First time out with an M1A

[RedneckFur]

A few weeks ago, I picked up a bucket list gun that's been on my radar for years. A Springfield M1A. I'd heard a wide mix of things about them, from people to sing their praises as the greatest battle rifle ever made, to people who considered them inaccurate, unreliable trash.

Not going to lie, I was a little nervous my first trip to the range. I was worries I'd be disappointed, like meeting your hero and finding out they're a tool.

After some time at the range, I have to say I love this rifle. It's exceeded my expectations. From a sandbag rest I put 20 rounds inside the 9-ring with my first 100 yard group. It's a keeper! I'm hoping with more practice with this rifle those group shrink even more.

I bought the rifle without papers, but it appears to be the M1A "loaded" model. It has the oversized NM stock, NM barrel, NM sights, and NM trigger, but does not appear to be glass bedded.

 

[rufrdr]

Great shooting and nice rifle! Welcome to the M1A fraternity!

 

[Sneakymedic]

I've had a few of them. They are an awesome rifle. Heavy, but easy to shoot. Wouldn't want to hump it for long. One I had was a Socom 16. Fun, but LOUD. I want a Scout. The best of both worlds.

 

[Hammer12b]

I've had a few of them. They are an awesome rifle. Heavy, but easy to shoot. Wouldn't want to hump it for long. One I had was a Socom 16. Fun, but LOUD. I want a Scout. The best of both worlds.

I’ve got 2 loaded’s and a SOCOM. I love them all!

 

[DrScaryGuy]

a garand pattern rifle sure feels like a rock chucking machine. something about that recoil system just chugging. very different experience from the AR's pewpew
2 garands and 1 socom 16 so far.

 

[Ts_1911]

Congratulations nice rifle and shooting!

 

[MacEntyre]

I just got a Standard, synthetic, planning to take it to the range with my FAL for a comparison choot.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[BowWow]

.......iirc the difference between the loaded and nm was the sights and the bedding. Both are nice rifles.

 

[Have gun-will travel]

Love my M1A. It was built for me by an Army marksmanship Unit armorer that builds rifles for The AMU rifle team. An awesome rifle .He also did trigger work on my Springfield M1Garand and put on nm sights and op rod. Both are tack drivers especially with the right Ammo..

 

[rufrdr]

I've had a few of them. They are an awesome rifle. Heavy, but easy to shoot. Wouldn't want to hump it for long. One I had was a Socom 16. Fun, but LOUD. I want a Scout. The best of both worlds.

The M14 didn't feel heavy when I was 21. 45 years later now it feels heavy 😄

 

[Jabroni]

Nice shooting, amd great rifle!

Love mine!

 

[Pops]

Bucket list item for me! Congrats!

 

[Ben W.]

I've had 3. First was a NM Rifle built by a Marine RTE Armorer. Great shooter. 2nd was a "back-up" rifle to the first, heavy wood stock NM parts. First was rebuilt by the Quantico RTE guys with McMillan heavy stock, double-lugged, and heavy stainless bbl. I did go distinguished with points from an M-14. Love the rifles!! I sold the wood stocked one in a moment of crazy, but still have the heavy McMillan rifle, complete with "Perry Sticker" on the stock. Don't plan to ever sell that one. Then, this last year I bought a Springfield NM rifle with NM sights and stainless bbl. Haven't shot it yet. The rifles are capable of incredible accuracy when properly tuned by someone who knows them, like the AMU guys or the Marines. Yours seems to be shooting well. Make sure you shoot and load "appropriate" ammo.. it is possible to beat them with "wrong" ammo, just like the M-1 Garand. Several really good articles on the interweb on the are and feeding of these rascals. Enjoy!!

 

[nbkky71]

While I never got an leg points with my M1A, I did cut my teeth in NRA highpower with one. Started out as a loaded model and the rabbit hole got deeper as I became more proficient! Before I transitioned over to the black rifle, I ended up with a USMC build, McMillan stock double lug heavy like Ben W. Love that rifle!

 

[Charlie]

I like my Springfield and try to shoot it as much as possible. I trained with an M14 for a while back in the 1960's and only shot it full auto once. That one time was enough. I do not miss having the little selector and the extra bar on the rifle I have now. I hope you enjoy your rifle as much as I enjoy mine. As mentioned above, feed it what it likes.

 

[matttahoe53]

I’m a big fan of the M1a platform. My next trip to the range is to run my FAL, AR10, and M1a side by side.

 

[Gnash.Hyena]

I'm glad you were able to finally get one, and that it shoots as good as it looks.

 

[RedneckFur]

Thanks for all the kind words! Over Christmas I plan to get it back out to the range for a little more fun. I'm going to need to start handloading for it too.

 

[Bahamadon]

Beautiful rifle . Nice shooting as well. Just think how much more you will shoot it once you start rolling your own ammo.

 

[Atla]

This is on my list as well.

Sadly, I think .308 battle rifles may be rather hard to find for the next few years.

 

[Ben W.]

The M14 didn't feel heavy when I was 21. 45 years later now it feels heavy 😄

Not sure how I did it, but I carried one of those full-size rifles all the way through Boot Camp at Parris Island in Sept.-Nov. of 1971. Couldn't do that today!! But really love having one around.

 

[RedneckFur]

This is on my list as well.

Sadly, I think .308 battle rifles may be rather hard to find for the next few years.

At the last gun show I went to, I saw a few chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, and at pretty good prices. If that would suit your needs, it may be a good option.