M1A chamber problems

G

gyee226

Inactive
I just bought a new M1A loaded two weeks ago; it's a great rifle, but problems started occuring after 50 rounds. The problem is that the round gets stuck in the chamber when loading. Also after the bullet leaves the barrel, the cartridge remains in the chamber and it's very difficult to extract.

The ammo I'm using is .308 South African from http://www.ammoman.com. In addition, I also tried some .308 Winchester and the same problem occured.

I would appreciate the help.
 
In the factory literature that came with the box and rifle there is a sheet that states the headspace. If you can find that sheet of paper, what is the measured headspace written down? This piece of information may help others who respond to this post.
 
Headspace

Different,

I was there when he picked up the rifle, and there when he removed the tag. From what I recall, the headspace was 1.6315".

Jim
 
Might be the ammo

I bought 100 rounds of the South African .308 once to try in my rifles. I tired it in my SVD, M1A and 2, FAL rifles and everything I tried them in had the same problem you described with the case sticking in the chamber. I wound up firing only 20 rounds of this stuff and returned the other 80 rounds. I have suspect that it might have been rather hot ammo but I never ran it across my chronograph to find out for sure though. I avoid South Africa ammo these days.
 
gyee

Check your chamber, and make sure it is spotless, and free of ridges...may be a rough chamber..which YOU can remedy yourself with an electric drill, and some emory cloth.
Post back for exact grit ..if you decide to do it....I have done a few 700's with Hart match chambers, and this will help with the extraction problem.
 
I hope I don't start a war. Please don't use any type of military surplus ammo in your M1A. Stick with good, I mean good, commercial ammo. Or roll your own...carefully. I have had real good results with Hornady TAP 168gr BTHP. Federal Gold Medal Match has a real good rep too, although I have no experience with it. Have fun!
 
The M1A shouldn't have a problem with surplus ammo. If the chamber is not clean, clean it...if it is, send it back...Lifetime Warrantee.
 
Are they not chrome plated chamber and bbl?

If so, I would advise against the dremel tool. ;)
My M1A shoots surplus with no problem.
 
gyee226 posted this was a loaded model M1A so the barrel is a medium weight match barrel, not chrome lined. Headspace is towards the lower end of the range but in specification. Military surplus works fine in my M1As.
 
ALERT! BETTER READ THIS

There are several types of .308 South African ammo out there, as least two that I know of.
The M1A2 .308 seems fine.
But the M1A3 .308 is a real hot load. While Both my M1As seem it use it fine, most of the bolt guns seem to fail to extract after firing, the case has to knocked out with a rod.

I would have a qualified gun smith (one who knows how to work on Semi-autos/M1 and M14 rifles check it out) Does the commercial stuff fail to extract? or does it get stuck tight too? You could have damaged the extractor/spring.

Also if you send it back to Springfield don’t mention the South African ammo they recommend against it.

As I stated before there are at least two types of South African .308 ammo available, maybe more. And the two types that I know of, are not the same.


Mobias--Springfield also recommends against reloads.

Besides whats the use of having a mil-spec rifle that won't shoot mil-surp ammo??

I bought a M1A/M14 type rifle because I wanted it to digest any 308 surplus I fed it. (though at this point in time I can be picky)
 
But at least with reloads, I am 100% in control of my components and dimensions thereof. My point is simply this: we all paid very good, hard earned money for our M1As. Why feed them crap for ammo? Kind of like buying a Porsche and filling it with 87 octane from the L'il Cricket. I have shot NATO surplus in my M1A with no problem. But it is nowhere near as accurate as the Hornady TAP. Sorry, but it isn't.
 
mobias

I was not disagreeing about reloads in my last post I pointed out that

A. there are at least two different types of surplus 308 south african ammo out there and one is a lot hotter than the other. (I tend to think that is a rather critical point in this discussion)

B. if gyee226 is having trouble with commercial ammo, he should have a smith who it qualified on that type of rifle check it out.

C. If he (or any one)has to send it back to Springfield don’t mention the South African surplus or reloads or they may not service it under warranty.

D. And to use your analogy..If all you can get one day is 87 octane for your Porsche isn't it nice to know that it will run it?
 
You wouldn't happen to know if the gas spindle valve to cycle the action is closed off? I experienced something similar with mine when I first got it. At times I would close the gas feed to stop the ejection of spent cases when there was someone to my right side, to keep from distirbing them with flying brass. When the gas feed was cut off, I would have to manually cycle the action to eject the brass. Most of the time the fired case would be jammed in the barrel to the point that I would have to force the operating rod handle to open it. When the valve is open, allowing semi auto firing, the rifle never stutters. I've shot several hundred rounds in semi auto without a hiccup. The only thing I've ever fed my M1A is Austrian Hirtenberger. It's about 170.00 per 1000rds. and in my opinion the best ammo in quality vs accuracy vs price.
 
Thanks for the price on the Hirtenberger. What kind of accuracy do you get out of it? Shots per group, barrel type and sighting system to achieve your results are also of interest...

Thanks!

Re: the original problem. Sounds like something is seriously amiss. When I used to accurize M1s and M1As, I would routinely test-fire the rifles absolutely dry of lube. Anything other than a brand-new gun would typically function for at least seven rounds before even thinking of having a failure to cycle.

Is the gas piston even free to move through its full range?

Objections to shooting surplus ammo in an M1A are merely overstated concerns borne out of the rifles' 10-year history of being seriously overpriced.
 
My M-1A is completely match grade, beautiful chamber, eats good ammo all day long. When I first got it I fired 40 rds. of SA ammo to test for function, everything was fine until one case stuck to the point that the extractor claw ripped the rim off as descirbed above. The ammo was the M1A3 ball, lot 001D93. Ive shot this in a bolt gun w/ no problem, pretty accurate even, but its my prime suspect in the M-1A problem. I guess if you love your guns don't feed them junk!
 
Cheapo,

As I stated, I've never shot anything but Hirtenberger through this rifle, so I have nothing for comparison. My M1A is the "Loaded" series with medium weight match grade barrel. To tell ya the truth, I've really never done any true accuracy testing with this rifle. I always seem to run into one little problem; too many guns, not enough time. The last time I shot was about two weeks ago, at the 200 meter range. I was grouping three shots in about 9 inches with the NM open sights at this distance. Thats not bad for me, but nothing worth bragging about to some. Some day I will do some serious work with this weapon but for now I just enjoy going out and blasting off a couple of magazines now and then using a quality built rifle. When I initially bought my M1A, I also picked up some match grade Hornady and PMC ammo but haven't tried it yet. Expensive stuff. You should be able to buy Hirtenberger by the 20rd box or by the 1000rd case. I bought mine at a local gun show here in PA. I've never really looked but you could probably pick some up over the net. It's also boxer primed which is + for me because I reload. I'm sure you will like it.
 
Hey Cheapo

I also have the loaded M1A as well. I asked around here what everyone thought was the best surplus to use and most said Hirtenberger. Most everyone thought it was very consistant and accurate.

My best group with a Simmons 44 mag scope was .5" at 100 yards. I have since taken the simmons off and put on a better scope. I just haven't had the chance to get back out to the range.
 
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