Adding M1A Short Muzzle-Brake/Upgrading Trigger

[DougB]

I read with interest the thread about the new (prototype) 16" barreled M1A. I really like the idea of the very short muzzle brake (its always seemed odd to me that they cut down the barrel length on the scout/bush rifles, and then hang a 3" muzzle brake off the end). I'm not sure I'd want a 16" .308, but I would like to get the 18" Scout version with the shorter muzzle brake.

Which leads to my question: How tough is it to change the muzzle device on an M1A? I think the muzzle device and front sight are a single unit (or at least closely integrated). Could I do this change myself, or is it a gunsmith project?

Also, while I'm asking about M1As, what are my options for improving the trigger pull on a scout rifle? I'm (obviously) not too familiar with M1A/M14 rifles. Are there after-market drop-in trigger parts or groups avaialble, or is this also a gunsmithing issue?

Thanks.

Doug

 

[BerettaNut92]

Which leads to my question: How tough is it to change the muzzle device on an M1A? I think the muzzle device and front sight are a single unit (or at least closely integrated). Could I do this change myself, or is a gunsmith project?

Piece of cake if you have the tool. The tool though, is $25 or $50 or something like that (sorry I borrowed one because I didn't want to buy a tool for something I wanted to sell in order to fix it). You just need a special wrench to loosen the castle nut.

Also, while I'm asking about M1As, what are my options for improving the trigger pull on a scout rifle? I'm (obviously) not too familiar with M1A/M14 rifles. Are there after-market drop-in trigger parts or groups avaialble, or is this also a gunsmithing issue?

SA has a match trigger group, I think, which I think, is a simple trigger group swap. I think their 'loaded' and National Match rifles come with it. This is a WAG as I thought I saw it in their parts catalog last year but don't remember and can't check as I tossed out the paperwork. Sorry

 

[geekWithA.45]

Triggers are easy to replace...

The group drops out as a whole, it's the first step of stripping the rifle.