M1A G.I. parts vs Non GI...Does it matter?

[PHARO]

Looking to purcase an m1a I have noticed people tend to prefer gi parts over the newer parts. It also seems that the rifels with gi parts bring higher prices..

So why is that and is there any difference in quaility between a new m1a with no gi parts and say one 15 years old with all gi parts.

 

[toolmaker]

Re: M1A G.I. parts vs Non GI...Does it matter?

Being a long time M1-A owner i will say that i prefer G.I. parts over commericial parts. The G.I.parts were forged and were held to very strict tolerances as compared to the cast commercialy made parts. There is realy nothing wrong with commercial parts,they work for their intended purpose. They just dont have that special Mojo that G.I. parts do. Many M1-A owners are purists and want their rifle as G.I. as possible.All four of my rifles are all U.S.G.I. except of course for the receivers.

 

[MK14 SEI]

Re: M1A G.I. parts vs Non GI...Does it matter?

The one M1A that I owned was built with nothing but reproduction parts and just about all of them with the
notable exception of the barrel and receiver were replaced with USGI parts under warranty because they failed.

Over the years I've learned to trust USGI, some Norinco/Poly Tech and all SEI parts.

 

[Scottso]

Re: M1A G.I. parts vs Non GI...Does it matter?

Springfielsd Armory had a period that their parts were not up to par, GI parts are always up to par!

 

[dmg308]

Re: M1A G.I. parts vs Non GI...Does it matter?

M-14s are violent guns stick with GI or buy lots of spares.

 

[PHARO]

Re: M1A G.I. parts vs Non GI...Does it matter?

So if you could by a m1a loaded that is two years old and has 250 rounds down the barrel would you buy for 1200?

 

[thecontract]

Re: M1A G.I. parts vs Non GI...Does it matter?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: PHARO</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So if you could by a m1a loaded that is two years old and has 250 rounds down the barrel would you buy for 1200?
</div></div>
I would in a new york minute. I've shot M1A's and M14's years ago, and <span style="text-decoration: underline">I</span> never had problems with the sa parts. Still own a couple, 1 with all usgi and 1 with sa parts.

 

[Prairie Dog Dundee]

Re: M1A G.I. parts vs Non GI...Does it matter?

The round count on my SA M1A NM is only just over 1200. I have had zero malfunctions, none, nada. It does not have GI parts. I believe if it aint broke don't fix it. Having said that I have one of the CMP GI parts kits on order for spares.

 

[toolmaker]

Re: M1A G.I. parts vs Non GI...Does it matter?

I have owned M1-A's since '82 and i have only seen one commercial part that has actually failed. It was a cast SAI hammer, it failed after about 3000 rnds. I have also seen G.I. parts that have failed, hammers and op rods. I dont care who made it parts can and will break. Yes, even parts made by the allmighty SEI can fail.

 

[tracer]

Re: M1A G.I. parts vs Non GI...Does it matter?

Generally forged USGI parts in a rifle bring a higher price. The USGI parts are harder and will last longer. Most cast parts are adequate and wont give you any trouble. There have been issues with the cast bolts , hammers and a few others. If the rifle is cheap enough you can replace parts as you go along. Aftermarket parts from the likes of Sadlak and Smith Ent. are quality and can be used if there what you want.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: M1A G.I. parts vs Non GI...Does it matter?

I think it's a matter of personal preference. Some folks are simply more 'purist' than others.

I used an M14 in 'Nam, and gave it relatively tough usage. Never had a malfunction that was serious enough to recall at this late date; so USGI parts are clearly satisfactory to my limited knowledge.

I also owned a S/A 'loaded' stainless M1A, New In Box. Not sure what origin the parts were, never really looked, and I shot it a lot with handloaded ammo back when I was learning my handloading skills.

Yeah, I could make it fail, but the failures always turned out to be screwups on my own part, and not the gun's. It's my personal opinion that if you can make a part fail on an M14/M1A, it's at least as much your fault as the part's.

When I do model airplane design, failure is part of the design process, and little more than an opportunity to improve the design. I think the basic Garand/M14/M1A design is well beyond that part of the process.

Greg

 

[MK14 SEI]

MOJO

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think it's a matter of personal preference.
Some folks are simply more 'purist' than others.</div></div>

I have to agree... both of my MK14 SEI rifles run on USGI parts stamped with the same three letters, TRW.
Each set of TRW parts have about 2K thousand rounds on them, many of witch were suppressed.
I have not experienced a single failure.

I bought into the whole TRW MOJO thing back in 05/06 and invested in some MOJO.
It was not cheap, but unlike the lousy reproduction part's Springfield Armory, Inc. used
to assemble the new in the box Scout purchased in 01... these USGI parts have not let me down.

BTW, I plan to shoot my new M14 EBR-RINM-SEI rifle often this year starting
this fall. My goal is to put about 2K rounds through her before 01.01.11. Some
rounds will be suppressed. Note: this rifle will utilize a TRW bolt, a Poly Tech
trigger group and an op rod made in China or maybe one Made in the USA.







Also, what do new in the wrap TRW bolts, op rods and trigger groups sell for today?

 

[samnev]

Re: MOJO

Ive seen to many non GI parts fail on the M1A. Fortunatlely both of my Devine, TX rifles have all GI parts and are going strong after 30+ years of use.

 

[MK14 SEI]

Re: MOJO

Devine builds are the Holy Grail of old school M1As.
I bet your pair is sweet.

 

[cal50]

Re: MOJO

USGI parts= known quality. Aftermarket parts is a crap shoot.
Some good and some bad.

I purchased my M1A back in the early 80's and GI parts were not hard to find nor expensive compared to today's availability. Given a choice between two like rifles I would prefer the USGI part one over the "other" parts category. It's too bad many real M14's were cut up and tossed. Idiots....