Springfield M1A

[B2Tall]

Just got my hands on an M1A standard with the black synthetic stock. Here are my impressions of the rifle, including my first trip to the range with it:

The rifle is remarkably simple. I call it an "American AK". Very few moving parts. It's the exact opposite of my AR15. One look inside at its rather sparse innards and you can see why it has a rep for being very reliable. It's extremely easy to take apart and reassemble. Of course, being a direct descendant of the M1 Garand, it's using "technology" (I use the term loosely :no from the 1930s. That's a good thing in this case.

It's also lighter than I expected. That's mostly a function of the synthetic stock. I wanted the synth for that reason (and it was cheaper than the walnut stock model).

Being as light as it was, I expected a fairly nasty kick from its .308 cartridge. Didn't happen. Very manageable recoil. I was pleasantly surprised. Reacquiring the target after each shot was quick and easy. Also, it wasn't ridiculously loud. We've all been to the range and heard the booms of the larger caliber weapons and the M1A is no exception but it wasn't obnoxiously loud like some .308s.

I've only fired it using the stock iron sights (got a scope for it but have yet to use it. I will soon.). After a few adjustments I had it zeroed in. Super accurate although the range I was at only allows for 100yd shooting. I'll take it to a longer range sometime in the near future. Very consistent with nice tight groups using Rem UMC range ammo. I consider myself a solid marksman, nothing special, so I would consider the M1A's reputation as a highly accurate platform to be well-founded.

My only complaint was that the barrel cover on the top of the stock was cheap, flimsy, and rattled. It's really kind of a moot point since it was my intention all along to replace it with a rail system (and have done so). Also, in order to disengage the safety you have to have your finger inside the trigger guard. Not the greatest design for a safety so you just have to be very careful not to touch the trigger. Could be more of a problem for somebody wearing insulated gloves.

Overall I'm very please with my new acquisition and plan on using to to wreak havoc on evil paper targets for many years to come!:biggrin:

 

[Bighouse Doc]

A very nice rifle, but not really cut out for modern military use.

It almost seems it's best role is as a civilian target rifle.

Mine can group (using my own reloads) from the bench at just over an inch at 200yds.

-Doc

 

[tnhawk]

The M1A has never given me any problems during the year I've it. It's been more accurate than my ability to shoot.

 

[mappow]

The M1A has never given me any problems during the year I've it. It's been more accurate than my ability to shoot.

Nice quote and usually goes without saying.

Don't own one yet but it's on my next to buy. I really want a M1 Garand (30-06) but price has kept me away for now. I met an "OLD GUNNY" at the Gun Show here this weekend and told me to qualify you had to hit a target at 500 yards with twenty rounds, prone, and OPEN SIGHT....................WOW, talk about good eyes. Also did say that standing was only for the 100 yard target. STILL, what a weapon! Had a 740 Woodmaster that was great but had a 3 x 9 x 40 Leopold to be able to reach out and touch someone (something)

Hopefully the 300,000 or so Garands that S. Korea wants to give back to the US will be allowed and the price will come down.

 

[6shootercarry]

Nice quote and usually goes without saying.

Don't own one yet but it's on my next to buy. I really want a M1 Garand (30-06) but price has kept me away for now. I met an "OLD GUNNY" at the Gun Show here this weekend and told me to qualify you had to hit a target at 500 yards with twenty rounds, prone, and OPEN SIGHT....................WOW, talk about good eyes. Also did say that standing was only for the 100 yard target. STILL, what a weapon! Had a 740 Woodmaster that was great but had a 3 x 9 x 40 Leopold to be able to reach out and touch someone (something)

Hopefully the 300,000 or so Garands that S. Korea wants to give back to the US will be allowed and the price will come down.

Amen on the M1 Garand... I was at the range over the summer zeroing my AR15 scope. A former marine came down the path with one slung over his shoulder. Once he finished his work on the rear sights assembly, he asked me if I had any interest in confirming his zero. I said "yes sir!". Serial number was 58xxxxxx manufactured by Springfield Armory... Using a spotting scope, he had me in the X ring at 100 yds in 5 rds.. My first time firing the M1 Garand.. I fell in love...

I hope the ones in Korea make it back here for sale.

 

[B2Tall]

What's the matter B2Tall?

Not going to accuse this guy of thinking he's a Sgt. York?

You had issues with grouping I did, but never followed posted links for proof.

Why don't you question others?

Your silly claims were with a pistol. This is a rifle with a reputation as one of the most accurate long-range platforms. 200yds is nothing for an M1A.

I see you wisely deleted your ridiculous posts with your outrageous claims of accuracy as well as your being taught to shoot by Sgt. York. Little too much heat when everyone started trashing you?? Turned tail and ran when you realized we're not a bunch of 10yr olds who're going to believe anything we read?? You must be a real glutton for punishment to show your face around here again.

 

[B2Tall]

You are saying that an 8" pattern with a .45 handgun is ridiculous? The hardest part was getting the drop figured out then it was easy, so long as it was with +p ammo.

I'm not afraid to show my face, but just got tired of trolls like you who trash everything they don't believe in. It's ok for you to shoot great, or someone who has a rifle or handgun like yours, but not for someone else.

And I guess the magazine articles were doctored that showed Elmer Keith taking a deer at 1000 yards with no scope on a 8 3/8" handgun. He did it twice. You just believe what you want to believe.

BTW, not that you would read it if presented to you, but Sgt. York was my uncle. He was a Col. in the Tennessee Guard, so you should call him Col. You can verify that on google.

I'm sure you would trash the written genealogy if presented to you. My father was the Sgt's youngest brother.

So why don't you pick a caliber handgun you like and I'll bring my Taurus. We'll see who can shoot better. Shall we put say $10,000.00 on the line? Or don't you trust your gun enough? BTW, what bar do you work at, I'll make sure not to visit when I'm in town on business. I'll also pass it along to every business associate of mine.

Like I said, you nor Ice followed the links or proof given, you just trashed me. So I didn't turn tail and run, I got tired of trolls like you that only believe what they want to believe and trash the rest.

And I guess Elmer Keith was a liar, along with the magazine reps that documented him taking a deer at 1000 yards on a bluff with an unscoped .44 magnum. He did it twice. That also seems far fetched, but it happened.

Why did you delete all the posts with your claims of shooting prowess?? Was the embarrassment of being called out by virtually everyone who read your ridiculous claims to much for you to bear??

You claim sub-MOA at 25 yards, 1" groups at 50yds, 8" at 200yds, and you routinely hit soda cans at 300yds. Yards, not feet. All without a scope, sandbags, or any other support - just you, your golden eye, and your magic Taurus pistols. As you have done above, you again choose to compare yourself with legendary marksmen. In your personal message to me you imply you use your "world-class ability" for "the betterment of life" and you "prefer to stay out of the spotlight".

You claim that WW1 hero Alvin York taught you to shoot. Yet in another post in another thread you say you've been shooting for "almost 40 years". Alvin York died 46 yrs ago, became bedridden 56 yrs ago, and suffered a series of debilitating strokes 62 yrs ago. The math just doesn't add up, or did you forget to tell us about your time machine?? Is that how "Uncle Alvin" taught you to shoot??

You, "Dude", are a liar. A DAMN liar. You've been caught red-handed in a lie so you'll have to forgive the rest of the world if we doubt your credibility on anything else you say.

 

[B2Tall]

For somebody who whines about Trolls on these boards, you're the biggest offender. There are plenty of other people who trashed you and your ridiculous claims. Go find one of them. Get lost.

 

[Ropadope]

Hey Duderific,

I'll take any pistol challenge with you. Bring your beer money, your going to be buying me beers the rest of the night. Bring your Taurus, I'll even bring an old beat up M9 Beretta.

PM your real name and I'll check with my insights to see if you have been trained by any U. S. Military Special Ops Commands, won any major regional or National IDPA or USPSA championships.

You'll even learn a thing or two. :biggrin: