M1A
 

I finally got around to purchasing a 'business' rifle, most of my rifles are hunting or in the .22LR domain.

I bought an M1A standard loaded, comes with some National Match components (heavier barrel, different sights, etc.)

Does anyone have any tips/advice on the use and care of this rifle? A couple things that are on my mind:

1. I've read something about greasing this gun - I typically do a light oil on my other firearms and would like to continue this trend - I am not familiar with a full-on greasing.

2. I am stocking up on mags, the Springfield mags are about $45 at Midway and then I found some ProMag that seem to be well reviewed on the aforementioned site for about $22. I bought one 20 round version of each and hope to try them out this week, any personal experience with the ProMag would be greatly appreciated.

Any other thoughts/experiences with this platform would also be helpful. I have been able to find ammo so far and already got all of my reloading supplies for this caliber, so I think I am off to a good start.

Thanks!

Re: M1A
 

I may have some M1A mags if you are interested I will go look. I no longer have the rifle, no need for the magazines.

Re: M1A
 

Here are some links that may help



http://pdf.textfiles.com/manuals/FIR...gfield_m1a.pdf


http:///www.jarheadtop.com/articles_M14.htm

Re: M1A
 

I was advised by a couple of gun store people to "break in" my barrel by cleaning it once for the first 20 rounds, in order to maintain accuracy.

Whether or not this makes a difference, I don't know. However, that's what I did and it took about an hour and a half.

Re: M1A
 

I have an 8 year old "scout" model I've owned since new. Check out the Checkmate industries magazines at 44mag.com. they are current military issue, made in the U.S. I have a "few" and am very happy with them. $20.46 for 20 rounders.

Re: M1A
 

Welcome to the club. You are now the proud owner of a historic battle rifle design.

As for lubrication, unfortunately per your wish you should only use grease. Oil just does not have the properties required for successful operation of this type of rifle. I would highly recommend either XF-7 grease or TWB-25 grease. I actually switched to using the same grease on my pistols (before I sold them all) and found the same level of reliability as with oil with the added benefit that the grease does not dry out/evaporate as fast as oil on CCW pieces.

As for mags, I would second the earlier post for the Check Mates (CMI) from .44 mag.com. Check Mate are the current USGI mags and actually make Springfields mags minus the extra Springfield markup. Stay away from the Pro-Mags and the much more expensive original USGI mags as many of them are being faked (CMI or Chinese mags with a fake stamp and huge premium). If you do not know what to look for you may get bamboozled.

Cleaning your barrel during your break in period is subjective. You will find many arguments both for and against on the error-net. I'll let you decide what to do.

You can probably have ALL OF YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED at the below listed site, so for now I'll just say welcome and do some reading. Bx3

http://www.m14tfl.com/upload/

Re: M1A
 

Stay away from the Springfield mags. They have a tendency to start only feeding from one side.

Re: M1A
 

That's it. I can't stand it.

I can't hold it any longer.

I'm secretly in love with Maddie!

Maddie, Darling, won't you please run away with me?

Re: M1A
 

Have not heard of this problem. Seeing that the Springfield mags are actually made by CMI I am surprised. I have...I mean I did not experience a single malfunction with any one of my twenty CMI mags (before I sold all my guns that is). Bx3

Re: M1A
 

I have never had any problems with the Springfield mags, but I did buy some of the "fake" 20 round mags that look identical, but only hold 18 rounds, and one out of every five mags is a rattling dud.

http://hchq.biz/mia_photos/scout2.JPG

My M1A Scout

Re: M1A
 

dimitri:

I'm not knocking the M1A, but it's a maintenance pig to keep shooting at optimal levels. It eats bedding every couple hundred rounds among other things. Keep up on the upkeep and it will serve you till TEOTWAWKI.

The NRA Service Rifle competition guys can tell you more about the M1A and how to feed and care for it than anyone else (they still shoot them to this day in competition, but the top spots are won on other platforms). Good choice in arms.

Orion

Re: M1A
 

I've had three Springfield mags that started only feeding from the right side. All of them were either 5- or 10-round mags, so it's probably a cut-down issue. I've never had a problem with any other mags. I've seen a number of posts on gun boards from people who had this mag issue (a lot of them from people who had just purchased an M1A and had it happen their first time on the range with the mags that came with the rifle).

Re: M1A
 

as to the grease, you would recommend this for the Ruger Mini 14/30, and M1 Carbine as well? as they all have Garand type recievers.

Re: M1A
 

Thanks a lot everyone, lots of good info in this thread. I will submit a range report and some pics once I get this out for the maiden voyage later this week.

Re: M1A
 

I don't have any experience with either of these types but it would make sense since they are all basically the same from an operational standpoint.

Re: M1A
 

Check out http://m14tfl.com/upload/ A whole forum dedicated to the M14/M1A.

Re: M1A
 

Already posted above.

Re: M1A
 

Ooops, missed it. Now he knows two people recommend it.