Springfield M1A comments

[Mongo Safari]

Receiver is Springfield and bolt is marked “TRW” on the top. Never loaded it, fired it or even removed the trigger tag which is still attached. Will just continue to keep it in the box for now!

Lee Emerson published an article about rifles in the serial number range of the one I have:

"042201 to 063000 This is the serial number range that I refer to as the Golden Age of the M1A. The receiver design had fully matured by this time. The receivers were hand finished by the original designer and master craftsman, Melvin Smith. Springfield Armory, Inc. was awash in USGI parts during this period. Thus, factory built standard model M1A rifles in this serial number range were built with a very high USGI parts count."

My M1A came with a Winchester 1968 dated barrel, everything else seems to be SA.

 

[MAUSER888]

I own a Scout and a full size with ss barrel. They are fun to shoot!!!

 

[Hawg Rider]

If you're looking for a military style rifle, you can't go wrong with an M1A. Very accurate and dependable, and very well made. Of course, they are pricey but you get what you pay for! I'm not sure why, maybe because I grew up in the 50s and 60s, but I've always preferred steel and wood (rifles, handguns, and shotguns). My son has managed gun stores for quite a few years, and as such can accumulate points from selling firearms for different manufacturers (including Springfield). He surprised me a few years ago by presenting me with a brand spankin' new M1A Loaded for my birthday. It blew my mind! It's a beauty, and a joy to shoot. Yes, it's heavy and it's long, but if you're just shooting at the range it's fantastic. I recently put some rounds downrange with my 1942 M1 Garand and my M1A and 200 yards wasn't even a challenge with iron sights! Shooters at the monthly CMP and military rifle matches at my local gun range reach out to 600 yards with no problems. Springfield also makes the M1A in more compact versions such as the SOCOM and Scout Squad if you ever wanted something more like a "truck gun". If your budget allows, I don't think that you would be disappointed with an M1A, and from what I've seen, they hold their value. Good hunting!

 

[Riposte1]

I have an M1a from the mid 70s, it has all standard GI parts but a commercial SA reciever - it is not a NM but it is a tack driver.

It shoots so good I don't post the results (with handloads) because people would think I'm "stretching the long bow"!

I also have a SOCOM 16 - not because I wanted one particularly, I would have rather had a Squad Scout - but one came up cheap and so I bought it right before the AWB (I doubt it was covered in the AWB but all semi auto were going up fast).

Yes it is loud but I can stand it inside a live-fire indoor shoothouse when I'm wearing hearing protection - I keep a set of electronic ears by my bed - and will use them IF i have time.

The SOCOM was not nearly as accurate as the oringinal M1A but it does OK giving 1.5 MOA with US ball using iron sights.

I also was the Armorer/Instructor for our SO for 30 years - we got in 4 M14s and I found a switch in the parts drawer and put it on the one I was assigned - I did not not because I'm a great fan of full auto but to show the deputies it is practically useless in Civilan law enforcment. That said, I could keep a magazine full with all hit landing the A-zone of an USPSA Silhoutte target at 10 yards and under - something I cannot do with a Ruger AC-556 or M-16 - both of those fire too fast.

I zeroed all four of our M-14s with WRA-68 ball - every one came within 1.5 MOA and a couple some better.

Just Ramblin

Riposte

 

[Inajeep]

I own 2 M1A's a standard model with wood stock and just acquired a loaded precision. Have not shot the newest one yet. My question is what is a good scope for the loaded? On the standard I installed a Hi-Lux Leatherwood, I have a ATN day/night X-Sight 4k Pro scope. Just curious, as side note I sold a Scout Squad tp get a Ruger Red Label, kind wish I held on to it.

 

[Riposte1]

I own 2 M1A's a standard model with wood stock and just acquired a loaded precision. Have not shot the newest one yet. My question is what is a good scope for the loaded? On the standard I installed a Hi-Lux Leatherwood, I have a ATN day/night X-Sight 4k Pro scope. Just curious, as side note I sold a Scout Squad tp get a Ruger Red Label, kind wish I held on to it.

How you scope it would depend on what you intend to do with it.

I have a Lyman 4X alaskan in a mount for mine as well as a 10X Leupold in another mount - unfortunately they both have to be zeroed every time I take them off and put them back on. Normally I leave them off.

I have a Burris 3X EER scope in my SOCOM 16 and it stays there.

I have another "M-14 style" rifle - it is a Chinese knock off I bought for $300 - I shortened the barrel to 16.5" and fitted a Fred's synthetic stock - it actually shoots OK (not great).

I sorta like the M-14, but I like Garands as well!

Riposte

 

[Hair Trigger]

I've had an interest in these lately, but know almost nothing about them. I'm not a warrior, don't want one for defense or an end of the world situation and don't suffer from paranoia. I don't want a "truck" gun; not exactly sure what that is and I'm not going to buy a truck. I enjoy shooting at paper targets. I'm not much for gadgetry or aftermarket stuff and these rifles look horrible with a scope or other optics, like most military-type rifles do. What are your thoughts on out-of-the-box accuracy, handloading, favorite bullets, powders, etc?

I was inquiring about Springfield M1A's. Are these not considered decent rifles?

They are very decent rifles. You'll find that the M14 crowd is a very dedicated and sometimes gung-ho bunch. Many who own them shoot a lot of matches with other guys shooting the same rifle and it is very competitive. I think it's the best looking of all the battle rifles and I think its popularity is partially linked to that.

If the Springfield Armory version is what you want, get one. They come in several grades, there is the Standard, the Loaded, and the Match/Super Match. For the money, the Loaded is the best value, IMO. It has the National Match barrel and sights, but not the hooded rear sight, although it does have the 1/4 MOA adjustments. BTW, "M1A" is a Springfield Armory copyright brand name, the type is still the M14 although civilian guns are semiauto only. A lot of guys will get a fake selector switch and stock to make it look like the M14, but for a range gun it's not necessary.

I have a Loaded model, out of the box it shot pretty consistent 1-1/4 MOA. I bought mine new in 2013, and gave $1350 for it, which was less than the going price at the time. I had seen it on the rack at a fairly small gun shop inside a hardware store and it had been there well over 6 months. The guy sold it to me for what he had in it because he wanted to move it and I paid cash. They aren't inexpensive rifles.

I don't think they look horrible with a scope, it's all what you like and what you want to do with it. I put a Millet 6-25x56mm scope on mine and shoot as far as 800 yards with it, with accuracy better than I'm capable of (meaning it shoots better than I do). I've used milspec 147grain steel core ammo in it, but there are ranges that don't allow steel core. I only shoot my own reloads now. The M1A is fairly sensitive to bullet weight and velocity, 155 is as light as you'd want to go and 178 is the heavy side. I typically use 168 grain Sierra Match or Lapua Scenar bullets, once-fired Lake City brass and H4895 powder at 41.5 grains. Hot loads can break the op rod and damage the bolt (actually blow it out), so pick your ammo carefully, there are factory .308 loads too harsh for the M1A.

I'd also recommend this book to help you learn about them and keep yours in good condition.

 

[Tabby Lynn]

The AK 47 was never a 600yd rifle... The sights and trigger were not ever going to make hits at 600. and it was never designed for long range. it was an Assault rifle with a 300 meter battle zero designed to shot if full automatic (why the first position on the selector level after safe was full)

Some are shooting 30-30s out to 600, accurately. Take you prize AK out to the range and give it a shot at 600, it probably will surprise you providing you know anything about longer (not long) range shooting with iron sights.

 

[dusty3030]

A 4 to 6 MOA rifle at the rifle range is something to scoff at from behind the bench. Standing behind the target frame on the other hand you come to respect it rather quickly.

 

[zeke]

I have an M1a from the mid 70s, it has all standard GI parts but a commercial SA reciever - it is not a NM but it is a tack driver.

It shoots so good I don't post the results (with handloads) because people would think I'm "stretching the long bow"!

I also have a SOCOM 16 - not because I wanted one particularly, I would have rather had a Squad Scout - but one came up cheap and so I bought it right before the AWB (I doubt it was covered in the AWB but all semi auto were going up fast).

Yes it is loud but I can stand it inside a live-fire indoor shoothouse when I'm wearing hearing protection - I keep a set of electronic ears by my bed - and will use them IF i have time.

The SOCOM was not nearly as accurate as the oringinal M1A but it does OK giving 1.5 MOA with US ball using iron sights.

I also was the Armorer/Instructor for our SO for 30 years - we got in 4 M14s and I found a switch in the parts drawer and put it on the one I was assigned - I did not not because I'm a great fan of full auto but to show the deputies it is practically useless in Civilan law enforcment. That said, I could keep a magazine full with all hit landing the A-zone of an USPSA Silhoutte target at 10 yards and under - something I cannot do with a Ruger AC-556 or M-16 - both of those fire too fast.

I zeroed all four of our M-14s with WRA-68 ball - every one came within 1.5 MOA and a couple some better.

Just Ramblin

Riposte

Recutting the muzzle crown on the Socom owned gave an immediate and noticeable accuracy improvement. Standard steel cutter didn't work on the very hard barrel steel. Next big improvement came from installing standard peep and front post, depending on your use preference.