New SA M1A quality

[jeeper80]

Hi fellas, I'm new to the forum so this is my first post.

I'm thinking about buying a new Springfield Armory National Match M1A. I read somewhere on the web that the new ones have cast bolts and op rods instead of milsurp parts as in their older guns. Is this fact or rumor? I can't imagine having a cast bolt. I haven't held or had a close look at the newer production M1A's in a while. How is the general quality?

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[jmoore]

Forged bolts. Cast most everything else. Actually quite servicable! Barrels on the base models are not great, but otherwise, about the only common complaint are the extractors. Makes 'em eject in such a direction as to foul scope bases, resulting in "caught" brass.

Just had a pretty new one, but swapped it for something else, JUST before my new JAE stock showed up! (MONTHS waiting for that....) It shot fine. Their wood stocks are FAR better than they were in the mid '80s, BTW.

I think they did have cast bolts for a while. But Ruger's been using cast bolts forever and a day, and many people LOVE that company.

If you want a basic rifle or a match gun, then SAI is fine.

If you are thinking going custom, and you know a 'smith that is well regarded on these rifles, then start from scratch. Less parts to have left over!


Oh, welcome to the forums! Happy first post and all.

[jeeper80]

I'm an old highpower shooter and I have an older (1994) NM SA M1A that came with milsurp parts (which is great with me). I had it rebarreled by Glen Nelson about 14 years ago and eventually double lugged by Clint Fowler. I recently dragged it out of the cabinet and started shooting again and it shoots great. Been thinking about doing another one since I can't handle an AR because the short sight radius and my eye sight don't agree with each other. As I mentioned, I read somewhere about the bolts and op rod being cast so thought I would inquire.

[vintage hunter]

If you want to know for sure call them up and ask for Dale, he'll fill you in. I bought an SA M1A 12 years ago and it has G.I. parts with the possible exception of the op rod. Have'nt seen a drawing # and just looks different than the surplus parts i've seen. According to SA (Dale) at the time mine was new the low end stock barrels were made by Wilson. Unless mine is the exception they can be excellent shooters after a bit of tuning.

[jeeper80]

Since you mention barrels, as I said, mine was a NM model and it came with a medium weight NM barrel. It shot like 1.25- 1.5" at 100 yds. and as I mentioned, I had Glen Nelson rebarrel it with a heavy Douglas air gage. Maybe one of the reasons that the original barrel only shot like it did was that the "NM" stamping on the barrel behind the flash suppressor was visible in the bore. In identifying it as a NM barrel, they stamp it so heavily, they screw the barrel up!

[jmoore]

I've a rear lugged "Glen Nelson", as well, that he did for SAI some time back. Some commercial parts, some GI. Shoots well! Again, it all depends on what you are wanting in the new rifle. Been running cast SAI receivers for near on 30 years- no dramas! Others I've seen have been less than stellar, but Springfield Inc will sort any operating dramas right well, it seems.

For a serious highpower competition rifle- it may be time to start rounding up favored parts. Get it built with whatever receiver you prefer, exactly like you want. Helps with the mental aspect of the game, if nothing else! Glenn isn't around, and Hook's a bit far from Hawaii, so I don't know who to recommend right now. A friend of mine does my rifles (the ookey bedding stuff and such anyways), but we like to experiment a lot.


Fat B@$#@^& w/ scope- Shoots too well to modify!

[vintage hunter]

Mine's an NM too, forgot to put that in there. SA must've caught on to the heavy stamp buggering the bore because mine looks to be engraved.....very lightly. A fellow I used to shoot with had an M-14 that had been built up into a match gun and it had the name ''Hook'' pencilled inside the handguard and in the barrel channel of the stock. He spoke highly of the builder and was tickled pink to own a rifle he had built. Wonder if it's the same Hook you mentioned JM? Strange thing is the barrel had a 14 twist. None of us ever figured out the reason for the slow twist but it shot 168gr Fed GM as well as any i've shot.

[Buntlineguy]

I bought a new-in-box SA M1A last year and am very happy with it. Price was $1375. Well worth it.
B.

[jmoore]

A fellow I used to shoot with had an M-14 that had been built up into a match gun and it had the name ''Hook'' pencilled inside the handguard and in the barrel channel of the stock. He spoke highly of the builder and was tickled pink to own a rifle he had built. Wonder if it's the same Hook you mentioned JM?

Likely! "Hook" Boutin generally does pencil ID markings on or in his rifles (they vary- and are not ALWAYS there) You can find his photo in Stephens' book on the M14 back in the M21 section next to another armorer. (He's not named, BTW) Still doing rifles- tests them on the range directly behind his shop! Like an idiot, I sold mine a couple of years ago- I don't know why!

Fig. 177- You guess which one is Hook...

First met him in the '90s at a shoot at Ft. Benning- but I'm sure he doesn't remember me!

[Dr342]

Ck out the M14 Forum - M14 M1A Forums They are very critical of SA Inc M1A. I have a late model one and have zero issues. Base model Walnut stock that I swapped for USGI. Extractors are the primary material complaint. Parts are cast and forged in Brazil & the PI with final machining and assembly stateside. IMHO, best thing about SA Inc. is the warrenty. Like I said, zero issues with mine.