Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

[Maestro Pistolero]

Serial #0427xx, walnut, GI model, like new condition, possibly unfired. (It's been in a safe for the past 18 years)

What should I expect to pay? I think I can get it for 1,100, maybe 1k.

 

[NoExpert]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

That's a smoking price, grab it.

 

[Metonymy]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

^^^what he said^^^

I'd snatch that up in a heartbeat.

 

[Maestro Pistolero]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

What does the serial number indicate, if anything about the gun?

Also, it comes with four mags from the same period.

 

[NoExpert]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Maestro</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What does the serial number indicate, if anything about the gun?

Also, it comes with four mags from the same period.
</div></div>

Means it was made between 8/87 and 10/87. You can call SA Inc. and give them the SN and they can tell you how it left the factory and exactly when.

Pre 94 SA Inc. rifles are generally of a little higher quality. Not saying they won't have commercial parts but the workmanship assembling them was better.

 

[Maestro Pistolero]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

Thanks. I'll see it Tuesday. Anything to look out for? It's coming from a good friend who was a dealer for years. It was something he grabbed along the way but never shot it. I believe he is the second owner.

I had a polymer-stocked, plain GI in the mid/late nineties. The first and only time I ever competed, I took 2nd place in 'masters unclassified' in a DCM match with it up against 17 other newbies.

I sold it for $850 during hard times. It was a sweet shooter.

Don't get me wrong, my AR obsession is in full tilt, and I love 'em, but I never quite got over parting with that rifle, or my fondness for the M1A. Looks like I can get over it now!

Appreciate the info.

 

[dbsinh2o]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

I'd be all over a mint '87 for 1K. That one will be mostly USGI parts, which is a cut above what you'll be getting today.

Good luck.

 

[JTinIN]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

There was a recall on some of the very early SA M1As for the op rod or something along these lines ... a friend had one that was never send in that I got from him a few years back.

Need to do a Google search, as don't have the info in front of me now (will check tonight).

Good Luck

 

[dbsinh2o]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

There was a bolt recall in 1987. If it has one of these, they'll still replace it - but you may need to send them the rifle...


Springfield Armory, Inc. issued a recall of M1A bolts in 1987. The recall applies to M1A bolts marked as follows: 1) no numerical or alphabetical characteristics on either the top or back of the bolt (completely unmarked) 2) any bolt with any numerical or alphabetical markings at all on the back of the bolt 3) any bolt with the top marked 7790185 and with SA RRR centered below that number 4) any bolt with the top marked 790185 and with SA centered below that number. If the reader has such a bolt, contact the Customer Service Department at Springfield Armory, Inc.

 

[samnev]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

Great price but check the bolt as it seems it was made during the recall period.

 

[kraigWY]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

Wonder what a 1977 version serial # 00086XX would be worth?

It was converted into a Super Match by Gene Barnett (barnet Barrels).

Not that I would consider selling it.

 

[Maestro Pistolero]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

I will finally see the rifle tomorrow. SA says the serial number of the rifle alone is not sufficient, they need a number from the bolt itself to determine if it is subject to recall. If it is, they will take care of it.

Getting kind of excited to see this thing.

 

[N2rockets]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

That sounds like an incredible deal! Even if you had to buy a new bolt, but it sounds like SA will take care of it anyway! \

+1 on grabbing it. Post pics!

 

[JFK52]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

That would be a good deal, depending on the condition of the rifle. I bought my early National Match M1A for $500 way back in the day. It is one rifle that has earned the right to be a life time keeper.
If you can get any accessories; magazines, ammo, sling, etc thrown in all the better. Keep us posted.

 

[Maestro Pistolero]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

Well, the rifle is in near 100% condition. It appears unfired. No wear that I can see on the internal or external finishes at all. I don't think the bolt has even been cycled much and the finish on the hammer is even nearly new.

The only thing I can spot is the plastic/fiberglass(?) hand-guard/barrel-cover (or whatever it's called) has 2 short, tiny hairline surface cracks that could be difficult to notice without very close examination. As if it's brittle from age.

The stock, receiver, barrel, gas-block/FS, rear sight, <span style="text-decoration: underline">everything</span> appears absolutely brand new and pristine, except for the aforementioned surface cracks on the hand-guard.

I can keep it for $1,100.

 

[Maestro Pistolero]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

By the way, I seem to recall (from 12 years ago with my 1st M1A) keeping a little grease on the bearing surfaces of the receiver and op-rod.

What grease do you all recommend I use for that?

 

[Maestro Pistolero]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

Short video clips of the rifle:
1987_M1A_clip 1
1987_M1A_clip_2
1987_M1A_clip_3

 

[MK14 SEI]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

Those old receivers with 7.62mm stamped on them are nice.

 

[bricktop]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Maestro</div><div class="ubbcode-body">By the way, I seem to recall (from 12 years ago with my 1st M1A) keeping a little grease on the bearing surfaces of the receiver and op-rod.

What grease do you all recommend I use for that? </div></div>

Lubriplate 130A

 

[Maestro Pistolero]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bricktop</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Maestro</div><div class="ubbcode-body">By the way, I seem to recall (from 12 years ago with my 1st M1A) keeping a little grease on the bearing surfaces of the receiver and op-rod.

What grease do you all recommend I use for that? </div></div>

Lubriplate 130A </div></div>Thanks. Is that a hardware store item, or Midway/Brownells?

 

[bricktop]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Maestro</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bricktop</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Maestro</div><div class="ubbcode-body">By the way, I seem to recall (from 12 years ago with my 1st M1A) keeping a little grease on the bearing surfaces of the receiver and op-rod.

What grease do you all recommend I use for that? </div></div>

Lubriplate 130A </div></div>Thanks. Is that a hardware store item, or Midway/Brownells? </div></div>

I haven't looked in any hardware stores for it. Got my can at Brownell's. Midway doesn't seem to stock it.

 

[bryanZ06]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

Nice find.

 

[Maestro Pistolero]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bryanZ06</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Nice find. </div></div>Thanks, I can't believe my luck. I just ordered a cheap, big red birch stock from Fred's so can relax about dinging the original.

I thought I might screw a short length of P/rail where the forward sling mount is for a Bipod, unless someone has another suggestion on how to do this.

Also, from my AR background I prefer side-mounted sling swivels. Thought I might do the same thing with a short rail on the front left side of the stock and on the rear off-side of the buttstock for sling swivels.

Any suggestions about whether that might work?

I don't plan to do too much but shoot it. I am thinking just a bipod, trigger job, sling and mounts, and a scope.

Alas, the dreaded scope mount decision. Boy, they ain't cheap for an M1A, are they? Are the gen 4 Springfield mounts any good?

Thanks, everyone, for the feedback and support.

 

[JRB]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

You might want to look at the Bassett scope mounts. I love mine.

 

[NoExpert]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

A couple companies make rail sections with and without the swivel built in just for the M1A. They take some fitting but work very well.

As for side mount swivels, I've seen it done using T nut inserts inside the stock and milling a flat on the outside for the swivel. The rear swivel mount you'd want to make sure you got the screws between the storage holes so they have lots of wood to bite into.

There are a lot of scope mounts out there... Personally I don't recommend any made by SA Inc. Is this going to be a mount/scope you plan to take on and off regularly or is this going to be a scoped setup? Reason I ask is if it's going to go on and off I'd recommend the Bassett low picatinny mount. However if this is going to be a primarily scoped setup I'd recommend the Sadlak Airborne mount. You'll also need a cheek riser, no escaping that with the M14/M1A unless you like a chin weld. Since you're already drilling holes and modifying the stock I'd recommend the DWP kydex riser. It has two bolts that go through the stock so you can adjust it via two thumb nuts. However, and this goes for about any riser, it'll probably interfere with mounting a swivel on the side of the stock. You may want to move that swivel up to where it's on the side just under the heel of the receiver and also use T nuts on it.

Sounds like you're going to have one heck of a project just doing your few changes to the stock. Keep us updated. Hopefully you get your stock before next year, Fred is slow.

 

[Maestro Pistolero]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

Great info, thanks. I won't hold my breath waiting for Fred to ship. I will just look look at this as a 2012 project, so I will have plenty of time to make decisions. DWP is a great site for M14s. I had to bookmark that one.

Meanwhile, the stock rifle looks awfully nice. I'm really enjoying the old-school charm of the thing.

 

[JFK52]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

+1 on the recommendation for the Sadlak scope mounts. I have the titanium model on my M1As and love it. Plus Sadlak has great customer service. The short picatinny rail is the way to go for your bipod also.

 

[Maestro Pistolero]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JFK52</div><div class="ubbcode-body">+1 on the recommendation for the Sadlak scope mounts. I have the titanium model on my M1As and love it. Plus Sadlak has great customer service. The short picatinny rail is the way to go for your bipod also. </div></div>That titanium mount is very nice, but pricey, huh? I like the looks of the Airborne as well. I suppose either, properly mounted would hold zero, no?

BTW, Anybody got a link for short lengths of p/rail that would work for this? Are there any made specifically to screw to a flat surface or will they all do that?

This site is awesome.

 

[NoExpert]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

Sadlak makes a very nice rail that mounts where the swivel attaches.

The weight difference between the Airborne and Titanium models is 2.1 oz. If you're really worried about the weight, run aluminum rings that weigh about half what steel rings do. I'll be running TPS aluminum rings with my new scope (about 4 oz.) instead of Badger Ordnance steel rings (9.3 oz.). I love BO rings but my rifle is already heavy enough without adding over a 1/4 pound to it.

 

[Maestro Pistolero]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

I've got some Titanium Night Force rings that came with the NFX 3.5-15 FFP that I put in Larue Mount for my AR10. I suppose they would work if I go with a 30MM scope.

Any difference in the ability of the Airborne mount vs the titanium Sadlak mount to hold zero?

 

[NoExpert]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

No difference, only cost and 2.1 oz. The steel Sadlak uses is the same as the receiver and hardened to the same specs. All their mounts are rock solid.

The 20 MOA extended rail on my LRB M25 is made by Sadlak and the quality is top notch (despite the fact I had it chopped up for me). I also have their extended mag release, their gas system tools and two of their rare hollow NM op rod spring guides. Mike and Dee are good people to deal with.

 

[gdsf2]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

Nice!

 

[samnev]

Re: Have a chance to buy an old M1A . . .

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kraigWY</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Wonder what a 1977 version serial # 00086XX would be worth?

It was converted into a Super Match by Gene Barnett (barnet Barrels).

Not that I would consider selling it. </div></div>

4 years ago I sold one serial #75xx for $1400 in about an hour after posting it. I kept my 2 Devine Tx ones. 1 National Match one factory Class III.