Failure of Springfield M1A

[Buntlineguy]

On August 10 I posted pictures of my M1A with broken hammer and blown open case. There was also a crack in the back of the receiver that I didn't see at first. I sent it back to Springfield and after inspection called me to advise they were sending me a new rifle, which arrived last week. No hassle. They stand behind their warranty. Nice to see in this day and age.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Ok then, off to the range and a following report? By the way, what ammo would you be trying? A quick order to CMP or are you going to load your own?

[Col. Colt]

Bravo to Springfield Armory for being standup guys!

And after this replacement rifle, I would not be admitting that I "rolled my own" loads, in public anyway! As we all know, their warranty says "NO RELOADS" rather prominently. They might not take well to that the next time you need something.

Glad for a happy ending! CC

[browningautorifle]

The big companies almost have to help customers. I had a slide crack on a 92 Beretta and they exchanged it without question. I couldn't imagine Springfield Armory being difficult about it...

[Bill Hollinger]

It really doesn't cost them that much. You can bet that if they didn't take care of it the cost would be tremendous. PR is so important to the livelihood of a business. I'm glad that turned out for the much better

[10 ring]

I see allot of comments these day's concerning today's Springfield Armory M1A, aka the commercial Springfield M14. I read posts from folks wanting to know if hammer forged is better than investment cast, should I swap all the parts out for USGI?, (I know the answer for myself, as to what and how I shoot, and how demanding of a rifle I need, so I'll pass on giving you my "internet expert" opinion), someone else will post they have shot hundreds of rounds and have never had any problems with their SAI gun, and state "if you do send it back they stand behind their warranty."

I've read many posts on many different shooting forum's, and for the most part, aside form all the "expert opinions" out there, it's the same ole same ole. The bottom line is this; the day's of the Devine Texas Springfield Armory are long gone, period. Some of you know this, but hey "this post's not for you." This post is for the guy or gal who's thinking about getting an M1A for the first time, so listen up, Springfield Armory Inc, (SAI) is not the same company it was back in the glory day's of 1980. Now I know allot of folks will read this and say I am slamming SAI and it will make allot of hardcore SAI fans mad, but I say to you; the truth hurts sometimes and that's just the way it is.

The new owners and employee's hold close to a forbidden taboo disclosing outside their inner circles just exactly where the barrels are made, who makes the op rods, the gas cylinders, trigger groups, etc...and at the same time loudly display on the box, "made in USA." Now for the record, the folks working at SAI are great people. Always friendly, and have a no questions asked attitude when it comes to a warranty issue. They handle it, period. It's just that creepy side step when you ask common questions you should be asking when buying a firearm that cost over a thousand bucks, well at least for me anyway. FTR, I'm not saying the new SAI is bad either, or as my east coast friends say, I ain't saying, I'm just saying...

SAI, why the secrecy?

In closing, SAI stands behind their warranty, and the main selling point is it's lifetime. I just ran across this post, I know its dated, but just wanted to say do your home work, ask the questions at your local gun shop and from shooters at the ranges. Happy Shooting!

MALONE LABE!

[GUTS]

The front sight was canted on my IDF M1A and I called SA to see what could be done. A very nice and helpfull lady took care of it for me by paying the freight to ship it back to them, putting on a new barrel, bolt, and op rod and sending it back within two weeks, all for no charge. I was quite happy with the service and I do love my M1A, it shoots like a dream.

[JerryB08]

It's the company I personally prefer after owning a Gold cup national match (Pyle of crap) and dealing with Colt and then switching to Springfield Armory. I would like evertything to be made in the USA. But I'm afraid those are the day's that are over. We don't "Make" anything anymore. Very sad.

[10 ring]

Yes it's sad, but true. From 1970-the late 80's SA used USGI parts on their M1A builds and when he well dried up the company was sold. Fast forward to today, the USMC has resurrected the M14/M1A when they began building service rifles for both match shooting teams and the SPEC OP's community's M39 EMR. They also bought up most of the USGI parts in the process to build these weapons, hence why when you find USGI parts, you pay high premiums.

I've owned three SAI guns and they are all gone. I'm not saying I had major problems with them, and the problems I did have, SAI took care of them. However, as I began to shoot more with them I learned the lessons of what worked in the guns and what did not. After my most recent issue with a brand new M1A loaded rear sight, I sold it (after I fixed it with SAI replacement parts) and decided to build one from the ground up. Surprisingly, I've spent about as much on this build if I had parted out a new commercial SAI gun with USGI parts. The one major difference (IMHO), is a hammer forged LRB receiver and a high quality Krieger barrel. FTR, I'm not pushing LRB over anyone else, there are many companies making hammer forged M1A receivers today, and some of these receivers are dead on (or close) to mil spec. I've done extensive research on this subject, (perhaps I could post my findings on another post), but LRB came out on top every time.

My purpose of the post is to inform those who are thinking of getting an M1A to point out there are other options and all US companies. I strongly feel if funds are available, we all need to support these guy's and keep our money and our jobs here in the USA!

Happy Shooting!

MALONE LABE'

[Bill Hollinger]

I've had my SAI M1A for 21 or 22 years and it is made up of all USGI parts sans the receiver and stock. Most is TRW with a splattering of Winchester (barrel) I had SAI's custom rifle shop build it. I have never had a single issue with this rifle. I've shot thousands of rounds out of it without a single malfunction. I've hunted with it and killed a heap of big game from elk to antelope to bear and deer. I love this rifle.

I had another SAI custom rifle shop M1A in .243 that I was not real happy about. If I would have used my head for something other than a hat rack I would have simply changed the barrel and been done with it. But, I sold it