I would like to buy an M1A that is close to the M14. I am thinking USGI Springfield, with the wood top forearm, and not the fiberglass. What year did that change (give or take), and are these easy to find rifles? Too early for CMP.
when did M1A switch to fiberglass forearm ?
- Thread starter longshot2000
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Are you looking to replicate the original early M14 with a walnut handguard? SA Inc sold M1As with wood handguards back in through late '80s, but I wouldn't look for an early M1A specifically for the wood handguard, rather for the GI parts they were assembled with.
You can get a walnut handguard from Fulton Armory (unfinished) or from another vendor and put it on any M1A. There isn't anything wrong with the solid fibreglass handguard... they replaced wood for a good reason...they don't char when they get hot.
You can get a walnut handguard from Fulton Armory (unfinished) or from another vendor and put it on any M1A. There isn't anything wrong with the solid fibreglass handguard... they replaced wood for a good reason...they don't char when they get hot.
Every M14 I saw or shot in my 20yr career (yes, the Navy still had PLENTY of M14s in use aboard ships and submarines) had the solid fiberglass handguard.
Thanks. I am not trying to replicate anything, but rather, find an M1A with original USGI hardware and wood. I know others provide replacement wood, but I was hoping to find an original firearm with USGI hardware and full wood handguards. Maybe I need to do some more research to fine-tune my search.
That is a fine looking dog in your avatar, BTW.
I didn't even know they made them:
https://goo.gl/images/UZ64uA
Edit: added,. This is not definitive, but I was reading that about the time fiberglass stocks we're being made for these is when the first change came to the handguard. In 1969 the vented handguard was introduced. These were not durable and we're replaced with the solid composite handguard you see today in about 1971.
So, from 1957 to 1969 they were wood for sure. IBD!?! I saw a bunch of them but never saw a wood handguard.
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I went to basic in 1966. We had the fiberglass then, and in AIT, and in the 82nd (before I went to Vietnam in 1967.
In 1977 I bought my M1A, 4 digit serial number 0069XX that also had a fiberglass handguard. The fiberglass handguard was retained when the MTU Armors (Gene Barnett to be exact) converted it to a super match.
In the 80s I was running the AK NG Marksmanship Unit where all our NM M14s had fiberglass. I ordered standard grade M14s to issue to the unit teams, 4 ea. per BN or Spt Company. All had fiberglass.
To be honest, I wasn't until I read this thread, I thought the wood handguards were all after market. Guess I'm not too old to learn new stuff.
In 1977 I bought my M1A, 4 digit serial number 0069XX that also had a fiberglass handguard. The fiberglass handguard was retained when the MTU Armors (Gene Barnett to be exact) converted it to a super match.
In the 80s I was running the AK NG Marksmanship Unit where all our NM M14s had fiberglass. I ordered standard grade M14s to issue to the unit teams, 4 ea. per BN or Spt Company. All had fiberglass.
To be honest, I wasn't until I read this thread, I thought the wood handguards were all after market. Guess I'm not too old to learn new stuff.
Ok, so my dates are way off. That's why you don't believe everything you read on the internet
Edit:. Kraig, did you ever see the vented version of composite?
Edit:. Kraig, did you ever see the vented version of composite?
Very informative thread. Sounds like I have to reach-back further to get a period rifle with wood upper handguard. Maybe the M14 only, and not the semi-auto M1A...
Thanks. He is mine. Great dog. English Pointer. I have had many breeds, but have never been so impressed with the combination of affection, hunting ability, smarts and obedience... Then again, everyone's puppy is the greatest.
Thanks. He is mine. Great dog. English Pointer. I have had many breeds, but have never been so impressed with the combination of affection, hunting ability, smarts and obedience... Then again, everyone's puppy is the greatest.
Slotted Fiberglass handguards replaced wood handguards starting after April '61. The wood handguards were subject to charring in auto.
I was issued a SA M-14 in February 1966 at Parris Island, and it had the non-ventred fiberglass handguard. At that point, all the wooden ones were supposed to have been replaced with fiberglass, and the initial vented ones were also surveyed and replaced. The vented ones were failing when rifles were used in training and combat to give Marines a boost/leg up over walls and obstacles. A properly issued and maintained M-14 was supposed to use the non-vented fiberglass handguard as of when I was inducted.
One other issue with wood, related to the Garand. When the upper handguard got hot, it got longer, subjecting the barrel to heat-induced flex, changing the POI, deflecting it downward. The fix was to trim 1/16" off the rear edge of the handguard. It may sound sloppy, but the handguard was supposed to have some front/rear play.
So whatever handguard you end up with, if the POI deflects downward when the rifle gets hot, be aware of the potential for this problem.
Greg
One other issue with wood, related to the Garand. When the upper handguard got hot, it got longer, subjecting the barrel to heat-induced flex, changing the POI, deflecting it downward. The fix was to trim 1/16" off the rear edge of the handguard. It may sound sloppy, but the handguard was supposed to have some front/rear play.
So whatever handguard you end up with, if the POI deflects downward when the rifle gets hot, be aware of the potential for this problem.
Greg
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