NIB Springfield M1A Standard, Any tips?

[Bobby Ricigliano]

*****Updated with shooting results in post #95*****


Hallo...

I just bought a new Springfield M1A standard with the polymer stock. I am going to take it to an outdoor range on Thursday with some various brass factory FMJ ammo. I would appreciate any learned suggestions on ensuring reliability from this expensive rifle.

I am familiar with Garands and I do have Lubriplate. Is it safe to assume the M1A is better greased than lubed? Is there any issue with removing the receiver from the stock as far as affecting accuracy?

I haven't field stripped it yet, but are the internals more simplified than that of the Garand?

Any suggestions from actual M1A owners would be most helpful. Thanks!

BR

[JohnnyMtn]

I would say make sure you clean the chamber thoroughly. I have an M1A Loaded that I bought 2 years ago. During my first range trip I had several FTEs with the spent casings stuck in the chamber. I actually had to slam the butt down to get the bolt open. This occurred maybe 6-7 times out of 50 rounds. I thought I had a messed up rifle and was a pretty disappointed.

I took the rifle home and gave it a thorough cleaning. Next time out the rifle cycled through 100+ rounds flawlessly. I think the rifle came from the factory with a slight coating of grease, which was enough to cause casings to get stuck in the chamber. Or at least that's my theory.

My other theory is that this coating, if left uncleaned, explains why a number of people have reported broken extractors on their first range trip.

Long story short, give it a thorough cleaning before your first range trip.

[highpower790]

You are correct in assuming the use of grease.Make sure to get a set of drills for the gas piston,it wont take to long before carbon builds up.
Know that the extractor,ejector,and safety are the same as the M1.
Removing the stock from the receiver is a greater issue if the stock is bedded.The more you remove stock the faster the bedding will wear.
Lightly grease the op rod spring & hammer spring to keep from developing flat spots and getting rid od the dry spring sound.

[JohnnyMtn]

Since you're familiar with the Garand, grease the M1A the same exact way. Lubriplate is perfect, imho. The internals are pretty much the same as the Garand with some small differences. The straight guide rod is a nice improvement over the Garand.

As for removing the receiver from the stock, my understanding is that you do this as little as possible on a Garand because of the wood stock. Every field strip makes the wood not lock as tight, which then affects accuracy. In theory, you shouldn't have that problem as much with a synthetic stock. But I would still suggest to do it as little as possible. Just my opinion.

[glockman19]

Hallo...

I just bought a new Springfield M1A standard with the polymer stock. I am going to take it to an outdoor range on Thursday with some various brass factory FMJ ammo. I would appreciate any learned suggestions on ensuring reliability from this expensive rifle.

I am familiar with Garands and I do have Lubriplate. Is it safe to assume the M1A is better greased than lubed? Is there any issue with removing the receiver from the stock as far as affecting accuracy?

I haven't field stripped it yet, but are the internals more simplified than that of the Garand?

Any suggestions from actual M1A owners would be most helpful. Thanks!

BR

I have a M1A Loaded that I upgraded to a National Match and the best thing you can do is shoot quality ammo. I only shoot Winchester Q3030 or other NATO marked ammo, I've never had a problem and it shoots >1" groups at 100 yards. It is set up with a Harris swivel 9"-13" bipod, Bushnell Elite 3500 6-24x40 scope and has a gen 3 scope mount that has not moved in years of use.

[musketjon]

If it slides, grease it. If it rotates, oil it.
Jon

[highpower790]

Don't forget to grease the bolt roller.

this!

[maxx03]

Get yourself an extra extractor and spring kit from Treelinem14.com. I use mobile 1 synthetic bearing grease and have never had a problem with my rifles. get yourself a chamber brush also.

[Paseclipse]

Lubriplate is excellent grease for the M1A.

To learn everything you need to know about the buy this book and read it- http://www.fulton-armory.com/them14ownersguide.aspx

Subscribe to tonyben3's Youtube channel and watch some his video's- https://www.youtube.com/user/tonyben3

If your rifle if brand new, it's a good idea to detail strip it and grease it up. tonyben3 has videos that cover this.

An easy and relatively cheap upgrade is a Sadlak Op Rod Guide Spring- http://www.fulton-armory.com/oprodsp...ndustries.aspx

M1A's are great rifles!! Enjoy your new toy

[jarhead714]

Ditch that POS stock, get a web sling, GI handguard, and join M14 Forum. After about 5 or 6k rounds send it back to Springfield for a new barrel. If the extractor breaks, it'll happen fairly quickly.

[INFAMOUS762X39]

All great tips. After inspecting/cleaning/lube, just go shoot it and familiarize yourself with the platform.

Once so, This is what I would do/recommend:

1. USGI Extractor + Plunger and Spring from Treelinem14 and call it good.
2. M1A Gas System Shim Kit, SEI or Treeline.
3. Sadlak Gas System Maintenance Set, Sadlak Drills, Castle nut pliers and a USGI Combo Tool.
4. Sadlak NM Recoil Spring Guide. A must have upgrade!
5. USGI Leather Sling. I have the springer leather sling, great but seriously go USGI.
6. Tubbs Springs.
7. New USGI Stock.
8. Mags = Springfield, and Checkmates are GTG. If you need 10/20s jesticearms is the place.
9. Ammo
10. PIG rifle stock pack
11. Go enjoy those Iron Sights.
12. _______________________ Reserved because I know I am forgetting something.

Any questions, feel free to shoot away.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Thanks to everyone for all the helpful insight. I will definitely disassemble and clean the entire rifle, and grease the critical areas prior to shooting. There seems to be universal agreement on the use of a USGI extractor so I will buy one and keep it on standby. I will post back with a range report.

[Crazed_SS]

Try to get some of this ammo if you're shooting for accuracy.

After years of wondering why I couldnt get good accuracy out of my M1A Loaded, I tried a box of this stuff and was key holeing 5 shot groups at 100 yards.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/953713383/federal-american-eagle-ammunition-762x51mm-nato-168-grain-open-tip-match

If you're gonna scope it, go with a Sadlak Mount. I fought with Springfield Mounts for awhile and finally settled on the aluminum Sadlak mount. It's a bit cheaper than the steel one..

http://www.amazon.com/Sadlak-Industries-Aluminum-Scope-Mount/dp/B003MA1PRC

[Crazed_SS]

M1A really doesnt have many issues.

I've had mine for at least 8 years and the only issue I had was a bad extractor that was fixed under warranty within the first month of ownership. After SA fixed that, it hasnt had a single hiccup or malfuction.

Ive never even cleaned the gas system

[Xanthippus]

The M1A is the holy grail of precision battle rifles and it is the most accessible to Californians, being featureless. It is NOTORIOUSLY accurate, so much so that the military still uses it for marksmanship roles (and the few marksman I know, Veterans or otherwise, SWEAR by it and wouldn't give it up for anything else). I, myself, love my baby. She's my prize.

I love AK's also. I have more than a few and I love them each for their uniqueness. However, the M1A is and will always be my queen.