I am looking at the Springfield M1A in .308. Any reviews from owners? How difficult is it to clean? Wood vs Plastic Stock? Any systematic problems? Thank you in advance.

Trained with one while in the Army.
Wish I had one now. My favorite rifle.
Easy to disassemble & clean. Replacement parts plentiful.
Potent.
Check out Hickok45's review:

Have you checked out the M14 forum?? They got all the info you need.

I own one, but haven't made use of of yet (I've bought a number of military parts to replace the made in Taiwan parts, and have an Enhanced Battle Rifle (EBR) stock for it, just waiting to find a good M1A/M14 gunsmith to do the work for me).

I have fired, owned and cleaned an AR and an AK for a number of years, and I do know the M1A is a design that is a generation or two older than these. I believe this is why the AR style .308's are taking off so well right now.

I do know lots of guys DO NOT like the current plastic stocks of the Springfield Armory Inc. M1A's, so I'd suggest you stay away from those.

The M1A is a classic design though, and even with the new production models that Springfield is putting out, you can get a fine rifle with a lot more character than a "Black Rifle" .308

Hope this helps.

A couple of years ago I did a trade and came home with a M1a. It came with a laminated Boyd's stock that I found awkward to shoot having a huge wrist to it. Replaced it with a birch M14 stock from Fred's and like that much better. It's weight and being semi-auto make it soft shooting. I'm told they're very accurate but can't vouch for it as I'm a pretty poor shot with a rifle. There's a couple of tricks to cleaning it. Youtube has some excellent videos on the subject. I like it and my AR would definitely go before the M1a.
On the subject of owning a AR and a M1a, a ex-Marine friend of mine told me " I want to shoot a M14, I want to carry a M16". I now know what he means.

The M14/M1A is my personal favorite battle rifle bar none.

IMO you cannot compare an M1A to an AR15 as they are two different beasts that do not supplant eachother as much as supplement eachother.
As stated the M16 platform is a lighter weapon system firing smaller lighter ammo which is usefull at closer ranges and high volume firefights where the M14 platform is the more powerful and accurate system especially when enhanced by optical systems at longer ranges.



IMO its kinda like comparing a .38 snub Airweight to a .44 Mag ... each has its own advantages,

Bottom line IMO is the M16 can carry 3X more ammo for urban warfare and spray N pray shooters where the .308 needs just one well placed shot from a trained marksman and his spotter.

I won a contest and bought one along with 13 x 20 rd mags and all the accessories when I was in college. I kept it around until 2004 or 2005. It was not particularly accurate, heavy, and prone to catch on things.

I suppose while there are different variations of the M1A/M14 with different levels of performance inaccurate examples exist in all wepaons platforms although IMO the M1A/M14 has a general reputation of being a very accurate and dependable platform when the shooter does his part.
The larger cartridge does seem to assist in its superior performance at distance when compared to the smaller 5.56 mm arms.

I don't shoot ours nearly enough. A great rifle!

I have a SA M1A and also a LRB M14. Both are great rifles. The M1A is all GI except for the operating rod and the LRB is all GI except for the barrel.

Cleaning is similar to any other rifle except for the gas cylinder. I have a set of handled drill bits especially for the piston cleaning.

To remove the operating rod, I can only say you often have to hold your mouth just right for it to come off��

As a match shooter in NRA High Power Rifle matches (Service Rifle) I have worn out 5 barrels in mine...a good fiberglass stock works very well, but I still prefer a good wood stock on it.

The biggest problems with an M14/M1A format is that they are addicting! Mine is currently running an Obermeyer 5R barrel and with iron sights and my replicant of M852 ammo it will put 20 rounds into about 2" group at 200 yards over a rest.

I haven't fired it on the 600 yard line yet, but would expect it to stay around a 1 minute or so gun back that far with quality ammo.

This format needs to have some special care given to any reloading and the means to measure a number of things like a head spacing micrometer, case gauge, and powder of the right burn rate (IMR 4895 and very similar) otherwise you end up with bent op. rods....they are not cheap anymore...

Did I mention that they are addicting? Probably the softest shooting .308/7.62 NATO cartridge in the industry....

Some will say that there is no way and auto loader with compete with a bolt gun.....they forgot to tell MY rifle that it cannot compete!!

Randy

PS. Get one and have a blast!!

Had one 50 years ago, but Uncle Sam wanted it back when I came home. Great rifle.

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de minimus non curat lex

I've owned numerous M1A style rifles; SA Inc., Fed Ord, Norinco/Poly Tech, etc, etc. and even an NFA Class 3 re-weld. I would like to try an LRB sometime.
IMO, down side is it's not as easy or cheap to scope. I do like the gun and find it fun to shoot though. And even with all the options available, (some work better than others in my opinion) eg; Sadlak mount or Troy sopmod rail system if scoping to Sage EBR chassis/stock, which are all quality enhancements IMO. I still prefer a nice oil finished walnut stock. I also prefer the full-length rifle or shorter scout/squad to the 16" socom version.
ETA:
IMO, if wanting to go old school cool, outfit a full-size rifle with an E2 stock and M2 bipod to have an early type SAW copy.
ETA again:
Who remembers the Ruger XGI? Basically a mini 14 grown to M14 size and chambered in 308

If I remember correctly the rifle I had came with a little tag saying something along the lines of expect 3.5 MOA. Which is within spec for a service grade rifle off the rack, but may disappoint some users. The fine tuned rifles are likely better. Whether that comes at the price of reduced reliability, I do not know.

Started with one in the Army and still have one. Last of the wood and steel battle rifles. Modernized M1 Garand and very similar. You can pick up a Garand cheaper and once you learn how to load it,about the same rate of fire. Way more potent than AR's in 5.56.

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Hue 68 noli me tangere

I love the M-1A. I have two. They are an expensive weapon with expensive parts. One might as well buy a SCAR -17, though I'm sure parts are harder to come by.
If money is tight, the AR-10 type is a cheaper option.

I have never had any sort of malfunction with it. Definitely not a match grade rifle. And It was tough and costly to get it set up properly for glass. Finally I got it set up pretty well though.

If I was going to do it all over again. I would likely do something different. There were not as many options in 1993 as there are now.

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Between us, with overlapping fields of fire, we could own the night!!



IDF Sniper version, very neat story behind this particular run of M1As. Maybe I'll tell it sometime.

With a 6x scope on mine I can shoot under MOA all day long using Hirtenberger surplus ammo.

Whle USGI parts are scarce and expensive there are plenty of aftermarket parts to do any upgrades you want on the rifle.

bob

simply my favorite long gun i own. easy to clean, crazy reliable/durable, parts are everywhere, and 20 round box mags from checkmate industries are like 20 bucks. mine gets boring to shoot on steel at 500 yds. i have the scout in synthetic with a leupold 1.25-4x vrx patrol optic on it. love, love it. i also have a mini 14 with the long flash hider so it looks just like its big bro... do yourself a favor, if you're gonna mount an optic, get the sadlac mount.

Rick - I have owned two, a NM model, and a regular standard model, both w/wood stocks. Still have and plan on keeping the standard model, as it shoots about as well as the NM did.

Couple things. It is easy to clean the rifle and gas system. You can remove the action from the stock, but really shouldn't that often. It is a tight fit, and that is what contributes to accuracy in these rifles.

Factory Springfield magazines are expensive. Use Check Mate mags instead. They are the company that makes them for Springfield, and they sell at about half the price as the Springfield marked ones. Avoid others, as they usually don't work well.

Use a quality scope mount. I like and use the "SWAN" mount by ARMS. It is also the official military mount. SADAK, and a couple others also work well. The $69.00 aluminum ones don't.

A cheek pad, like pictured on mine helps when using a scope, as these stocks are not really designed for scopes.

My rifle is a solid one inch gun with ammo it likes, and has proven reliable with a wide variety of reloads, commericial, and surplus ammo. It is one of my favorite range rifles.

Larry

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I bought the National Match some years ago. I like wood stocks. Bassett low mount for scope and Bradley cheek rest.
The iron sights are great as well.
Privi Partisan is good ball ammo.
My favorite rifle.

Bought my first, a new Loaded M1A, this April and I could not be happier with it. It has proven to be extremely accurate and 100% reliable, I should have bought one years ago.

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Don't kiss smiling dogs!

I have a great fondness for the M1A type rifles.



The top one was my first. Bought it used about 15 years ago. Federal Ordnance M14A. Very early gun with Fed Ord receiver and all G.I. parts. Its been an excellent and reliable shooter and just as accurate as any G.I. issue M-14.
It came with one of the Boyd target stocks on it. As someone mentioned, it is a large, bulky and heavy stock. It was pretty but never really practical. So some years ago I replaced it with one of Springfield's composite stocks which I like a whole lot better.
As far as the wood vs synthetic stock debate: wood is nice, but synthetic is a little lighter and doesn't warp. JMHO.

Picked up the Socom 16 about five years ago. The short length makes this a very agile and fast handling rifle. Perfect for the CQB role.

Got the Scout/Squad just a few months ago and this has quickly become my favorite of the three. The best of both worlds. Able to reach out to 200 yards or more while still being very quick to maneuver and easy to carry.

A big +1 on Checkmate Magazines. They are the makers of Springfield and current military issue M-14 mags. Top quality at half the price.

Rack grade m1a/m14s normally shoots 2-3 inch groups at 100 yards with good surplus ammo.

My standard grade m1a will easily stay under 1 1/2 inch at 100 yards with my best handloads and that is with a HR GI barrel. My standard grade LRB with a standard commercial chrome lined barrel will normally shoot around 1 3/4 inch groups with my best handloads but not all the time.

I need to get busy and starting up all my surplus ammo before I get too old or worse and someone else gets to shoot it up😀

Joe

Last week I had myself talked into spending $2,500 on one.

Then I read about how you're not really supposed to take them apart, some other issues they have, and thought about how little I get to go out and shoot the guns I already have, ammo prices, room in the safe....

By the end of the day I had talked myself back out of it. There are a lot of other things I can do with $2500.

So I booked a week stay in a beachfront cabin at Bellows AFS in Hawaii in May, when I'll be pretty tired of the rain here- six days at $75 a day = $450, airfare (if I don't take a free hop), car, foods, and I'll still have most of that money left.

I still want one, just don't see it right now.

After a 7 day vacation its fuzzy memories and pics , After buying the M1A your left with a lifetime of fun times and shredded targets....Just IMO...

+1
After visiting the islands years ago courtesy of the USN, I'd opt for the M1A too.

I have had a Squad Scout for about 6 months, the first, M1A I have owned. The iron sightsmare the BEST ever put on a rifle. Adjustment is fast, straightforward, and easy. Softest shooting .308 I've ever shot. Cleaning is straight forward. I've only shot the South African ball ammo through it, and it was acceptably accurate. I plan on hunting with it at my earliest opportunity.

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Even older, even crankier....

Staying in the cheap cabins...eh. Go to Pearl commissary, buy your food, cook in the cabin, BBQ out back, save even more money.

I usually go in Oct or Nov, when it is cold on this side of the state.



bob

I've had one for many years. I did the best at NRA Highpower Matches
with it. Also shot a 1917 Enfield, an M1, and an AR clone.
Health problems finished off my rifle matches but I still have the M1a.
It was last used in competition by my youngest son. He shot it in a three
gun match along with a .45 auto, and a pump 12 gauge.

It is my most consistently accurate rifle. Also easy to make accurate
reloads for it using Winchester 147 grain pulled bullets, LC '68 brass,
H4895, and CCI large rifle primers.

Mine came with a plastic stock. I traded for a birch stock later. It shoots just as well with
either. For the three gun match mentioned above I put the plastic stock back on.

I picked up a norinco M14S checked it out and she's good to go. Great platform for the build. These can be found reasonably priced $1,200. There forged receiver and barrel plus the chromed lined bore and chamber.
The only downfall is the m1a/m14 are heavy.

But the Russian Izmash Saiga ak/akm in 308 w/16" barrel is the one you want for a plinker/shooter. Very accurate. The dependability and reliability is off the charts.
Using surplus south African 308 ball ammo with no scope at 100yds she shoots 1 1/2" groups. Surplus ammo? Very light weapon.

Found this National Match Model at a LGS a few years ago. Shoots 1/2 MOA with match ammo and reloads.

Shot a 451 at the local cmp last weekend with my out of the box loaded. this is at 100 yards prone slow fire. 200 yard simulated target

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I bought a Springfield SOCOM back when I was working overseas. It is a great shooter. Wouldn't want to hump it far anymore. But I'd prefer it if the stuff hits the fan.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I've got a Scout model and it is one of my favorite rifles. It would be the one I'd grab in a pinch for sure.

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Brad

They were the new "Wonder Rifle" to replace the old 30-06 M-1 that we had..........

The 20 round clip was nice, lighter was good, full auto option was good but......

The blueing job was not the best, they rusted pretty easy, the butt plate was usually being first on the list.
Spent plenty of time with the star gage rod, putting the flash depressor back in line. Some even got loose enough to get shot off!!
The old John Wayne step on the rifle and over the wall trick did not work........... stock too weak and would crack.
We gunnies had a little joke about the rife.
"Made by Matel, their swell"............... but they were a nice improvement in fire power and accuracy was good if the barrel did not get over worked.

Never wanted one for the house, though.

I've always loved the M14-M1a looks, to me it looks like a true battle rifle along with the FAL. I don't shoot mine enough.



I prefer the wood stock for the classic looks but poly has its advantages as well. Cleaning IMO is easier than a AR and simple.

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Isaiah 41:10

Carried and qualified with an M-14 in boot camp, loved it. Aside from the accuracy issue, (if I could see the target, I could hit it), the other two issues GF points out were two of the reasons the military transitioned to the M-16. To the question. I'd love to get an M1A, but they're way out of my tax bracket. Saw one yesterday at the Selfridge AFB base exchange, $2800. Till I hit the big one, I'll have to muddle thru with my M-1 Garand.

The M14 was the answer to complaints about the M1. Springfield added a higher capacity magazine, lightened the stock, and improved the gas system; everything that the GI needed to fight another European war against the USSR/Warsaw Pact nations. No one foresaw the coming "brush fire" wars to be engaged in jungle settings.

Springfield Armory, with its close relationship to D-O-D, produced great traditional weapons, but never really thought "outside the box", something that Eugene Stoner was doing.

IMHO, the best development was the AR10 platform; lot's of firepower with the 7.62mm NATO cartridge, and short enough to work in tight spots.

My next long gun.

Little off topic and not to hijack but after reading some on the subject of the M14 and the testing of the AR10 along with the T48 (FN-FAL), although a fine weapon, IMO politics may have come into play in adopting it as our MBR.

Bought a SA M-1A Super match in 1985. Kept it until 2000. Bought it back in 2002. What does that tell you?

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SSG Ret.
TN & TX ARNG 66-06