Springfield M1A buying advice

[Sistema1927]

I have wanted an M1A for the longest time. In High School ROTC we were issued M14's, same with two years of Military Science in college. As a result, I am intimately familiar with the platform.

Up to now, I haven't wanted to pay the going rate, having other rifles to fulfill my requirements. But, recently, I have had the urge to add an M1A to the stable.

I want the 22" full size with walnut stock. I can get the Standard for about $1650 OTD, and a Loaded for just under $200 more. It is not my intention to use it for competition, just a rifle to take to the range from time to time and use for whatever need crops up.

In this case, is the difference in the price warranted? Am I really getting an improved rifle going with the loaded version?

 

[pantannojack]

I fired thousands of rounds over the course in both M1G, and later M1A. The M1A at first was just a plain jane Springfield , all standard parts, and would not come close the accy of my bedded and rear lugged M1G. So off to a local smith for a match grade standard weight bbl and bedding job. Much better but only to 300yds. Next project was to put a medium wt bbl on it, in a MacMillian stock welded rear lug on the receiver, and unitized gas system, a ball clicker 1/2 min windage sight up grade and eccentric rear sight hood. Then open up the Flash Suppressor exit hole. Now I got something here. When I put it away it would hold X ring (5" dia at 600 yds. My last match fired was 2001 at Ben Avery. the M1A bested all the AR 15s, and the M1A's of the Camp Pendleton Rifle team who showed up for the EIC leg match.

In my opinion get the best one you can afford, yes the extra 200$ is most likely worth it.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

For the 12% extra it would foolish not to. I would try to get the "Loaded" at a lower price.

Ivan

 

[jdlii]

Great advice so far. Mine started its life as a brand new SA National Match model. It appeared to be accurate enough for someone starting out as a Marksman but, it wasn't until it was rebuilt by the armorer with the TN NG AMU unit that I found out what a correctly built M1A was capable of doing.

This rifle took me to a Master qualification and is now on its third barrel. I switched to bolt action match rifles and now shoot an AR match rifle. Get the best one you can afford and I wouldn't shy away from a rifle built by a competent M1A smith.

A correctly built and tuned M1A can do whatever you want it to do and then some. Don't forget to use the best ammo you can buy or load. Have fun and good shooting!

 

[Fishinfool]

I've owned two, a National Match bedded in wood, and a standard model in wood. I found, with my two examples, both were equally accurate, at least out to the 300 yards my local range offers. Both wore optics. Both under 2 inches at 100 yards with most M80 type ball ammo, and about 1 inch with good ammo.

Sold the NM for a lot more than I paid, and kept the standard version. R/E the loaded VS standard - I believe the difference is the better sights and I think a heavier SS barrel. Not sure what else. Sounds like a smart upgrade, having a possibly better barrel, and better sights if you are an iron sight shooter.

If you get one, and decide to scope it, read up on different mounts for the M1a, they are not all equal. I have had good luck with the ARMS Swan mount on mine.

Larry

 

[rockquarry]

I'd like to have one of these, but a scope really seems ot ruin the looks, and it makes the gun more cumbersome, like a handgun with an optical sight of any kind. With proper targets for the intended range, these guns should shoot very well at extended distances with the out-of-the-box aperture sight.

 

[MSD2343]

I’ve owned the Standard M1A since 2013. I just bang a 9 inch steel plate with it at 100-120 yards, so it’s fully adequate for my needs. Still on the original barrel with about 8k rounds downrange, and it’s been very reliable thus far. Recently replaced the extractor and sometimes the rear sight gets loose and slips on recoil. Overall, very happy with it.

 

[Krogen]

I have wanted an M1A for the longest time.

Up to now, I haven't wanted to pay the going rate. . . .

If you are an NRA instructor or RSO, you can get a reduced price directly from Springfield Armory. I bought an M1A Loaded from them a few years ago. It was the best price I ever saw for a new M1A Loaded. Admittedly, it was a slow process, but they eventually made it happen. I submitted my credentials, gave them my FFL's information and it was shipped without any difficulty; other than waiting.

For what it's worth, I've bought several items through the NRA instructor discount program. It's not well-publicized, and the website is nonop at times. But it's worth the effort and results in nice savings.

 

[robvious]

I have only had M1A NM.. 3 so far.. still have 2 of them.. one is a full competition built one.. way more accurate than I am... but I can rock an X ring at 600 yards with it.. open sights.. have never used a scope... if you expect high accuracy, I would save up for National Match... it will likely be what you remember it should be... and have a blast whatever you decide

 

[rockquarry]

I’ve owned the Standard M1A since 2013. I just bang a 9 inch steel plate with it at 100-120 yards, so it’s fully adequate for my needs. Still on the original barrel with about 8k rounds downrange, and it’s been very reliable thus far. Recently replaced the extractor and sometimes the rear sight gets loose and slips on recoil. Overall, very happy with it.

That's a lot of shooting with any centerfire cartridge. Have you seen any deterioration in accuracy?

Handloads or factory ammo? Favorite load?

 

[MSD2343]

That's a lot of shooting with any centerfire cartridge. Have you seen any deterioration in accuracy?

Handloads or factory ammo? Favorite load?

Actually no, but that’s probably because of the nature of my shooting. I don’t shoot paper, just the steel. So if I “ring the bell” anywhere on the 9 inch plate, that’s a bullseye for me. I just went over 10k rounds on my Mini-14 with a mix of 5.56 and .223 and all the same applies. I don’t do much rapid fire at all and never do “mag dumps.”

 

[five 0]

I have only had M1A NM.. 3 so far.. still have 2 of them.. one is a full competition built one.. way more accurate than I am... but I can rock an X ring at 600 yards with it.. open sights.. have never used a scope... if you expect high accuracy, I would save up for National Match... it will likely be what you remember it should be... and have a blast whatever you decide

Springfield Armory INC has discontinued the M1a National Match.

 

[Engine49guy]

My take on it is slightly different ,
I LOVE my M1A's, I shoot them for fun on occasion, don't need glass bedded lug welded accuracy for shooting tin cans.

My recommendation is to do some research, the M1A has had some runs that are less desirable because they used non milspec parts and some that used left over USGI parts which are more desirable as an investment.

 

[Sistema1927]

Well, for better or worse, I have ordered a Loaded (MA9222). The difference between it and the Standard (MA9102) was exactly $177. Guessing that the 4.5# trigger, and 1/2 MOA windage rear sight instead of 1 MOA, along with the NM barrel will be worth the extra.

 

[Duckford]

Springfield Armory INC has discontinued the M1a National Match.

What for? They don't want or need a rifle inbetween their new "loaded" and Super Match?

Spent the money to get an M21 and it is as good as it gets.

 

[MSD2343]

?Handloads or factory ammo? Favorite load?

Usually use Serbian-made PPU M80 147 grain ball ammo, only cuz it’s cheaper than most and I’m not doing any type of sharp shooting.

 

[five 0]

What for? They don't want or need a rifle inbetween their new "loaded" and Super Match?

Spent the money to get an M21 and it is as good as it gets.

Click on the link. This is all they offer, if you want a NM or M21 you have to have it built.
M1A™ Series Rifles - Springfield Armory

 

[Grayfox]

A couple of years ago I fell into a really great deal on a used standard M1A. I sent it back to Springfield and had the National Match package installed and still came out a couple hundred cheaper than buying a brand new NM rifle.
Bear in mind that the M-14 was a combat weapon. The Springfield M1A is built pretty much the same. About 3-4" at 100 yards is normal for a standard rifle with mil-surp ammo. If you want accuracy, you gotta pay for it.

 

[TheTinMan]

If you are willing to spend the money, LRB makes an “M14” variant with a scope rail built into the receiver. Fulton Armory also will build you a semiauto M14.

I have a Springfield Armory Scout rifle. It took a fair amount of tweaking and selective parts replacement, but I was able to get it to shoot consistently under 1 MOA at 100 yards with handloads. I replaced the stock forward mount with an Ultimak front rail and mounted a Leupold FX-II IER 2.5x Scout scope on it. I have lower 1/3 co-witness on the iron sights through the scope. It’s a very handy setup.

 

[NFrameFred]

One of the few I ever had to sell - regretted it before and after. Always tried to keep 'gun money' separate from 'regular finances' and thus made it more or less self-sufficient for always trading up.

A national match that was laser accurate . . . picked up for a bargain and shortly afterwards they (for some reason) seemed to become harder to get and quite a bit more expensive (Clinton ). Fast forward a few years . . . A season of reversals, and two kids in college at the same time with tuition due . . . gotta do what ya gotta do . . . I sold it to a local lawyer who had been lusting after it for what it was actually worth (instead of what I had in it), thus assuring I would likely never be able to afford to buy it back . It's only "stuff" . Get it if you can and enjoy for your time - it all eventually ends up belonging to someone else anyway and ultimately winds up in a scrap heap.