Springfield Armory M1A

Classic12 · November 16, 2020, 03:41 PM

I have a Norinco M305 (NOS at $ 800) but been longing for a SA for a while.

They are very expensive new here in Switzerland (add 10% for US$) but now I found a lightly used (500 rds) one from a private seller.

I bought it and it was delivered last week, it came with three mags, a 10 and two 20.

Can’t wait to get out and shoot it some, I have a good stash of ammo for it.

50 shooter · November 16, 2020, 06:14 PM

What made you decide on a SA rifle and not another brand?

One day I'll buy one also but I think it will be from LRB or maybe Fulton Armory. Of course there are some others like ARMSCORP and Enterprise that make a good rifle.

Targa · November 16, 2020, 08:53 PM

Absolutely beautiful rifle...congrats!

Classic12 · November 17, 2020, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 50 shooter

What made you decide on a SA rifle and not another brand?

One day I'll buy one also but I think it will be from LRB or maybe Fulton Armory. Of course there are some others like ARMSCORP and Enterprise that make a good rifle.

That’s a very easy one to answer : neither Fulton Armory or LRB or Bula sell their rifles here in Switzerland

so SA or made in China are the only choices.

imashooter · November 17, 2020, 08:12 AM

Congrats. Bought a new standard (walnut) model in 76-77 when at Ft. Lewis. Out the door was approx. 280.00. Sold it to our unit armorer when I deployed overseas.

smee78 · November 30, 2020, 06:46 PM

Congrats on the new addition, mine is a great shooter and a joy to shoot.

DT Guy · November 30, 2020, 06:52 PM

That's one of the nicest looking rifles I've seen in a long, long time. Absolutely gorgeous.

Anxious to hear how she shoots.

Larry

Classic12 · December 1, 2020, 01:55 PM

I only got access to the 50 meters indoor range, but it was nice to try out the rifle. Very little correction was necessary for a good sighting in.

Also tried some rapid fire standing. The rifle has some mass that absorbs recoil nicely. Shot abt 60 rounds, 3 different brands of ammo, not a hiccup

**44 AMP** · December 1, 2020, 05:38 PM

Nice commercial version. Should do well.

Mine is one of the old "original" guns made with all USGI parts except the receiver. My stock has the cut out in the wood for the selector switch. And it has the "locking bar" rear sight used on the M1 Garand and early M14s.

Most M1A owners know you can turn the gas system on and off with the screw, here's a tidbit it seems few people know, (If your rifle is made to GI spec inside) you have a "second strike capability" without working the bolt.

With the hammer down, unlatch the trigger guard (will be very stiff on a new gun) and swing it all the way forward. This will recock the hammer, without needed to cycle the bolt.

Don't know why anyone would need to do that but the rifle will do it.

I was in the last class trained on the M14 rifle at the USAOC&S APG Md (small arms repairman) and the M14 has always had a special spot in my heart. I find it fits me well, and am particularly fond of its decent to good stock trigger, and the fact that unlike the AR FAL and HK guns the charging handle works BOTH ways.

The 5rnd mags are nice, fit almost flush, but due to that are difficult to remove from the gun. The 10rnd is a good choice, and of course the 20 is the GI standard.

I recommend you find and get the GI cleaning kit for the rifle. The handle is a combination tool that fits many things on the rifle and the entire kit can be stored in the buttstock.

November 16, 2020, 03:41 PM	#1
Classic12 Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2020 Posts: 696	Springfield Armory M1A I have a Norinco M305 (NOS at $ 800) but been longing for a SA for a while. They are very expensive new here in Switzerland (add 10% for US$) but now I found a lightly used (500 rds) one from a private seller. I bought it and it was delivered last week, it came with three mags, a 10 and two 20. Can’t wait to get out and shoot it some, I have a good stash of ammo for it.

November 16, 2020, 06:14 PM	#2
50 shooter Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2002 Location: SoCal PRK Posts: 986	What made you decide on a SA rifle and not another brand? One day I'll buy one also but I think it will be from LRB or maybe Fulton Armory. Of course there are some others like ARMSCORP and Enterprise that make a good rifle. __________________ I see the world thru bloodshot eyes Streets filled with blood from distant lies The dogs of war never compromise, No time for rearranging.

November 30, 2020, 06:46 PM	#6
smee78 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,918	Congrats on the new addition, mine is a great shooter and a joy to shoot. __________________ We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't got a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are

November 30, 2020, 06:52 PM	#7
DT Guy Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2001 Posts: 959	That's one of the nicest looking rifles I've seen in a long, long time. Absolutely gorgeous. Anxious to hear how she shoots. Larry __________________ He who fights and runs away had better run pretty damn fast. Government, Anarchy and Chaos

December 1, 2020, 05:38 PM	#9
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,846	Nice commercial version. Should do well. Mine is one of the old "original" guns made with all USGI parts except the receiver. My stock has the cut out in the wood for the selector switch. And it has the "locking bar" rear sight used on the M1 Garand and early M14s. Most M1A owners know you can turn the gas system on and off with the screw, here's a tidbit it seems few people know, (If your rifle is made to GI spec inside) you have a "second strike capability" without working the bolt. With the hammer down, unlatch the trigger guard (will be very stiff on a new gun) and swing it all the way forward. This will recock the hammer, without needed to cycle the bolt. Don't know why anyone would need to do that but the rifle will do it. I was in the last class trained on the M14 rifle at the USAOC&S APG Md (small arms repairman) and the M14 has always had a special spot in my heart. I find it fits me well, and am particularly fond of its decent to good stock trigger, and the fact that unlike the AR FAL and HK guns the charging handle works BOTH ways. The 5rnd mags are nice, fit almost flush, but due to that are difficult to remove from the gun. The 10rnd is a good choice, and of course the 20 is the GI standard. I recommend you find and get the GI cleaning kit for the rifle. The handle is a combination tool that fits many things on the rifle and the entire kit can be stored in the buttstock. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

November 16, 2020, 08:53 PM	#3
Targa Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Posts: 2,084	Absolutely beautiful rifle...congrats!

November 17, 2020, 08:12 AM	#5
imashooter Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 395	Congrats. Bought a new standard (walnut) model in 76-77 when at Ft. Lewis. Out the door was approx. 280.00. Sold it to our unit armorer when I deployed overseas.

December 1, 2020, 01:55 PM	#8
Classic12 Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2020 Posts: 696	I only got access to the 50 meters indoor range, but it was nice to try out the rifle. Very little correction was necessary for a good sighting in. Also tried some rapid fire standing. The rifle has some mass that absorbs recoil nicely. Shot abt 60 rounds, 3 different brands of ammo, not a hiccup