TSR---REF M1A's
In a previous post you stated that the new M1A's, are junk, compared to the earlier ones. How far back do you have to go to get a good one??? I am working up a hankering to have a good used M1A. THX Hawkshaw
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I was specifically talking about the military version of the M1A, meaning the M14. The ones made by Harrington & Richardson are the top of the line. The original mil-spec ones, not the wannabe's that are coming in today. I had the pleasure of shooting a SOCOM II, and what a turd it was. The real Springfield, had it going on, where as the one that touts itself as Springfield Armory, Inc., should be ashamed of it's overpriced, under delivered offering's.
Best
EDIT 1
Thanks PBJ, and MC for clearing that up. I know that SA, Inc. is junk, compared to to the real design. Although, I have fired a real HRA, in Kentucky.
Best0 -
My take was that the TRW's were the cream of the M14 crop. 0 -
HRA production was tracked with all sorts of problems and both receivers and parts suffered an extremely high level of rejections by US government inspectors. The entire HRA M14 production line was halted for two moths in December, 1960 after an entire lot of bolts and receivers burst during test firing. Engineers from Springfield Armory determined that H&R was using sub standard steel and this caused virtually the entire run to be scrapped, putting production far behind.
TRW is the maker that you want, or Springfield Armory. Winchester M14s were decent quality but H&Rs were hit and miss.0 -
The original M1A semis were made in Devine, Texas. They used all GI parts except for the receiver. If you can find one, they are a bit pricey.
I've heard all sorts of stories about the quality of the newer made M1As, say post 2004. From what I've heard, Springfield will make them right, though.
If you can keep it to a lightly used rifle from before 2000, I think you be ok. BTW - I would avoid the Norinco and Federal Ordinance versions as they don't have a good reputation. The Norincos supposedly have soft bolts and the Federal Ordinance rifles have sub standard receivers.
As stated above, none really compare to the original USGI M14, but those are pretty much constructed of unobtainium. YMMV.0 -
You have to give SA Inc some respect. They have been making M14-clones for > 30 years, & have sold hundreds of thousands of rifles with relatively few complaints. At least a dozen other companies have tried to produce a better clone for less money, & all have failed.
True, the early SA Inc rifles with all USGI parts are best. But, the supply of parts has just about run out, & no one can afford to tool up to make milspec forged parts, let alone near-milspec receivers. This is the closest most of us will come to owning the real thing, & I'm greatful for that.
Neal0 -
Hawk:
You are refering to quality, and money spent is a relative back seat.
Am I correct in that assumption?
Then, go and buy a used M1A, get with LRB arms (arrange to have it sent to them). LRB has a contract with the U.S. DOD for M-14 production.
If you send them a donor rifle, they will fit a new forged milspec-in-all-regards* receiver to your gun. Follow their lead on recommendations for upgrading any worn part they may discover.
LRB will also sell you a complete rifle, if you are so inclined. Best, Joe
www.lrbarms.com
*departure from MILSPEC: Markings/Selector boss missing/Connector assembly slot missing0 -
For what it's worth, I saw a Springfield Armory with a SS Krieger barrel glassed into a full profile competition stock at a local shop. It has a Swan scope mount that was recently installed. The counter person said he had shot the rifle with a scope mounted and it was quite good. He also said "it had been to Camp Perry". I didn't ask price or check the bore.
If you're interested, I can give them a call for price.0
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