Springfield M1A comments

[bobsguns]

I had one I bought in 1981 for some reason. I'm strictly a hand gun guy as was my friend who also bought one but we got a good deal so we went with it. It was fun to shoot but expensive to reload. Couldn't use cast bullets either. We also didn't have a good place to shoot them except for the local gun shop out in the country about 30 miles away. Not only that it was the last time my friend and I would ever go out shooting together. I only took it out 3 times and put 300 rounds through it. The last time I must have not cleaned it thoroughly because twice it went fully auto on me. Just two rounds apiece but enough that it got every ones attention. I took it home, cleaned it well this time and never shot it again. I put it away in it's black "tactical" gun case in the back of the closet.

Virtually impossible for full-auto due to no cleaning, IMO. Sounds like a hammer/sear engagement issue to me. Easily fixed.

 

[bobsguns]

Then I lost all interest; never found the attraction to these guns that others seem to enjoy.

What rifles do you still shoot? Accuracy & small groups don't float your boat? mag dumps at close distance on shaken coke cans don't float your boat? An AR covers every single need on a rifle, IMO.

 

[Tazman11]

Great rifles. I have a bunch cause I like them. For a truck gun, get a SOCOM. They have a 16” barrel (vs. an 22”) and a muzzle break instead of a flask hider. I do like the older ones better and Gunbroker is filled with selection. You can pick them up for $1400-1600. Springfields come with a lifetime warranty. Since you are not a collector or match shooter I wouldn’t worry about UsGI parts or collectable features. Just find a good deal. I would suggest a wood stock vs the plastic that the new ones come with. If you want to talk more, send me a DM with your phone number and I’ll give you a call. These beat ARs for a lot of reasons and the politicians don’t try to ban them.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Trained on the M-14 in BCT in 1967, keep saying I will get an M1-A "someday".

 

[rockquarry]

What rifles do you still shoot? Accuracy & small groups don't float your boat? mag dumps at close distance on shaken coke cans don't float your boat? An AR covers every single need on a rifle, IMO.

I don't have a "boat to float". I shoot everything but semi-autos, mostly accurate bolt-actions. I also do a good bit of cast bullet work. While accurate, my ARs didn't shoot quite as accurately as my New Ultra Light Arms rifles, my heavy barrel .308s, my .222s and maybe a few others. "Mag dumps" at close range (or any range) have no appeal for me, nor does overheating a barrel. ARs can be fired faster than bolt-actions, but I have little need or want for fast. The AR I prefer over my other two is the A4 version with fixed stock, 20" barrel, and aperture sight. Just can't see the alleged advantage of a 16"(?) barrel on a long gun. I found ARs to be "niche" guns rather than versatile ones.

I tried about ten factory ammos right after purchasing my Colt ARs. Aside from two expensive match ammos, I found the bulk stuff to be a waste of time and money if you want something accurate. My handloads have been far better. For those who like to shoot cheap factory bulk ammo or handloads lacking adequate load development with accuracy being a secondary factor, ARs may be among the best choices, though I do know mine shot accurately with the right handloads.

 

[Neumann]

I have an M1A Scout rifle, with a 16.5" barrel. On second thought, a full 24" version would be better, or at least more accurate. The Scout version is pretty good in the accuracy department, but relies on a compensator to provide the necessary back pressure for the gas port. This makes it really loud for shooters on either side. I've used a variety of factor and reloaded ammunition without any failures. At 8.5 lbs, the recoil is mild but it's a hunk to carry. I would prefer a nice lever gun for backup in big bear country, such as a .45-70 (the recoil is NOT mild).

 

[rockquarry]

I carried an M14 for six years in the Marine Corps in the 60's, so I'm very familiar with them. I own a model of every U.S. infantry rifle from the 20th Century, and the M14 is my favorite, and of course the M1A is the civilian version of the M14. I'm down to four M1's at the present time, but I own two M1A's, a National Match and a Standard. When I feel like shooting a "real rifle", I'll take one of the M1A's out of one of the safes and go do some serious shooting. These days, both of my M1A's are more accurate than I am, but in the past I've shot 1.5" five shot groups from the bench at 100 yards with both of them, with the proper ammunition.

Hope this helps.
Fred

Thank you- that's where my interest lies.

 

[JimFr]

I bought a NM version way back in 1974 . . .
When the American Rifleman published its’ article, I high-tailed it up to my local dealer and ordered it!
(I can’t prove it, but, it was probably the first M1A sold in my part of western Connecticut!)
Elmer Ballance made mine, consisting of ALL Ordnance parts (except the receiver, of course!)
Used it for years in competition . . .no problems, ever!

 

[jdh]

never found the attraction to these guns that others seem to enjoy.

For many of us the answer it quite simple, familiarity. Our uncle invested a great deal of time and effort teaching us to shoot and care for them.

 

[erikpolcrack]

I've had one of the standard ones for more than thirty years. Love it. Shoots great and is totally reliable. The week I got it I took second in a DCM leg match. Narrowly beaten by a former member of the Sixth Army Rifle Team. I shot the best target of the day (sitting position, 20/20 ten ring).

 

[rockquarry]

For many of us the answer it quite simple, familiarity. Our uncle invested a great deal of time and effort teaching us to shoot and care for them.

Quite familiar with the guns, but they are not for everyone.

For the 2018 GUN DIGEST, I wrote a feature length article, "A Beginner's Primer on the AR15". I was curious about ARs but my curiosity has been satisfied. I spent six months learning all I could about these guns, then, after the familiarization process, spent another six months with a continuance of group shooting, and fine-tuning from the handloading aspect. All this included firing of much ammo including factory and well-developed handloads, disassembly, cleaning, etc. Fired countless groups. Never fired fast or found a need to, just not appealing to me.

I can converse fairly well on Colt ARs, but suspect the many copies aren't much different. One goal in my article was to use the guns as they came from-the-box: no gadgetry, no add-ons, modifications, etc., except for sights. I put scopes on two guns and a rear sight on the Expanse which came from the factory without a rear sight.

Those are my minimal "familiarization" credentials; hope you find them adequate and that's not intended as a smart or arrogant remark. Your comments are appreciated as are all others.

 

[rockquarry]

I've had one of the standard ones for more than thirty years. Love it. Shoots great and is totally reliable. The week I got it I took second in a DCM leg match. Narrowly beaten by a former member of the Sixth Army Rifle Team. I shot the best target of the day (sitting position, 20/20 ten ring).

Thanks; I'm not a competitor, but I enjoy developing and improving my shooting skills. Sound as if you've gotten very good, satisfactory service from your standard model.

 

['79 Magnum GT]

Virtually impossible for full-auto due to no cleaning, IMO. Sounds like a hammer/sear engagement issue to me. Easily fixed.

Ok, I'll take your word for it. I'm not a rifle guy especially with a semi auto like the M-1A. I just assumed it was improper cleaning. That was 40 years ago so......


Rick

 

[Bob Smalser]

Still the greatest service rifle extant, IMO. What impressed me most about the rifle in 1969 Basic Training was is between-the-hands balance akin to a fine shotgun. Making a target rifle out of it with heavy barrel and oversize stock spoils that, so consider what want out of it before buying. The stock 22" barrel remains the best length for an all-around field gun, and you won't have any problem hitting at 600 yards with a stock rifle. I competed with them on Army teams until I retired and have built or rebuilt several. Their reputation has diminished since Chinese rifles appeared, but the guy who can do magic for you with todays' available parts is my friend Ron Smith of Smith Enterprises.

Home - Smith Enterprise

Leader in weapons upgrades for over 40 years

www.smithenterprise.com

 

[rockquarry]

Still the greatest rifle extant, IMO. What impressed me most about the rifle in 1969 Basic Training was is between-the-hands balance akin to a fine shotgun. Making a target rifle out of it with heavy barrel and oversize stock spoils that, so consider what want out of it before buying. The stock 22" barrel remains the best length for an all-around field gun, and you won't have any problem hitting at 600 yards with a stock rifle. I competed with them on Army teams until I retired and have built or rebuilt several. Their reputation has diminished since Chinese rifles appeared, but the guy who can do magic for you with todays' available parts is my friend Ron Smith of Smith Enterprises.

Home - Smith Enterprise

Leader in weapons upgrades for over 40 years

www.smithenterprise.com

Thank you. I've used Unertl scopes for decades and still have three. However, I'm surprised they would hold up well when mounted on an M1A.

 

[Bob Smalser]

Thank you. I've used Unertl scopes for decades and still have three. However, I'm surprised they would hold up well when mounted on an M1A.

These kick the snot out of scopes, so I thought I'd try a spring-buffered one.

 

[jdh]

Quite familiar with the guns, but they are not for everyone.

One goal in my article was to use the guns as they came from-the-box: no gadgetry, no add-ons, modifications, etc., except for sights. I put scopes on two guns and a rear sight on the Expanse which came from the factory without a rear sight.

I have two with scopes. One is a 24" stainless full heavy barrel that was my prairie dog gun when I lived out in west Texas and a 20" medium weight barrel that is strictly a range toy. One 16" has a light (with red filter) for coyotes in the hen house. Everything else are KISS versions that have only a carrying strap if anything at all. I do prefer an A1/A2 upper opposed to a flat top with detachable carry handle, less things to loosen up/fall off.

In the interest of full disclosure, while I have "carried" and trained with the AR family for more years than I care to admit I have never had to fire a shot in anger with one.

 

[rockquarry]

These kick the snot out of scopes, so I thought I'd try a spring-buffered one.

My experience: even with the recoil spring, moderate to heavy recoil is still hard on the scope. However, the US military did use Unertls in WWII on '03 sniper rifles. Apparently they held up under recoil, or they may have required frequent re-zeroing.

 

[Tracksidewrong]

I have had a Springfield loaded model for almost 20 years. It does have the Springfield INC bolt, I have put a tuned GI trigger group in it, glass-bedded it in a G.I. birch stock and unitized the gas cylinder and have a Sadlak TiN coated piston in it.

This rifle is one of my most favorites in my collection. I've probably put 6,000 through my over the years. I did have to send back in because the barrel was over indexed and I had to crank in 16 clicks out of 32 of left windage to center my groups. But it shot just fine other than that, and Springfield fixed it for free. I also broke a firing pin once, replaced that myself. Other than that, it has been completely reliable.

Everybody that has shot it has enjoyed it, and it's just a pleasure for me to shoot.

 

[LVSteve]

There was a big craze on M1As here in Vegas about 15-20 years ago. No idea what kicked it off, or the PSL craze that followed it, except that PSLs were much cheaper back then.

My buddy has (had? I'll have to ask) one, but I don't think it has been fired in years. I recall he said it was heavy, recoiled a lot for heavy gas-operated gun, and a it would be a bear to fit a scope. I'll try and remember to ask him about it.

Another former coworker had the 16" version, and his only comment was that it was LOUD. He was always accessory mad so he probably doesn't do your kind of shooting.