M1A Range Report

[ratt_finkel]

About 2 weeks ago I picked up my 1st M1A. In Socom II form.

Always loved the looks of these weapons. And I understand in the right configurations, they are extremely accurate. I don't claim to be an expert shot. And I am still far less accurate than any of my weapons.

Anyway, took the M1A to the range on Friday. 1st time I've shot anything since probably May. Unfortunately, my indoor range only goes out to 25 yards. Still, wanted to get some rounds down the tube.

Here is 20 rounds using a combination of the bi-pod and the supplied block rest in the picture. It was funny, using the bi-pod, it would chirp as the rubber would slide back on the wood bench every shot.


Here are 10 shots physical holding the rifle. Using the fore-grip. I found it most comfortable folded completely flat, surprising. We are not allowed to stand. So I had to sit down while making those shots.



Last here is a pic of shots 2 days later @ 15 yards with my 92 FS. Not my best day either. But pretty close to what I usually do. Just to show I'm not a complete hack.


I really had some serious issues with the iron sights on the rifle. Especially after follow up shots. I would pick up the side sight guard instead of the actual sight. I also found that the front sight was hard to pick up period.

I have a big bag of excuses, but the paper don't lie lol!

 

[Double Vision]

Good luck with your new M1A!
What kind of ammo are you using?

 

[henschman]

Nice lookin gun. I bet it was loud in that indoor range! 16" .308s with compensators always make a big boom.

But what's up with you shooting better with your pistol than you do with your rifle?! You gotta fix that ASAP!

The very best thing for you would be to go to an Appleseed marksmanship clinic. You will learn so much in a weekend about rifle marksmanship it will make your head spin, and you will have a blast guaranteed. www.appleseedinfo.org

We shoot the Army qualification test at Appleseed, and it is always fun to see how you stack up. You will be amazed at how much your shooting improves. They are very low-priced as far as shooting classes go, since it is an all-volunteer organization.

 

[Bwana John]

I also found that the front sight was hard to pick up period

A short sight radius will do that.

 

[ratt_finkel]

I think the 1st 40 rounds were ATI? The last 20 rounds were American Eagle I believe.

I always double up on ear protection, so it really wasn't that loud. About on part with my muzzle braked AR-15.

I've considered the Appleseed training. Sounds like a neat experience. Just have to find the time!

 

[henschman]

Yeah, the Appleseed is time and money well spent. Just make sure you get some type of adjustable sling for your rifle (preferably an M1/M-14 issue GI web sling), since sling-supported field positions are a big part of what they teach. To mount a sling you might have to get some sort of front swivel that attaches to your picatinny rail, since that rail covers up the factory front swivel location. Also you can attend with a .22 if you want to save money... use the rimfire for most of the training, and then when you get your groups looking good on it, you can bring out the big gun and apply what you learned to it.

Those SOCOM's have less sight radius than a Standard M1A of course, but they really aren't too bad in the scheme of things... they have a lot more radius than an AR carbine does. For precision shooting the SOCOM is a little more challenging also because the front sight is more MOA wide than on longer-barreled ones, and the rear sight aperture is bigger. It makes precision harder, but it does make sight alignment quicker for close quarters, and is better for low light, which is why they have those features. It is still plenty good enough for you to cover the "Rifleman's Quarter Mile" if you have the skills to match. You just have to have the software to match the hardware.

Congrats on the purchase and have fun.

 

[ByAnyMeans]

Great rifle, congrats.

Regarding Appleseed, me and my wife loved it. Luckily she is a shooter and considered us going to a bed and breakfast for three days and taking two for the Appleseed as a "romantic weekend getaway".

 

[critter]

I have a Springfield SOCOM with the scout scope. Took a deer with it (an 8-point whitetail) in Thanksgiving morning. I really like that thing!

 

[BP Hunter]

Congrats on your new toy!

Wanna get one, but don't wanna pay $1600 for it.

 

[Double Vision]

Regarding Appleseed, me and my wife loved it. Luckily she is a shooter and considered us going to a bed and breakfast for three days and taking two for the Appleseed as a "romantic weekend getaway".

Nice!

 

[ratt_finkel]

For precision shooting the SOCOM is a little more challenging also because the front sight is more MOA wide than on longer-barreled ones, and the rear sight aperture is bigger. It makes precision harder, but it does make sight alignment quicker for close quarters, and is better for low light, which is why they have those features.

I actually find my AR Carbine to have superior sights compared to the M1A.

I agree with the width of the front sight. And to be honest, the half tritium/half white sight is horrible in low light conditions. I can pick it up clearly in pitch blackness. Haven't tried in day time yet.

I'm wondering if I was actually getting on the rear sight properly. I never felt like I got a good cheek weld or natural orientation. Follow up shots were impossible because of the recoil. Which while surprisingly soft, do jar a guy my size enough to loose the front sight and then necessitate picking it up again.

(I threw my red dot on briefly which works %100 for me, even though it was not sighted in to this rifle. I could hold that baby on target for hours if I needed to.)

 

[asia331]

Regarding Appleseed, me and my wife loved it. Luckily she is a shooter and considered us going to a bed and breakfast for three days and taking two for the Appleseed as a "romantic weekend getaway".

You got to love a gal like that. Be nice to her.

 

[ratt_finkel]

Went to the range on Saturday. 1st 20 rounds. Much better!



Going back today with my red dot and a bore sighter.

 

[MtnCreek]

Little tip: Ammo and bore sighter don't need to be out at the same time.

 

[Rifleman 173]

You should allow to use about 500 rounds "to break in the rifle." We did not consider the old XM-21 Sniper Rifles broke in until we had at least 300 rounds through one at the minimum. Most of them required about 500 rounds to get all the parts meshing right. The more you shoot the rifle, the tighter the groups will become until they won't get any tighter. But once you reach that ultimate tight and right pattern, you will be amazed at how accurate the M-1A, M-21 and M-14 family of rifles can become. Mount a decent scope on your M-1A and use high quality ammo and you'll have a rifle that can reach out to 900 meters with practice.

 

[ratt_finkel]

Went to the range on Monday. Finally slapped my cheap BSA red dot. Which never impressed me on my AR. But thought what the hay! I purchased a cheap Bushnell bore sighter at the range. Hooked it up and got it sighted in. At only 25 yards, the 1st round hit as high and right on the paper as possible. Took 4 more shots and got it as close to bulls eye as I could.


EDIT: Have 160 rounds through this thing without a single malfunction. From probably 5 or 6 different types of ammo.

I believe this is 15 rounds.