Anything I should know about older Springfield M1As?

[THT]

I have a 96 Springfield M1A Loaded with a medium weight, stainless barrel, match trigger, and match flash hider. I know it's from 96 because it is my father -in-law's and he has the original documents including the headspacing report dated Nov. 20 1996. He wants me to sell it for him but I don't know much about M1As, especially how the older models compare with the newer ones.

[daphonz]

I believe older M1A's all used to be built with all USGI parts, but I'm not sure what year it was that they stopped that. I seem to recall reading a bunch of threads about people saying now they're all cast parts and are garbage compared to the older ones

[Ubermcoupe]

Take inventory on which company made which parts (Op-rod, bolt, trigger, ... ) and use that in your sale listing.

Older M1As are more desirable because they usually contain more USGI parts and/or occurred/were built during specific times with specific gun builders. A complete TRW/USGI bolts are selling for around $400 by themselves. This will help in getting the most of your M1A.


If you don’t mind providing it, what’s the serial range (78xxx or 103xxx)?

Accessories also matter, especially if they are USGI.

If selling to CA it will need to be compliant (compensator vs FH).

[THT]

99xxx

He's got a bunch of tools such as the flash hider castle nut removal tool, the piece to hold the piston and barrel rigid when disassembling, and a couple others. The original documents, USGI sling, and a mag pouch too.

This was his prized rifle and he always took care of it. He says he has under 400 rounds through it which I believe since he is very obsessive of such details (makes him a pretty fine reloader). But it's gotten to be too heavy and hammers his arthritic shoulder too much so he bought a SCAR 17 and wants me to sell this for him.

[Ubermcoupe]

99xxx

He's got a bunch of tools such as the flash hider castle nut removal tool, the piece to hold the piston and barrel rigid when disassembling, and a couple others. The original documents, USGI sling, and a mag pouch too.

This was his prized rifle and he always took care of it. He says he has under 400 rounds through it which I believe since he is very obsessive of such details (makes him a pretty fine reloader). But it's gotten to be too heavy and hammers his arthritic shoulder too much so he bought a SCAR 17 and wants me to sell this for him.

99xxx puts the build after 10/96

Original documents and standard accessories go a long way in resale. All the other extras are a bonus.

[dskit]

My M1A circa 1995 has a TRW bolt and a Winchester hammer...very cool.

[damon1272]

Like the other poster said check for the type of parts used and list them. The value goes down for SA (Springfield Armory) parts. TRW is more valuable.

[THT]

I checked the bolt and it looks like it's a Springfield. Haven't looked at the operating rod yet.

[russ69]

I checked the bolt and it looks like it's a Springfield. Haven't looked at the operating rod yet.

I have an early 80s M1A. I like to see the TRW bolt, the rest of the parts are going to be all mixed up and I don't really care who made them.

[tinman1975]

Like the other poster said check for the type of parts used and list them. The value goes down for SA (Springfield Armory) parts. TRW is more valuable.

Just be aware that the old springfield armory ( not associated with current springfield armory) was one of the contractors for govt issue m14's......so technically you can have a springfield part which is a usgi part and will still fetch a good price over commercial (current springfield) parts.

https://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=6&f=6&t=193862

Also, there are a few measurements you can take to give an approximate idea of just how "used" the rifle or parts are. If you are really trying to fetch a premium, you can buy a gauge to measure throat erosion and muzzle wear. Wear < 1 is usually considered about as close to new as possible. You can also put calipers on the operating rod tab to get an idea of how used it is. You would have to google the numbers to look for on the tab, as I don't remember them offhand. Also, I wouldn't bother with the measurements unless you are measuring gi parts. Nice, damage free wood with sweet grain patterns will also fetch a little extra dough, you can also google the cartouche and markings to see who the stock manufacturer is

[THT]

Just be aware that the old springfield armory ( not associated with current springfield armory) was one of the contractors for govt issue m14's......so technically you can have a springfield part which is a usgi part and will still fetch a good price over commercial (current springfield) parts.

https://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=6&f=6&t=193862

Also, there are a few measurements you can take to give an approximate idea of just how "used" the rifle or parts are. If you are really trying to fetch a premium, you can buy a gauge to measure throat erosion and muzzle wear. Wear < 1 is usually considered about as close to new as possible. You can also put calipers on the operating rod tab to get an idea of how used it is. You would have to google the numbers to look for on the tab, as I don't remember them offhand. Also, I wouldn't bother with the measurements unless you are measuring gi parts. Nice, damage free wood with sweet grain patterns will also fetch a little extra dough, you can also google the cartouche and markings to see who the stock manufacturer is

I saw that post when I was doing some research and the is marked, "7790186"

Stock is black synthetic which is what the box/label indicates it came with.

[GM4spd]

If the rifle has a GI barrel,it adds to value in my humble opinion,they're
are excellent barrels and will last a lifetime. Id love to have another
WINCHESTER barrel M1A Pete