[Ed]

Has National Match parts become something that does nothing more than jack up the price on stuff? Not the older stuff. It just seems like I am seeing more and more NM stuff that seems to me strange. Like NM marked trigger guard. What makes it so special? I was under the impression, and I may be way off base here, that NM stuff was equipment that was found to be VERY good, and used for that purpose, or was made to great tollerances to construct a National Match quality firearm. Barrels and op rods and sights I can understand, but seems like lots of stuff is getting this tag.

[Steve Smith]

You are correct.

In addition, if you ever see "NM" on anything related to an AR, you know it is bunk, because the US never made a NM spec for anything on the AR.

[Grump]

M1:
Barrels, front sights, rear aperatures, rear windage base/knob combos (tighter threads), gas cylinders, op rods, and mods to bedding, front handguard(/upper barrel band?], and trigger (last three never marked NM).

Commericial Springfield Armory, AFIK, always had the decency to mark their NM barrels in a different spot than the military did.

M14:
Barrels, front sights, rear aperatures, rear windage base/knob combos (tighter threads), marked NM.
Not marked: gas cylinders unitized with the barrel band, op rod spring guides, op rods?, --help me out here--, and mods to bedding and trigger.

Nevah hoid of an NM-stamped trigger guard.

Ammo for both: sometimes, lots for the Camp Perry National Matches had an "NM" in the headstamp. Always with the 173-gr FMJBT bullet, though there may have been some M852 with Sierra 168 SMKs, only in 7.62 mm, never with the NATO quartered circle stamp.

Beware of purported 147-gr "match" or "national match" ammo. Nevah hoid of it. There may have been specially selected lots of M80-type for the Palma Match when they required "issue" or whatever ammo for the military guns, but I've never heard of special headstamps. Subject to correction!

AR:
I thought there were some rear sight units that were made to tighter tolerances. Not so? Been off the line too long and don't care much for ARs 'cuz the wind blows so much around here.
:neener:

[Steve Smith]

Oh, for sure there are all sorts of AR parts made to tighter tolernaces, but the US never made an official NM spec for them.