scoped M1As and cheekpieces

[TexasPatriot.308]

just wondering if any of you M1A/M14 shooters with scopes mounted on their rifles shoot without cheek pieces. I want to scope mine, but would rather stay with irons if I got to go with a cheek piece. I qualified with an M14 40 years ago, but my eyes were a whole lot better then and I want to shoot at least 400 yards with a scope.

 

[mljdeckard]

I tried it and it didn't work. the mounts are so high, because it has to leave space for ejection. And because it can only mount in one place, it doesn't have much adjustment from eye relief either. I got scope kissed at the range, and laughed at a little. I realized that to really make it work, I was going to have to add a really high cheek piece, or a completely new stock, and while I was at it rebuild the trigger to REALLY make it shoot like I wanted it to. I sold it and got another Remington 700.

 

[loadedround]

I scoped my NM M1A and found that I did need a cheekpiece to fire it. I simply mounted a stick on cheekpiece sold by Brownell and it works fine. It is mounted with some form of sticky tape and is fairly permanent, but also can be removed if necessary. Brownells also sell a strap on checkpiece, but I found it not to be as satisfactory as the stick on type. Hope this info helps you out.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

loadedround, I got the walnut stock, does that sticky stuff mess up the walnut? or does it come off easy?

 

[Dean1818]

I am looking at a scout version (if my bonus is good later this year) and a 2x7 leatherwood scope hi-lux ler

No cheek weld is needed

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

Dean, on a $1500 M1A, I would spend good money on a quality scope, I aint gonna put nothing less than a high end Leupold on mine, probably stay with a 3x9 or 3.5 x 10 x 40.

 

[Redlg155]

Just about the only way you will get away with no cheek riser is by using a scout mount with low a LER scope with loe mountt rings or a red dot type sight with no spacer.

If you don't mind drilling 2 holes in your stock, Desert Warrior Products makes an excellent adjustable cheek rest. I was extremely satisfied with the one I had on a M1a.

The M1a is not intended to replace a bolt.action rifle. It shines at placing accurate sustained fire at marksman distances. I am on my 3rd M1a. Both previous models were Springfield Armory loaded models. My newest....a may I say KEEPER is a M1a scout.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

I was a marksman in my military days, like I said in those days my eyesight was 20/20.

 

[dprice3844444]

http://www.desertwarriorproducts.com/M1A-M14CheekRest.html
http://www.coyotem1a.com/
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=31707/Product/STRAP-ON-CHEEK-PAD

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

OK, another dumb question, does the Scout Squad version need a cheek piece for optics?

 

[marksman13]

I had to add a cheek piece to the M21 I carried in Iraq. My rifle was extremely accurate for what it was. It was a fine designated marksman rifle and shined in an urban environment. We owned everything within 700 yards and 800 wasn't too much of a stretch on torso sized targets. We had Leupold MK VIs on top in Smith Enterprise mounts and I honestly don't know how anybody could have comfortably shot that set up without a cheek piece. The easiest cheek riser to mount was a slip on one I found from Butler Creek or something like that. It had to be adjusted once in a while, but it worked well otherwise. There may be better options available, but if you don't want to permanently alter your stock, I don't know of one.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

Marksman, thanks for the info and your service. when I served it was different, it was hot and steamy and we sometimes wore very little, sometimes no vests, I see yall in the heat with all yalls gear and yalls helmets strapped on tight, we usually never strapped our steel pots on, too uncomfortable. I guess everything changes, we didnt even carry our weapons the way yall do or even shoot they way yall do. thanks again.

 

[Redlg155]

Texas,
The scout rifles don't need a cheekrest if you use a long eye relief scope and low profile rings. I know exactly what you mean about eyesight. At 300 yards things get fuzzy through a peep sight.

Here is a good review with a picture.
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2010/07/bryan-hyde/gun-review-springfield-armory-m1a-scout-squad/

I wish that I had bought a scout the first time around. It makes a perfect rifle. The handiness of a Socom, but the accuracy of a full size.

 

[marksman13]

Texaspatriot, thanks.

You'd be surprised. Soldiers are still soldiers. The main thing is we spend a lot lore time in vehicles then y'all did. I'd much rather fight today's war than yours. At least most of the country is indifferent to us. Some were down right brutal to y'all. Thank you for your service.

I keep kicking around the idea of getting an M1A, but it's mostly nostalgia. The AR-10 pretty much out performs it in every category.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

I got a few AR10s, all in the A2 configurations (nostalgia there too) all Armalites except for a Bushmaster BAR10. I dont know if I agree you with you completely about it outperforming it, guess I like both. I guess I need to get me a Scout Squad and a flat top Armalite AR10 in the A3 or A4 and scope them.

 

[oldpapps]

"just wondering if any of you M1A/M14 shooters with scopes mounted on their rifles shoot without cheek pieces." TexasPatriot.308

A view from the foggy side. My control eye is my left but I shoot right handed. When I'm using a scope on my M1A, I take off my glasses (near sighted - it works better for me) and use my left eye with a 'chin' weld, not 'cheek' weld. Im sure it looks odd, but it works for me. My chin sets solidly at the root of my thumb. Without the scope, its back to the normal 'cheek' weld and glasses.

 

[marksman13]

I guess I meant that scoped AR-10s are generally more accurate than scoped M1As and are equally reliable in modern configurations. AR-10s are also easier to work on (for me anyway), and easier to customize.

I'll concede that the M1A feels better in the hand to me.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

no doubt, AR15s and AR10s are a breeze to work on, easier and more fun, not so much pain in the a**.

 

[splithoof]

I use a Scout-Squad, Smith Enterprises one piece steel mount, with a Leupold Vari-X 3-9X optic, and a cheek pad. The mount has a channel for the iron sights, but the bell is just in the way to preclude that. Going to the pad made all the difference.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I use a strap on raiser on my scoped M1A. I think the Desert Warrior Products would be a better solution if you don't mind drilling the two holes through the butt.