Springfield M1A newbie questions....
Hello:
I have 2 questions about a "new" used M1A I recently purchased. First-it has a serial # of 018193. The seller claimed to be the second owner, and the rifle was approx 25 years old. Can anyone tell me how to determine what year this was actually produced? I sent an e-mail to Springfield Armory 2 weeks ago, but have never recieved a response. Or should I snail-mail them a letter?
second: While at the range, 2 other shooters had similiar models. There is a hole on the front of the stock, in front of the swivel. One guy said it was a gas vent hole, and the other had installed a quick detachable swivel stud through the same hole, to fit a Harris bipod. Any danger to that? I like the idea of the bipod, and Harris' website says to drill a new hole, but it is not M1A specific.
Can anyone here offer any insight before I drill an un-necessary hole, of plug up a needed one??
Thanks in advance.
Cheers!
Mike
I have 2 questions about a "new" used M1A I recently purchased. First-it has a serial # of 018193. The seller claimed to be the second owner, and the rifle was approx 25 years old. Can anyone tell me how to determine what year this was actually produced? I sent an e-mail to Springfield Armory 2 weeks ago, but have never recieved a response. Or should I snail-mail them a letter?
second: While at the range, 2 other shooters had similiar models. There is a hole on the front of the stock, in front of the swivel. One guy said it was a gas vent hole, and the other had installed a quick detachable swivel stud through the same hole, to fit a Harris bipod. Any danger to that? I like the idea of the bipod, and Harris' website says to drill a new hole, but it is not M1A specific.
Can anyone here offer any insight before I drill an un-necessary hole, of plug up a needed one??
Thanks in advance.
Cheers!
Mike
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SA Inc will eventually get back to you with a response. But, why do you care when it was made? The important thing to know (& SA can't tell you) is: Are all parts USGI, or are they cast reproductions? The most important parts are the barrel, op rod, bolt, & trigger group, all of which have markings which will enable you to identify them?
The best bipod to use is the USGI M2 bipod, which clips on the gas cylinder; but, they are difficult to find. The hole on the bottom of the stock is a gas vent hole, but do what you want; the worst that can happen is that the stock will blow out at the bottom or sides, imbedding your arm with splinters. I don't like to drill holes in my guns, or scrape the metal, so I'd just use a monopod or sandbag.
Neal0 -
Here is how I did mine,
I got my Versa-pod rail today and found like others I do not like the swiveling sling mount. Not only did I dislike the swivel the loop seemed large and "misshaped". Well my brain and my Dremel got the best of me
I removed the swivel which I found was held in by a small E-clip. I then took out the Dremel and a cutting wheel and cut off the section where the E-clip as it was too long with it on there.
I first tried to just place the stock sling mount under the Versa and running the screws through. This did work, but left a large gap between stock and rail. It also looked quite funny as the rail is "flat" and the stock is at an angle. With the Dremel, a file, and a bit of time I took ~0.070" (size of the standard plate) off the base of the Versa and added a slight angle to it.
The next problem I ran into is that the holes in the stock plate and the Versa did not line up. A few seconds with the Dremel fixed that.
Here it is all cut and put on. It is hard to see in the pic but the front of the rail does not contact the stock, it is just close.
Here is another wider shot.
I need to do just a little more touch up work on this and then I am going to refinish it. I think I may "glue" the stock plate to the Versa plate so it looks like a single piece when it is finished.0 -
i have a springfield M1a in the 29000 number range that was made in 1984..hope that helps 0 -
Has anyone actually heard of the stock exploding into splinters due to a plugged, or restricted, stock gas vent hole? Seems a little far fetched, given the "loose" fit of the any components attached to the stock in that area. The maual does not mention it, nor refer to cleaning the hole. Has anyone encountered any issues, either with a bipod mount or a rail mount to the stock restricting or blocking said vent hole? Please share any thoughts so I can decide how best to proceed with MY rifle!!
Thanks,
Mike0 -
It was put there for a reason. It is not an accidental hole that was put there for no reason that just keeps coming out on all the stocks.
Do as you like. While I dont now about exploding the hole DOES have a reason. You can see by looking at my mount that there is a channel in the mount so the hole is not blocked.0 -
quote:Originally posted by 82trooper
Has anyone actually heard of the stock exploding into splinters due to a plugged, or restricted, stock gas vent hole? Seems a little far fetched, given the "loose" fit of the any components attached to the stock in that area. The maual does not mention it, nor refer to cleaning the hole. Has anyone encountered any issues, either with a bipod mount or a rail mount to the stock restricting or blocking said vent hole? Please share any thoughts so I can decide how best to proceed with MY rifle!!
Thanks,
Mike
Item in blue above: That's because any foreign matter in the hole will be blown out on its own during the firing cycle.
After testing prototype M14's/M15's Pitcantinny arsenal advised Springfield Armory to add the hole as a pressure and especially heat relief. True, it was a consideration for full-auto fire, but Springfield decided to keep the alteration for future production because the [unaltered M14] stock developed heat-pressure signs after sustained semi-auto fire as well. Remember, the area immediately behind the gas cylinder in an M1 Garand is totally open to vent the spent gasses. On an M14 (your M1A), it's basically an exhaust pipe. Treat it as such. Good Luck! Joe0 -
Joe:
Thanks for the no-nonsense response.
Mike0 -
NWCID, I like your set up but when you say you "think I may "glue" the stock plate to the Versa plate so it looks like a single piece when it is finished." how do you plan on "glueing it" 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Briansims8
NWCID, I like your set up but when you say you "think I may "glue" the stock plate to the Versa plate so it looks like a single piece when it is finished." how do you plan on "glueing it"
Some kind of epoxy or Super-Mend type product. This will fill in the lines then I can just Duracoat it so it looks like a single piece.
Since there is no stress between the plate and adapter Elmers may work too [:D] The bolts hold both pieces together and to the stock so it would not take a lot to keep it in place.0 -
Just my opinion, Instead of going through the work of drilling a new hole, I think it would be much easier and less painful to email me and I would give you my phone number. I have a couple of M14 GI bi-pods and I would be willing to sell you one if you were interested.
Let me know. and yes they are very hard to find.0
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