How to trick out my M1A

[GlockMan86]

I have recently ordered an M1A, and it should be here any day. I would really like to make in into a military style M21. I just have a few questions. Does the military glass-bed the stocks? Does the military still use the one piece scope mounts like they used to? What kind of stock do they generally use? What type of scope?

Thanks a lot, guys!

Hope to post some pictures of this bad boy soon!!

 

[lipadj46]

Any details on what you are looking to do? It will cost you though the M14 is not a cheap platform to geek out. A tactical stock will cost you $700 on average. Go to Smith Enterprises website to see the latest DMR rifle they are putting out it is not a cheep conversion though.

Yes the military beds the stocks or uses stocks that do not require glass bedding because they have bedded linings in the stock. The military uses a few different side mounts like the SEI or Sadlack. Some stocks like the Troy have a built in rail though and the military uses those also. The USGI synthetic is the most common stock go to SEI's website to see the M14 crazyhorse DMR. The military also uses the Sage and Troy stocks. Generally the military uses Leupold mk4s but other scopes are used like Acogs, S&B, US Optics etc.

 

[pgeleven]

military style? well, start by welding the scope mount and rings on, then tape up some padding to the stock so you can get a proper cheek weld and thats about all there is to it. other than that, use match grade ammo if you cannot load your own. then coat liberally with Bowflage and you will have yourself a military-style M14. we all dont get the fancy crap you see in the movies and magazines.

scope = Leupold Mark IV

 

[H2O MAN]

GlockMan86 I have recently ordered an M1A, and it should be here any day.

I would really like to make in into a military style M21.

I suggest that you look into Modern military style M21s:

SEI M21A5 Crazy Horse - tested at Ft. Benning in March of 2008 - fired groups under 1 MOA at 1000 yards with M118LR ammo.


SEI M21A5 Crazy Horse EBR

 

[Retro]

Get yourself a A.R.M.S military mount and a scope, a recoil buffer, a strap-on cheek weld, a few "parkarized" USGI magazines, a rubber recoil butt plate.

I wouldn't worry about glass bedding at this point because it is very expensive. If you have the money, get a Saige EBR stock or a JAE100 stock with built-in permanent bedding replacement.

In retrospect, I wish I had purchased a national match... instead of a STD M1A. But at least, I have some GI parts in my M1A.

 

[lipadj46]

Get yourself a A.R.M.S military mount and a scope, a recoil buffer, a strap-on cheek weld, a few "parkarized" USGI magazines, a rubber recoil butt plate

I think you are the first person I have heard mention a recoil buffer for an M14 or a strap on cheek weld.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I think you are the first person I have heard mention a recoil buffer for an M14 or a strap on cheek weld.

The M14 recoil buffer gets about the same responce as they do for the 1911's. Some hate them, others love them. I have two M1A's. I put a buffer in one gun and I'm see how long it last and how it compares to the unbuffered gun. So far I notice less op-rod noise, maybe a slight recoil reduction, hard to till, the buffered rifle is scoped so it's heavier.
I also have a strap on cheek piece on the scoped rifle. They do move a bit, they tend to roll over to the side after a few mags. If I was going to shoot competitively I would go with the type that bolt through the stock.

 

[lipadj46]

I was joking about the cheek pad it just a funny way to say it. I have a strap on cheek pad on my M1A. I have the cheek pad from Fulton Armory and it does not spin around. It is a different design and a bit stiffer than the regular cheek pads out there it is also adjustable for height.

On the recoil buffer, does anyone else here use one? I always heard they are not needed on a M14. I have one in my Saiga and people even say they are not need for a AK.

 

[H2O MAN]

IMO, an ARMS mount, recoil buffer and a simple strap on cheek pad doesn't qualify as "tricked out" and it's not M21 worthy.

 

[lipadj46]

From SEI here is what you need to do:

M-14SE “Crazy Horse” Program Highlights (standard configuration):

- Medium Heavy Barrel, 22.0” (P/N 9345-M14SE) or optional 18.0” (P/N 9345-MK14) length, Chrome Moly 4140, 1:10 ROT, Four lands and grooves, right hand twist, chambered for M118LR Special Ball ammunition.
- SEI Gas Cylinder Modification Program, unitizing gas system, Meloniting (AMS 2753) gas system to include gas plug, lock and front band with new 440 SS hard chrome piston.
- SEI M-14 Scope Mount and Ring Package. Scope Mount, NSN 5855-01-506-5750, (P/N 2006), melonited heat-treated to AMS 2753, 4140 Chrome Moly and our 4140 Chrome Moly CNC machined 30mm Heavy Duty (HD) Tactical Tall M1913 Picatinny ring set, P/N 7018.
- SEI Strap-On Check Pad in either black or desert camouflage, Cordura with PVC inserts (P/N 2020).
- SEI Direct Connect Vortex® Sound Suppressor-capable Flash Eliminator, 8620 steel heat treated for High Wear (P/N 2000V).
- Gas Lock Front Sight - Hooded (GLFS-H), or GLFS-Dovetail (GLFS-D).
- SEI Extended Bolt Stop (EBS) (P/N 2010)
- SEI standard, 4.5 pound tuned trigger assembly with oversized SEI S-7 tool steel triggers and hammer pins.
- Redesigned SEI hammer and trigger springs for extreme long life.
- Redesigned tool steel connector link pin for positive sustained and secure magazine changes.
- Weapon finished in black phosphate, per appropriate MIL SPEC. Other finishes upon request.
- Weapon is normally supplied with excellent-to-new condition SEI-modified USGI synthetic stock. Other stock configurations at extra cost and upon request.
- M-1907 sniper/target sling in either leather or synthetic material.
- Deep thermal cycling.

Options for the M-14SE “Crazy Horse” SDM include the following:

- 18.0” medium heavy “Crazy Horse” barrel, chrome moly, 1:10 ROT, Four lands and grooves, chambered for M118LR Special ball ammunition (P/N 9345-MK14) (no extra charge for 18” bbl).
- SEI Extended MIL STD 1913 Scope Mount (P/N 2008), NSN 1005-01-533-8160.
- SEI ACOG/MIL STD 1913 Scope Mount (P/N 2005), NSN 1005-01-535-4430.
Quick disconnecting SEI M-14 DC Sound Suppressor (only available to USG and FMS customers) (P/N 0001AK).
- Full range of Leupold Mark 4 optics.
- Installation of MIL STD 1913 rail to USGI stock for QD bipod or IR laser pointer.
- SEI Tri-Rail MIL STD 1913 System (P/N TBD)
- Sage Int’l modular collapsing stock (Mark 14 SEI configuration) (P/N M14ALCS).
- Angle Cosine Indicator (ACI) and mount.
- M14DC Suppressor and Tool Carrier (P/N 3005).
- SEI Cylinder Wrench, Gas Lock Front Sight, (P/N 3017).
- Tritium Close Combat (Front) Sight (TCCS) (P/N 2019).
- Numerous tactical fixed stock configurations.

Ask them how much it costs, a lot. I agree I'm not sure how a scope mount, pad and buffer is a military grade sniper system. If so I am there already:

 

[Retro]

Lipadj46, I have a similar set up as yours. The only difference is that I screwed on a plastic FAL cheek "piece" onto my wooden stock for proper cheek "weld". It works great. I also agree that my Std M1A is no DMR, but it is much cheaper, and it works. If I need to trick out my M1A professionally, I will start out by buying a M1A Loaded with medium weight barrel... not with a STD M1A.

Also Lipadj46, you brought up an interesting point regarding recoil buffer. I noticed that the only difference I felt was the reduction of the amount of noise the action generated as well as a reduction of the vibration of the receiver after recoil. I did notice a slight worsening of accuracy after installation of the recoil buffer. Do you think the presence of the buffer would actually affect accuracy?

 

[lipadj46]

Yeah mine is a loaded, i have it in a walnut stock now.

I'm not sure a recoil buffer would make any difference in an M14 as far as accuracy is concerned. By the time the bolt is back that far I would think the bullet is already out the end of the barrel.

 

[Vityaz]

I'm not sure a recoil buffer would make any difference in an M14 as far as accuracy is concerned. By the time the bolt is back that far I would think the bullet is already out the end of the barrel.

The bullet is out of the barrel before the operating rod even begins to move, so I don't see where it would really do any good.

 

[Buckskinner]

What's the hardest duty anyone's heard of the recoil buffer enduring?

 

[AK103K]

I'd go with an Ultimak rail/Aimpoint combo or a scout scope, and a Smith Enterprise bolt stop/release.

 

[mshootnit]

Those crazy horse M1A's are the nicest I have ever seen.
Here's my semi auto 308. It shoots well enough, 1.5 moa or better. I love the M1a but the price of amission is a little steep.

 

[Acera]

Trick it out!?

I was ecstatic once I got all the junk off my SOCOM II. Only accessory I have on it is a sling! Gone are all the rails, electronic sight and extra weight.

Very easy to carry and handle, quick to acquire the sights without the rails in the way.

 

[AK103K]

I preferred the forward mounted Aimpoint on my SOCOM. If I'd kept it, I would have got rid of the crappy Springfield rail and gone with the Ultimak.

The dot sight is much faster to shoot with, and with the SOCOM's, it also allows for longer range shots. The sights they come with are made for close range shooting.

 

[TIMC]

Here is a pic of my M-21. I used a Smith Enterprises M-21 mount.

 

[Gewehr98]

I can't say enough good things about the ARMS #18 mount.

Armscorp of Maryland M14NM, Krieger medium-weight barrel, unitized gas system, Devcon bedding, USGI stock, HK-91 comb riser, ARMS #18 scope mount, Weaver V-16 scope. I don't go much past 800 yards with it, but that's only because I don't feel .308 loaded for a gas gun is worth hotrodding.



No lasers, phasers, or wind-speed indicators mounted. The rest of the money goes into 168gr handloads and range time. Lots of range time.

 

[Buckskinner]

Noice!
Choice of rail and optics depend on intent.
I put the Amega scout mount on an M1 and Mini 14. I've had dots and LER scopes. For rapid acquisition from low ready, the LER did great.
For proned out up to 800? Typical mount with variable glass makes better sense.

I like the idea of the m14 in support of both carbines and bolt guns. Firing rapid at multiple targets at intermediate ranges (150-550 or so) seems a good idea.

This is from a total couch commando. In fact, I should change my name to Commander Couch.