Springfield M1A1 M14 or Other Brands???

TheHobbyist

TheHobbyist

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Like the title says, I am considering buying one.

Thoughts?

Experiences?

Pictures?

Initially, a friend's POF 308 semi auto caught my interest, but i'd rather have wide access and availability to parts, et cetera.
 
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Having had most of the different makers and variations it is a no brainer, go with Springfield. It only costs a little more to go first class. If they still offer the loaded one that's what I would get and never look back.
 
I was looking at loaded model, and was told it was a good starting place but would need to be modified.

I can't imagine spending that much on a gun expecting to work on it.

I think the guy was just blowing steam.

If I were to get one I think I'd go with the scout squad.
 
I would buy a Springfield, Springfield or Springfield. Oh, wait...I did.

I have a SA Super Match that I have worn out 4 barrels and am on my 5th in NRA Service Rifle matches. Usually a Krieger or Douglas barrel, this time I bought an Obermeyer 5R and what a tack driver it is!!

The only other reciever I would consider is a Smith Enterprises (maybe it is Industries).....truly a mil-spec and then some reciever. Seems like the Smith reciever is either a lugged or double lugged but I could be wrong on that.

Randy
 
I shot a Springfield M1A Match in service rifle competition from 1985 through the mid 1990s when I switched to an A2.

I sold it to another shooter and wish I hadn't.
 
National match if you can...

Springfield NM if it is in your price range... I have had 3... still have 2... traded the 1979 model for a Sig Sauer 716... just hard to beat hitting a 18" diameter steel gong at 600 yards with open sites... if you can see it you can hit it with a Springfield NM... highly recommend it... you won't regret it at all...
 
My only M1A is a 1990's Springfield Armory National Match rifle. Standard walnut stock, NM barrel, trigger group, rear sight. Excellent shooter, far better than my Social Security eyes can fully appreciate anymore. Much better than any of the TRW or Winchester M14's I used while in the Army back in the late 1960's and early 1970's (although I did fire a perfect score during basic training rifle qualification with a rifle that had been through the hands of so many trainees that it sounded like a bucket full of nickels in a railroad boxcar when you shook it!).

Overall, I still prefer shooting the M1 rifles. ODCMP turned me into a Garand junky years ago! Can't seem to quit buying them.
 
If your looking for a great M1a then look no further than a SEI. These rifles are built on a Smith Enterprise receiver and are all top quality. My $0.02
 
There was a young man , friends with my son and daughter who had a 16"BBL black plastic stock SA SCOOM maybe. I pulled the trigger on it one time ...and hit what I was shooting at (at quite a ways off..the youngsters thought it quite the shot). I would go with the Springfield
 
LoboGunLeather said:
... I did fire a perfect score during basic training rifle qualification with a rifle that had been through the hands of so many trainees that it sounded like a bucket full of nickels in a railroad boxcar when you shook it!.
Click to expand...
You had my rifle from 1964. I recognize the rattle and the smooth bore!
;>)
Seriously, when I was issued a new one later, like the others said, I felt like I could hit anything I could see and often as not did.
Only reason I don't have a Springfield now is it feels really heavy to my arthritic bones and it's too expensive to shoot the way I'd like to.
 
Mine is a early Springfield armory. By serial number it's one of the last receivers made in Illinois, TRW bolt, H&R trigger group, Winchester barrel (dated 12/61), Wico(?) sights and a S.A. op rod. Came in a Boyd's laminate stock that I didn't care for at all. Sits in a M14 stock from Fred now.
I shoot it 2 or 3 times a year. It's nice, I'm just not much of a rifle guy.

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The bottom two are Springfields of course. But the top rifle is an early Federal Ordnance M-14A.
The Springers are outstanding. The Scout/Squad is my favorite as I think its the perfect balance of size and power.

The old Fed Ord rifles can be a real bargain IF you know what to look for. The early rifles, like mine, were built on an excellent quality receiver with everything else being U.S.G.I. surplus M-14 parts. These rifles are just as good as any military issue M-14 ever was.
However, as time went on, the supply of surplus parts dried up. Fed Ord stated mixing in some Chinese parts until the last ones were all Chinese. The late Fed Ord rifles were just plain junk.
The only way to know is to field strip the rifle and check. G.I. parts will all have the makers name (initials) and/or a military part number. Chinese parts are unmarked.
IF you can find one of the all G.I. guns, you can have a fine rifle for much less than other brands. ;)
 
I have a Springfield Armory M1A National Match, walnut stock with the parkerized national match barrel. I love it, but due to arm injuries, I can't shoot it as a service rifle like I use to. Up front, I will clearly admit that I look at rifles from a competitor's perspective, it has to be accurate, or it won't be in my inventory.

I have 2 Garands, one is an '06, the other a MkII in 308. Given my druthers, I would take the M1A over the Garands, perhaps it is because of the time I spent shooting M21s. Don’t get me wrong, but I can shoot the M1A better at a 1000 yards than I can a match tuned Garand.

Concerning the CMP Garands, I was in shock when I saw the M1s in the CMP North store while I was at Perry for Long Range this year. Chromed demilled Garands were in the $400 range, rack/service grade M1s were selling for about $1200. M1Ds without rings or a scope were listing at over $3000. I believe you can get a match tuned M1A for less than a rack grade Garand. Please accept the fact that I am selectively cheap when it comes to firearms. I am also jaded, since I believe that my first DCM Garand was $128. Today's prices just put me in shock.
 
Springfield Armory, Inc. went through the same process, they built their own receiver and then used USGI parts for the rest of the rifle. As time went by, the USGI parts were depleted and S.A. Inc. tooled up to make their own parts or bought from outside contractors.

They are very nice rifles, still, and carry a great warranty that they stand behind. Great service if you ever need anything. If you are not a serious high power match shooter, a new one from S.A. Inc. is probably the way to go right now.
 
Springfield M1a - Accurate, hits hard, fun rifle to shoot. What's not to like? Mine shown in the pic is a solid 1 inch, or slightly less shooter with ammo it likes, 5 shots at 100 yards.

If you buy one, look for Check Mate magazines. Used by the military, they are the same manufacturer who makes the Springfield marked mags sold by Springfield, just at half the cost directly from Check Mate.

Larry
 

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