Springfield M1A owners....

[Kissmybrass]

Any here? Love this rifle but when I actually had it in my hands (standard issue 22" barrel and walnut stock) at my local shop it didn't feel like an 1,800 dollar rifle.
Any thoughts? Just wasn't what I expected but hear great praise about em. I do love the sights they come with.
D

[Sir Henry]

I owned the M14 version of the M1A. Of course the full auto switch was non-operational. Great rifle although very heavy.

[BrokenolMarine]

The weight makes it very stable and lock in at 500 and 600 yards, prone. Settles in well in offhand and the rest, (kneeling and sitting) at the closer ranges. 200 and 300 yards.... I loved that beast for matches. I wouldn't want to be carrying it for miles and miles... But, if I had to chose between it and the M16 to defend a static position, no contest.

[GunnyGene]

The weight makes it very stable and lock in at 500 and 600 yards, prone. Settles in well in offhand and the rest, (kneeling and sitting) at the closer ranges. 200 and 300 yards.... I loved that beast for matches. I wouldn't want to be carrying it for miles and miles... But, if I had to chose between it and the M16 to defend a static position, no contest.

Ever lug a BAR (M1918A2) miles and miles in full battle rattle?

[Sir Henry]

The weight makes it very stable and lock in at 500 and 600 yards, prone. Settles in well in offhand and the rest, (kneeling and sitting) at the closer ranges. 200 and 300 yards.... I loved that beast for matches. I wouldn't want to be carrying it for miles and miles... But, if I had to chose between it and the M16 to defend a static position, no contest.

I was trained on the M14 and was issued one in nam. Then about three months later that switched us all out and gave us M16’s without any training. No one knew how to take them apart or clean them. The M16 is simple enough and we quickly figured it out. I don’t think I could field strip the 14 without training.

[BrokenolMarine]

The weight makes it very stable and lock in at 500 and 600 yards, prone. Settles in well in offhand and the rest, (kneeling and sitting) at the closer ranges. 200 and 300 yards.... I loved that beast for matches. I wouldn't want to be carrying it for miles and miles... But, if I had to chose between it and the M16 to defend a static position, no contest.

Ever lug a BAR (M1918A2) miles and miles in full battle rattle?

Nope, I never got to shoot one either, but always wanted to. My uncle was the BAR man in his Army unit for two tours in Nam. He loved it when the shooting started, but said he hated it the rest of the time.

I carried Ma Deuce, the airborne version, as far as my CH46, or sometimes a CH53, pinned 'er in the mounts, and the helo did the heavy lifting. At sea, a couple times, I actually had to carry the heavy gal UP from the armory to the hanger deck because they couldn't run the elevator. THAT was a lot of stairs.
(The navy calls em ladderwells.) Then, go back down for cans of ammo for that girl. Several times.

But seriously, I loved the M14 and the Garand to shoot matches with. As a shooter, given a choice, I think I would have chosen the extra weight of the M1 and ammo for the accuracy and terminal power over the M16. Back then, I wasn't broken. Most of the Aircrew chose the 38 to stick in their vests. Lighter and easier to clean. I carried a 45 and two mags.

[Hatchdog]

I have a standard 22” with the walnut stock which is so much fun to shoot. I pretty much just shoot it from the bench so the weight is my friend. Mine is even heavier since I scoped it, the mount is pretty massive. I did replace the walnut stock with a composite green one only because I like the look of the green. I still have the walnut and will never part with it other than selling the rifle. The composite stock came off a scout squad so I had to order a green handguard from Springfield.

I also had a composite scout squad for a while but sold it last summer after putting myself in the poor house by buying a boat. I also have a MIni 14 that the previously owner customized to look like a M1A and that’s kinda fun. I post a pic of the three of them but as mentioned I no longer own the scout.

I developed a nice shooting load using the Hornady 155 gr FMJ and Varget. Due to slam fire issues I only use the hardened CCI Military primers. I also sort out my brass and only use 7.62 brass just to keep my loads separate from other 308’s however currently I don’t have any other 308’s.

It’s just a fun rifle to shoot and a nice big thumper should the stuff ever get cycled thru a rotary air moving device. As mentioned above, it’s a great weapon in a static environment. I’ve had an AR-10 in the past and while it’s a better choice for modern engagement it’s not nearly as “fun”.

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[GunnyGene]

I have a standard 22” with the walnut stock which is so much fun to shoot. I pretty much just shoot it from the bench so the weight is my friend. Mine is even heavier since I scoped it, the mount is pretty massive. I did replace the walnut stock with a composite green one only because I like the look of the green. I still have the walnut and will never part with it other than selling the rifle. The composite stock came off a scout squad so I had to order a green handguard from Springfield.

I also had a composite scout squad for a while but sold it last summer after putting myself in the poor house by buying a boat. I also have a MIni 14 that the previously owner customized to look like a M1A and that’s kinda fun. I post a pic of the three of them but as mentioned I no longer own the scout.

I developed a nice shooting load using the Hornady 155 gr FMJ and Varget. Due to slam fire issues I only use the hardened CCI Military primers. I also sort out my brass and only use 7.62 brass just to keep my loads separate from other 308’s however currently I don’t have any other 308’s.

It’s just a fun rifle to shoot and a nice big thumper should the stuff ever get cycled thru a rotary air moving device. As mentioned above, it’s a great weapon in a static environment. I’ve had an AR-10 in the past and while it’s a better choice for modern engagement it’s not nearly as “fun”.



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If you ever get the chance to shoot the a2, don't pass it up. You'd love it. It has a rate of fire switch (date night & who's your daddy, now) and an effective range out to 1500 yds (about 2800fps mv with .30-06).

[BrokenolMarine]

The M1A and the Garand are on my bucket list, but with Today's ammo situation, unless someone needs a few Glocks now that I'm no longer teaching private classes, meaning we could work a trade, I'll probably fill the slots on my list that take ammo I aleady reload. Lol

[Kissmybrass]

Awesome input all! I was kinda surprised how heavy that rifle is but it's such a sweet military weapon. I get enough kick from my 45-70 and wouldn't mind some extra weight and a good muzzle brake. The scope mount is pretty crazy like it wasn't ever supposed to have one? Did that side mount bracket come later? I'd keep it with the peep.