Parts Party: M1A Parts Photo - Off to Krieger...

[Sven]

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Here's all the pieces, ready to head off to Krieger tomorrow for barreling. Nice to be moving ahead with the project.

Next up: the stock. McMillan M1A stock, probably with molded in desert camo. Hopefully to be painted over by Karsten:



Karsten's Custom Camo

Check it out... I could have it overpainted with green camo if I move to the forest. If I find myself in the desert suddenly (work with me here...) I can just grab some gun scrubber and work back to the original molded in camo colors.

Versitility. Another step forward with the project, just wanted to post the 'before' picture... the 'after' will come soon, I hope!

 

[Kaylee]

coolness!

why two bolts? To have a spare, both headspaced to the same barrel?

-K

 

[Sven]

Yeah. Probably will never need to use it, but most problems folks have reported involved throwing an extractor during a match. Having a drop-in spare means being up and running in time for an alibi string (during highpower competition - I hope to compete with this rifle).

-s

 

[Sven]

My new McMillan stock just arrived - only 5 weeks after I ordered! I will post pictures... this is coming together sooner than I had hoped!

 

[Steve Smith]

So you're going to have Karsten to paint it before the smith beds it, right?

 

[Sven]

Is that the recommended sequence? If so, I need to decide on a camo pattern FAST.

 

[Steve Smith]

Well, you don't want to take the rifle out of the stock after the MASTER beds it, and you don't want to have to ship the whole thing or risk gettin paint on the metal do you?


Tell him not to paint the inside.

 

[Sven]

Thanks for the advice. Will heed.

Pictures, by request:



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[Sven]

What, is this a "Moderator-Only" thread or something?

Got everything back from Krieger today... must've been an accounting screw-up - they didn't charge me for installation OR for the fitting of the second bolt.

(That good luck was later negated by a $2800 car repair bill I received today, but it seems good news and bad news come together. I'm just glad I'm one step closer to having my rifle).

Tomorrow, off Via FedEx to "The Guru" down in Atlanta for final installation, fitting and sprinkling of magic sniper dust. Krieger's work order showed a total of 5 weeks to do it all - delay was due to my not sending in the front band with the initial parts.



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[larryw]

Very nice! Any idea how long it will take The Guru to get the gun to me for a proper break-in?

 

[45R]

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Abominable No-Man]

Beautiful. Just beautiful.

(Drool.)

(Jealous.)

(Drool.)

(Missing my M14.)

(Drool.)

Getting the urge to build again..........

ANM

 

[Dave P]

So many rifles, so little money ...


Let us know about accuracy when it comes back!

 

[Urban Warrior]

Nice looking project you got going there!!!! Can't wait for the final photo's

I really like the pic of the camo "bush" rifle on your post. Reason being it's MINE!!! in trademark "Urban Warrior" pattern..............UW

 

[Sven]

Yes, Urban... the pictures of your design are some of the finest on Karsten's Website - not only for your trademark design, but for the quality of the images themselves!

I confess that I am a huge fan of your design. I have been experimenting a different pallete for my part of the country at this time... here is my totally amateur Photoshop of the current idea I'm toying with:



If you look closely you'll see some tiny 'chocolate chips' - I actually want to make these much bigger... like normal chips... but have them incorporated into the UW 'splotches' as shown above.

Karsten suggested some NATO Black - maybe to better break up the receiver in the otherwise light overall stock... open to ideas, of course.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Good taste in Krieger barrel. Oh, nice gun too. Great paint job.

 

[HankL]

Great to see your project comming along so nicely! The wait is almost over.

 

[Kestrel]

Who is "The Guru" in Atlanta?

Steve

 

[Sven]

The guru?

Well, I've been sworn to secrecy. Actually, I can tell you who he is, but I've sworn not to give out his phone number and stuff, though others might give you that information.

His name is Gerald "Hook" Boutin... do a search on Google and/or SnipersHide to learn a bit about this guy. Helped develop the M21 and kept the M14s running in Vietnam, to lightly touch on his impressive resume.

He's an old timer... quite a 'card'.

 

[Kestrel]

Does he do work for the public?

 

[Sven]

It's heeeeere!



My M1A arrived today!

My smith reports that the windage is right on and was "very happy with the groups". Time to hit the range!

 

[Steve Smith]

I may have one "just" like it, but I'm still jealous.


Call me at my office tonight...I'll be here for an hour or two.

 

[Duke of Lawnchair]

Beautiful!

 

[45R]

Wow!!! Thats a rifle that doesnt have to sing "I'm so Pretty....I'm so Pretty!!" It screams it!!!

 

[larryw]

Are you taking it to the range Friday morning so I can help you break it in?