M1A and AR-10 longevity
- Thread starter Phillip H
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Retro
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M1A will definitely outlast the Ar-10 because of all steel receiver. Springfield will replace any broken stocks for life as long as they are in business.
They both should last just about forever so long as you don't abuse them too badly. I've heard talk of receivers having lifespans of 60,000 rounds or so. If you figure that the cheapest .308 reloads are going to run you about $0.33 each, that means you'll have spent around $20,000 on ammo before you wear out the receiver from shooting. Of course the barrels will wear out long before that, but guns can always be rebarreled.
Sam Adams
Member
The M1A should be more durable, as stated above because of its steel receiver. The wood stock on it should be detached, and replaced with a fiberglass one from Fred's.
I have a rifle that was undoubtedly used in WW1, and others that saw action in WW2 and the immediate post-war period. Taken care of, any rifle will last long enough for your grandkids to use it (even if YOU are now the grandkid that just received an old gun from gramps).
Oil the gun every once in a while, and do the same for the wood stock (if you keep it). Doing that and not abusing it with very high pressure loads is all that you need to do. Spare parts kits come in handy to keep it in tip-top shape.
I have a rifle that was undoubtedly used in WW1, and others that saw action in WW2 and the immediate post-war period. Taken care of, any rifle will last long enough for your grandkids to use it (even if YOU are now the grandkid that just received an old gun from gramps).
Oil the gun every once in a while, and do the same for the wood stock (if you keep it). Doing that and not abusing it with very high pressure loads is all that you need to do. Spare parts kits come in handy to keep it in tip-top shape.
TexasRifleman
Moderator Emeritus
Seems I read the service lifetime for an M14 was around 60,000 rounds but I can't remember where I read that.
Barrel life expectancy was about 10,000 rounds.
Wouldn't expect the AR design to be much different.
At today's prices that's about $30,000 worth of ammo......the firearm is the cheap part
Barrel life expectancy was about 10,000 rounds.
Wouldn't expect the AR design to be much different.
At today's prices that's about $30,000 worth of ammo......the firearm is the cheap part
not only that, but just a totally non-scientific survey ... i know dozens of people with more than one AR15 that have less than a case of ammo. I don't think i know anyone who has $30k of ammo that doesn't also have $30k in rifles.
what i'm saying is, i don't think there's enough 223 in civilian hands to wear out all the AR15s in civilian hands.
There are a lot of CMP Garands out there still going strong. So far there's no reason to think that the M1As don't run right along with them if the parts are GFI equivalent.
I have a 1917 dated Lee Enfield #1 Mk. III, and it still functions and shoots pretty well. For that matter, the oldest firearm I have ever shot was an 1842 dated .69 caliber musket, and that belched flame and lead with aplomb.
I have a 1917 dated Lee Enfield #1 Mk. III, and it still functions and shoots pretty well. For that matter, the oldest firearm I have ever shot was an 1842 dated .69 caliber musket, and that belched flame and lead with aplomb.
Sam Adams
Member
Then I'm glad I got mine when I did.
Average Joe
Member
If you take care of them, then I think they would be about the same.
High Planes Drifter
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AR fan here.
I'd have to guess that an M1/M1A would outlast an AR in overall longevity.
I'd have to guess that an M1/M1A would outlast an AR in overall longevity.
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