M1A Scope Mounts & Bipods

I used the 3rd generation mount from Springfield. It has held up very well so far. I mounted there scope on it too. I know there are other mounts but after Springfield redesigned this mount it seems to work well and stay tight.

I haven't put a bi-pod on mine yet. I had planned on it but I'm afraid that after I mount it on there I won't be able to lift the rifle. I am having second thoughts about the bi-pod. I'm always shooting this rifle off of a bench so I'm not sure I really need it on there.
 
It's good to hear about the Springfield mount. If it works well, it might be the best bang for the buck. Does anyone know about the quality of the other mounts and how they compare? Is the Brookfield really a $300 mount?

I'm not too keen on adding a bipod to the weight of the rifle, but I thought it would be nice to have a universal bipod that I could switch to another rifle if I didn't like it attached to the M1A. I saw a used M2 bipod, but it seemed really heavy (which probably means you could drive a tank over it) and it didn't have cool spring-loaded legs. The gun shop wanted $150 for it (used) and it can't be used with any other guns.... I'm thinking the Harris would be the best way to go.... if it can be mounted.
 
To mount a Harris BiPod, you must remove the entire barrel ass'y, receiver, and trigger group. Then you must have a plate installed into the forearm of the stock to secure the BP to. If you don't know what you are doing it is easy to botvhit up, have a knowledgeable smith do it.
 
I've had the 3rd gen SA mount on (and off)my M1A for approx 15 years with no problems. You do need to set it up properly the first time so there is equal tension and no torque on the mount. Sorry, I have no experience with the other mounts.
The mil Bipod is heavy but it was designed to be suitable for use in battle and in semi or full auto. Maybe I should sell my new one- I had no idea used ones were bringing $150.
I think the Harris is probly the way to go for occaisional or casual use. Hanging a chunk of iron from the gas assy can affect your accuracy somewhat.
 
I don't think that the guy at the gun shop knew how much to charge. I've seen an M2 bipod at an Internet store selling for $140. I think it was new, but I can't be sure.

http://www.tti-intl.com/NewFiles/m1aprts.html


Would having a synthetic stock make any difference in the mounting? What type of plate are we talking about?

Does anyone have experience with an A.R.M.S. or Brookfield mount?

The Fulton Armory web page has information about the A.R.M.S. mount here:
http://www.fultonarmory.com/ARMS18.htm
 
I have the SA 3rd. Gen. on my M1A, and it works very well. It's better to loctite it and just leave it on all the time, it's a see through design. I also have a harris bipod mounted on the stock, about 2.4" behind the front sling swivel, and it works perfectly. It is MUCH better to have the bipod mounted on the stock and not the barrel (I prefer the swivelling one, 9"-13" lenght, it's not too heavy), and you have to install the plate and stud where the stock is thick enough to avoid cracking, DON'T mount it in the front area. Please do a search on how to mount a Harris bipod in a M1A, it's been covered a couple of times lately.
 
I just put an ARMS mount on my M1A. It is nice. Rides very low to the receiver. If you pop the scope and rings off, you can still use the irons with the mount on. I have only fired it in one range session so far but it seems to work well. I bought ARMS #22 medium rings and they fit well but I wish I would have gotten the #22 low rings. My Leupold 40mm scope would fit with the low rings and I would not have to use any kind of buttstock riser for my cheek weld. The medium rings are just a hair too high for me to get a good cheek weld.

The ARMS mount secures in two spots, the side of the receiver and the stripper clip dovetail, and it has an additional contact point on the top side front of the receiver. It has an NSN number and I have heard good things about its durability and its stability over time. For a personal recomendation you will have to wait until I can get a thousand rounds through my rifle.

I bought my ARMS mount new from Botach Tactical when they had their sale last month for $122.
 
I had an S. A. 3rd Generation on my M1A for a couple of years, very solid, no problems. You can indeed see the iron sights thru (or rather under) it. Only problem is that the scope sets very high and you will need some sort of cheekpiece. This is probably the same with the other mounts, but I have no firsthand experience, don't know about bipods either. I've seen Springfield mounts go for about $100.00 on ebay and Auction Arms.
Good shooting
SotG.
 
Thanks for the link Sodbuster.

MIKE14 stated in that thread:
I've figured it out. I bought a Harris model #5 mount. I drilled a 5/16 inch hole 2-3/4 inches aft of the front sling swivel. The #5 mount worked like a dream. I chose the Harris BR bi-pod and like it real well. The long thin top side nut assembly gives plenty of support and there was no Dremel work done at all the gas piston clears and everything. The fiber glass stock was at least 1/4 inch thick at the point where I put the mount. Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...

Would everyone concur that that is the way to go? It sounds easy enough. Should the #5 mount be epoxied to the stock? Is that too far back to mount a bipod?
 
I will be the dissenter here.

Get the brookfield.

I do not really know why, but I can never seem to keep either the 3rd, 2nd or 1st generation springfield mounts tight on either my SM or NM and especially the loaded.

I do not have this problem with the brookfield.

I really do not know why this is a problem, but in a 20 rnd mag the mounts would be 1/3 to 1/2 turn loose using either a vari-x3 6.5x20 or 4.5x14.

I now have a small pile of old mounts that I keep as testiments to my problems, but they do look nice on the guns.
 
If I had to start from scratch, I'd go with the Brookfield too. It's a matter of steel over aluminum with steel being less likely to walk.

Whatever mount you choose though, don't take it off. Leave it on the gun. McBride did the same during WW I. He took his rifle and tightened it as hard as he could. If memory serves, he later let the screws rust in place.

BTW, I have the ART II scope which came with the military mount (which looks like but is dimensionally different from the Springfield 3rd Gen).
 
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