Thinking About a M1A

[Welding Rod]

I am thinking about buying a M1A. I already own a Springfield Armory Inc Standard M1A and I really love shooting it.

What I am considering is buying another, but if I do I want one that is "special". One that will shoot at least 5 rounds MOA with match ammo, that will have a nice piece of wood, that will have minimal clearances in the moving parts, really nice trigger, well fitted safety that operates with a nice easy click, a perfectly clocked barrel, and so forth. You know, a really excellent specimen of a gun. Good materials but as importantly excellent fitting and workmanship.

It wouldn't be a contingency rifle or one to beat up, but one to admire whenever I pull it out and look at, work the action, dry fire, or shoot. It would probably only shoot match ammo or hand loads with premium bullets.

I would want one that is trouble free and that would deliver excellent longevity when shot frequently.

I kind of have my eye on Fulton but would like to hear if I should consider something else.

Thoughts?

 

[TIMC]

If you want a really nice one then get the M-21. Mine is a sub-moa rifle with factory ammo. I have been able to put 5 round groups in the 1/2" range at 100 yards with mine and it has all the other qualities you are looking for too.
This is mine:


I found one for sale on Gunbroker:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=164792744

 

[madcratebuilder]

Why not send your current rifle to someone like Ted Brown and have it built to match spec.

http://www.tedbrownrifles.com/aboutshootersden.html

 

[mshootnit]

Theres some good info on the M14 forum.

 

[vernon]

If you want a really nice one then get the M-21. Mine is a sub-moa rifle with factory ammo. I have been able to put 5 round groups in the 1/2" range at 100 yards with mine and it has all the other qualities you are looking for too.
This is mine:


I found one for sale on Gunbroker:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=164792744

What kind of stock is that (with the riser)?

 

[nbkky71]

Be careful Welding Rod... this can be a slippery slope! Searching the pinnacle or accuracy in an M1A/M14 can drain your bank account.

I second madcratebuilder's suggestion. Either send your rifle, or buy a new receiver & parts, and send it off to a qualified M14 gun-plumber and have one built.

I too went down this same path a number of years ago while I was still shooting an M1A competitively. My rifle started off life as a loaded model, was upgraded to NM specs and then to a double lug supermatch. In all, I've got about $3400 invested in the gun and the best I've been able to get out of it is 3/4 MOA off the bench using quality ammo.

I'm not trying to dissuade you but if you really want a consistently tack-driving M14/M1A rifle just be prepared to pay for it.

Here's a link to some quality gunsmiths that could probably help you out.
http://m14tfl.com/upload/showthread.php?t=54366

 

[TIMC]

What kind of stock is that (with the riser)?

It is the Factory M-21 stock; glass bedded, tuned trigger, air gauged barrel 1:10 twist, all from the factory. The M-21 is one of their top of the line models.
I have found the rifle extreemly accurate and a pleasure to shoot. The mount I used is the M-21 mount from Smith enterprises.