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Hots for M1A

krw
I've got the hots for a Springfield Armory M1A. I would like to have the model#9822.
1. Will they hold 1" groups out of the box with Federal Gold Medal Match ammo?
2. How hard are they on the brass?
3. Do they have a long throat? Can you load shells that will fit in magazine and still be close the the lands?
Wjould like to know these before I drop $1400 + mounts + scope. Would like to know would be bad expensive toy not to be satisfied with.
Thanks for all input
krw
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • leeblackman
    Sounds to me like you need I nice custom bolt rifle. Honestly there is no guarantee on what type of groups you will get. But the gun will probably out shoot you. For sure it is accurate enough for its intended purpose. If you want a better M1A you might look into having one built by fulton armory. www.fultonarmory.com It just depends on how much money you want to spend. www.entreprise.com produces double lug milled recievers that I personally think are about the best you can get.
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  • nmyers
    I agree with Lee that you are going to have choose between 1) getting an M14-clone just because you like it, or 2) getting a bolt action rifle because you are seeking the ultimate target rifle.

    I understand the appeal of the M14 rifle. I wanted one as close to the M14 I used in the Army. Mine was custom built by a former Army armorer with a SA, Inc receiver & all USGI parts; the barrel is a USGI lightweight SAK NM, & the stock is USGI with a wood filler in the selector cutout. It is exactly what I wanted.

    I really can't recommend current production SA, Inc rifles. Because USGI parts are no longer readily available, they now contract for many of their small parts, & they are not good quality. Also, they seem to have no QA program. And, their scopes are poor quality. I'd look for an older SA Inc with all USGI parts; you should be able to get one for < what you would spend for a new one. Most high power shooters have changed to M16-clones, so the M14-clones are not hard to find.

    Or, you can have your own built. LRB & Fulton Armory receivers are the best. Armscorp is OK. Avoid MKE. I have heard recent horror stories about Entreprise, so be cautious. The important thing is to find your armorer BEFORE you buy anything.

    Neal
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  • GPWEAPON
    Most likely will hold 2 1/2" w/ fgm they are murder on brass two safe reloads on once fired lc brass the guns from springfield are a poc I had a super match from them that burnt holes in primers and riped off necks after two reloads had to send it back it always was a poc traded it tword a double lug custom with the works [:D] aahhh I'll give the same advice I give every one check around your high power circles you can get custom ones with 3 or less on the throat erosion gauge for $1,200-1,700 that will last you for years and will most likey shoot 1/2" with fgm they lost their appeal in years of late due to the rise of the mouse.
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  • krw
    I have several extremely good bolt guns that will far outshoot the mia, but i want an m1a just to play with.
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  • boeboe
    This makes me feel really good that I just bought an old, used, forged receiver Smith Enterprises M14 National Match that will shoot 1/2 groups @ 100 yards for $1400! But I think I got a nice deal, The Smiths are hard to find. My personal preference goes to forged receivers. Not that you could ever wear out a SA, Inc. cast receiver M1A. And SA, Inc. does have a good warrantee. But the reality is, the Chicom rifles can be built up into better rifles than the M1A. My recommendation would be to buy a used Polytech M14S. Hold your money 'till you can find one for around $500 - $600. It can be done. Then shoot that and use your extra money to improve on it as you go. Your end result will be a rifle that is much closer to mil-spec than the SA, Inc. M1A. And more accurate.

    To err is human, to moo is bovine.
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  • Madman
    I had a Springfield M1A M-14 civilian model with a 4x16x56 range finding scope on it. Best grouping was under .4375 for a three shot group. Went and sold it a year ago and have been kicking myself in the posterior for ther last 12 months. Springfield builds em right!

    Wish I had one now, know of any for the ecconomical price I gave for the the one that got away?

    Harley
    Gunsmith/Owner
    Mountain Magic
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  • bobski
    see folks, this is a classic example of what ive been preaching to people for years wanting tight groups. let me try this one more time. i hope you enjoy it.........you work your way back from the target to the brain. meaning......decide what you want to hit, decide how far away you want to hit it, decide what you want to hit it with, decide what to launch the bullet with, decide how bad you need to hit it, and train yourself to do it. this is the 'bobski method.' the gun owner MUST ask WHY, before going thru all the expense and trouble to do it. if you cant answer it, youre just burning money and there are plenty of people in business to take it from you and make you feel happy about it. WHY must you have an M1A? WHY must it be 1" groups? WHY must it be fed .308 ammo? WHY are you worried about it being hard on brass? WHY must you have a scope? the way i read this is it appears this purchase is an emotional one rather than a rational one. most shooters have a need to fufill. hunters need meat. target shooters need trophies. instructors need dependable arms. citizens need protection. etc... buying an M1A should fufill a NEED. when you do this, the price of the gun becomes justified. to just buy a M1A because you got the hots for one sounds like an emotional 'boost your image' impulse purchase. in which case, WHY whould anyone need 1" groups? most people in this catagory of gun ownership couldnt hit a shoe box at 25yds even if they threw the gun at it. so, in all due respect, and seriously, until you can help us by answering these basic questions, anything will do and the model you are interested in is a waste of money. i am now poised to help you. help me know you and your mission. we'll go from there.

    former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction.
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  • Big Stick
    I think the M1A's attributes can be realized with irons. It simply is,what is and I'm fond of them.

    That being said,semi-auto precision can be had via the AR-10 and it's ilk. The platform is more condusive to precision and easier to keep in tune,as well as boasting a vastly superior platform for optics.

    The M1A is a quirky/fickle meanie,once you abort it's basic role(start wanting optics aboard and seeking high precision). Keep the M1A simplistic,as designed and she'll purrrrr like a kitten. Deviate from that path and you'd best keep the checkbook handy,as well as the Tylenol.

    Your mileage may vary......................
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  • JustC
    I Have to agree with Big Stick. A battle rifle is for hitting a person sized target (not quite the 1moa you are looking for)

    If you want that design,..and you want it MOA capable, my suggestion is the springfield Super Match or M21 version. I have worked with 2 of these that are 1/2" guns all day long!! You get what ya shell out for.

    why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
    Got Balistics?
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  • Pinhead
    I'm afraid I have to agree with Bobski. First decide what you want your rifle to do(or for). Then start asking questions based on that. Everyone of us has probably at one time or another bought something based on pure lust,if not you are not a true gun nut. My advice is usually once you have decided to buy the rifle is to first shoot the heck out of it for awhile and then decide where you want to go from there. If you truly just have to have an M1A, go to Camp Perry and find out what the top 5 or 6 shooters were shooting and more inportantly, who built them. Now you know where to go to get under one inch groups and I guarantee it will function reliably. Yes I like the idea of a 20 round magazine, but I have been shooting Garands since the late 50's and I never feel at a disadvantage. An old saying in my competition days was that you can;t miss fast enough to win. It is far more important to be able to hit yur target than what you shoot it with. Aim small, hit small. Just an old man's opinion.
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