Springfield M1A question 4 U
 

Re: Springfield M1A question 4 U
 

Either way is fine. The synthetic is a bit lighter and less maintenance but you can always get the wood and buy a synthetic to switch over later. I would do that.
This is the best choice of all battle rifles. This is the weapon the military still goes to when they want to reach out and touch someone. I would buy it from Springfield if I was buying new and I would get the Match model.

Re: Springfield M1A question 4 U
 

Black = evil terrorist weapon

Walnut = good rifle for hunting.

Re: Springfield M1A question 4 U
 

Get the wood. I have a walnut stock with pistol grip.

Re: Springfield M1A question 4 U
 

"Black = evil terrorist weapon

Walnut = good rifle for hunting."

Okay, but what if you're hunting terrorists?

Re: Springfield M1A question 4 U
 

Jim Zumbo has hacked into Andy's computer! :bandito:
Someone help him!!! :bear_w00t:

Re: Springfield M1A question 4 U
 

Both are fine...would make more sense to just keep the stock furniture, though and put the cash into a good sling, cleaning kit, ammo, etc.

Re: Springfield M1A question 4 U
 

Actually that's probably the best advice. Save the money, and use if for some decent glass, ammo, etc.

Instead of a cleaning kit get a BORE SNAKE and some CLP, quick, easy and inexpensive. If you do a search on bore snake, I posted a thread about it a month or two ago....

Re: Springfield M1A question 4 U
 

I saw this one on gunbroker last night. I'd take wood or syn.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...?Item=66338475


It's glorious... lol

Re: Springfield M1A question 4 U
 

Thats a Chink Ptech which probably has a soft receiver. This good man's talking about a "Merican" gun dammit!

The black synth stock on the MIA is nicely krinkled for grip. I dig it.

Re: Springfield M1A question 4 U
 

Anty Ep,
I've had three Norinco M1A receivers checked and they come off the Rockwell scale as HARDER than the Springfield receivers. So don't be mistaken about the Norinco weapons. They make fair rifles. If they need ANY help, it would be to replace the bolt and perhaps the trigger group. The rest of the weapon is an EXCELLENT example.

I had two new copies. I did ALL the things to make ONE of them a NM example. New barrel, hand lapped the bolt, replaced the trigger group. Once it was done it would shoot sub MOA all day long. The interesting part is the second NEW Norinco M1A shot EXACTLY THE SAME, sub MOA, ALL DAY LONG with NO mods. That's a SIDE BY SIDE comparison done almost ten years ago. And yes, while I was rebarreling the Norinco I sent the receiver out to be 'rehardened'. After the guy did the Rockwell test he said he could NOT match the hardness that the receiver already was at.

Re: Springfield M1A question 4 U
 

I prefer.....both!

Wood is better looking, but synthetic is lighter and more durable. An older friend who shot them in competition says a synthetic stock is always worth a couple of extra points in high power.

If you get a wood, leave the trigger group unlatched while in storage, the wood tends to compress over time.

The Norincos and Polys (chicom) are hammer forged recievers, way harder and better than the cast Springfields. It's the bolt that was soft. BTW, Springfield's recievers aren't made in America, they're either Brazilian or (I think) made in Lithgow.

Re: Springfield M1A question 4 U
 

I have one of each. The forged and the cast. I shoot the Norinco more than the Springfield I bought new, just for that reason. Although you shouldn't get any receiver stretch till you reach 5 to 10 thousand rounds with the cast. A headspace gauge is a must if you own these rifles. Check the headspace on the Springfield, and if you are getting stretch, off it and buy another.(new)

Back to topic - Again the Norinco has a wood stock, and the Springfield has a plastick one. If the baloon goes up, plastick is a winner.

Here is the Springfield:

:s1:
m

Re: Springfield M1A question 4 U
 

Get it with the wood stock. Then save a few more Peso's and buy a G.I. fiberglass stock. If you cannot find one in good shape at a gunshow try Fred's
M-14 stocks.

gink m14? nyah!
 

OK guys maybe they've solved their metallurgy problems, and maybe they're not using slaves to put guns together anymore, and maybe they've figured out how to make parts to the same tolerances, I guess ten or twenty years of Japanese engineers and capital flooding into the country can learn them a thing or two...

... but I have a serious emotional problem with the idea of owning a Chinese M14 copy.

Re: gink m14? nyah!
 

Ok A-E you exposed me..:laugh_m: The Norinco has been fitted with a after market barrel, and has NM trigger, bolt and sights. I'm just using the receiver and stock from the 'slave labor folks'. It was all fitted at Smith Enterprises.

Still looking for a original Smith Enterprises receiver though.

This thread has me wanting to go outside and shoot a few rounds just to hear the Norinco ring. Forged receivers have a clear ring to them that the cast receiver lacks.

m

Re: Springfield M1A question 4 U
 

In 1995 I had Fulton Armory build me a M1A style rifle on a rear-lugged Smith Enterprises receiver that I purchased separately. The rifle sports a heavy fiberglass stock and Leupold 10X Mil-Dot. From what I recall, (I don't have but 200 rounds through it), it is more accurate than I will will ever be. The rifle is very accurate, but very heavy. I don't know if Smith Enterprises is still around, but I did find one manufacturer of forged M1A-style receivers. http://www.lrbarms.com/ Does anyone have any experience with them?
Also, I don't mean to hijack this thread, but does anyone have any experience with the Norinco 12 Ga. trench-gun copy of the Winchester M97? I think this may be my next purchase.
Best wishes,
Mod1

Re: Springfield M1A question 4 U
 

Smith is still around, and they're still as good as it gets for M14 smiths. They do a lot of DMR work for the goobermint.

LRB is the cat's meow. They're currently running about 9 months behind, as they're the only ones making a hammer forged reciever in the USA, and the only other one I know of making them at all is Norinco/Polytech, which are illegal to import into the US.

Sukhoi, I stand corrected, thanks for setting me straight, but they're stilll not made in USA.:aetsch:

Re: Springfield M1A question 4 U
 

The wood stocks can be bedded, and will warp little afterwards with normal use. I have a 'scout' SA m1A and it came with the black syn stock. The wrinkle finish does wear off. It easliy chips and dissolves when in contact with some cleaning sovents. but it still functions fine and is a shooter.
SA has a fine warranty policy if you have problems.
Personally I prefer wood.
Stock up on ammo.

Re: Springfield M1A question 4 U
 

I like wood.

however, wood is not as stable as synthetic (composite). Temperature and moisture variations can be a problem with retaining zero.

The real issue here, is sticking it back for use at a moments notice and being certain it will be on the money.

Wood can be readily glass bedded and will stabilize just about as well but not quite - hence the competitors comment - I would bet that they would be very, very close - but a competitor is going to want each possible point

Glass bedding can pretty well be done by a decent handyman type, or by most gunsmiths.

Bottom line.

If you own it and it's wood - glass bed it.

If you're buying it - buy synthetic or add the price/hassle of bedding into the costs.

Col Townsend Whelen "only accurate rifles are interesting"