Springfield M1A

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  • youngblood1989
    • Nov 2014
    • 38

    Springfield M1A

    I’m looking into buying one of these, but am wondering if there are certain years of production that are better quality, or are they all about the same? I don’t need a brand new one, but if I bought a new one would the quality be good as say a rifle built 20 years ago? Just want to make sure Springfields quality hasn’t slipped like most companies have these days.
  • M14
    • Jul 2011
    • 871

    #2
    Originally posted by youngblood1989 View Post
    I’m looking into buying one of these, but am wondering if there are certain years of production that are better quality, or are they all about the same? I don’t need a brand new one, but if I bought a new one would the quality be good as say a rifle built 20 years ago? Just want to make sure Springfields quality hasn’t slipped like most companies have these days.
    About the same. Good question though. There were earlier years built with all g.i. parts including g.i. chrome lined barrels. Those are much more desirable to most and usually command a higher price because g.i. parts are now very scarce.

    Oddly enough, the dies they were using back then actually allowed the g.i. barrels to spin up and headspace within a given safe range. Since time and use is the enemy of all dies, the ones that replaced the old dies didn't work as well when using chrome lined barrels, g.i. or commercial. A build would be hit or miss when it came to headspace concerns.

    Now they use chrome moly barrels that can be reamed to set headspace. Not as easy to clean and probably not as robust regarding wear.

    The good news is that they have a good warranty and honor it to whomever owns the rifle. In other words, you could buy an early 5 line stamped receiver that has 7.62mm on it that is 30 years old or more, and they will honor any warranty claims. Not self inflicted damage though. Common sense. No reloading either but they never ask.

    You won't find any statement saying all that about lifetime of the rifle warranty, no matter the owner, but the Reese family is a class act and I have never heard of them denying warranty claims.

    That's good too, because there have been a lot of claims, but the important thing is, they take care of it. I would say, buy with confidence, new or old, and enjoy. They are a blast. Pun intended.

    I'll send you a private message. I might have something you are interested in seeing. I've been tormented about selling more of my collection, but eventually we all get old and things change........rip

    Comment

    • Col. Colt
      • Oct 2013
      • 468

      #3
      The "Golden Age" of SAI M1A's was supposedly from 50,000 up into the 90,000 range. These had the most GI parts, earlier guns seemed better crafted. Read Different's books for details. But I don't think there is anything wrong with the newer guns - just few GI parts.... CC

      Comment

      • JimF
        • Oct 2009
        • 2011

        #4
        Yup . . . .this^^^^^^^^

        I had a very early NM, assembled by Elmer Balance . . . .

        ALL GI parts, except the receiver, of course!

        Never gave me any trouble!

        I’d still have it if the state of Connecticut would let me keep the original flash hider!
        --Jim

        Comment

        • 1563621
          • Oct 2009
          • 5775

          #5
          https://i.imgur.com/hc3lV1x.jpg

          I picked up a nice 65XXX with an A below, denotes remade receiver. Looks to be USGI parts https://imgur.com/YJ9c9W7

          https://imgur.com/4BtnQoG

          https://imgur.com/BE3w5kB
          Last edited by 1563621; 07-29-2020, 03:29 PM.

          Comment

          • luigi
            • Mar 2011
            • 816

            #6
            Originally posted by 1563621 View Post
            https://i.imgur.com/hc3lV1x.jpg

            I picked up a nice 65XXX with an A below, denotes remade receiver. Looks to be USGI parts https://imgur.com/YJ9c9W7

            https://imgur.com/4BtnQoG

            https://imgur.com/BE3w5kB
            You need to get a Hawk's Dummy Kit to fill in that ugly hole in your M14 stock! LOL

            Comment

            • 1563621
              • Oct 2009
              • 5775

              #7
              Originally posted by luigi View Post
              You need to get a Hawk's Dummy Kit to fill in that ugly hole in your M14 stock! LOL
              Plan on it

              Comment

              • cdj7097
                • Apr 2010
                • 118

                #8
                I don't own or shoot any M1A over 100,000.serial number. I had the opportunity to buy serial number 000001 awhile back but declined after discoveding there are at least two number 1's.

                Comment

                • jeffe
                  • Dec 2020
                  • 84

                  #9
                  I would check to ensure the barrel, op rod, bolt, and trigger group were USGI.

                  Comment

                  • ZvenoMan
                    • May 2011
                    • 6351

                    #10
                    Originally posted by jeffe View Post
                    I would check to ensure the barrel, op rod, bolt, and trigger group were USGI.
                    And if they are not USGI then buy it. If they are USGI then buy it. Assuming you check condition/wear and price accordingly.

                    JH
                    Zvenoman

                    Comment

                    • 1563621
                      • Oct 2009
                      • 5775

                      #11
                      1991 preban

                      Got around to taking pics of my 91 preban Barrel 63 Winchester, Oprod Winchester, Bolt TRW, TG is original. Parts look new. https://imgur.com/a/kbSSOk8
                      Last edited by 1563621; 03-08-2021, 05:07 AM.

                      Comment

                      • Blurry
                        • Jan 2015
                        • 878

                        #12
                        Very nice. I think the one I currently watch over is a ‘91. Not certain.

                        Comment

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