Springfield MA9106, MA9827 Accuracy Questions

[Guntrainers]

I am shopping for a semi-auto .308 looking for long-range accuracy. Ideally, I'd get the Springfield MA9827 but it is scarce.

Do you have an opinion on whether the model MA9106 is inherently as accurate or, if not, what could be done to make it a dependable, accurate long-range shooter? I can buy one of those right now but ... is it worth putting a high end scope on it?

 

[USACS]

Re: Springfield MA9106, MA9827 Accuracy Questions

For those just tuning in:
MA9106: M1A Standard w/ black synthetic stock
MA9827: M1A Loaded w/ Extended Rail Cluster

The MA9106 Standard cannot match the accuracy that the MA9827 Loaded produces without significant modification. The Loaded has a medium weight national match barrel and a match-tuned trigger. In contrast, the Standard has a standard military trigger and the standard barrel. The Loaded is capable of 1 MOA, and for an off-the-rack M1A I think it's pretty accurate. It's not an SEI Crazy Horse, but it's good. One thing that helped me with the accuracy on my MA9827 was putting it in the JAE-100 stock with the barrel tensioner. I tuned the tensioner and my groups did tighten up a little. The standard supplied synthetic stock was not very good quality, in my opinion.
In order to pull better accuracy out of a Standard, it will take some tuning to various components, to include the gas system, trigger and stock, and you'd do well to replace the barrel with a better and heavier one.

If you can wait, I'd recommend that you wait for the MA9827, or else source a National Match or Super Match. I had to wait 10 months for a special order for my M1A Loaded, but I feel that it was worth it. I put the in the order in January and got that October. My understanding is that Springfield only makes that particular rifle once or twice per year.

 

[BCP]

Re: Springfield MA9106, MA9827 Accuracy Questions

If accuracy and scope mounting are your big things an AR is easier to live with. Price will be similar too.

 

[USACS]

Re: Springfield MA9106, MA9827 Accuracy Questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BCP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If accuracy and scope mounting are your big things an AR is easier to live with. Price will be similar too. </div></div>
+1
Actually, in the end an AR will likely wind up costing a lot less for a lot more accuracy. M1As are money pits for incremental accuracy gains. I really wanted an M1A, which is why I got that rifle. For the money I spent (and I got LE pricing) on the rifle and stock for 1MOA accuracy, I could have built a whole AR10 or LR308 that was 0.5MOA capable and still have enough left for optics.

 

[Guntrainers]

Re: Springfield MA9106, MA9827 Accuracy Questions

So, for the M1A style, hold out for the MA9827. Shall do.

Meanwhile, I need to research AR10 rifles. I don't know a whole lot about them. Some of my concerns are...

With the AR15, I can get a firing pin and spring kit and just about any other component rather easily.

For the AR10 systems, are there significant component differences between manufacturers? Or, are they as nearly-universal as the AR15? Are magazines universally interchangeable as with the AR15? They're not the sort of thing I find at gun stores, while the M1A mags are generally available. The AR10 is new territory for me. Time to hit Google.

 

[Badshot308]

Re: Springfield MA9106, MA9827 Accuracy Questions

Start reading the threads here. Go back many pages, look and read. There's a lot of information here on this subject. There are differences between the manufactures. Read this info. http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=62&t=378850 It's from Armalites point of view, but it will get you started. Magazines are not interchangable between all manufacturers with 4 different types being used,but the majority of manufactures are adopting the SR-25/DPMS pattern mag.

 

[Guntrainers]

Re: Springfield MA9106, MA9827 Accuracy Questions

Ouch. So, only the Armalite is a true AR10, parts and magazines are not likely to interchange between manufacturers... this really is why I was looking at the M1A platform originally.

Still, I'll take your advice and start looking around the threads here.

Hey... waitasec, "Badshot308"? Why am I listening to you?

I need that thousand yard shooter, which is asking a lot of a semi-auto. If I ask what is the "best" AR10 style for thousand yard shooting, this could quickly turn into a religious discussion.

Digging for good advice here...

 

[Guntrainers]

Re: Springfield MA9106, MA9827 Accuracy Questions

BadShot, that Q&A page on the AR10 is priceless. Thanks.

 

[USACS]

Re: Springfield MA9106, MA9827 Accuracy Questions

AR10 and LR308 compatible rifles are not hard to put together, but you do need to do a little research into what will work with what. RainierArms.com has stuff listed for each system, and is a good place to get started for building a rifle. I think their site is much more comprehensive than most other distributors/dealers. Oh, and their service is excellent.

 

[Guntrainers]

Re: Springfield MA9106, MA9827 Accuracy Questions

Bookmarking RanierArms.com along with a couple of other good references. Whatever I end up doing, I'll come back with a report.

I still want that M1A as well.

BTW - I ran through an M1A course including armorer's training a couple of years back. Others present were mostly law enforcement. Everyone else brought their stubby SOCOM rifles. I used a full-length M14 from the armory. We discovered that they couldn't hit squat beyond 200 yards while the standard military issue was quite accurate at range. I like to give some credit to the nut behind the trigger for shooting accuracy. However, I know some of those guys were experienced precision shooters. Their hardware was challenging them. This experience convinced me to stay with the original design for that rifle - full length, full weight.

Perhaps others have had better experiences with the stubby SOCOM. I, however, have had my religious epiphany and shall never purchase one.

 

[BCP]

Re: Springfield MA9106, MA9827 Accuracy Questions

FWIW, fulton armory is having a 20% off sale today only. While their rifles aren't GAP quality they are still good shooters. Their 18.5" stainless model with 4 rail handguard, 2stage trigger and bullet button (CA legal) would be ~1550. That would give you a rifle with similar dimensions to say, a springfield socom/scout while being a lot more accurate right out of the box.

 

[bricktop]

Re: Springfield MA9106, MA9827 Accuracy Questions

Also check out the PX on the M14 Firing Line forum. Rifles come up for sale there fairly often.

 

[Guntrainers]

Re: Springfield MA9106, MA9827 Accuracy Questions

For anyone interested in an accurized M1A:

I have ordered a custom job from Fulton Armory. Eagerly awaiting its arrival. And, quite unexpectedly, the MA9827CA model has become available at a couple of distributors. Oh, well, my new hardware is already on order.

I'll report when I've had a chance to test it.

 

[M21guy]

Re: Springfield MA9106, MA9827 Accuracy Questions

Either choice isn't any cream puff when it boils down to accuracy imo. Whether or not they are half way civil, out of the box, really depends on luck of the draw without accurizing them.

If you really want that cluster railed loaded model,
262-728-5390 is the number to my local gun shop here in southern Wisconsin. They have that one and several others on hand here as of last week. They have no problem shipping to an FFL of your choosing.

Here is what I'd do if my dealers rifle worked for you. It might not be Ca legal as is. I don't know your laws out there. Being SA is so close to us here. If I was you and made a deal. I'd have them send it back to SA and have it made CA legal will it is here and SA will ship it out to your FFL direct. While SA had it there. Have them do the accuracy mods to it in their custom shop. Then it is all done. Get the rifle and pop on optics of your choosing. Done deal, an accurate rifle you'd happy with...

I shoot a built SA M21. While I can't say a loaded out of the box is worth putting on opitics as good as what USO offers, the M21 I've built up is. My USO should be here sometime this month.