Springfield M1A buying advice

[sipowicz]

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.

The Scout along with the LRB Tanker are my favorite M1As. Also look the coolest.

 

[chief38]

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?

As I do with most items I buy, I get what I want the first time or I am forever kicking myself in the butt for buying a cheaper item and trying to settle. Get what you want - sacrifice the $200 in a less critical area.

 

[Hair Trigger]

The "Loaded" version uses a National Match barrel and the rear sight has finer adjustments than the Standard. For $200 it's worth it. The walnut stock is made by Boyd's for Springfield and is a nice piece of wood, sometimes you get lucky on Loaded models and will get one with nice "personality". The finish can be pretty plain and dull, but is easily spruced up with some work. Here's my Loaded model as I bought it and what it morphed to over the first couple of years. It is an excellent shooter out past 800 yards.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Fantastic rifle!

I've had this "MIA Loaded" since 2016. I lusted after an M1A since Springfield first released them, but had a hard time justifying the expense. I almost hate to say tell you this, but it didn't cost me a penny! My son manages several local gun stores/ranges, and manufacturers give points to gun store employees based on their gun sales. My son got this rifle with points, and gave it to me for my birthday. I was a dumbfounded, totally surprised, and lucky Dad! Actually, he had originally given me a Standard M1A but asked me if I would swap that one for a new Loaded version. He wanted to trick out the Standard and didn't care for the Loaded one. Duh! I'm kind of old school, and prefer blued steel and walnut. What a superb rifle! National Match barrel, sights, and trigger group. Outstanding accuracy right out of the box. If you have the extra $, I would highly recommend the M1A Loaded. Good luck! Enjoy.

 

[Sistema1927]

My Loaded is supposed to arrive at my dealer tomorrow. My wife has day surgery that day, and she might need some help at home on Thursday, so I am guessing that it will be in my hands on Friday.

 

[Sistema1927]

With the rifle incoming, I made a check of my inventory of ammo. Pleasantly surprised to find 2 unopened cans of Australian F4 ball on stripper clips in bandoleers (200 rds. per can, 1988 manufacture) as well as an unopened Portuguese FNM 80-2 battle pack of 200 rounds tucked away in the "ammo closet". Price stickers still on the cans, and I paid $39.99 each.

Throw in a couple of hundred rounds of Israeli IMI in 20 round boxes, and a couple of boxes of .308 hunting ammo, and I am almost getting there. Just to be certain, a 500 round case of GGG ball is incoming from SGAmmo.

For mags, 3xCMI 20rd and 5x20rd Taiwanese (for range use) are also on their way here. GI web sling will be delivered today.

 

[Hair Trigger]

.... and a couple of boxes of .308 hunting ammo,....

Be very careful what you feed your rifle, I'd stay within the surplus military stuff. Too fast a powder or too hot a load can and will bend or destroy your operating rod, and/or the bolt.

 

[boykinlp]

My Loaded is supposed to arrive at my dealer tomorrow. My wife has day surgery that day, and she might need some help at home on Thursday, so I am guessing that it will be in my hands on Friday.

I have a couple of questions. Are these only available at MSRP or is the price negotiable? And, how long did it take you to get your rifle after ordering? Thanks.
Larry

 

[Sistema1927]

I have a couple of questions. Are these only available at MSRP or is the price negotiable? And, how long did it take you to get your rifle after ordering? Thanks.
Larry

I ordered from Gallery of Guns, and used the gun genie to get a quote from several gun stores. It was less than MSRP. I was given quotes from three stores, one of them was a couple of bucks less than the one I chose, but he is a store that I regularly use.

I ordered Sunday night, and it is scheduled to be at my dealer tomorrow, so three days.

 

[Krogen]

Be very careful what you feed your rifle, I'd stay within the surplus military stuff. Too fast a powder or too hot a load can and will bend or destroy your operating rod, and/or the bolt.

Actually it's too slow of a powder than can damage the gun. You need the chamber pressure to come down quickly enough so the pressure at the gas port isn't too high. Slow powder can keep port pressure high.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Actually it's too slow of a powder than can damage the gun. You need the chamber pressure to come down quickly enough so the pressure at the gas port isn't too high. Slow powder can keep port pressure high.

Thanks. I knew it was one or the other. I only shoot my reloads in mine and stay with a single powder (H4895) and one bullet weight (158 grain, either Hornady Match or Sierra Match King). When you find something that works well, why change?

 

[MSD2343]

Actually it's too slow of a powder than can damage the gun. You need the chamber pressure to come down quickly enough so the pressure at the gas port isn't too high. Slow powder can keep port pressure high.

The M14/M1A design is much less prone to this problem than was its M1 Garand predecessor. The M14 op rod was redesigned to eliminate the weak spot that was prone to bending on the Garand op rod. And the M14's gas system is designed to vent out excess gas above what it needs to cycle the rifle. Unless modified with an aftermarket adjustable gas plug, the Garand has no way to vent excess gas pressure.

Unless you're using commercial.308 ammo that pushes the highest limits of the cartridge, you should be OK.

 

[Hawg Rider]

I tend to buy Prvi Partizan ammo for my rifles, whenever I can find it (Selway Armory, SG, AmmoSeek, etc.). I really like their .30-06 Springfield 150 gr. M1 Garand and 7.62x51 NATO.