Scope mount for M1A

[Badmusic]

I have been searching around for a scope mount base for my m1a.

I have seen similar designs where the only distinction I can note from the descriptions are the materials they are made from. However, the prices fall in a range from as low as $28.00 to over $400.00.

$400.00 seems expensive for a machined hunk of metal with a screw attachment.

I am thinking of a burris eliminator lll 4x16x50 laser rangefinder scope.

Can I get away with a cheap mount, and what are the differences (besides materials) i can look for to determine the best mount for the gun and scope?

[dad4mnc]

I like the Sadlak. I have steel but I'm sure aluminum would work well.

[Badmusic]

What I am really looking at here...is the discrepancy in price, is a $400 aluminum going to be any more functional than a $28 steel??

[Badmusic]

nobody? Really? No wisdom or advice? I'm so disappointed calgunners.

[Corbin Dallas]

Arms and sadlak mounts are the main choices.

Its not about the mount or material, its about maintaining a consistent zero after firing the m1a.

Cheap mounts loosen over time.

You do not want to find out at the worst possible time your zero is anything but.

With that said I have a arms 18 on my m1a. It was ok on price and has not moved. However I do not shoot my m1a a lot.

[SilenS]

My housemate has a Sadlak on his EBR...works awesome he loves it and I've shot it works well. I have a Basset Machine on my Socom 16. Woks awesome, retains zero etc. would recommend both.

Going to cost around 200 but they are solid and you won't have to get another. Sad oak mounts in two spots, basset is a single point on the side.

[strongpoint]

Scope mount for M1A

nobody? Really? No wisdom or advice? I'm so disappointed calgunners.

did you run a search? it's not like this subject has never been hashed out before.

Arms and sadlak mounts are the main choices.



Its not about the mount or material, its about maintaining a consistent zero after firing the m1a.



Cheap mounts loosen over time.



You do not want to find out at the worst possible time your zero is anything but.



With that said I have a arms 18 on my m1a. It was ok on price and has not moved. However I do not shoot my m1a a lot.

this, mostly. check out bassett machine's mount. it uses a unique design, and it attaches and detaches quickly with supposedly minimal shift in zero. much less expensive than either smith or sadlak, and i've never heard of an owner who doesn't like theirs.

smith enterprise makes nice gear, but the company is unpopular right now and its products are also not cheap. i've heard people say springfield finally got it right with its fourth-generation mount, but others aren't convinced because the first three iterations were so bad.

M14.ca makes another unconventional model that locks into the rear sight pocket. i've heard good things about it.

mccann industries and fulton armory also make mounts, but i haven't heard anything about them. avoid cut-rate brands like NCstar, AIM sports, leapers, UTG or millett.

tl;dr: you don't have to pay $400, but i wouldn't trust something too cheap either.

[subrvin]

Sadlak airborne in steel. First check to see if your M1A is within spec first with their kit. 100+ rounds and still holds zero. Also allows use of iron sights. Only two ejection issues out of 100. Awesome customer support too.

[6mmAI]

I have used both aluminum and steel mounts. The aluminum do flex a bit at the forward tension screw and require periodic checking. I felt the aluminum mounts were a poor decision after use. The steel mounts are stiff and hold very well.

I used a Smith mount and was very happy with it. I ended up selling the rifle later. The mount is up for sale and a lot cheaper than they are going new.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=881888

Not shilling the sale item. Just providing feedback from experience. The M1A/ M14 to me was never really designed for optic mounts. I always felt it was an after thought and a difficult task to come up with a dependable mount that held zero under rough conditions considering receiver manufacturing variances.

There are only a handfull of suppliers that have come up with acceptable mounts. ARMS, Sadlack, Basset and Smith all make the best.

Cheap mounts? I have seen a lot of guys show up at the range with them and next time I saw them they took the mounts off and just used irons.

[Badmusic]

See? Now that's what i was hoping for. Thank you all for the info. Very instructional. Sadlak got the most votes, in steel, at a mid range price. Thanks again. Very much appreciated.

[dfletcher]

Not to complicate things but .....

Take a look at this - replaces the rear sight, no side bolting required.

http://www.m14.ca/M14_M1A_CASM_Scope_Mount.html

I have no idea how well it works. I used to use a Sadlak and now use an ARMS 18 because it sits lower.

I can't speak for others, but my goal using a scope mount on an M1A is to get one which, when I start shooting poorly, can't be blamed for the lousy results. I want a scope mount that eliminates itself as the cause of lousy groups.

[stonecold434]

A lot of good info here:

http://m1arifles.com/forum/index.php/forum/59-m1a-rifle-scope-mounts/

[thai562]

When it come to the m14 scope mount, you will get what you paid for.
ARMS and Sadlak are at a reasonable price.

[23 Blast]

I have a Bassett Machine mount. Mine is the older kind which has the 45-degree canted base for the rings to attach to. It makes mounting a scope quite a challenge, but once it was on, it worked very well for me. I also go back and forth with scope/without scope - because the irons on an M1A are so nice it's almost sacreligious to mount a scope - but when I reinstall the mount and scope, it returns to zero pretty well.

It ran me around $110 a few years ago.

[jdoezha]

thai562

When it come to the m14 scope mount, you will get what you paid for.
ARMS and Sadlak are at a reasonable price.


What he says. The frustration of skimping out & not holding 0 will cost you more in the long run! Use what's known to work!I'm using the Sadlak Airborne Ti