*UPDATE* -Pic added - New M1A owner, what do I need to know?
My M1A Arrived! Springfield “Loaded” S/S barrel with walnut stock. Thanks to DaBigBR for the best deal I found.
Please share helpful hints, web links, must see YouTube vids etc.
Have 10 CMI magazines already on the way. Ordering more .308 ammo next week. What else do I need/should I get?
It’s been a dream gun for me for awhile, decided to splurge in “honor” of our newly passed gun-control abortion here in WA state.This message has been edited. Last edited by: 911Boss,
What part of "...Shall not be infringed" don't you understand???
November 29, 2018, 12:37 AM
CPD SIG
Paging Arc and Benny6, Paging Mr Arcwelder and Mr Benny6...
Im sure those two will be picking up the white courtesy phone soon enough. There's the two guys that have a vast ammount of knowledge when it comes to M1A's. Benny6 ha a few YouTube video links on his page here. They'll teach you how to squeeze every bit of fun and accuracy out of it.
Mine seems to really like 147 and 149 grain. I have a Standard with composite stock. That walnut stock, I'd go for a nice brown leather sling. A nice old school, original feel to it.
Magazines? Look around, now is the time for some pretty decent sales. Regular GI surplus are sometimes hit-or miss, I like Springfield Mags. Havent tried the Magpul ones yet.
NICE GUN!
______________________________________________________________________ "When its time to shoot, shoot. Dont talk!"
“What the government is good at is collecting taxes, taking away your freedoms and killing people. It’s not good at much else.” —Author Tom Clancy
November 29, 2018, 06:27 AM
RogueJSK
Sigforum member benny6 has made some excellent guides for disassembling/cleaning/lubing your M1A.
Originally posted by CPD SIG: Magazines? Look around, now is the time for some pretty decent sales. Regular GI surplus are sometimes hit-or miss, I like Springfield Mags.
Don't bother buying Springfield Armory, Inc. branded mags. They're made by Checkmate Industries/CMI, and you can get generic Checkmate magazines for cheaper. They're identical, but with a $10-$20 markup for just the SAI rollmark on the baseplate.
November 29, 2018, 10:49 AM
P220 Smudge
I’ll have to dig it out, but I’ve got a single USGI mag kicking around somewhere and I’m a short drive from you. I never did get an M1A , so if you want it, just lemme know.
______________________________________________ Carthago delenda est
November 29, 2018, 12:15 PM
Chris Orndorff
I found The M14 Owner's Guide by Scott Duff and John Miller to be very informative. Unfortunately it looks to be out of print so it can be pricey. I think I paid $14 for my copy.
__________________
"Owning a handgun doesn't make you armed any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician." -Jeff Cooper
November 30, 2018, 07:51 AM
preten2b
quote:
Originally posted by Chris Orndorff: I found The M14 Owner's Guide by Scott Duff and John Miller to be very informative. Unfortunately it looks to be out of print so it can be pricey. I think I paid $14 for my copy.
If you're just learning this firearm, get the book.
Muzzle guide, 3-pc set of plastic protectors for sight(s)/handle, maybe tool for greasing bolt. Oh yea, the wrench to hold barrel when removing gas piston.
------------------ The plural of anecdote is not data. -Frank Kotsonis
November 30, 2018, 09:02 AM
blfuller
Get a NM recoil spring guide if it doesn't already have one by Sadlak. Have the gas block unitized with the front band and shim if necessary as well. These are a couple of the less expensive accuracy enhancers.
Also the The U.S. .30 Caliber Gas Operated Service Rifles: A Shop Manual, Volumes I & II by Jerry Kuhnhausen.
November 30, 2018, 09:05 AM
DSgrouse
the single biggest thing i tell folks when getting a M1A or M1G for the first time.
Get home open the bolt.
wrap your dominant thumb in 5lbs of gauze.
close bolt with thumb.
Do it this way and you will never have an accident.
oh fair warning it is going to hurt like hell.
November 30, 2018, 09:09 AM
RogueJSK
"Garand thumb" should never happen with a M14/M1A.
Unlike the M1 Garand, the M14/M1A's bolt is retained in the rearward position until the bolt is retracted and released, like a handgun slide or the charging handle of an AR. It doesn't automatically release when the follower is depressed by your thumb, like a Garand.
In addition, unless you're loading your M14/M1A using stripper clips (why?), there's no need to ever insert your thumb into the M14/M1A receiver anyway.
(Besides, I've been shooting Garands for a while now, and have never inadvertently loaded my thumb. There's a simple procedure to follow when manipulating the Garand that, if adhered to, will ensure that this will not occur.)
December 01, 2018, 11:46 AM
lyman
quote:
Originally posted by RogueJSK:
"Garand thumb" should never happen with a M14/M1A.
Unlike the M1 Garand, the M14/M1A's bolt is retained in the rearward position until the bolt is retracted and released, like a handgun slide or the charging handle of an AR. It doesn't automatically release when the follower is depressed by your thumb, like a Garand.
In addition, unless you're loading your M14/M1A using stripper clips (why?), there's no need to ever insert your thumb into the M14/M1A receiver anyway.
(Besides, I've been shooting Garands for a while now, and have never inadvertently loaded my thumb. There's a simple procedure to follow when manipulating the Garand that, if adhered to, will ensure that this will not occur.)
what he said,
M1a/M14 are thumb friendly,
https://www.chesterfieldarmament.com/
December 05, 2018, 12:21 PM
1KPerDay
Get some damn grease.
--------------------------- My hovercraft is full of eels.
December 05, 2018, 01:31 PM
RogueJSK
Oh, yes. Excellent advice.
Both the M1 Garand and M1A/M14 were designed to use grease, not oil, for lubrication.
Oil is fine on the exterior surfaces for cleaning and protection, but internal moving parts needs grease.
December 07, 2018, 02:26 PM
benny6
Disassembly...
Lubrication...
Cleaning (I'm getting ready to re-shoot this one soon in HD)
Reloading...
I have many other videos addressing many other aspects like chassis systems, scope mounting, and glass bedding.
Appreciate a all the info so far. I am taking delivery Wed assuming UPS delivery estimate is legit.
Box o mags from 44mag.com sitting and waiting. End of next week I am on vacation until Jan 9th so will devour all the info provided and hopefully get some range time if the weather isn’t to shitty.
It is not going to see a lot of use, so not sure if I will start down the accurizing/customizing rabbit hole. Money probably better spent on more ammo and things to scare the lefty libtards..
What part of "...Shall not be infringed" don't you understand???
December 11, 2018, 01:58 PM
benny6
If you need anything, I’m just down the road in North Plains, OR.
...