Springfield Armory M1A

[stinger 327]

I was on the website and notice many different models of this rifle.
I'm not interested in the models with 16 barrels. But the last 3 models are all 22 inch barrels.

There is standard loaded model, National Match model and a super match model which is over $3,000 and I am not interested in that one.

So how do you determine between the standard model and the national match model as to which one to get or what the real differences are?
I am leaning towards the 9802 national model in stainless steel.

 

[Happy Trails]

I bought one. It is the "Loaded" model. Has some of the features of the National Match, but not the price. Love the sights and the performance.

You will be happy if you are looking at a .308 autoloader.

It makes the AR platform seem like Little League. (No offense to either Little League or AR aficionados). Just how it is. I put more rounds though an M16 back in the 70's than most AR guys will ever see in their lifetime today. And I have shot a LOT of .308 too. I know the difference well.

You will like it.

Suggestion: Don't spend the big bucks on your first one. Get a 22 inch standard or Loaded. After you are familiar with it (lots of rounds through it) and really want to go top drawer, get the more expensive one the way you want it.

Just my opinion.

 

[stinger 327]

Is the loaded model the other M1A I saw that looked like a competition type stock? It wasn't the standard wood stock or the tactical stock.
I think the National Match model is one step above the loaded model but in all of them the features look the same other than in the most expensive super match model has a 1 in 10? twist barrel with a price tag 0ver $3,000 which is why I am not interested in that model.

Is there really a big difference between the National Match model, standard model and loaded models? What are those differences as the barrels have the same specs.

 

[az_imuth]

The M1A is a fine rifle, especially if you're looking to shoot with iron sights. I purchased a Loaded model quite a few years back and have been 110% satisfied with it. If I wanted a scoped .308, I'd probably get something else, or at least a different model/stock. The Loaded model differs from the Standard with upgrades to the front/rear sights, barrel and trigger. It's a nice rifle for only a little more expense than the Standard. I'll let others fill you in on the NM models since I'm not that familiar with them.
Best of luck in your quest!

 

[Reloadron]

Mine is a early 90s gun NM which did not include bedding or the stainless barrel. Have had it over 20 years and still enjoy shooting it. I was going to bed the rifle and really never had need to. Also when mine came about there were only two flavors, Standard or National Match.

The NM guns include the NM2A rear and the .062" front sight. A hooded aperture rear peep sight with .5 MOA adjustment. The super match does have the oversize stock. Something you may want to consider is if you ever plan to shoot the rifle in competition check the NRA Rules for High Power.

The Loaded version does include a wide range of stocks including the walnut which I like and as mentioned is not a bad starting point. Check out the Options for the Loaded Version at the bottom of the page.

While the Loaded, National Match and Super Match are all excellent rifles it becomes a matter of pocket book and what one is willing to spend. The loaded for example has:

REAR SIGHT
Match Grade (Non - Hooded .0520) Aperture w/ 1/2 MOA Adjustment For Windage and 1 MOA For Elevation

The rear sight is Non-Hooded match grade where if we look at the National Match:

REAR SIGHT
Match Grade Hooded Aperture .0595 w/ 1/2 MOA Adjustment For Both Windage and Elevation

The NM rifle uses the NM2A sights which are expensive sights, you pay for that hood.

So I gather the M1 Carbine interest has been replaced by the M1A? Having both while the War Baby is fun to shoot it in no way compares to the M1A as to accuracy or reaching out. If I were you I would likely go the NM version in the walnut.

Ron

 

[1KPerDay]

Loaded is the best deal IMO. Standards work fine also.

 

[bannockburn]

My brother picked up a new M1A Standard Model back in the late '80s. Outstanding build quality with a very nice trigger right out of the box. Only upgrade I did for him was fitting a walnut stock from Springfield Armory to it. Required a little extra fitting here and there but overall it went on and fit perfectly without the need for any glass bedding.

 

[Welding Rod]

I have owned Standard, Loaded, SOCOM 16, and Super Match. Standard is my favorite due to the lightness. Quite accurate too.

Only thing is my Standard stretches brass like crazy so I don't reload for it. They must have fouled up the chamber dimensions or something. The others don't unduly ruin brass.

The SOCOM and Supermatch had issues too. Due to slip shod quality, I wouldn't buy another SAI rifle, but would definitely consider a M14 clone from another source.

 

[25-5]

Ron covered it very well. I have the NM and would not trade up or down. It is bedded and the iron sights are the best. If you feed it right you get sub M.O.A.
If you scope it, a Basset low mount, and Bradley cheek rest would be good additions.
No matter what you choose, the M14/M1A is tops. Even has a wood stock. Yes, real wood.

 

[Nature Boy]

Ron knows.

I have the standard and it's 1 MOA or better with my hand loads. Everyone who likes rifles should have one

 

[stinger 327]

The M1A is a fine rifle, especially if you're looking to shoot with iron sights. I purchased a Loaded model quite a few years back and have been 110% satisfied with it. If I wanted a scoped .308, I'd probably get something else, or at least a different model/stock. The Loaded model differs from the Standard with upgrades to the front/rear sights, barrel and trigger. It's a nice rifle for only a little more expense than the Standard. I'll let others fill you in on the NM models since I'm not that familiar with them.
Best of luck in your quest!
View attachment 751671

That sounds good to me. I want a stainless steel barrel so I think I'll probably get the National Match model NA9802.
nothing wrong with the iron sights especially if it shoots great right out of the box.

 

[Screwball]

Definitely take a look at M14 Forum...

I've been a Garand guy for years, but with all the crap going on with the upcoming election, I had the money to move into an M1A. Went over there to get insight if it would be a smart purchase, since I already have a Garand. Very good people over there, and a wealth of information.

Originally was looking at a Loaded, being I like the upgrades over the Standard, but found a guy somewhat local to me selling a 1994 M1A (uses USGI parts) that was converted to NM in 1997 by SAI. Stainless barrel, wood stock, had 40 rounds through it, and is in great condition. Got it about what a Loaded went for off GunBroker (just the gun... no shipping or transfer fee; private sale did not require an FFL). New guns in the same configuration from the same source (again, just the gun) are $200 higher than what I paid ($1,700). And I got a better rifle than current production... which isn't terrible, but night and day to the rifle sitting a few feet away.

I was a little hesitant with the NM due to the bedding, but as long as you aren't breaking it down carelessly, you won't damage anything. It is a very capable rifle, and I really can't wait to go out and fire it when I get some free time.

 

[stinger 327]

Definitely take a look at M14 Forum...

I've been a Garand guy for years, but with all the crap going on with the upcoming election, I had the money to move into an M1A. Went over there to get insight if it would be a smart purchase, since I already have a Garand. Very good people over there, and a wealth of information.

Originally was looking at a Loaded, being I like the upgrades over the Standard, but found a guy somewhat local to me selling a 1994 M1A (uses USGI parts) that was converted to NM in 1997 by SAI. Stainless barrel, wood stock, had 40 rounds through it, and is in great condition. Got it about what a Loaded went for off GunBroker (just the gun... no shipping or transfer fee; private sale did not require an FFL). New guns in the same configuration from the same source (again, just the gun) are $200 higher than what I paid ($1,700). And I got a better rifle than current production... which isn't terrible, but night and day to the rifle sitting a few feet away.

I was a little hesitant with the NM due to the bedding, but as long as you aren't breaking it down carelessly, you won't damage anything. It is a very capable rifle, and I really can't wait to go out and fire it when I get some free time.

what's the M14 forum address?

 

[Screwball]

http://m14forum.com/

 

[easy]

http://m14forum.com/

 

[stinger 327]

http://m14forum.com/

thank you

 

[WC145]

The Loaded is a nice step up from the standard, it comes with a medium weight barrel and some other upgrades, without going all in for a National Match. I bought one with the ArchAngel stock when they first came out last year and love it, great gun, very accurate. But, you can get the Loaded with the standard style stock in walnut or polymer if you prefer.

 

[stinger 327]

The Loaded is a nice step up from the standard, it comes with a medium weight barrel and some other upgrades, without going all in for a National Match. I bought one with the ArchAngel stock when they first came out last year and love it, great gun, very accurate. But, you can get the Loaded with the standard style stock in walnut or polymer if you prefer.

The national match model is another step up from the loaded model.

 

[Screwball]

The national match model is another step up from the loaded model.

They share a lot of features... but it really comes down to the bedding.

 

[stinger 327]

They share a lot of features... but it really comes down to the bedding.

What is the bedding?

 

[Reloadron]

I don't know if it matters or not but the rear sight difference I mentioned earlier is about a 40 buck difference. If you start with the loaded version and the non-hooded aperture each elevation click is 1 MOA. Should you ever want to go to a hooded version and 0.5 MOA elevation the cost is about $40. While all not so important it's just good to know in advance along with bedding.

Ron

 

[agtman]

Current S.A. base M1As have issues.

Complaints I've heard on the range are directed at S.A.'s use of commercial parts - i.e., non-USGI/mil-spec.

Not saying S.A.'s recent production is Chi-Commie crapola, but I own a late '80s Glen Nelson-tuned Super Match, and a 1991 standard M1AE2, and they've both run hitch-free on any mil-surplus or current factory .308/7.62 ammo.

 

[Reloadron]

What is the bedding?

You know, sheets, blankets and the like.

Bedding is a method used to make the action fit tight, very tight, into the stock. On a rifle like the M1A it reinforces for example the area behind the lugs and where the metal comes down to meet the wood. Doing a good bedding job on a rifle like the M1 Garand or M1A takes some considerable effort to do it correctly and also requires a few specialized tools. Once a rifle has been bedded you do not remove it from the stock on a regular basis and when grabbing the rifle you avoid picking it up from the fore end.

Bedding is done with for example Brownells Acra Glass or Acra Gel. I always liked using the steel bed kits where steel powder (or aluminum powder) is added to the epoxy resin mix. I believe years ago we called it Devcon Bedding.

An Excellent shop manual on the M1 Garand and M14 (M1A) is The U.S. .30 Caliber Gas Operated Service Rifles (A Shop Manual Volumes 1 and 2) by Jerry Kuhnhausen. He gets into a full description of bedding the M1A and M1 Garand rifles. Likely some good videos out there too. I am not sure what Springfield Armory actually does as to their bedding.

Ron

 

[Screwball]

I don't know if it matters or not but the rear sight difference I mentioned earlier is about a 40 buck difference. If you start with the loaded version and the non-hooded aperture each elevation click is 1 MOA. Should you ever want to go to a hooded version and 0.5 MOA elevation the cost is about $40. While all not so important it's just good to know in advance along with bedding.

Ron

The Loaded also has a NM flash hider... which is bored out greater than a standard flash hider. Personally, I rather have that over a standard flash hider (less chance of bullet strikes when fouling up).

Loaded barrel is also the same as a NM, just not bedded. This is a little heavier than the standard barrel.

The Super Match just does a heavier barrel than the NM (sights and bedded the same). For match shooting, SAI says it is the heaviest allowed.

 

[macgrumpy]

Complaints I've heard on the range are directed at S.A.'s use of commercial parts - i.e., non-USGI/mil-spec

Oh man, more MilSpec BS. Springfield ran out of MilSpec barrels in the early 1980's and the receiver was never a MilSpec part (other than the hundred or so that were select fire around 1971. Most all of the spare military parts were used up by 1980. Besides, no commercial American rifle uses true MilSpec parts. By definition, only parts that have been inspected by federally approved inspectors can certified as a MilSpec part, and that part will then be installed in to the device it was designed for. All the parts ordered for a contract will have been inspected and installed in the device they are to be part of, there are no extras. The parts everyone calls MilSpec are actually commercial parts that were made, to varying degrees, as close to military drawings as possible and since no federal inspector approved their specs the part may or may not match the MilSpec requirements. Besides, even the original MilSpec parts had problems - soft metal, out of spec safety bridge, soft firing pins, etc. so being MilSpec doesn't mean that the part is some kind of super part, it just means that it passed a specific set of criteria.

The modern M1A is every bit as good (possibly better with modern CNC machining) as they were in the early 1970s with the only possible exception being the stocks. The modern plastic stocks don't fit as well as the old wood stocks did. Of course you can get around that problem by buying a rifle with a wood stock.