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M1A Mags & Sights

Mr.Smith
I just purchased a SA M1A to keep my Polyteck company. The magazines that work in the Polyteck have feeding problems in the SA. The SA bolt only engages the base of the next round in the "polyteck" mag about 1/16" (if that)and fails to strip about one in five attempts. It has failed on both sides of the mag. The dealer has sent me a mag that should work in the SA (havn't had a chance to try it yet) and I have noticed that the radius of the magazine lips is larger and the lips therefore taller than the "polyteck" mags. Anyone know the correct radius or if the two rifles are just that much different.
Also does anyone have experience on how tight to tighten the M1A scope mount to the receiver.

Thanks
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Comments

5 comments

Date Votes
  • raskil
    On the poly mag, try to open the gap (which will also make the lips taller. This should provide more space for the bolt radius as it strips the top round off. As for the SA mount, don't expect much from it as they tend to not hold zero reguardless of touque. For a quick point red dot type CQB scope it may be OK, but for a real scope go with a Smith Enterprise or ARMS type mount.
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  • drobs
    I've had good luck with the thermold mags in the M1A after a little filing on the mag block. You may also want to try Cole Distributing as seen in Shotgun News. I've heard good things about their M1A mags.

    Regards,
    gadsden.jpg
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  • Pearyw
    I also have a Polytech and a Springfield M1A. I have never had a problem with US military mags working in either rifle. As to the scope mount. What kind do you have. I have a B-Square on my Polytech and a first generation Springfield on the Springfield. They both mount a little differently. Springfield has 3 different versions of their mount and there are a lot of other makers.
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  • Mr.Smith
    Pearyw,
    I'll have to look this evening for the mount specifics but I think it is a first generation Springfield. On your mags, if you get a chance, what is the measurement from the top of the mag body to the top edge of the lip?
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  • nmyers
    You will need to learn how to identify the various mags that are sold for M14-clones.

    The best mags are USGI; these are gray/black phosphate & always have the manufacturers initials stamped into the spine. The only time they don't have the initials is when they were buffed out during refinishing. The mags sold by Cole are USGI, & everyone who has dealt with this company has been satisfied. SA Inc has always sold USGI mags for use with their rifles, but they charge much more than Cole.

    Chicom mags are always steel with a matt silver finish. I have found that they work as well as USGI mags, & are cheaper.

    I've heard that the Taiwanese made blued mags on US supplied equipment, & these are supposed to be as good as USGI.

    Orlite are supposed to work well. There are a couple of other plastic mags that sometimes work well, but they may break, especially in cold weather.

    Avoid any steel mags with raised bosses on the spine, rather than the welded plate. These are guaranteed not to work reliably. I don't know who made them. Most other mags not described above will not work reliably, either.

    Neal
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