M14 stock question: selector slot

[Shear_stress]

After a great deal of searching and general agonizing I secured a Springfield M1A for a price I was willing to pay. Came with five mags and a Springfield "third generation" scope mount, whatever that means. Surprise, surprise it has a TRW chrome-lined barrel, dated 12-63!

Not all is beer and skittles, though. The thing also came with a hideous "mossy oak" pattern fiberglass stock. I'd like to replace the stock with a walnut USGI. Is there any practical reason for filling in the selector slot on the stock, or is it just an aesthetic thing?

 

[cuervo]

Unless you install a fake selector, there will be a gap between the receiver and the stock.

If it's worth filling is up to you.

Most people have found the 3rd generation mount not worth the effort. ARMS, Smith, Sadlack, McCann all have better products if you're wanting to use optics.

 

[Shear_stress]

That makes sense. I thought about getting one of those fake selectors anyway. As much I hate having inoperable junk on my guns, it beats a wad of bondo in the selector slot.

As for the optics mount, it is what is. Came with the gun.

 

[Match14]

Mine have USGI stocks w/o the selector cutout being filled in. I'm not sure if cuervo is referring to a gap at the receiver heel or not, but my rifles don't have that problem. If you do, you could try to find a trigger group that locks up tighter. Anyway Boyds and Fulton armory both sell M14/M1a stocks w/o the selector cutout if you are inclined to buy a new one.

 

[Shear_stress]

I was thinking of going USGI. It's my understanding that the aftermarket stocks are oversized and require some inletting.

Fred's stocks is supposed to be a good place to go, but has a reputation for being slow. I'm also considering a USGI fiberglass stock, as they are supposed to be a little bit more dimensionally consistent, if not as pretty as walnut.

 

[lipadj46]

Don't bother with Fred he stopped really wanting to be in the business of selling M14 stocks over a year ago. Try gunbroker. I would not bother filling in the selector. Or you can paint the stock or strip it if it is a rifle that is more than a couple years old it is probably a painted USGI stock.

Throw out the SAI 3rd generation mount or sell it on Gunbroker. Buy an SEI, Sadlak or ARMS mount if you plan on using a scope.

 

[1KPerDay]

Get thee to m14tfl.com/upload and ask anything you want. You can also post that you're looking for ________ stock and 5 guys will have them ready for you.

 

[ElToro]

i bought a refinished GI stock with all the metal for my socom with selector filled in by a guy on GB that sells a lot for <90$ delivered. It has been perfect. i really dig the look of the shorty barrell on the wood stock. if i was going to an insurrection, id put the fiberglass back on.

you could probly sell that mossy oak stock for close to what it cost to buy a new (old) GI stock.

also look around for a wood springfield stock that somebody took off for a fiberglass.

 

[Shear_stress]

selector filled in by a guy on GB that sells a lot for <90$ delivered.

I think I saw those on GB. Does he include the handguard?

 

[ElToro]

mine did not come with handguard but i had to use the factory scout/socom handguard that is cut out for the forward mount. i have an extra standard handguard around if i ever remove the forward mount. a GI handguard should only be a few dollars.

sounds like you got a good deal on your M1A

 

[Shear_stress]

Thanks for the info.

I think it was a pretty good deal. The gun was on consignment and I named a price that I didn't think its owner would accept.

 

[zombienerd]

I'm in the exact same boat

I recently got a M1A Scout from a friend, and it has the Camo stock that I'm not too nuts about.

I'd like to replace it with a "used" hardwood stock. I like my guns to feel like shooters and not safe queens I found Fred's site, and he seemed to have some good deals, have you personally had issues with his store, Lipadj46? Slow doesn't bother me, but I'm not going to pay for something I may never receive.

 

[lipadj46]

I found Fred's site, and he seemed to have some good deals, have you personally had issues with his store, Lipadj46? Slow doesn't bother me, but I'm not going to pay for something I may never receive.

Yes I have personally ordered 4 times from Fred's. The first 2 came in about 4 weeks (around 2 years and 1.5 years ago). The 3rd I never heard about then in a moment of weakness I ordered again (this was back before Christmas 2008) and I am still waiting. They never charged me so no harm done. Others have reported to have been ripped off though and jumped through hoops to get their money back.

 

[Slamfire]

I wanted a rifle as close to GI as I could get. But because I am a target shooter, and thus have no sense, I wanted the match modifications, NM sights, and the action bedded. Everything is GI except for the SA receiver.

Ronnie Morris did a nice job of blending in the selector switch hole, and coloring everything.

It shoots good out to 600 yards, but I am not going to win any matches with a GI barrel.

Ronnie Morris
Match Service Works
422 Maple Street,
Madison TN 37115.
615-868-4567

 

[Shear_stress]

That's gorgeous! How much does Ronnie charge for a basic set up (no bedding)?

 

[H2O MAN]

I leave the cut-out open as a visible reminder of what the rifle is missing.

 

[Slamfire]

That's gorgeous! How much does Ronnie charge for a basic set up (no bedding)?

Don't remember. His rates are fair and his workmanship is first rate. Ronnie also got his Distinguished, HM, and every color medal you can get with a M1a. So he knows what it takes to build an accurate rifle.

Give him a call.