M1A accessories- waddya gotta have?

A

ATTICUS

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What are the must haves - should haves - don't waste your money on- accessories for M1A's?

Also, are there any particular types of surplus .308 ammo out there that should be avoided at all costs?

Thanks for the info, A
 
Not much

Besides 20 round mags, web sling & chamber cleaning tool. You may want to get a wrench to remove the gas piston so you can clean it occasionally.

Things I wouldn't get include: bipod (more weight, more to get snagged); detachable scope mount & scope (either get a permanent set up like a Brookfield or something like it or forget it); roller greaser (since when did your finger stop working); rear sight protector (unless you have match sights); NM sights (if you scope it).
 
Thanks. I have started buying 20 rnd mags. At $50 a pop this collection will grow slowly.

What do you think about the current Springfield scope deal? They are offering the Government 6X40 scope and the detachable mount for $99 (with purchase of a M1A). Even though I probably wouldn't use it much (I'm buying the Scout- Squad rifle), it seems like too good of a deal to pass up- but then again it's a hundred bucks that could be spent on other accessories. I tried to get them to substitute a scout model instead but they won't do that. I might just take advantage of the offer and then sell or trade it. If anyone is interested in swapping for a Leupold 2.5X scout let me know.

This is the first rifle that I've had to order and it's been almost two weeks. Seems a bit long.
 
I believe that you absolutely need a complete buttstock cleaning kit for the rifle. In the true essence of a rifleman, you need to be able to completely dissasemble and clean the rifle when you're out in the field. You don't USE the kit for day-to-day stuff, but if you NEED it, it'll be there for you. A fighting rifle deserves to be prepared correctly. The buttstock cleaning kit comes with a sectional rod, a scredriver tip, a wrench for the gas system, a handle for the cleaning rod, a bore brush, a chamber brush, a vial of grease, and a tool that helps load mags and also dissasemble the bolt.

Cost: $10 from Fred's in NC. Look in a Shotgun News for the ad.

The USGI mags are a given as well, $31 each from Cole's...you won't find them cheaper. Avaiod knock-offs like the plague.

I like the ARMS #18 mount, and the ARMS #22 rings. As a set, they're guaranteed to keep they're zero after removal and attachment as many times as you want. BEEFY, too.
 
The scope & mount for $99 is something I wish they would'be had when I got mine. A sling and rifle case is what I would get and the buttstock cleaning kit is nice especially for SHTF but I use my nylon one piece to really clean it with . Oh, and when you want to get rid of that mount (since your scout comes with one) I'll take it off your hands and maybe even chuck a mag your way :D
 
Get the scope deal!

Get the scope deal now. Then just let it sit around the house for 2 years or so. Then re-sell it on E-bay or www.forthehunt.com. That is what I did. I had my M1A scoped for a while, but after a while, I got tired of it and started highpower matches and so I never needed it anymore (I also bought a rem 700 VS in .308). I resold the mount for $110 and the scope for $200. I made double what i paid for it. I expect you to do the same.
 
A few

Ammo-- I go with Hirtenberger & Radway Green

Castle nut tool to remove the flash suppressor

Centering tool to properly reinstall the flash suppressor

Combo tool (Gas piston wrench, sight mount wrench & bolt disassembly tool)

Butt trap cleaning kit for emergency field use

Grease-- I use Lubriplate

Highly protective transport case

Scott Duff book on the M-14
 
I wpuld get the scope/mount deal. Even if you don't plan on using it, you can sell it and make some money in the deal.

zane
 
Get the scope and mount and sell both. Neither are quality. The mount moves and the scope has plastic gears.

If you do Scope, get a very nice scope.

As far as accessories: Mags, ammo, Mags, good cleaning rod, and Mags.
 
I am also considering the current scope/mount deal, but in one picture I saw it looked like the scope is mounted very high - is this true, and are all M1A scope mounts like that? Also, how do this scope and mount compare in quality with others available (I doubt it is the equal of a top-of-the-line Leopould, but is is comparable to a Burris, Tasco, Chinese Leapers or what?). I think Springfield says it is something like a $400 value - but does anyone pay close to that for these scopes?

Regarding the mount, I don't think I'd want to permanently mount a scope, so how does this compare with other quick-detachable mounts?

Doug
 
I'd pass on the recoil buffer and CAVIM ammunition. A nice to have item is the tool from Brownell's for cleaning the the gas piston and gas cylinder plug of carbon every 500 rounds. If you don't want to pay Brownell's just buy the proper size drill bits from Wally World. Sorry, I don't know the drill bit sizes, I paid Brownell's. To lessen the pain of USGI magazines, buy M14 bandoleer kits from www.fredsm14stocks.com or www.garysguns.com
 
The drill bit sizes to clean the gas piston are: #P (.323"), #15 (.180") and #26 (.147"). I agree with Different - the Brownells tool is pretty handy and one piece.

DougB - SA's "third generation mount" is based on the 30 year old Leatherwood ARTII mount. While some mfr's tout the ability of their mounts quick detach and re-attach features, to my mind this is like wanting to have your cake and eat it, too. If you want to go that route, an ARMS mount with separate detach mount would be a better rig than the SA one. Also more costly. The scope mount for the M1A/M14 is the BPT mount. Hard to find and expensive. It's also a "permanent" mount.

I didn't see a cleaning rod muzzle guide mentioned. Better yet, grab yourself an OTIS cleaning kit. You may never use your cleaning rods again. ;)

If you want to give your M1A a little treat, drop the grand sum of $30.00 and pick up a BPT operating rod spring guide. They're available through Bill Ricca.

Cliff
 
And the ARMS #18 isn't "permanent"?

Could've knocked me over, and my M14NM, with a feather after reading that!

THE scope mount for the M1A/M14? Steve Smith and I will have to disagree with Cliff on that one.

Don't forget, folks, the ARMS #18 is the "other" NSN M14 scope foundation for the gubbamint. They did that because Brookfield Precision ain't exactly reliable on delivery, and sole-source procurements are usually considered a bad thing (tm).;)
 
Also, are there any particular types of surplus .308 ammo out there that should be avoided at all costs?
Click to expand...

Israeli surplus which has "TZ 80" as the headstamp.

It was surplussed becuase it has degraded to CRAP! Duds, hangfire and case separation.

A $1.5 - $2 K gun deserves much better than that.
 
Some 20-round mags (G.I. are probably the best, but I have some
good aftermarkets too), a good web sling (leather is my favorite),
a wrench to remove the gas piston, a few spare parts (pins and
springs), and if you're shooting mostly surplus ammo, a broken
shell extractor.

ANM
 
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