M1A question/s

[icebones]

How is the muzzle brake/flash suppressor held on the Springfield armory M1A series? Threaded or pinned or what? I have been wanting one for years but I would like to mount a suppressor (sound suppressor not flash) Ive heard on the original military M14's something about the barrel threads not being long or deep enough to offer sufficient strength to stand up to rough handling. Is it the same on the civilian Springfield M1A's? Are the threads sufficient for suppressor use or would a quick detach style that mounts to a mating muzzle brake be the best route?

It would be a sad day if I bumped the suppressor against a tree and bent or broke tip of the barrel off hunting one night.

Why do I want to suppress a M1A? Reduced muzzle blast/flash I plan on mounting a co witness NV optic on it and I dont want the flash blinding me. I'm 22 years old, completely deaf in one ear and partially deaf in the other and I don't want my hearing to get any worse. (combination of M2 .50cal/small arms fire, explosions and F-16's long story) Bank account allowing this will supplement my Colt HBAR and Ruger M77 as my main night time 'yotie hunting rifle and daytime deer rifle without the NV optic.

 

[7mmsavage]

On my M1A standard it is part of the front sight block. It slides on some groves similar to the M1, and is held in place with an a castle nut and a small allen screw. The barrel is threaded for this nut, so you could add a suppressor, but you'd lose the factory front sight to do it.

 

[Reloadron]

Check out this parts breakdown. Works out exactly as 7mmsavage describes. The front site is mounted on the flash suppressor.

On another note I trained with and used the M14 and have no recollection with short threads and flash suppressor issues. Those rifles took a beating and kept ticking.

Ron

 

[madcratebuilder]

There is a manufacturer that makes a suppressor mount for the M1A/M14. Most early M1A's used GI barrels, later use commercial cut identical to GI. The end of the barrel is splined and threaded. Very unlikely you could bend the barrel even trying. You need to use a special spanner wrench to loosen the nut.

 

[icebones]

So one of those QD suppressors would be the best route without having to remove the front sight? Awesome, thanks guys.

 

[1KPerDay]

Huh?

The QD suppressors are built specifically to made to a QD suppressor MOUNT which is generally a proprietary FH or muzzle brake. There is no QD suppressor that will work on the standard M1A/M14 FH. As you can see from Madcrate's very sexy pic, there are no threads or other locking rececess on the standard FH to accept a suppressor. You can REMOVE the standard FH and either thread a suppressor on directly to the barrel threads, or install the appropriate QD suppressor mount/FH/brake of your choice; however as noted you will lose the front sight. If you want to retain a front sight, a few people make a front sight that is integral with the gas lock, which moves the front sight further rearward.

See here for reference
http://www.smithenterprise.com/products03.02.html

 

[henschman]

This is your best bet: http://www.deltapdesign.com/accessories-store/m14-muzzle-adapter

It replaces the factory front sight base/flash hider and gives you 5/8x24 muzzle threads. That way you can use your original front sight, and keep the M1A's excellent iron sight radius.

 

[icebones]

My bad I should have clarified the QD suppressor post I know you need a specialized flash hider to mount a QD suppressor. Outstanding on the muzzle adapter tho. That looks like the route I will take. Many thanks.