M1A Loaded followed me home yesterday…

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marksman13

marksman13

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I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with the M14/M21/M1A. I don’t love the design. The original stock design has always been too short for me. Scope mounting has always left a LOT to be desired. There’s literally nothing the M1A does that a 308 AR doesn’t do better. BUT, I love the rifle. I’ve been through a few of them because I always start feeling nostalgic when I think about the M21 I carried in Iraq, but I sell them when I get tired of the short stock and realize that I just don’t shoot them and they hang out in the safe.

Well, I’ve been feeling nostalgic again lately and did some swapping for an M1A Loaded with synthetic stock and an additional USGI stock. Next step is going to be mounting a scope. My eyes just can’t do open sights any more. I’m guessing A.R.M.S. and Bassett are still the go to mounts for M1As? I’ve been reading a lot about Smith Enterprises as well. Anybody have any suggestions on scope mounts?

I know the thread is useless without pics, so I included a picture of the rifle and a photo of the rifle that got me feeling all nostalgic in the first place.
1667F5FF-4183-4732-A03C-1E0FC65DCEC5.jpeg 2C226FE4-B19D-48AA-9386-6CE8563256A5.jpeg
 
I recently purchased a Bula Defense M1A. It came with a scope base that allows using the iron sights without removing the base. For rings I purchased Warne Maxima Quick Detach rings so I can switch back and forth from iron sights to scope. I plan to mount the scope this week. I have two other rifles with Warne Maxima QD rings and the rings work very well. Looks like you have QD rings on the rifle in the picture on the lower right.

KlpZdjch.jpg

xVnCz8eh.jpg
 
marksman13 said:
I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with the M14/M21/M1A. I don’t love the design. The original stock design has always been too short for me. Scope mounting has always left a LOT to be desired. There’s literally nothing the M1A does that a 308 AR doesn’t do better. BUT, I love the rifle. I’ve been through a few of them because I always start feeling nostalgic when I think about the M21 I carried in Iraq, but I sell them when I get tired of the short stock and realize that I just don’t shoot them and they hang out in the safe.

Well, I’ve been feeling nostalgic again lately and did some swapping for an M1A Loaded with synthetic stock and an additional USGI stock. Next step is going to be mounting a scope. My eyes just can’t do open sights any more. I’m guessing A.R.M.S. and Bassett are still the go to mounts for M1As? I’ve been reading a lot about Smith Enterprises as well. Anybody have any suggestions on scope mounts?

I know the thread is useless without pics, so I included a picture of the rifle and a photo of the rifle that got me feeling all nostalgic in the first place.
View attachment 1103897 View attachment 1103898
Click to expand...
the sling hookup you have is not the standard way but it looks like you got enough adjustment. what mount was on the M21?
 
AR10 is boring... Looks like every other AR that everyone and their brother owns.

I am not fortunate to have an M1A or variant, but i do have a pair of mini-14s. I thoroughly enjoy them. One is a factory folding tactical model and the other is a M1A inspired build in an A-TM folding stock.

Ultimak makes a picatinny rail that replaces the M1A handguard, if you are into that.

And, Thank you for your service. :thumbup:
 
Nice rifle that. I have a Scout version in an OEM black synthetic stock. Every time I handle it I tell myself that stock has got to go and get replaced with wood.

Also…Thanks for having stood in uniform on freedoms frontier for us.
 
A R.M.S 18 is the mount I use. Springfields offering, to my assessment is useless. The ARMS mounts low enough for irons and is very solid. Im not certain where the ' hard to scope ' thing originated but it's not the case with the ARMS. I also use leverlock quick detach Leupolds on a Mark 4.
The short stock thing was solved by using the Springfield plastic and loosing the steel flip butt plate for a 1" rubber recoil pad especially for that rifle. Worked for years for me.
 
robin banks said:
the sling hookup you have is not the standard way but it looks like you got enough adjustment. what mount was on the M21?
Click to expand...

I never mastered those leather slings because I hated them. I just made this one work until I can order something I like better. I honestly don’t remember what mount was on those M21s, but I think it was an ARMS 18.
 
No need to thank me, fellas. I appreciate the sentiment, but I have not made near the sacrifice that others have made. There are folks in this forum who took the fight to the enemy in a greater capacity than most of us will ever understand. I was a 20 year old kid with a white hot desire for revenge and an invincibility complex. Nothing more. It’s nice to be appreciated, but I have not earned the privilege.
 
I was on an Army hi power rifle team and used a M-14 with the auto fire select lever removed. I think the receiver was bedded. I know the rifle loved the White Box Mexican Match ammo. For years I didn’t know it was the ammo used in the 1968 Mexico City Olympic matches. I called the ammo what everyone else did. All this means when we made our own we used the 168gn Sierra Match Kings over W-748 powder.
I never had it so good with a great rifle, free ammo, all kinds of equipment and experienced shooting coaches. The Springfield Armory M-1As are outstanding. I will take a M-1A over an AR-10 any day.
 
I have a loaded Nat Match. It works without any hiccups.

I used mine today, it did as I needed. i dont have an AR to compare to so maybe my ignorance is bliss.

The one thing I would change, if I could, would be to move the sling to the side, like a K98k/Finn M-39/M1 carbine style.
That would make a big difference in carry.
I also use a Finn M-39 leather sling with a slider thats just great. Stay where I want it, slides easily enough if I have to move it out or in.
 
marksman13 said:
I never mastered those leather slings because I hated them. I just made this one work until I can order something I like better. I honestly don’t remember what mount was on those M21s, but I think it was an ARMS 18.
Click to expand...
those leather slings look great on a wood and steel rifle but are almost useless for shooting. a canvas web sling is better really locks on your bicep
 
Been eyeballing a M1A1 loaded sample in 6.5 Creedmore. Current one on hand is a Polytech M14S in an Archangel stock. Sold Remington R25 that didn't fully float my boat.

If hunting/accuracy is the task, the Winchester SX-AR gets pulled out. If SHTF, it will be Colt 901 for 7.62NATO launching.
 
My M1A NM was a gift from my wife about 30 years ago. My AR10T is an early Armalite and was given to me by my sister when her husband passed away. I enjoy both. I trained with the M14 in the Marine Corps and always loved that rifle.

M1A%20AR10.png

Enjoy your M1A.... again. :)

The bi pods are just props we used years ago at gun shows on our tables.

Ron
 
I sold mine and my L1A1 after the safe act passed. It still disturbs me. I liked them both. The M14 was the better shooter of the two.
 
Reloadron said:
My M1A NM was a gift from my wife about 30 years ago. My AR10T is an early Armalite and was given to me by my sister when her husband passed away. I enjoy both. I trained with the M14 in the Marine Corps and always loved that rifle.

View attachment 1104111

Enjoy your M1A.... again. :)

The bi pods are just props we used years ago at gun shows on our tables.

Ron
Click to expand...
That's a heck of a sighting system on that Armalite!
 
caribou said:
I have a loaded Nat Match. It works without any hiccups.

I used mine today, it did as I needed. i dont have an AR to compare to so maybe my ignorance is bliss.

The one thing I would change, if I could, would be to move the sling to the side, like a K98k/Finn M-39/M1 carbine style.
That would make a big difference in carry.
I also use a Finn M-39 leather sling with a slider thats just great. Stay where I want it, slides easily enough if I have to move it out or in.
Click to expand...
I much prefer for slings to attach to the side of a rifle. Maybe it’s just what I’ve gotten used to, but it seems much more convenient and keeps the rifle at the ready.
 
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