbs wet and unlike the AR most of the work I do with it (clearing land) is done at arms length so I think I am up to the task of hauling the SASS.
With the SASS I can head out just west of the hill country and pop out to the limits of the weapon on mule deer.
I like your recommendations on optics, I will look into this. Those are decent price points for a working gun. Thanks