Any M1A owners?

[DMTWI]

Just looking for some info. on this rifle from current owners, basic stuff like how you like it, feel it's worth the money, etc...This just happens to be one the guns on my 'list' to own, so my search is starting. I won't be going to Camp Perry to shoot, just the local range so I'm sure the basic standard model would do just fine. So, any comments, suggestions, pics of your rifle from you guys/gals would be much appreciated.

[nothingness]

I had 1 and gave it to my brother. Very accurate and fun but I wouldn't want to tote it around too far. Mine is walnut stock, added scope and mount, hellfire, harris bipod and use side beside 30 round mags. These addons put on some extra weight too. It's definitely worth the money if you're looking for fun and accuracy. But just the twin 30 round mags full of .308 probably weighs a few pounds. I gave him the ok to trade it, he wants a Socom II.

[boricua9mm]

I love my M1A, and consider it to be the finest rifle in my personal collection. Some things to know about Standard M1As that you may or may not already know:

• Expense. Everything about these rifles is expensive. The rifles themselves, the accessories, and the ammo are in high demand these days, and all these things fetch a premium.
• Accuracy. They have the best iron sights out of anything I've ever fired. I like small apertures, and the M1A sights fit the bill. With a scope, I have obtained 3 shot groups about 1-3/4" with regular ammo (Federal and Remington 147 & 150 gr FMJs) at 100 yards. Most ARs will shoot better groups out of the box, but they are poodle-shooter ARs . I love my AR, but for shooting long distances, the .223 doesn't make any sense. I have no problems consistently hitting 12" steel plates at 575 yards (usually windy conditions at my range) with the M1A, and when the bullet gets out there, it still has some juice behind it!
• Optics. If you want to mount a scope, rail solutions are EXPENSIVE. The most popular side mounts that are worth a damn are the ARMS, Sadlaks and Smith Enterprise, and you'd better come with your checkbook open, or your credit card out! I lucked out and bought one of the Smith Enterprise Weaver mounts for $105, but that deal is long gone. Don't even waste your time on the Springfield mount. It places the scope way too high, and it doesn't hold zero very well. Some have reported problems adding a scope mount to a Springfield rifle, but I have a couple of friends with M1As, and NONE of us had any issues installing a properly aligned mount. I think it was an issue some time ago, and it keeps getting repeated over and over on the web. Hence the bad press on scoping a Springfield. If you put a scope on an M14 type rifle, you'll likely need a cheek rest of some kind. I use the BlackHawk tie down version. I like it and have no complaints.
• Ammo. It is EXPENSIVE as hell these days. I am paying around $0.50 a shot. Military Surplus has gone up significantly in price, to the point where it is wiser to use new, commercial production ammo instead. The Springfields are chambered to safely use either the 7.62x51 or .308 ammo. No, they are not the same. Common knowledge with these rifles is that you should not shoot a lot of heavier ammo. By heavy, I mean 180 grainers. Apparently it can destroy the operating rod, and almost everything on the M1A is expensive to replace. I stick with 147 or 150 grain for the range. Match ammo is typically 168 or 175 grain. That should be fine for the rifle, but for some reason, 180 gr is bad juju.
• Stocks. There are aftermarket stocks available, but to the tune of $600+. They are awesome stocks, no doubt, but with my means I can't justify that expense for a new wonder-stock. Do some thinking about what kind of stock you want, and order the rifle with it already on it. You don't want to have to pay another $100 down the road because you prefer the wood look over the synthetic, or vice versa. Wood and synthetic have different characteristics, of course. I prefer the classic looks and handling of a Walnut or Birch stock. Some say that the Synthetic stocks are less prone to warping /changing with different climates. That may be true, but down here in central Florida, it is either 70 or 100 degrees. not exactly a lot of variation.
• Mags. When i got into AR15s, we didn't have all these new-fangled plastic mags. The rule was to "stick with USGI" and so I did. Never had a problem. The same holds true for the M14 pattern. The current manufacturer of USGI mags is Checkmate Industries, and they are quality mags for a great price ($25-$30). Some of the FAL and G3 guys may scoff at the cost of these mags, but I guarantee you those guys own pistols that the mags cost the same, if not more . Don't waste your time on anything that isn't USGI. Checkmate now makes 25 round mags, but I don't think they'd work well with a bipod. The 20 rounders are good enough for me.
• Parts. Springfield is currently building rifles with a mix of USGI parts and their "own parts" which are made by Wayne Machine in Taiwan. A lot of internet folks claim that non-USGI parts in these rifles are garbage, yet I've not read of any reports of these parts breaking. The barrels are Springfield Armory, Inc. and not USGI. They are also NOT chrome lined, if that matters to you. To me, it doesn't. I clean my rifles after each range trip, and I won't be using it in a Southeast Asian jungle. A lot of folks badmouth Springfield, but SAI seems to be selling every rifle that comes out of the factory. They are in demand, and they are fully backed by the company.
• Warranty. SAI rifles come with a lifetime warranty. If anything breaks or if you have any problems, send it back. Springfield is hailed as having some of the best customer service in the industry. To me, the warranty is peace of mind. I could have bought a Norinco or Polytech, but if something were to happen, I'd be screwed paying to ship it and fix it. With Springfield, I don't worry about that.

Hopefully that helps you out a bit on your quest. I am no expert on the M14 family by any means, I am just relaying what I've learned by owning and shooting these fine rifles. For the enthusiast's forum, visit http://www.m14firinglineforum.com

Here's pics of mine, but they were taken before I got the cheek piece:

[DMTWI]

Thanks for the info. you guys! I'm looking hard at the Standard model right now, would be nice to find a used one and save a couple bucks but I'm not counting on it. The .308 / 7.62 chambering & ammo had me a little confused at first. But it sounds similar to my AR, chambered for 5.56, so I can shoot .223 also but not the other way around. So, if you have a 7.62 chamber you shouldn't shoot .308, correct? Or is it the other way around?

[boricua9mm]

Originally Posted by DMTWI

The .308 / 7.62 chambering & ammo had me a little confused at first. But it sounds similar to my AR, chambered for 5.56, so I can shoot .223 also but not the other way around. So, if you have a 7.62 chamber you shouldn't shoot .308, correct? Or is it the other way around?

Correct. SAI has found a happy medium for headspacing that allows safe firing of either cartridge, which is mighty nice of them . It takes the headaches away from worrying about finding, buying, and shooting the exact cartridge stamped on the barrel.

Unlike the 5.56 NATO being hotter than the commercial .223, the 7.62 NATO operates at a lower pressure than the commercial .308 WIN. More on the headspace & pressure differences here: http://www.thegunzone.com/30cal.html

[DMTWI]

Originally Posted by boricua9mm

Correct. SAI has found a happy medium for headspacing that allows safe firing of either cartridge, which is mighty nice of them . It takes the headaches away from worrying about finding, buying, and shooting the exact cartridge stamped on the barrel.

Unlike the 5.56 NATO being hotter than the commercial .223, the 7.62 NATO operates at a lower pressure than the commercial .308 WIN. More on the headspace & pressure differences here: http://www.thegunzone.com/30cal.html

Great, thanks for the link and your help on this!

[Need For Speed]

You mean one of these?

[DMTWI]

Originally Posted by Need For Speed

You mean one of these?

Ok, now that is just not fair! Now if you wouldn't mind letting me test one of those just to make sure it's what I really want, or sell me one at a discounted price for a fellow XD forum member? But really, that is a very nice collection you have there. I'll be happy enough just to get one to start off with.....

[Need For Speed]

They are great rifles!

This is a gun by the way...

[Ishpeck]

Originally Posted by Need For Speed

This is a gun by the way...

PEDANT!