Questions on inherited M1A

erickc · Nov 2, 2017

Hi all. First time poster.
I recently inherited a collection of firearms from my fathers passing. In this are a couple firearms I have questions on, but the one im most interested in is the M1A i received. From what I found so far, its a Pre Ban receiver, late 80's? Also front lugged only? (I plan to get an EBR chassis for this)..

Can anyone out there help with info / lineage of this firearm? serial shown in images.

Also, how do I tell if this is National Match or not?

erickc · Nov 2, 2017

I answered the match question.... also included a full size of the actual firearm.....

Also, looks like its an early - mid 80's (Feb/March 84ish?) variety.

Hummer70 · Nov 2, 2017

By any chance did he keep a round life log on it? The Army MTU told me they pull their barrels at a erosion gage reading of 5. Try 40 gr. 4895 with 168 Sierras in it. Should do quite nicely for you.

Nature Boy · Nov 2, 2017

Just call Springfield Armory when they open for business this morning and give them the serial number. They have the records on every M14/M1A and will gladly tell you everything you want to know about your dad’s rifle

After you do that come back and tell us about it

johnmcl · Nov 2, 2017

Now this is interesting. I see a globe front sight on the rifle. That's rare enough on an M1A. Do keep us posted on what you discover.

chicharrones · Nov 2, 2017

johnmcl said:
I see a globe front sight on the rifle.

And a muzzle brake.

Sunray · Nov 2, 2017

My condolences on your loss.
"...a Pre Ban receiver..." Don't think that applies to M1A's. National Match M1A's were glass bedded with a non-SS barrel and the receiver stamped 7.62. Just like your's. Lot more issue parts in 'em them too. Shop I worked in then was the Canadian distributor.
"...And a muzzle brake..." Aftermarket. There were all kinds of 'em in the 80's. Mind you, SA Inc. did put 'em on M1A's.
Real semi'd M-14's existed then. Mine's a Winchester. Buddy of mine put a Milbrake on his. He told me the muzzle jump the issue fibreglass stocks cause(light weight and a friggin' dream to carry) goes totally away. He said the rifle comes straight back under recoil.

TexasPatriot.308 · Nov 3, 2017

yep, refer to serial no. to Springfield

BigBore44 · Nov 3, 2017

My condolences and welcome to the forum. I’m also in the crowd for contacting Springfield. But I REALLY do like that globe sight.

Side note: As soon as funds allow, upgrade that “safe”. You’re housing WELL over $4k worth of firearms in a flimsy $250 Sentinel sheetmetal safe.

bannockburn · Nov 3, 2017

erickc

Sorry to hear of your loss. My father passed away a number of years ago and a day doesn't go by when I don't think about him.

My brother has an '80s M1A from Springfield Armory and it's one well balanced and accurate rifle. Let us know how it does at the range whenever you get a chance.

kBob · Nov 3, 2017

Not sure what you mean by "front lugged only." M-1A and M-14 did not have two sets of lugs for mating to the stock like the M-1 Garand, only the one set.

When Buddy sent a rifle in for the TRW bolt recall in the 1980s they had difficulty matching a new bolt to his existing barrel and rebarreled his rifle with a "NM" marked barrel "NM" marked front sight and a flash hider that had the front hogged out to a larger hole than the standard flash hider...just like a GI NM rifle had. There was no bedding done but his rifle and stock were hard to close the trigger guard on and zero free motion in there to begin with. It shot MOA or better at 100 yards with 168 grain Sierras and his load.

-kBob

Reloadron · Nov 3, 2017

johnmcl said:
Now this is interesting. I see a globe front sight on the rifle. That's rare enough on an M1A. Do keep us posted on what you discover.

There is a globe front sight and the rear sight is a hooded rear aperture and a locking bar type pinion, as found on the early M1 Garand rifles. Your dad put some time and thought into those modifications. The rear hooded aperture should rotate for .5 MOA elevation adjustment.

Ron

caribou · Nov 3, 2017

kBob said:
Not sure what you mean by "front lugged only." M-1A and M-14 did not have two sets of lugs for mating to the stock like the M-1 Garand, only the one set.

When Buddy sent a rifle in for the TRW bolt recall in the 1980s they had difficulty matching a new bolt to his existing barrel and rebarreled his rifle with a "NM" marked barrel "NM" marked front sight and a flash hider that had the front hogged out to a larger hole than the standard flash hider...just like a GI NM rifle had. There was no bedding done but his rifle and stock were hard to close the trigger guard on and zero free motion in there to begin with. It shot MOA or better at 100 yards with 168 grain Sierras and his load.

-kBob

Just a note that some 'accurized'' M1A's have a second lug welded on.

M1A's are one of the few rifles that do not meet most ''ban'' specifications. Komiefornia is one place it might, because of that deadly bayonet lug....

kBob · Nov 3, 2017

Yet interestingly Bill Clinton appeared with his AG on national TV with an M-1A as and example of the sort of guns he was trying to ban.........

When he signed his ban bill I was standing in Newt's office in the capitol, Mr G. was then the Minority Whip. I was actually there for something entirely different (a fiction book deal and a space issue) but let my opinions on the ban thing be fully known.

-kBob

Tommygunn · Nov 3, 2017

kBob said:
Yet interestingly Bill Clinton appeared with his AG on national TV with an M-1A as and example of the sort of guns he was trying to ban.........

When he signed his ban bill I was standing in Newt's office in the capitol, Mr G. was then the Minority Whip. I was actually there for something entirely different (a fiction book deal and a space issue) but let my opinions on the ban thing be fully known.

-kBob

Yea...well, Bill Clinton wasn't exactly the epitome of honesty.

hps1 · Nov 5, 2017

johnmcl said:
Now this is interesting. I see a globe front sight on the rifle. That's rare enough on an M1A. Do keep us posted on what you discover.

Aperture front sights commonly added on M1 and M1A' by many older match shooters no longer able to see post sights.
https://www.creedmoorsports.com/product/ALLEY-APERTURE-FRONT-SIGHT-M14-M1A/shop-by-department

When I was shooting matches (60's thru 99), this disqualified the rifle for "service rifle" class but could use in "match rifle" class. Not sure if that rule still in effect.

Regards,
hps

bfoosh006 · Nov 5, 2017

johnmcl said:
Now this is interesting. I see a globe front sight on the rifle. That's rare enough on an M1A. Do keep us posted on what you discover.

And the lock bar rear.

JP Comp...

Was this used for competition events ?

I'd love to shoot that M1A.... the JP comp is very effective keeping you on target... minimal deflection.

http://precisionrifleblog.com/2015/07/25/muzzle-brakes-ability-to-stay-on-target/

Stormie · Jan 24, 2018

I believe Springfield M1A super matches and M25s had a rear lug welded on, in addition to the two front lugs.

MidRoad · Jan 24, 2018

Sorry for your lost,but very nice rifle. I'd skip the chassis and leave that baby in her wooden glory!

Questions on inherited M1A

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