SA's M1A

[Seven High]

Is installing a firing pin return spring on a M1A something that an owner could do, or does it have to be sent to a gunsmith for installation? Where would an owner locate a firing pin return spring?

 

[Geno]

If my neck weren't fused, I never would have sold my M1A "Loaded". Dollar for dollar, the M1A is among the best of the best. If you're concerned about a SHTF scenario, I have a hard time envisioning a better rifle than the M1A. My DPMS .308 is awesome, but it doesn't have the nostalgia of the M1A. There is a company that manufactures new-production, hammer forged, steel M1A receivers with built-in picatinny mounts. I think it's Fulton, but not positive.

 

[MassMark]

Doc - sorry to hear about your neck - that's a tough road my friend. I agree completely with your assessment. I like the DPMS, but love the M1A. By the way, the company making the forged receivers is LRB - it's their M25. Has a scope mount built into the receiver and leaves iron available. I have heard much positive feedback about them - truly a revolutionary evolution to the M1A/M14 platform...

 

[MassMark]

Is installing a firing pin return spring on a M1A something that an owner could do, or does it have to be sent to a gunsmith for installation? Where would an owner locate a firing pin return spring?

It's totally and completely unessecary and I'm not at all sure who even does it. Sounds like a scare tactic for the unread if you ask me. If it were, Springfield Armory, Fulton Armory, Armscorp, Smith Enterprises, LRB, Ted Brown, Warbird, West Texas Armory and scores of other small builders would do it automatically. It's like mounting a giant pillow on the grill of your car. May give you a false sense of security for something you likely will never have to worry about anyway. Akin to walking around in a lightning resistant suit....

 

[geekWithA.45]

Ok, I've got to ask/hijack to all the SCOUT or SOCOM owners......goes the 18" or 16" barrel REALLY make it handle better with the 308 cal in URBAN RANGES?

IMO, the scout squad's 18" bbl is a better "handiness" compromise than the SOCOM/I/II's 16".

Pros: 3/4 lb lighter, than a standard, _3_ lb lighter than a SOCOM II, handles a little better in tight spaces than a standard, has a great muzzle brake, and to be honest, popping a scout scope on it creates a synergy in the platform that you have to shoot to understand.

Cons: You lose 200 fps, no chrome lining.


Rescoped range report w/ pix: http://geekwitha45.blogspot.com/2007_03_01_archive.html#117530873676034265

 

[joe4702]

I've got a late 80s M1A standard with several thousand rounds through it. Great gun. Only problem I've ever had was a broken pin in the trigger group. Gun still functioned, but the trigger pull became very heavy and I had to manually reset the trigger after every shot. I think the replacement part was $1.00 from Brownells. Getting the trigger group apart was easy, then it took about an hour of futzing around to get everything to line up and fall into place during reassembly.

 

[alcmaeon]

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=6825

 

[MassMark]

Alcmaeon...And??? What happened???

 

[Sunray]

Slamfires are caused by improperly loaded ammo, not the rifle or the primer used in reloaded ammo. As long as the primer is seated correctly, there's nothing to worry about.
"...an 18" barrel would..." Reduced velocity. The .308 was designed to get its best accuracy and velocity out of a 22" barrel. Any other barrel length is a marketing gimmick.

 

[MassMark]

Marketing Gimmick Or Utility?

Any other barrel length is a marketing gimmick.

That's your opinion, which is lightyears from fact in mine....

 

[22LongRifle]

I think I know what Santa is bringing Daddy this year! I just hope the "Gun Jar" is big enough to hold that kind of $$!

Jerry