New M1A = HOOKED!!!

[Rockrivr1]

I took my SA M1A to the range for the first time last weekend and now I'm HOOKED!! I got the loaded model in black composite and the rifle looked and functioned great. Damn that thing is sure fun to shoot. It took me about 10 rounds to zero in the iron sites and I ran patches through after each.

After that though, I put 100 rounds downrange that day. Basically shooting up all the ammo that was with me. I had no problems with it at all and I was using Milsurp ammo and it took it without any issues.

Towards the end of the day I was pegging coffee cans at 200 yards with some consistancy.

I do have a question though. When zeroing the rifle, I had to dial the windage several clicks to the left. I'm zeroed pretty good now, but the eyepiece indicator line is over 2 lines past center. I'm not sure with the M1A but with that amount, should I be adjusting my front site so I can center the rear site better? I zeroed in at 50 yards and there was no wind to speak of

Otherwise, I can't wait to hit the range again next weekend. This week is gonna drag!!

 

[Steve Smith]

Go ahead and adjust the front sight. WON'T TAKE MUCH!!!

 

[AZ Jeff]

A rough rule of thumb for adjusting front sights on M1/M14/M1A rifles is that 0.008 inches of horizontal movement equals one inch on the target at 100 yards.

Use a dial caliper and measure the existing front site location from the edge of the flash suppressor dovetail. Then loosen and slide the sight the appropriate amount, remeasure with the caliper, and tighten in place.

Don't forget--move the front sight the OPPOSITE direction you want the point of impact to move.

Good luck.

 

[FPrice]

Out of curiosity, did you get it from Four Seasons?

 

[30Cal]

You might find yourself needing the full range of windage if you shoot at 600yds in a 25kt crosswind. If that isn't a likely scenario, you can always leave the front sight where it is.

Before you loosen the sight, get a pencil and draw a pair of witness lines across the front sight and base so you can tell where you started.

 

[Rockrivr1]

Thanks everyone for the great advice. I'll have to really dig into the manual to figure out how to loosen up the front site and adjust it.

FPrice, yeah I asked Carl to get with his distributor and see what he had in stock. He came back and said that he had a fully loaded National Match in composite stock available. He gave me the price and I had him order it for me. I picked it up last Wednesday and there was an older gentleman there picking up the used one I was looking at previously at the same time.

He seemed really happy as he walked out. Hell, I was really happy walking out right behind him with mine!

 

[AZ Jeff]

QUOTE: "Before you loosen the sight, get a pencil and draw a pair of witness lines across the front sight and base so you can tell where you started."

If ones uses a dial caliper to measure the front site lateral position relative to the sight base on the flash suppressor BEFORE loosening the screw, the marks with a pencil are unnecessary.

 

[FPrice]

"FPrice, yeah I asked Carl to get with his distributor and see what he had in stock. He came back and said that he had a fully loaded National Match in composite stock available. He gave me the price and I had him order it for me."

For those wondering about a good gun shop, we have an outstanding one just a bit north of Boston.

http://www.fsguns.com

 

[30Cal]

"If ones uses a dial caliper to measure the front site lateral position relative to the sight base on the flash suppressor BEFORE loosening the screw, the marks with a pencil are unnecessary."

I've always had a tough time getting a repeatable measurement of that. It's not a bad idea to put some witness marks on the forward end as well in case sight falls off, you have a rough idea of where it needs to go back to.

Ty