I want an M1A. Picture request.

[armed85]

Ever since I turned 18 an M1A is one of the rifles I've been wanting to buy. I'm 22 years old now.

Question 1:
I wont be able to afford an M1A until '09 or '10. I'm not too concerned about the loss of 20 round magazines. 10 rounds in .308 Win. is still a lot of firepower. Other than the loss of standard capacity magazines, is the M1A as presently sold by Springfield Armory safe from another farcical ban?

Question 2:
What sort of accuracy can I expect from a roughly $1,300 Springfield Armory Standard M1A?

Question 3:
How are you M1A owners mounting a scope to your rifles? I'm thinking about an after market stock with rails.

I do love the M1A, so if you have pictures of this rifle, by all means post 'em if you got 'em.

 

[bobsmith]

Can't blame you, they're good rifles. As far as further magazine bans, etc. Pay attention to the politics. If Hillary gets in, you're going to have more than magazine bans to worry about.

As far as accuracy, I used to shoot High Power competitively. One of the guys had an out of the box standard grade that would shoot 5 shot 1 inch groups with out any tuning. Just good reloads. On the other hand, I had a National Match grade M1A that would only do 1.5" groups. So sometimes you luck out.

 

[Medusa]

I don't have many pics, but there they are:

And

Oh, as you can see, it's not a M1A

 

[crazed_ss]

Get em while they're hot!

Accuracy is more than Ill ever need. Had a problem with a bad extractor when I first got it, but SA fixed it prompty under warranty and it's been 100% reliable since. No issues AT ALL. I've shot all kinds of surplus and commercial stuff and it eats everything.

I would also like to scope mine, but the price of optics always discourages me. The iron sights are so good that I dont feel it really needs a scope for basic recreational type shooting.

 

[m21black]

If you want to see some great pictures of M1a's and m14 checkout m14firingline.com...

Madusa ----Nice H&R

 

[geekWithA.45]

is the M1A as presently sold by Springfield Armory safe from another farcical ban?

Nothing is safe when Congress is in session.


As for mags, US GI surplus can be found @ gunshows for $20ish, snag em now, even pre-gun.

 

[Guido2006]

SA Scout M1A

Scout with Leupold FX-2 Scout Scope and Spector SOP sling

Observations:

1) The scout length is pretty handy for hunting in the woods and you still retain the ability to shoot accurately out past 500-600m.

2) It's pretty heavy for a hunting rifle, if you are going to be humping it for awhile get a good sling.

3) I haven't been impressed with the scout scope. With such good iron sights, the added bulk of a low magnification (~2.5x) scout hasn't seemed worth it. The scout mount probably works great with a red dot of some sort but if you are going to be routinely shooting out past 200m, I'd say get a side mount like a Sadlak and out a regular scope on it.

4) The muzzle break is pretty effective at softening recoil but it is very loud and has some blast out to the sides. Make sure to wear hearing protection.

5) Magazines - Current USGI issue 20-rounders here, 44Mag.com. Unfortunately the price just went up, but they also carry 25 rounders that actually work.

 

[Bwana John]

Q#1- No, buy as many as you can.
Q#2- ~2MOA.
Q#3- Best open sights in the world, learn how to use them and spend the extra money on ammo.

 

[Medusa]

I'd be happy if I could buy mags for M14 for 20$ a piece. These things (mags in general) run at pretty steep prizes. Petty CZ75 factory mag is 70$ at least, M14 20 rounder is around 100 bucks. Now that's a lot. it would be cheaper to buy a bunch from some US store and have them shipped to the other side of the world.

Otherwise it's a good rifle, accurate, reliable and with "soul".

 

[armed85]

nice pics

How do y'all like your fiberglass stocks?

 

[Slvr Surfr]

Yum, Yum!



With her other partner in crime!

 

[nbkky71]

Here you go: my national match M1A. It's currently in the shop getting a new barrel, a McMillan stock and a double-lug accuracy job. She'll come home in a couple weeks looking (and shooting) like a Supermatch!

As far as accuracy goes, you can expect about 2-3MOA from a standard model using quality ammo. A National Match model will shoot about 1.5MOA and a Supermatch can hold 1MOA or better.

There is the occassional standard grade that will produce nice, tight groups, like bobsmith mentioned. However, that is NOT the norm for a standard model.

I'd say start squirreling away your pennies now and buying magazines. The M1A may not be on the hit-list now but things can change pretty quickly. Although you may not be able to afford the rifle now, start buying magazines if you KNOW that you're going to get the rifle. That way you'll have the 20 round mags and won't have to worry about getting them in the future. Buy a magazine a month to spread out the expense(s).

If you want to mount optics on your rifle, you'll need to get a quality mount such as a SADLAK or an ARMS mount. Plan on spending around $300 for the mount and rings. Optics mounted on an M1A tend to sit high above the receiver and force the shooter to raise their head to meet the optics. Many folks will add on a cheek riser or adjustable saddle-type riser to raise their head to the optics and provide a solid stock weld.

 

[azredhawk44]

I've got an M1A Scout that will shoot 1.5MOA with my 168gr match handloads. I used to have an ARMS #18 mount on it that supported a Leupold FX-2 4x33 scope, but I took it off for two reasons:
1. Weight. It wasn't nimble enough. This is my hunting rifle as well as target, plinking and "liberty tooth."
2. Reliability. It kept coming loose, even with blue locktite. I'd lose zero after about 10 rounds.

The irons that come with these rifles are fully capable of shots in excess of 500 yards, probably further for guys who are really interested in the minutia of how to shoot with irons.

Not the best pic, but still a pic: (Scope no longer on the rifle)


I'm building another one, but an M14. This one is an Armscorp receiver, USGI forged components and a Criterion barrel. Not done yet; I'm hoping to have it done my March or April.

 

[Gewehr98]

Not an M1A, but pretty close...

Armscorp of Baltimore M14NM, w/Krieger barrel and ARMS #18 scope base:

 

[gcrookston]

here's my rifle.


(click on thumb for full size image).

Here's it's accuracy. 3/ 3 shot groups while sighting in at 100 yards.

Shot with CYBERSHOT at 2006-07-24

need I say more?

 

[Guido2006]

How do y'all like your fiberglass stocks?

The only problem I have is that the black paint has chipped off in some places reveling a white stock underneath. Not a big deal, but I haven't really used it hard enough that I'd expect the stock paint to come off. A little disappointing, but then again, just gives me a reason to give it a nice camo paint job in the future.

I think that the fiberglass stock is also slightly narrower on the fore end than the wood stock but I'm not sure.

 

[Vityaz]

Here are a few pics of my baby. SAI Loaded model.

 

[AK103K]

Couple of accessories...

bolt stop/release

dry fire device

 

[Andrewsky]

Nice looking gun Vityaz. Sure would look nice with a flash suppressor with a bayonet lug on it.

Don't you have a castle nut pliers laying around?

I know I have two...

 

[Vityaz]

I hate you...

And now I love you. (Purely as a brother)

 

[Andrewsky]

If you want one of those pliers I'll send them to you right quick.

 

[Andrewsky]

I told you I'd marry you if you were a chick, and I was serious.

 

[Vityaz]

At times, you scare me.

 

[MM]

Medusa,
I knew it was the real deal when I spotted the select fire lug. I carried one for awhile in the NAV, kept the wrench handy, but that beast was anti-air on rounds 3-20!
MM

 

[sharkhunter2018]

Andrewsky - Boy...you ain't right