Springfield M1A loaded vs NM

[ShredLA]

[Sicarius]

You are better off buying a aftermarket stock and a hooded rear sight. The factory bedding is nothing to write home about. Once you remove the receiver from the stock, it begins to loosen. You can always bed the stock yourself too.
Only shame is that you payed used NM price for a loaded.
Kevin

[highpower790]

To get the most from your rifle it will need to be bedded,trigger work,a quality barrel, and unitized handguard/gas system.
If none of the above is done expect no more than a 2moa rifle,anything less will also depend on your abiliites as a shooter.

https://www.tlcgunworks.com

[jarhead714]

M1As require armorers, not gunsmiths. Try just getting a loaded and bed it into a woodland camo McMillan stock for a year or so until the Krieger barrel you ordered gets in.

[FeuerFrei]

Between the two choices I suggest the "Loaded".
There's room to tinker and no bigger $$ spent (like NM) and a wagon load of regret when it fails to meet expectation as a precision rifle; just don't ask these rifles to do what a lot of other rifles can do at 1/2 the price. They are not precision instruments out of the box. Even NM rifles. You can spend the kid's college money on them and still only reach up to highly mediocre.

I like the M1A faux M14 rifles. Hell I have 2. As a historical piece that wasn't a front line rifle for very long (not even in dog years) these are great rifles. Having said that the Garand is a have to have. Buy something from the CMP and you'll enjoy that more.

[smoothy8500]

My M1A Loaded model is "close" to 1 MOA after putting a unitized gas cylinder and bedding it to a GI return McMillan stock. Horse-trading and DIY kept the costs reasonable. It probably won't be cheap to have Springfield do the NM mods.

[Paul_R]

Just be sure and watch lots of videos and take your time if you plan on bedding it yourself. Way detail than a bolt gun, forend tension, ect.

[Spyder]

I've got a stock mid 90's Loaded, and an unfired golden age '91 all TRW parts NM. I haven't shot the NM yet for some reason, but the Loaded shoots pretty dang well.

One of these days I actually need to spend some time with the two and see what they can do with good ammo. Too many projects.

All of that to say, tagging for info and opinions.

[ShredLA]

[Paul_R]

I would not have an aluminum mount on an M1A. I have their airborne mount and highly recommend it. An M1A is not a lightweight rifle no matter what you do to it, it is what it is.

Sadlak also makes the best setup for a front rail. You can order it with the proper backing plate for any stock. You'll have to remove some material from the barrel channel so the backing plate is flush or slightly below, I bedded mine. Do not install a front rail without a backer of some kind and the Sadlak plate is the best of the best.

https://www.sadlak.com/product-page/front-rail-steel-low-profile

[smoothy8500]

ALSO - Just purchased a Bradley cheek riser for the comb in “Flat Dark Earth Tan”, any recommendations on a usgi style sling in an FDE coloring?

Turner AWS "all weather sling" is a 1903 USGI style sling that comes in a desert tan color.

https://www.creedmoorsports.com/product/1959/Rifle-Slings

I saw sadlak has an aluminum version of their mount... is the rigidity of the steel that much better? Would aluminum possibly compromise zero?

Sadlack aluminum mount is plenty sturdy, Bassett is another mount with a solid track record. Avoid the Springfield mounts, they are notorious for coming loose.

The previously mentioned Sadlack plate is a good option for mounting a bipod.

[ShredLA]

Does anyone have an armorer or smith that specializes in M1A’s ? Would love to find one in or near the inland empire.. would love to speak with someone that knows how to bring out the accuracy or more importantly the repeatability of the m14/m1a platform.

Is it worth bedding a wooden stock? Wouldnt the wood stock breathe depending on moisture like most wood items do?


Purchased the Bradley adjustable cheek rest in “Flat Dark Earth Tan” and am very pleased with the color and build quality. I was initially iffy on FDE or FDE Tan... i think FDE Tan is more on track with my perception of a FDE color.

[highpower790]

Does anyone have an armorer or smith that specializes in M1A’s ? Would love to find one in or near the inland empire.. would love to speak with someone that knows how to bring out the accuracy or more importantly the repeatability of the m14/m1a platform.

Is it worth bedding a wooden stock? Wouldnt the wood stock breathe depending on moisture like most wood items do?


Purchased the Bradley adjustable cheek rest in “Flat Dark Earth Tan” and am very pleased with the color and build quality. I was initially iffy on FDE or FDE Tan... i think FDE Tan is more on track with my perception of a FDE color.

See post #3,not Inland Empire ,but you wont find a better M14-M1A smith/armorer anywhere.

[Mr. Helio]

I’d suggest the ARM’S #18 mount.

[cfm117]