Springfield Armory M1a?

[Grizzman]

I've got one, and also have no desire for one of the shortened versions.

In my humble opinion, unless it will solely be used in long range competition, the NM version is a complete waste of money. All the excess weight in the stock turns a rifle with nice balance (but not as nice as an M1) and heft into what feels not overly different from my 7.62 AR with a 12" quad rail and 20" medium weight barrel. That is not a compliment.

I get 1 1/2" groups with NM irons with the load I use for my 7.62mm AR, so I didn't even work up a handload for it. If I scoped it, the load may give me 3/4" to 1", but it's not a precision rifle....it's a battle rifle so that's the way it's gonna stay.

A fiberglass stock will be more stable in different humidity and rain conditions, but again in my opinion, all M1As should have Walnut stocks.

The barrels are chambered to true 7.62X51 NATO specs. I think they list it as they do to show people that it's safe to fire 308 Winchester ammo in them.

If you want one, I say get it. I've wanted one for a long time, but not necessarily a new one without mil-spec parts. I finally came across one a few months ago in a non local guns shop while just wasting time. Lucky me.

[svandamme]

Originally Posted by Grizzman

All the excess weight in the stock turns a rifle with nice balance (but not as nice as an M1) and heft into what feels not overly different from my 7.62 AR with a 12" quad rail and 20" medium weight barrel. That is not a compliment.

Thx for the feedback, but can you clarify : You mean the National Match has a heavier stock?

I kinda agree on the fiberglass stock, Walnut does look better.
How about glass bedding, how does that effect maintenance?
Does Glass bedding mean you gotta leave it in there, or loose accuracy when reassembling?

[Grizzman]

The actual stock of the National Match may indeed weigh the same as that of their standard or loaded, but the action is glass bedded into it, which does add some weight. The Super Match has a maximum dimension oversized stock that in addition to being heavier doesn't actually "feel" right to me.

I didn't even get into the whole glass bedding topic, and you are absolutely right. As the action is removed and re-installed into the stock, there is the potential for the bedding to be damaged. I don't know how likely this is to occur, or how many times it can be done before actual damage is likely to occur, which reduces the tightness of the lockup, therefore eliminating the benefit of the bedding. The general rule is to only remove the action when absolutely necessary, and preferably never.

Their loaded models come with a medium weight "national match" barrel, though I'm not sure of the actual quality of it. The website also says it includes a NM front sight, but not rear, and a national match trigger assembly (really not sure what this one means).

If I were to buy a new one today, it'd be a standard model with Walnut stock and standard GI profile barrel. I can always replace sights and all other internal components with mil-spec or upgraded parts myself.

Good luck in your decision.

[Snipersnest]

I just recently bought the "loaded" model. I'm still waiting for a shipment of ball ammo to come in so's I kin shoot her.

[svandamme]

Which one did ya get? Stock, barrel?
Don't be to shy to post a pic
It'll be a while till I get my permit, I depend on everybody here to keep me motivated

[Snipersnest]

I got a photo of her under the thread: There She Was http://www.cotep.org/forum/showthread.php?t=844

[svandamme]

I've been at the 100 meter range at the club, with a Russian single shot .22 rifle i borrowed from the club.. and it jus won't do..i mean, i can lay down some decent groups with the diopter, but no scope, no recoil, i need moaaaaaar.

And it just happens, by coincidence, that i found who imports them M1a around here. Last week i went to see a gunshop in Holland, a competition shooter who sells LSWC .45 bullets and reload gear.. turns out he's he one who imports the M1a as well..

And he happens to be looking at importing about 15 of them in a couple of months. Not sure what he will have because apparently it's really difficult to get an export license in the US for guns like that, but he's working on it and i'm on the list to get one of that batch..

So i've started up the paperwork and what not at the Governers office, to get the permit. And now the wait begins...