So the journey begins with the California SHTF battle rifle

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Black Majik

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Well... with all my M1A threads I've been posting, I finally beat the clock before the sale ends. I bought the black standard SA M1A with chrome lined barrels.

I figured hey, this is gonna be the cheapest I'll find here in Calfironia.

AND....

Chrome lined barrels from what I hear are becoming extinct.


So, I'm out $1300 and I love it.

This will be my first rifle. I really wanted a PSS, but I figure that I should start with a rifle that has iron sights before moving up to a rifle with a glass mounted to it. And to think I almost spent some of that money on a Glock. ;)


So much for studying for my statistics midterm I have tomororw. I'm gonna go read up on all the goodies for the M1A.

:)
 
I wish I still had my Springfield M1A Standard Loaded. It had the wood stock and stainless steel barrel. I sold it because I had to pay bills and I was still in college and didn't enough income in my part time job.

I'm going to build and M1A from the ground up eventually.

Here are some good M1A/M14 related articles worth reading:

http://www.zediker.com/articles/m14_1.1.pdf
http://www.zediker.com/articles/m14_2.1.pdf
http://www.zediker.com/articles/m14_3.1.pdf

Your M1A should come with a document about handloading for the M1A along with the owner's manual.
 
Frohickey - I do have money saved up, I was thinking of getting a case of Aussie Ammo from ammobros in Long Beach area.

Ocabj - you've always been a great help to me, thanks a lot for the link. It is quite informative. Too bad I need pictures to help me :eek:



Question about cleaning: Can I clean the gas system without taking the rifle out of the stock? Do I have to disassemle the gas system to clean it or can I clean the system as a whole?

Also, which grease should I use, anyone have any recommendations?


Anyone have a website they can refer me to that disassemles a M1A with PICTURES :)

Much appreciated
 
If all else fails, go to the Armory of Orange (across the parking lot from Fowler's Gunroom) off 22E and Tustin ave. in Tustin..... they are the milsurp gurus of your area..... I bought a Lee-Enfield from Fowlers then found a slightly nicer one for cheaper across the parking lot (grrr but I'm happy with mine). If they can't answer every question on the M1A you can think of, they've gone collectively senile (quite possible) or had a keg party last night (also quite possible!) :).
 
I think most of the "SHTF" scenarios are just boys looking for an excuse to get more toys, but assuming you are in your twenties and where you live and if you stay there, most likely there is a real possibility you will need it. I looked long at an M1A but eventually went with a Colt SP2 Government model for my get serious gun, I don't care for the caliber but I like the firepower. Amazing the sense of security you have when there is a high power rifle, twenty five loaded magazines and 1,500 rounds of ammo close by. I also just picked up a Beretta 96 (.40 cal) and ten magazines and the reloading stuff to go with it. These are my get seroius guns. Congratulations on yours.


rk
 
The M1/M14/M1A family of weapons can be maintained without removal from the stock for "normal" cleaning.

The gas system on the M1A/M14 can be disassembled without stock removal as well. Just undo the gas cylinder plug (with a 3/8" wrench), and shake the gas piston out.

Normally, the gas system does not need intensive care. I would save the cleaning of the gas system for when you remove the action from the stock. Of course, on an unbedded rifle, removing the action from the stock is not nearly as detrimental as doing so on a bedded rifle. So, unless your rifle is bedded, don't worry too much about removing the action from the stock.

Given that you have a military type chrome lined bore, it sounds like you have essentially an issue grade rifle, so there is not too much to worry about in terms of bedding precision.

As far as rifle grease goes, just about anything will do. Some guys like Tetra, some guys like Miltec, others like GI rifle grease, and still others like Lubriplate. I have even used automotive wheel bearing grease.

Just make sure that, whatever grease you use, you follow the mil. recommendations for grease locations.
 
Buy a bolt buffer.. Eases the recoil, and saves the receiver..

you can buy one at
http://www.buffertech.com/m14.htm

If yours is the metal buttplate, get it replaced with a 2" rubber one. Doing these two things have effectively reduced my recoil by about 50% (felt recoil). Greatly improved the accuracy (again) due to reduced felt recoil.

I highly recommend "grease" instead of "oil" on your M1A.

I go to Pep Boys and buy for about $3, and the can will last you and your grandkids a long time :evil:

Have fun!
 
I like the "pure lithium white grease"..

It doesn't smell that bad.. You can get ones with PTFE if you want, but I'm of the pure lithium grease school...

and when they say a "dab", they mean a dab! Had that can for about 2 years, and have used roughly 3%!!
 
militec will send you free samples. I liked it so much that I bought more.

Gas system and piston only need cleaning every 300-400 rounds.

Don't take the action out of the stock any more than you need to, or it will wear away and loosen the fit.

Get a one-piece coated cleaning rod and a muzzle guide so you don't scratch your barrel or muzzle.

Get a sling for cheap from fredsm14stocks.com; it makes a tremendous difference in accuracy when firing.

Buy some cheap synthetic stocks from freds and have fun custom painting them.

And for pete's sake, buy lotsa ammo and SHOOT IT! they demand to be shot often !:cool:
 
What are the military recommended grease points?
Click to expand...

According to TM-9-1005-223-12, The Operator and Organizational Maintenance Manual, 7.62mm Rifle, M14...

Make certain all metal parts have been cleaned with CR, rifle bore cleaner, and dried thoroughly. Apply a light coat of preservative, PL special, lubricating oil. Apply a light coat of rifle grease lubriplate 130A to the following surfaces:

(1) Locking lugs of bolt, operating lug, and recesses.
(2) Bolt guide.
(3) Anti friction roller on bolt.
(4) Operating rod guide groove on side of the receiver.
 
Thank you all!

I just want to thank EVERYONE who has participated in this thread. I have put this under favorites, now still waiting for the 10 days to be over before I can pick it up.

I'm gonna definitely refer to this thread once I get the rifle and learn how to break this thing down.

Thanks a bunch everyone. You've all given awesome advice. I appreciate it very much.
thumb.gif
 
"Buy a bolt buffer.. Eases the recoil"

Oh Crap! I think my M1A is broken... I never felt any noticable recoil, neither did my 12 yr. old nephew. I better have it checked out! ;)
 
Maj: anytime you want to shoot it, drop me a PM.

No bolt buffers here.

On mags: A wise friend alerted me to the mag ban back in the late 90s - I stocked up and have been buying rifles as budget allows. If only Oleg had stopped by a year earlier...

...you see, I missed out on owning an AR by a year, and will be kicking myself until the day I kick myself out of this state. New Highpower shooters in CA that want to go Service Rifle have a slightly more uphill battle. I think 10 round mags in the shape of 20s are allowed - in some matches.
 
Sven, thanks for the nice offer.
thumb.gif


If I'm ever in Central Cali area I'll definitely let ya know. Maybe we can shoot some trap also. :)

Too bad I didn't know to stock up on magazines prior to the ban. It'd sure be nice to be able to have some 20 rounders. :p
 
Hey Sven, way cool rifle. This is the first I have seen of it. Hope to check it out at the range someday.
 
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