M1A Reloads and "slam fire"

[firelt]

I took my brand new, just out of the box Springfield M1A out to the range last week and I think I had a "slam fire." I was using 150 gr Magtech ammo that I had picked up at the local gun shop. After about 40 rounds from a bench rest I squeezed off a round and immediately heard/felt 2 rounds fire simultaneously . After 23 years in the Army, I know what it's like to fire a burst, even if it is 2 rounds. No damage was done, and after a careful inspection I continued to put 60 more rounds down range without incident.

I collected my brass and will reload it this week. Any .308 re-loaders out there with an M1A have any tips to offer?

Note: I've put 100's of reloads through my Garand without having this happen, I always use CCI primers and I inspect each one to guarantee they are flush to the bottom of the case. Not sure what else I can do, but I'm smart enough to listen to good advice.

[ditchdigger]

It could be the hammer hooks on the sear. Roughen them up with sand cloth.

You could be finessing the trigger and causing a bump fire.

[mark501w]

If you had a slam fire you'd know it. Best case you'd have areally odd looking case worst case a broken receiver.

[TimRB]

Chances are that wasn't a slam fire, but rather a double. You need to hold the grip tightly with your trigger hand, or otherwise you can end up bump firing the rifle. I did this once shooting an M1.

Tim

[hermosabeach]

OP

Do you reset the sear after you shoot??

I had a similar event when shooting prone.

The factory checked out my gun and all was in spec.

Since I started resetting the trigger as the sights are coming back on target the issue never happened again.

Before you monkey with anything and potentially void the warranty, do a basic function test and sent it to the factory for warranty repair as needed.

Does your model have a spring infront of the firing pin like the armalite ar10 to prevent slam fires?

You can also look at the primers before firing and then chamber a round. Eject the round and repeat.

After you have done this for the magazine re inspect the primers.
Do the primers show dents from the firing pin lightly striking the primer with forward travel?

If yes, do l the small dings look consistent???

Some commercial ammo has really soft/ light primers.
Some military ammo is hard primed so that it can take the force of an open bolt MG to fire the ammo.

[Excitable Boy]

My Scout Squad came with a big CAUTION tag that noted that the rifle had been headspaced to GI specs and requires the use of GI Mil Spec ammo or commercially manufactured ammo that meets GI specs, which I would take to mean hard primed. It also came with a reprint of an article from American Rifleman from 1983 called "The Mysterious Slam-Fire" which can be seen here"

http://www.scribd.com/doc/2649554/The-Mysterious-Slamfire-

That article is quite informative and worth reading.

I have only ever shot mil surp ammo from my M1As (had a Socom II for a while) and have never had a problem. I did recently purchase some Magtech ammo but have not shot it yet. I am now a little concerned about using it.

[Carsgunsandchics]

I had this happen with Winchester Ammo. And have heard to not use reloads with Federal Primers due to being soft.

[highpower790]

I had this happen with Winchester Ammo. And have heard to not use reloads with Federal Primers due to being soft.

federal primers are soft.once upon a time my 1st m1 slamfired.i did not squeeze trigger,just closed the bolt.the only damage was the corner of receiver where bolt rolls over.there was a rough edge that was smoothed over with a little filing.

[glockman19]

All you did is bump fire your rifle. Not a slam fire.

[Germz]

All you did is bump fire your rifle. Not a slam fire.

reload with CCI 34s

[kblack583]

If case is headspaced correctly and primer is seated slightly below flush with case head your gtg. If you got to M14 forum you'll see alot of good info on reloading for M1a.

[0321jarhead]

Chances are that wasn't a slam fire, but rather a double. You need to hold the grip tightly with your trigger hand, or otherwise you can end up bump firing the rifle. I did this once shooting an M1.

Tim

I have to agree. Had the same experience twice. 12 years ago with my M1A and then back about 33 years ago with an M14. Self control. Self discipline and more shooting. It does get frustrating. You can also at no charge send your trigger group to springfield and they will fine tune it.

[firelt]

Thanks All. I'm going with a bump fire, since there was no damage. I'll just practice with it more, because after all, more shooting is not a bad thing.

[tpf68]

Thanks All. I'm going with a bump fire, since there was no damage. I'll just practice with it more, because after all, more shooting is not a bad thing.

I agree, I've done the same. Make sure you follow through with your trigger pull. Keep pulling the trigger back until well after the shot is fired and your sights are back on target, then release trigger to reset it. This will probably cure your issue.