[Fatelvis]

Please help me determine if this rifle is unfired and in original condition:
I just bought a Springfield M1A from a very old Man that was selling his gun collection, and clearing out his safe. According to the serial#, it was made in 6/83. The rifle is in like-new condition, has a bayo lug, brown fiberglass slotted upper handguard, and it wears a walnut stock with the selector cutout. I was told by his friend that he thought it might be unfired, but after I did a tilt test and did not hear the piston move, I discounted that, thinking it was carboned up and needed cleaning. When I bought it, I tore it down and did a thorough clean/lube. The trigger mechanism was clean as new, and didnt even have wear marks at the pivot points, as did the op rod or contact points that endure contact. When I took the piston out of the gas system, I found no carbon on the piston, and the sides and tail had what appeared to be cosmline on them, and that's what was preventing the free movement. The bore has 4 lands, and wears the letters and numbers in the pic below. Does everything described indicate this is a stock rifle, or has anything been changed? Thanks alot-

[Jim K]

It sounds like a stock M1A and a good one. It was fired at the factory, so it is not "unfired", though I can't see what difference it would make unless you plan to wrap it up and keep it in a safe. The barrel is GI, made at the "real" Springfield Armory.

Jim

[Fatelvis]

Jim, what do you mean "a good one"? Are the older ones better than the newer ones? Also, they used GI stocks on the older ones?

[Riss]

The older ones used surplus military parts. Parts that were possibly still new in the bag. Later models used commercially made parts. Some of which were known to be inferior and not made with the care of those made during wartime for our troops.

[10X]

I assume that you looked at the bottom of the bolt to see if there were any brass rubs from the bolt cycling against rounds in the mag and looked at the face of the bolt to see if there were any brass rubs.

Sounds like you have a new or near new condition M1a. Now you need to shoot it.

[4v50 Gary]

If the serial # is below 50k, buy it.