My 1st M1A

[ChileRelleno]

I've been desiring either a M1 Garand or M1A to keep my M1 Carbine company.

I picked her up today, my first M1A Standard.
Took her out to the firing line and loaded a mag with Tula 150gr FMJ.
Fired 10 fast shots aimed at the 100 yard steel human silhouette and 10 hits rang out.
Repeat at the 250 yard steel human silhouette and I missed once.
A guy with a spotting scope said they were impacting low on the target.
Put a sight-in target at 25 yards and put five slow aimed shots on it, neat little group 3" low.
Will have to correct that this weekend as I had to pack it up and pick up the family.



\

Her older sister & illegitimate cousin.

 

[roccoracer]

Beautiful rifle! I would love an m1a someday.
I have a carbine and a Garand already.

 

[content]

That is a sweet looking shooter!
What is the DOM and manuf.?

I'd like to either upgrade my Danish Garand or get an M1A.
Looking at yours M1A seems better and better.

Congrats on a obtaining such a great rifle.

 

[tommy.duncan]

I have all three and they are great!!!
Nice addition!!

 

[Reloadron]

Nice rifle, enjoy it. One of the nicest gifts my wife gave me was my M1A and I have had that rifle 20 years. It remains one of the rifles I enjoy shooting the most.

Ron

 

[119er]

They are a blast to shoot. That is one good looking rifle. Makes me want to put my Scout Squad in a wood stock even more.

 

[Welding Rod]

Nice choice w/ the Standard. It is my favorite variant of the M1A, and I have owned them all except the Scout. My only complaint about the Standard is mine brutalizes brass... None of my others did though.

It is nice and light, great sights and trigger, feels and looks great in walnut, and is quite accurate.

 

[OilyPablo]

Wow - that rifle is beautiful. M1A is on my next "big" rifle list!

 

[az_imuth]

What a fine looking rifle...congrats!
Sounds like it's going to be a real good shooter, too. I've had one for a number of years now and it has been phenomenal. I have no intention of ever getting rid of it as long as I'm above ground.

 

[Torian]

Nice carbines as well. I need to get one of those.

 

[LebbenB]

Very nice rifle(s) indeed! A couple of hints for continued M1A happiness:

When cleaning the bore, keep the rifle upside down (so you're looking at the bottom of the rifle.) This prevents solvents and oil from getting into the gas system.

There is a small hole in the front of the gas plug. Every few hundred rounds, run a needle through it to clear it out.

DO NOT disassemble the rifle often. The tighter the lock-up between the barreled action and the stock, the better your accuracy will be. Do a detail strip and clean annually or when the rifle starts to run sluggish.

GREASE, not oil, for the bolt and bolt roller. The standard grease for an M14/M1A is called Lubriplate and is available from places like Midway and Brownell's. When packing the bolt roller with grease, you can pay $10 bucks or so for a little widget or you can use a .45 ACP case. Both accomplish the task easily.

 

[TheHappyGunner]

Beautiful gun! I had wanted one real bad a year or so ago. Had the opportunity to shoot one and it compared to the M1 Garand I already had that it kind of killed my interest in buying one... for now. That doesn't mean I still don't love to see pictures of them. Someday I'm sure I'll pick one up, but you sir beat me to it!

Nice buy.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

I got the M1A standard loaded too, but got the "California legal" version. I like it anyway. will keep it irons only. I will be 60 soon and plan on treating myself to the Scout Squad in Walnut stock....aint really looking forward to turning 60, but cant wait to get my new SA.

 

[Rudedog]

Excellent!
I had an M1A when they first came out.
Hard times made me sell it.
You will not be disappointed.

 

[ChileRelleno]

Thanks for the replies and compliments.
As with any new rifle I've had to drop a few hundred more on this/that for her.
Love it, always have to make it 'mine'.

 

[BP Hunter]

I'm drooling over your rifle. I was thinking of getting the M1A over the Ruger SR762 to trade in for my FN FAL Paratrooper with folding stock. I eneded up with the Ruger instead but still wanting an M1A. I don't feel I need two .308 battle rifles.

 

[SunnySlopes]

OP, I'm curious. Did you go through the meticulous lubrication schedule prior to firing your M1A?

http://www.surplusrifle.com/m14m1a/operations.asp


That's actully a bare-bones lube schedule. There's one on youtube that's actually four videos long.

 

[ChileRelleno]

OP, I'm curious. Did you go through the meticulous lubrication schedule prior to firing your M1A?

http://www.surplusrifle.com/m14m1a/operations.asp


That's actully a bare-bones lube schedule. There's one on youtube that's actually four videos long.

Heck no!
My favorite FFL is my local range, I took it out of the box, walked to the line, loaded it and started listening to the sweet sound of ringing steel.
SA had given the action a pretty good greasing, I just gave it a quick clean and thorough lubing when I got it home.
Taking care of the M14/M1A is actually very easy.

 

[ChileRelleno]

I really like the vented handguard.
Paid a nice bit of coin to get it in a []'NOS As-New/Excellent'[/i] condition.
Going to be snagging a USGI Flash Hider with bayonet lug.
Thinking about a used USGI walnut stock to use as a beater and preserve the original stock.

 

[juk]

Those M1As are very nice. I hope to have a post like the OP's one day. A standard has been on my "want" list for years.

 

[Welding Rod]

I noticed today on one of those shows about CA game wardens that one of the Officers used a M1A or M14 to dispatch a doe with tumors all over her head.

 

[bergmen]

They are a blast to shoot. That is one good looking rifle. Makes me want to put my Scout Squad in a wood stock even more.

I bought a new Scout in lumber a few years ago. One of the best firearms acquisitions I ever made. Crazy accurate, uber reliable and just a kick to shoot. It comes to the shoulder like it was custom made for me. Gnarly.

Dan

 

[rehorne]

Welcome to the addiction! One is never enough with the M1A's. When you have time skate over to the M14 Forum, The Firing Line and check out TonyBen's how to on cleaning and lubing your new pride n joy.