M1A Standard?

deltawiskey

deltawiskey

DILLIGAF
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Minuteman
Feb 13, 2017
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Michigan
#1
I was at my LGS today and they have a new Springfield M1A standard in a walnut stock for just over $900... Im very tempted by the price, are these rifles worth getting?
I understand its probably a 2-3 moa rifle, do they have any reliability/quality issue's?
DW
 
#2
Worth getting? Its your coin and value for that coin. I wanted one for a long time and then just said, give the 4473. So yes, for me its worth spending the nuggets. Its fun to shoot and you get the eyes from other shooters more than standard AR platform. I only have one for about 10 years and it will eat any ammo all day long. Mine prefers HSM ammo for some reason of those I tried, shot pretty tight. I did Gucci mine up with Sadlak parts that I believe helped quite a bit and played around with gas plug torq, not sure if that really helped but mine is dialed with a witness mark now so I get the torq correct and consistent. Springfield recommended to use grease, not oil. And I purchased all the recommend tools for maintenance and cleaning.

good luck
 
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#3
deltawiskey said:
I was at my LGS today and they have a new Springfield M1A standard in a walnut stock for just over $900... Im very tempted by the price, are these rifles worth getting?
I understand its probably a 2-3 moa rifle, do they have any reliability/quality issue's?
DW
Click to expand...

I picked up my standard back in 2005 for $1500, same walnut stock and all. Topped it with a MK4 LRT and I think the ARMS scope base. No reliability issues, as it would run anything you gave it, but I mostly ran M118LR through it. Farthest I took it out was 900 on paper. From what I remember it had no problems with build quality or performing but it isn’t a 1MOA system. I gave it to my dad years ago, as it was what he had when he was in (that and I rarely took it out over my other systems). I think he’s shot it once since 2009 lol.

Now the National Match/custom built ones will drive some 175s well. Had a group come through back in 2007 with DMRs (match M14s in McMillans) with the old Tasco Super Snipers. If I remember right, they had no issues running out to 1k with M118LR.

As long as it’s an actual Springfield M1A, you want a historical rifle for what it is, you have the cash to spend, and understand that you aren’t going to cloverleaf rounds everyday you’re out, then go for it. It’s a fun rifle and makes you appreciate the advancements we have today.
 
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#4
How many rounds through the $900 M1A ?

If that is new... I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

I enjoy the M1A, while the design is older, it has proven to be very reliable, and while harder then a Large Frame AR to DIY with "improvements"... I love mine.

Look up "Tony Ben" on another site... he has quite a few great videos and info on M1A's... I have seen him diagnose and fix accuracy issues at the range in minutes. ( The shooter had his gas cylinder to far back, causing the front of the stock to bind on the ferrule. Tony saw this in a moment )

https://www.youtube.com/user/tonyben3/videos

My '96 built SAI M21 has never failed to feed, fire and repeat. Never.... that installs a certain confidence for me.

I have had no busted parts, and functions with all surplus ( and over the years that has been quite the assorted brands...) and factory ammo, mine prefers the 168gr bullet over the 175gr.

And my Scoped M21 "balances" better then a comparable weight Large Frame AR. Even with its heavy profile barrel.

I don't shoot it as much as I used to, because me .308 and 6.5CM AR's will remain accurate longer between cleanings.

As long as I do my part, my M21 produces great groups.. for about 150rds, then I need to clean the gas system to get it back to great groups.

Buy quality mags for it... Checkmate is GTG

Given all that I would buy one all over again. Solid firearm and different from a Large Frame AR.
 
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#6
Shit I did forget something @bfoosh006 hit on. Don’t skimp on the mags. Stay away from cheap brands and stick to 10rd and 20rd (don’t try and go crazy with the 30+rd mags). I forget what brands I burned through but I do remember that I ditched all that weren’t Springfield.
 
#7
I had a "loaded" M1a, loved it, sold it to pay outstanding medical bills. Tried to replace it, found I couldn't justify the price anymore, and redefined my goals. Obtained a PSA PA-10 308, and am still not quite where I want to be, but it will be a PA-10 308 in the end.

The question to ask yourself is whether the cache of owning the M1a is the thing, or the ability to shoot 308 match ammo in a semi-auto is the thing. I carried the M-14 in 'Nam, and that was the thing; but now it's about getting the PA-10 up and running.

My goals, my choices.

The M1a is not going to be a slam-dunk scoped rifle. The AR-10 platform doesn't have the same problems. All of this is based on actual personal experience, and I loved the M1a.

My advice is that the PSA seems to be the best choice for the money unless you're enamored of custom guns, but stick to the basic models.

IMHO, custom guns have custom problems.

Greg
 
#8
Spend the $900 but enjoy it for what it is.

Keep it standadrd and imagine yourself a grunt trudging a rice paddy with your stick of pain and put some hurt on your basic MR targets sized accordingly to whatever range you are at.

Dont hope to make it something its not.

Lots of women fuck guys over by having that in mind and blowing them all the way to the altar only to reveal their dumb games once their prey is captured.

Dont do that to such a sweet rifle.
 
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#9
I shot five years of National Match Highpower League with that M1a. It was a lot of fun, but when the wolf came to the door, it had to go.

Currently awaiting redelivery of my new PSA PA-10 following a warrantee work return.

Greg
 
#10
@deltawiskey As they say, get mags. Get lots of mags. I use Checkmate Industries (but I really wanna get more old USGI ones), which are expensive but excellent. In fact, I'm pretty sure that Springfield Armory used CMI mags, or they did.

@pmclaine Alls I need to add on my M14 is a moderator and a foregrip, maybe a bipod, and I'll be happy. Too bad the foregrip is nearly impossible to find. (It's got an E2 stock on it minus the folding grip; I've looked around for copies but so far nothing.)
 
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#11
Update! I went back to buy the M1a and it was $1500... I should have got it when I had the chance. The clerk told me "the sale was over" but judging by the look on his face the sale was actually an error : )
 
#12
PSA had them for around $1200 last year. I havent shot it alot but have enjoyed it with 168gr FGMM and M118. I''m using the less than stellar SA scope mount with a 16x SWFA and a Bradley checkrest. The price was right for my entertainment needs and to see what accuracy would be like.
20rd checkmate mags seem ok so far. (Brownells special, 5 for under $100)
I did shim the gas cylider and send my trigger group to SEI.
NOT a solid MOA rifle but adequate for a good time both on the work bench and the range. The wood and steel feel take you to another time.
 
#13
deltawiskey said:
Update! I went back to buy the M1a and it was $1500... I should have got it when I had the chance. The clerk told me "the sale was over" but judging by the look on his face the sale was actually an error : )
Click to expand...


It wasnt meant to be yours.

Something better will come along and you will be happy you have that $900.
 
#14
Ditto to the "fun to shoot" comment above, but ... other than that ... it's a bit of a novelty. If you are into historic military rifles, this would need to find a place in your collection, but ... I had one, had fun with it, sold it. Here is a good perspective on the M1A.

 
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#16
I would have jumped on it for $900.

I have one that was built using all USGI parts on a Smith Enterprise receiver and barrel. Great rifle, have shot several CMP matches with it.
 
#17
kentuckyMarksman said:
I would have jumped on it for $900.

I have one that was built using all USGI parts on a Smith Enterprise receiver and barrel. Great rifle, have shot several CMP matches with it.
Click to expand...
My own is USGI on a Fulton receiver with a Criterion barrel. For whatever reason, they refused to use my USGI barrel. Something about headspace and .308 WIN vs 7.62 NATO. Kinda irks me, tbh. Maybe I'll have them put the USGI barrel on it anyway.
 
#18
M14 world is a market anomaly. Hard to figure out. I have owned and shot several of them and liked every one.

If you keep your eyes open some real bargains come along. Some great ‘14 smiths builds come up but you need to do your homework. Most of the ones built by the old 2112’s are solid and accurate.

One thing that the ‘14 threads overlook is that they are one of the very best semi auto 7.62 platforms for a “social unrest” defense tool. They just keep digesting any ammo you feed them.
 
#19
I know a LGS has one or three near me. I cannot justify the rifle, but I ALWAYS have lusted over one. Definitely want one as well.
 
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#20
I have a Glen Nelson built (circa 1996) M1A Supermatch. It's a sub MOA rifle with good ammo, but they take quite a bit of work to get there. He was a bit of a guru when it came to accurate M14 rifles.

His accuracy with one on a machine rest was 14 shots at 200 yards in a group the size of a nickel. This was done using Sierra 168's
 
#21
They seem to be horribly unreliable in dusty/muddy conditions, but most folks are never going to get them that dirty so it's really not an issue. They also aren't all that accurate from what I've been told by folks who own them and my own research. They really have nothing going for them except cool factor. I can confirm they are fun for blasting clays on the 50 yard berm. An AR10 does everything better, but it lacks the cool factor and nostalgia.
 
#23
At $900 for a new M1a that was a steel. I think more than likely was a pricing error on the part of your LGS. I have had one since 2000 and it is my favorite rifle. Never fails to cycle on any ammo you can feed it. Fun to shoot. Accuracy is not anywhere most on this site would find acceptable but there are exceptions. To make it shoot MOA is a lot of work and a bit of voodoo but it is possible. Just may not be worth the $$$ by the time you get there given the accurate auto .308s you can buy off the shelf for less.

The guy in the video definitely has an axe to grind on the M14. A lot of what he said was true but I don’t think all of it was. Over the years I talked and to a bunch of Marines who carried them in Viet Nam who liked them a lot better than the early issue M16s with up to 50% failure rates they were issued as replacements. Yes they did eventually correct the problems but I don’t think anyone can argue it did not cost a lot of US lives before they did. That is a rabbit hole I don’t want to delve further into. Plenty of info on it if anyone cares to look.

I like having one for the same reason I like my 1944 M1. It is a piece of our history. If you feel the same way by all means pick one up and enjoy shooting it. If not buying new then do your homework before shelling out any large sum of cash. Price vary considerably.

+1 On LRB being the "Cadillac" of M14 type rifles.
 
#24
Mine was an all GI parts on a Springfield receiver build and it while it was a nice piece of history and all, I never ran it much. I will also echo that you should get the CMI mags and don’t be tempted by the Korean mags for half the price. Mine originally came in a commercial wood stock. I eventually wanted to scope it so I got an arch angel stock and a Bassett mount and found the result to be typical of a rifle meant for minute of man. I sold the mount and vortex, still have the arch angel. You can make them more accurate but it will typically involve a stack of cash and a knowledgeable smith.
 
#25
Keel Haul said:
Mine was an all GI parts on a Springfield receiver build and it while it was a nice piece of history and all, I never ran it much. I will also echo that you should get the CMI mags and don’t be tempted by the Korean mags for half the price. Mine originally came in a commercial wood stock. I eventually wanted to scope it so I got an arch angel stock and a Bassett mount and found the result to be typical of a rifle meant for minute of man. I sold the mount and vortex, still have the arch angel. You can make them more accurate but it will typically involve a stack of cash and a knowledgeable smith.
Click to expand...
Which Bassett did you have on yours? I've been wanting one for mine since I don't wanna remove my clip guide and the Bassett oughta have a suitably "retro" look in keeping with my M14E2 setup.
 
#27
Keel Haul said:
I had the low pic rail mount. Was very satisfied with that piece. Using the wrench and weapon weight for repeatable torque was very easy and consistent.
Click to expand...
I was looking at the standard low mount, probly put a period-correct Redfield on it. The Bassett wasn't around until the 1980s but the way I figure it some clever cog might've figured out something similar as a one-off or custom project during 'Nam or some such.
 
#30
Its not in my hands yet, so not much for pictures available...
pix675728764.jpg
 
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#31
I want a M1a. When I come across one for a good deal I will pick it up. I would keep it bone stock. It has great iron sights. That is most of the fun anyhow. I doubt it would see a sandbag either. Free hand and positional shooting only.
 
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#33
I love mine I always wanted one. My ar10 is easier to maintain just as accurate and half the weight. But it aint as cool as my m1a. At the range most everyone wants too see the m1a not the ar. Mine is the loaded model in a jae 100 stock and is a laser. She is a big ol heavy bitch but I like big girls.

20180208_140942.png
 
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