M1A Jamming

R

RampantAndroid

Private
Minuteman
Mar 29, 2011
7
0
38
#1
Hi all,

Just got a new M1A last week, brand new from Springfield armory...

Firing it the first time it both jammed and failed to extract a round on more than on occasion running abourt 80 rounds through it...when I got it home, I noticed that if you pull the opertating handle, it will sometimes jam open - without the bolt lock being engaged.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBTY25Z8cVU

Sometimes pulling the handle again like I did there releases it right away - sometimes pulling the handle will not release it, and I eventually resort to just smacking the gun with my hand, causing it to release. Now, I've not cleaned it yet...is this just dirt somewhere? Or did I end up with an M1A that needs to go to a gunsmith DESPITE being brand new?

Thanks!
RA
 
#3
Re: M1A Jamming

Don't know about it sticking open, it could be a number of things. A few years ago i bought a new SA rifle that would fail to extract and the extractor would rip through the rim off the case. Upon inspection it had an extremly rough chamber. You could see the machining marks had not been polished out. It had to go back to SA 2X before I got it back with a decent chamber. Sad how poorly the $1600 was finished.
 
#4
Re: M1A Jamming

The bolt lock does not appear to be working properly in the video. Check for a short or missing bolt lock spring. The bolt lock is the small "catch lever" on the left hand side of the receiver. You should be able to lock the bolt to the rear by pressing in on the bolt lock. To release the bolt, pull slightly to the rear on the operating rod handle and let it fly. That's the way it should work.
 
#6
Re: M1A Jamming

Betcha the op rod is binding somewhere

OR

Grease it up, shoot a shitpot full of rounds through it to loosen things up (assuming it is new)
 
#7
Re: M1A Jamming

All good advice.

Different??? Whazzup with you, man...you know everything about 14's. No answer???

I own several. They come ungreased from SAI. Grease and only grease is the proper lube. Above vid from Tonyben is good. Only shortcoming not a lot on greasing roller. That sucker has to be greased properly to work.

You can buy a bolt roller greaser or use a .45 cal shell. If you don't have a .45 cal shell...why the hell not? Go buy one cause you need one. Every swinging dick needs a .45.

Pack the greaser or shell with PLASTILUBE (tetra and lubriplate ok too) and force that shell/greaser onto the roller and keep pushing until grease oozes out the inside of the roller. That's how you clean it, too. Force the gunky stuff out and in with the new.

Lube the op-rod spring, too.

Put couple hundred rounds through it and might loosen up. SAI has great customer service. Send it back if you want. They'll take care of it.
 
#8
Re: M1A Jamming

We used to call it kick starting an M1A!

Seems those National Match rifles can be a bit tight, require lube and breaking in.

Got my hands on a NM that had the four lugs and damn near glued into the stock. Took a bit of work, still would lockup from time to time. After a year I gave it back to the owner and got a DPMS.

They are sweet rifles but kind of high strung, like fine horses or small town beauty queens.
 
#9
Re: M1A Jamming

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kraigWY</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Betcha the op rod is binding somewhere

OR

Grease it up, shoot a shitpot full of rounds through it to loosen things up (assuming it is new) </div></div>

How would I see if the op rod is binding/how would I fix it?

I'll clean it and run some more through it.

As for the .45 idea....not sure I understand? Also...SAI is...what, Sprinfield Armory?

Should I just take this to the shop I bought it from and ask them to look at it?

Also, the bolt lock works - look at my second video, you can see me moving it.
 
#10
Re: M1A Jamming

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How would I see if the op rod is binding/how would I fix it?

I'll clean it and run some more through it.</div></div>

Take it out of the stock, coat it with sight black, shoe polish, wife's lipstick, any thing.

Put it back together and work the action a few times. Then take it back out of the stock and examine it. You can tell if its binding and/or rubbing against the stock.

You can also remove the op guide sping, put it back together, turn it upside down, right sight up, see if it falls under its own weight.
 
#11
Re: M1A Jamming

All good suggestions. I looked at you videos and it appears your rifle does need to be lubed with grease. The suggestion also about the bolt release spring may be the issue too. You should be able to see the bolt release spring. If one is missing, you need to have this fixed.

Is this a standard or NM model? My M1A's don't have the op rod rattle like yours, but they've all been match conditioned.

Let us know what you find out.
 
#12
Re: M1A Jamming

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RampantAndroid</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
kraigWY said:
As for the .45 idea....not sure I understand? Also...SAI is...what, Sprinfield Armory?

Should I just take this to the shop I bought it from and ask them to look at it?

Also, the bolt lock works - look at my second video, you can see me moving it. </div></div>

For a visual on the .45, follow this link:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=766794

that shows the bolt roller greaser about 3 times its actual size. Notice the similarity between it, and a .45 shell. They are almost exactly the same size. You fill it with grease, pop it over the bolt roller and push hard.

SAI = Springfield Armory Inc.

not to be confused with...

SEI = Smith Enterprise Inc.
Click to expand...
 
#13
Re: M1A Jamming

I would agree with the advice of, lube and continue to exercise the action with use. If that does not correct the issue I would send it back, SA has Great customer service.

Good Luck!
 
#14
Re: M1A Jamming

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NRAShooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">All good suggestions. I looked at you videos and it appears your rifle does need to be lubed with grease. The suggestion also about the bolt release spring may be the issue too. You should be able to see the bolt release spring. If one is missing, you need to have this fixed.

Is this a standard or NM model? My M1A's don't have the op rod rattle like yours, but they've all been match conditioned.

Let us know what you find out. </div></div>

OK, I'll post this here then since you bought it up. I also get this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poNQ3D6YmDA&feature=channel_video_title

I was told it was normal though. If that's NOT normal, what should I do, contact springfield?

This is an M1A Standard.

Late edit: this was bought from a local gun shop (Wades in Bellevue, WA) - I assume that Springfield will still honor the warranty though?)
 
#16
Re: M1A Jamming

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: himaster</div><div class="ubbcode-body">SAI warrantees them forever no matter who bought it or who owns it. If it's one of their sticks, they stand behind it. </div></div>

OK, awesome. I'll try to disassemble it soon and see if I can spot anything (I have a friend who spent plenty of time cleaning M14s while in the armed forces...I'll see what he has to say) and if need be talk to SAI.

FWIW, how on earth does one ship a gun to SAI? Also...does SAI do custom work? Someone mentioned they had theirs modified to match quality by SAI?

Any word on whether that rattle is normal?
 
#17
Re: M1A Jamming

Call them, tell them what the issue is and they will issue you a rma return number.then package it in a decent case and ups it to them . Make sure to put the rma number in the adress label. One important piece of advice is include a detailed letter spelling out exactly what you want done otherwise they tend to to the bare minimum to fix your rifle. Case in point I had a bolt come apart and simply asked them to fix the rifle, it came back with the same damaged bolt. I sent it back again and specifically asked to have the bolt replaced, and they did it. Be specific and detailed in what you want done and they will most likely do it.
 
#18
Re: M1A Jamming

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sandbogg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Call them, tell them what the issue is and they will issue you a rma return number.then package it in a decent case and ups it to them . Make sure to put the rma number in the adress label. One important piece of advice is include a detailed letter spelling out exactly what you want done otherwise they tend to to the bare minimum to fix your rifle. Case in point I had a bolt come apart and simply asked them to fix the rifle, it came back with the same damaged bolt. I sent it back again and specifically asked to have the bolt replaced, and they did it. Be specific and detailed in what you want done and they will most likely do it. </div></div>

Is the original box sufficient? I mean...it'll raise some eyes, since it DOES kinda say what is inside the box.
 
#19
Re: M1A Jamming

Insure it for $2500 and buy a supermatch if it gets stolen. It comes back in a brown box and you need an adult signature. UPS won't just leave it on the door.
 
#20
Re: M1A Jamming

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: himaster</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Insure it for $2500 and buy a supermatch if it gets stolen. It comes back in a brown box and you need an adult signature. UPS won't just leave it on the door. </div></div>
You mean they won't do that ANY MORE!!

A lot of us got our shorts in a bunch a few years ago b/c UPS was leaving handguns unsigned for...Thus the switch to Overnight only delivery for returning firearms to owners.
 
#21
Re: M1A Jamming

Probably should invest in a decent case for shipping. I use a two rifle hard plastic case that I bought from midway. I also put the rifle ina gun sock to make sure it does not shift around in the case.

Buying a case from midway means it comes in a nice cardboard box . As bad is this sounds, if you keep the rifle and shoot it much eventually it will have to go back for more warranty so get a nice case! There is no worse feeling than getting a rifle from USPS and seeing the barrel hanging out the side of the box (especially when it is your new Gap, ask me how I know!!!)
 
#22
Re: M1A Jamming

Talk about coincidental. Had mine apart this weekend. Put her back together and it locked up just like OP's. Guess what? Forgto to seat the op-rod.

Pulled the op-rod back so the tab aligned with the cutout and whacked the op-rod handle toward the reciever with plastic mallet and popped the rod back in it's groove. Works fine now.
 
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