Springfield M1A: acceptable receiver/stock gap?

[NoirFan]

I have a used M1A Scout bought from J&G Sales which seems to work fine, but there is a significant gap between the receiver heel and the plastic stock. I can almost slide a credit card under there. A couple questions:

1) Besides being ugly-looking, will this affect function/accuracy in the long run?

2) I'm going to swap the current stock for a nice walnut one anyway. Will changing the stock possibly solve the problem or is this a matter of the receiver being out of spec?

Thanks

 

[Reloadron]

A picture would be nice but any gap between the receiver heel and stock is not normal. The fit between the receiver and stock is important for accuracy. Matter of fact that is why some stocks are bedded to improve the fit and remove any movement. I seriously doubt you have a receiver that is out of spec causing the gap, more likely the stock is the problem. However, I am not a M1A Scout guru as I am basing what I mention on my NM M1A. I assume the stock fit of the scout version is similar.

Ron

 

[AlexanderA]

The heel of the receiver is an important bedding point. National Match stocks have a U-shaped channel there, which is supposed to be filled with bedding compound when fitted to a gun. You can carve a groove in your stock with a Dremel tool, and fill it with a bead of epoxy. (Be sure to put release agent on the bottom of the receiver before assembling the rifle, before the epoxy hardens.) If done properly, this shouldn't be visible when the gun is assembled.

 

[KurtC]

I am going to assume you have an SAI receiver and an original USGI fiberglass stock (many were painted with black krinkle paint to hide the blemishes).

The gap is typical of such a combination, but is not desireable for long range accuracy. You can fill in the gap using any bedding compound, to include common stuff like JB weld. If it is a wood stock, you can glue a wood shim to the stock. No sense getting carried away unless you intend to properly bed the entire action.

Some of the M14 pro gunsmith will bed a GI fiberglass stock, others will only bed wood or McMillan fiberglass. You can find plenty of good info on the M14 forum.

 

[krinko]

As Kurt says, the gap is typical and that goes for the wood stocks as well as the fiberglas. I've also had it occur with Garands.
If the rifle clamps down hard enough that you must smack the triggerguard home with the heel of your hand to lock it in, then it ought to shoot like the battle rifle it emulates.
These do---



-----krinko

 

[NoirFan]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I don't intend for this to be a tack driver, "battle accuracy" 2 - 4 MOA with ball ammo is OK for me. Perhaps I'll go the shim/JB Weld route and see what results I get from that.

 

[Slamfire]

Without pictures I am only guessing as to your problem. This gap, which I assume is the same one you are concerned about, exists on every GI Garand that I have examined, and exists with GI stocks and M1a receivers.

After careful consideration, this gap should exist and should not be closed. I am of the opinion that the side receiver gaps are there to vent gas from the action if there is a pierced primer or blown case head. The rear receiver heel, the one right in front of your eyes, should make firm and seamless contact with the stock. This is so gas will not go in your eyes.

If you can see, in the bottom picture, a nice bead of gray Devcon epoxy around the right side of the receiver heel. The gap is forward of this. This is how the action should be bedded in the back.

 

[Orlando]

There should be no gap under the heel itself. There should be a very slight gap staring approx 1 inch in front of the heel and extending to the back of the receiver legs. Even bedded stocks are done this way