M14 National Match Rifle...Need scope!!!
- Thread starter TWW
- Start date
Steve Smith
New member
I am looking for a scope for mine too. from all the reports that I've read, I'll leave the SA scope alone. I really like their guns, but their scopes aren't' made by them, and they have had problems. The Tasco SS 10 power will be getting my money.
BOLTGUNZRUL
Inactive
I would not get a Springfield scope. If you're looking for a less expensive scope then go with the Tasco SS like frontsight said. If you can afford it get a Leupold.
As a general rule of thumb, buy a scope from a scope/optics maker and not a firearms manufacturer the makes scopes on the side. When you buy a scope from an optics manufacturer you know that R & D goes to optics and optics alone.
I would stay away from the Springfield mount too, it is a POS. THE BEST mount I have seen for the M1A is the ARMS #18 or the G.G.&G. equivalent. It uses a 3 point mounting system and is made of steel. Very nice and very solid.
As a general rule of thumb, buy a scope from a scope/optics maker and not a firearms manufacturer the makes scopes on the side. When you buy a scope from an optics manufacturer you know that R & D goes to optics and optics alone.
I would stay away from the Springfield mount too, it is a POS. THE BEST mount I have seen for the M1A is the ARMS #18 or the G.G.&G. equivalent. It uses a 3 point mounting system and is made of steel. Very nice and very solid.
Nightcrawler
New member
Are there any scope mounts that allow use of the iron sights?
The Springfield "3rd Generation" mount is solid. It bolts to both the side of the receiver and an adapter that dovetails into the top of the receiver just ahead of the sight. It doesn't shift - period. (Avoid the B-Square M1A mount - it's a POS.) A good rifle deserves a good scope, so check out Leupold's website. I have a Leupold 6.5-20 on mine, and am quite happy with it.
Peter M. Eick
New member
I would also suggest an Leupold with a 3rd generation mount. I have a 6.5x20 and 4.5x14 on my SM and NM respectively. I do have a small problem with walking, but I picked up some brookfield precision mounts that I just have not had the time to mount, so I expect the problem to go away.
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P229 Sport and 357 SIG, H&K P7PSP and 9MM, Dual Perfection!!
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P229 Sport and 357 SIG, H&K P7PSP and 9MM, Dual Perfection!!
I have a Springfield 4x14x56 on a Ruger VS 77 and it does a good job but it is HUGE! My favorite FFL swears that the Springfield scopes are made by Tasco. Bro In Law has a Tasco SS 10x and it seems to be a pretty good scope but you are stuck at 10x which is fine for some things but not others.
I have a fixed power Khales ZF84 10x42 on one M1A mounted using a Brookfield Precision mount which I feel is a very good mount but it cost some coin. The other scoped M1A is using a Leatherwood Art II which is a 3x9 scope with intergral mount which cams the scope for elevation at different ranges.
If I had another M1A that I wanted to scope I would go with the Brookfield mounting system and the best Leuopold in the magnification range for my purpose that I could afford at the time. You have a fine rifle and if you want to scope it fine optics are in order.
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"The harshest tyranny is that which is under the protection of legality and the banner of justice." Montesquieu
I have a fixed power Khales ZF84 10x42 on one M1A mounted using a Brookfield Precision mount which I feel is a very good mount but it cost some coin. The other scoped M1A is using a Leatherwood Art II which is a 3x9 scope with intergral mount which cams the scope for elevation at different ranges.
If I had another M1A that I wanted to scope I would go with the Brookfield mounting system and the best Leuopold in the magnification range for my purpose that I could afford at the time. You have a fine rifle and if you want to scope it fine optics are in order.
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"The harshest tyranny is that which is under the protection of legality and the banner of justice." Montesquieu
BOLTGUNZRUL
Inactive
As far as using iron sights, the ARMS #18/G.G.G mount is so low that you actually look over the mount instead of under it. It is a 3 point mount and puts 3rd gen. to shame. It is THE lowest mount you can get, so if you want your scope low to the bore this is the one you want.
I second the ARMS #18 mount. Solid steel, same steel alloy as the M14 receiver, low profile, contacts the receiver in three places, sits lower to the bore than the Brookfield, but still has an NSN for those who want GI parts. Now Fulton Armory stocks them!
As for the Springfield scope, they're made by Hakko, who used to make NightForce scopes early on. Something to be careful of on mounting optics to the M14/M1A/BM-59/M1 Garand family of guns is the counter-recoil of the oprod and bolt, much like the counter-recoil of spring-piston air rifles. The late, great Gale McMillan clued me in on the problem before I built my M14NM. I didn't pay attention to him, and mounted a Leupold Law Enforcement VariX-III 3.5-10x40 on the gun, and proceeded to break the reticle adjustment inside of 100 rounds. Leupold fixed it for free, bless their hearts, but that scope is now on a Colt HBAR, and the M14NM wears a Weaver V-16 now, no problems since. Here's how it looks all together:
ARMS #18 mount pics, from Fulton Armory:
As for the Springfield scope, they're made by Hakko, who used to make NightForce scopes early on. Something to be careful of on mounting optics to the M14/M1A/BM-59/M1 Garand family of guns is the counter-recoil of the oprod and bolt, much like the counter-recoil of spring-piston air rifles. The late, great Gale McMillan clued me in on the problem before I built my M14NM. I didn't pay attention to him, and mounted a Leupold Law Enforcement VariX-III 3.5-10x40 on the gun, and proceeded to break the reticle adjustment inside of 100 rounds. Leupold fixed it for free, bless their hearts, but that scope is now on a Colt HBAR, and the M14NM wears a Weaver V-16 now, no problems since. Here's how it looks all together:
ARMS #18 mount pics, from Fulton Armory: