The magazine is loaded, nosed in, and rocked to make certain the magazine locks into place. Unlike the Garand it is possible to carry the rifle with a loaded magazine inserted and the chamber empty. The charging handle is located on the right side of the action. The controls are familiar to anyone that has used the M1 Garand as the M1A or M14 is in many ways a modernized Garand. This weight helps contain recoil but remains a chore to carry over the shoulder for any length of time. 308 caliber rifle that uses a 20-round box magazine. A good tight standard model and Black Hills Match ammunition is more than accurate enough for most chores.Īs for basics, the M1A is a gas-operated. In my experience the difference in accuracy in the Match rifles, when noticeable, is about 1/2 MOA although results may differ. My experience indicates that while the Match rifles are accurate, the difference may or may not be worth the added tariff.

Versions with synthetic stocks have also been introduced. Springfield has introduced various models over the years including the short barrel SOCOM model and Loaded Model and Match rifles.

The rifles have been proven to be reliable, accurate, and well made of good material. Today the situation is different and these parts are long gone and Springfield produces their own parts. Springfield Armory did not have to invest heavily in tool up for the first production run of the M1A as they had acquired a considerable amount of surplus M14 parts. As long as these magazines are used and the bolt and bolt carrier are properly lubricated the rifle will function well. These Springfield products function perfectly, while aftermarket and surplus magazines have been problematical at best. The author recently ordered a ten-round and a twenty-round magazine from Brownells, Incorporated for the rifle illustrated. The only magazines that function reliably are Springfield Armory magazines. The only caveat with the M1A is proper maintenance and lubrication and the use of good quality magazines. The M1A is very feed reliable and is generally accurate with practically any type of commercial ammunition. 223, but that doesn’t matter in a rifle match. The rifle is heavy but we do not have to carry the rifle for hours on end in the jungle. The drawbacks of the M14 in service did not apply to civilian sales of the M1A. Offering a hard hitting cartridge, good accuracy and a rapid follow up shot, the M1A and its tactical sniper version, the M21, are superior in many ways to a bolt action rifle. The M1A is also a great tactical team rifle. 308 is powerful enough to take deer sized game cleanly and feasible for use against even the largest North American game. Others preferred the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge, known commercially as the. Some preferred the pride of ownership that came with a blue steel or Parkerized and walnut rifle. Springfield had a foot in the door as the military had previously produced a semiautomatic rifle version of the M14, specifically for matches, and the new M1A was approved for National Matches largely based upon its resemblance to the M14. The M1A was not only successful it became a strong seller for Springfield. Today the situation is different but in 1974 many authorities felt that the M16 was a mistake. There were some that stated that they would prefer the M1 Garand or even the. Colt made many fixes and the ammunition situation was resolved but the M16 had a spotty reputation at best for many years. Most were traced to the ammunition and powder type used. There were many problems related to the rifle’s reliability and accuracy. On the other hand, as many of you may recall, the M16’s early years were not encouraging. While originally intended as a jungle fighter, the M16 was on the fast track from 1970 to being the standard service rifle for the armed forces. After all, the new black rifle was America’s service rifle. At the time, about 1974, many of us wondered if the rifle would be successful. Some time ago Springfield Armory (now known as Springfield, Incorporated) introduced a civilian legal version of the M14 rifle.

Springfield m1a socom cqb assessment