Got myself an M1A

L

Leon

Inactive
I've been dying to get one of these babies, and in 10 days I can go pick it up. I actually rushed to buy it because of the $99 scope and mount offer from Springfield. I hope it is decent enough. I got the "loaded" package. It has a synthetic stock and a stainless steel barrel. It looks like this except it has a 10 round magazine, black stock, and muzzle brakes instead of a flash suppressor.

2001-products-rifles-loadset.jpg


This will be my first rifle. Is there anything I should know before I do anything to screw it up?
 
You have picked out a great rifle which is really hard to screw up. A couple of things that will make owning the rifle more enjoyable are, 1) get and read the book "The M14 Owner's Guide" by Scott Duff, you have 10 days so get started. ;) 2) Use USGI mags, parts and tools whenever possible. 3) Try a few different types of ammo to see which your rifle will shoot the best and stick with it. I find the 147 FMJ Hirtenberger to be an excellent round in my rifle. 4) Don't over clean the rifle, and when you do need to clean it use a bore guide and one piece rod, a long with the proper tools for the gas system (see #1&2). Hope this helps and have fun.
 
Thanks for the advice, 3 gun. I will order that book right away. Can't wait! :D

ATTICUS, thanks! You have fun with your M1A also.
 
Just picked up my M1A! I'm just going through all the manuals and offers right now. I did have a question for all you M1A gurus, though. The gun shop guy gave me an article that tells me how to "break in" the rifle. Can you guys validate the instructions? He said to follow the directions for the ArmaLite rifles.

BACKGROUND:
All new rifle barrels suffer from internal machine marks that can scratch passing bullets. Bullet jacket metal can foul the pores of the new barrel. Leading competitive shooters believe that breaking their barrels in properly can lead to better accuracy and longer life.


BREAK IN:
ArmaLite Match Rifle barrels are produced from a custom, target grade blank. For optimum accuracy and improved life expectancy, it MUST be properly broken in. We recommend the following procedure:

Remove any existing copper fouling from the barrel by using a high-quality copper-removing solvent like Hoppe’s No. 9.

Fire 11 single shots, each followed by about 20 strokes of a tight fitting patch bearing J-B bore cleaner (available from Brownells, 515-623-5401). Use a Parker Hale or other wrap-around style jag rather than a slotted jag. From 12 to 30 shots, clean after each 3 shots. From 31 to 50 shots, clean after each 5 shots. Clean thoroughly with a high quality bore cleaner every 10 shots until 100 shots. This time-consuming process will allow the barrel to smooth out without an accumulation of copper fouling in the pores of the steel. The barrel should thereafter be cleaned every 20 rounds for best match accuracy. Accuracy continues to improve for several hundred rounds as the rifle breaks in. [/b]
Click to expand...


Given this is a very expensive rifle, I'm willing to follow the instructions to the letter, but I just needed some advice from experienced rifle shooters. Thanks!


p.s. I did skim through Scott Duff's M14 Owner's Guide already. Great book!
 
This is a question that has been debated extensively around here. Do some searching to read all of the arguements (and make sure you find Gale McMillan's posts). Personally, I don't believe that you can take a precision machined barrel and make it any better by scratching it up with what is essentially sand. If you want to do the one shot/one cleaning routine for break-in, I would use a copper solvent, not JB. I don't think even that is necessary, though. I clean my guns after a trip to the range, not during.
 
You need to decide what level of maintenance

. . . you are ready to commit to for your barrel. Some clean with something like Butch's Bore shine after every shot. Not me.

I clean my M1A bore with just some solvent-wet patches and two passes of a bore snake after every session (then lightly oil). After 300-400 rounds, I extensively clean the bore with Kroil, Shooter's Choice, bronze brush, etc., as well as the gas system.

Good luck with your rifle. More bores have been ruined by overcleaning than by shooting them.

Regards,
 
Leon: Have you recieved the scope package yet? I'ts been nearly a month since I mailed the offer in and I haven't heard squat. They didn't respond to an email that I sent them either.
I hate to say it, but I'm not real impressed with Springfields customer service so far.
 
What happened was that I bought the rifle on 09/26, and went to download the form on 10/2, but it was taken off their website. So I called them and asked them to mail me a form, and I'm just waiting on the form for now. Maybe you can call them and nag them for all our sakes. :D
 
I just got off the phone with S.A. The scopes are back ordered and will not be available for at least 6 WEEKS! One would think that S.A. would keep a good supply of these scopes around, since they are the crux of the special offer. Total BS :(
 
Springfield will make good on those scopes. I wouldn't worry. Their customer service is really at the top of the list. They backordered some of my stuff a year ago and gave me a free padded case too!

Congrats on the gun! All I can say is Grease. Get some grease, and learn how to use it. Not too much not too little. That gun is fun. FAL hardcores bag on it until they actually shoot one. I clean mine only after coming home from the range. I think Gale's articles said it wasn't necessary to do the one-shot break in on these. Can't remember, but that's sticking in my head for some reason.
 
"They backordered some of my stuff a year ago and gave me a free padded case too!"

Ahhh...so they are always out of stuff. I feel better now.
:D
 
Congrats, I too just picked one up in time for the Scope deal. Sent my form out to Springfield last week. Sorry to see that it will be a while before they come in. Mine is a standard grade/ walnut. I have been wanting one for years and finaly decided to get it. My first semi. I am used to old bolt action mausers, so we'll see how things go. I am ordering the Duff book today. I have heard good things about it, but hadn't picked it up. Also, mine came with the "loaded" coupon. About the only thing I see worth while are the tools for breakdown/cleaning. 20 round mags are discounted to $56.00. I believe I can get nos GI mags for that.

-Wheelgun
 
Leon, call them up, tell them you just bought the rifle. I bet you they will honor the coupon... that is how good their customer service is. The sling is a nice option as well!
 
My coupon expired also. The gun store told me Springfield will honor it, and a call to them confirmed it. Good to hear that Hornaday will honor theirs. How about the one from Blackhawk Industries?

-Wheelgun
 
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