Civilian clone M14/ M1A receiver recommendation

[Maniac]

Charlie, again greatly appreciate all your help. I looked thru the stickys but thought that sticky was something I had already downloaded , but it is not, some great historical info. I looked thru it a few times and I cannot find the reference to the receiver markings, hate to ask but what page is the info on? Thanks Ike

Here's a post by Lee Emerson in response to the question "Differences in overall quality SA M1A of 1988 and M1A 2008? It sums up some of the info in his "M14 Rifle History and Development (by Lee Emerson)" that can be found on a sticky at the top of this forum as well as his website. Lee has personally answered questions for me and like glg20 said, he is an excellent person and probably the #1 fan of the M14. Here you go:

Post subject: Re: Differences in oveall quality SA M1A of 1988 and M1A 2008?
Posted: 20 Apr 2008 09:15
Offline
Lee Emerson Moderator

Joined: 22 Nov 2001 20:00
Posts: 5564
Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA
The M1A receiver has never been an exact duplicate of the M14 receiver drawing. Aside from the lack of select fire features, Melvin Smith made some changes from the get go since it was going to be investment cast. There's been a number of subtle changes in the M1A receiver design throughout the years, and I love them all, but my favorite M1A receivers range from serial number range from serial number 020001 to 063000.

From the draft of the Third Edition of M14 Rifle History and Development:

"Once this equipment was set up in his shop, Melvin Smith designed improvements into the civilian version of the M14 receiver. These changes included increasing the thickness of the receiver bridge, changing the operating rod rail to better support the operating rod and prevent automatic fire, removal of small amounts of material for better clearance, and relocating the operating rod dismount notch. After some persuading by his friend, Edward M. "Ned" Hogan, Mr. Smith kept the receiver left side geometry the same as the USGI M14 even though it would add to the manufacturing cost."

and

"In January 1972, Valley Ordnance Co. performed sixty-three machining steps for each M1A receiver. Earlier receivers machined by Valley Ordnance Co. were given a lot of hand grinding and polishing by Melvin Smith. Specifically, these areas were: 1) the exterior heel corners on the sides 2) the flat surface aft of the operating rod channel 3) the top surface of the left receiver wall from the cartridge clip guide to the barrel ring 4) the vertical surface on the right side behind the cartridge clip guide all the way back including the windage knob ear 5) the left side of the barrel ring forward of the horizontal scope mount groove 6) the magazine well aft of the feed lips and 7) the top surface of the barrel ring after all machining operations that located off the barrel ring had been done. This cosmetic detailing is evident as late as M1A serial number 062857 but was no longer being done by serial number 064922. Note that the hand polishing served to enhance the aesthetic appearance but did not add to the functional ability of the M1A receiver. As Melvin Smith moved to semi-retirement the receiver surfaces noted above were finished by machine. For example, the magazine well on M1A receivers was cut and broached by machine tool after Mr. Smith purchased Hillside Manufacturing."

and

"Beginning in January 1973, the rear end of the M1A receiver bolt right lug slot, located under the rear sight base cover, was extended 0.080 " to the rear to prevent possible damage to the bolt roller. In March 1973, Melvin Smith stated that he would adjust his machine tools to remove less steel from the M1A receiver for all future production in order to strengthen the rear end of the receiver. The author examined M1A receiver serial numbers 000049, 002884, 030061, 042201, 052122, 057969 and 141555 to verify this. M1A receiver serial number 000049 has a maximum thickness of ¼ " at the heel rear wall centerline. M1A receiver 002884 has 5/16 " thickness at the same location. Receiver serial numbers 030061 and higher all have a full 3/8 " thickness at the receiver heel rear wall centerline. Additionally, there is noticeably more uncut steel in the bolt raceways aft of the cartridge clip guide in the receiver serial numbers 002884 and up."

and

"The M1A receiver design was further changed prior to serial number 010048 to include a small hemisphere on the outboard side of the rear sight pocket right ear for use of a ball bearing to engage a detent on a newly designed match windage knob. This windage knob allowed ½ minute of angle sight adjustments by allowing eight “clicks” per revolution of the knob. Original USGI NM sights used a more delicate fine thread on the windage knob and rear sight base to effect ½ minute windage adjustments with four “clicks” per revolution.


Hope this helps answer your questions, good luck with your search. did you find anything more about the local M1A you mentioned?

[general Ike]

Charlie and all others, thanks for all your time and effort in helping me thru. I see the mods to the receiver that you had described earlier. What a wealth of info, and there right on the net!!!
The receiver is marked 7.62-mm M14 and dates to about 1990 so it is within the period you all described. Have not gotten any other info yet, but it loooks decent. I will follow up with details as the come in.
Thanks Ike

[Maniac]

Glad to help general Ike but all I'm doing is pointing you in Lee's direction. He's the Man when it comes to the M14 platform and has dedicated a lot of time getting the info out. It appears that you might want to jump the M1A you're looking at for $1500. Given it's vintage, It's likely that it is full of USGI parts and if so, a steal at that price. Even with all SAI parts you wouldn't be getting hurt because it's a great receiver, JMHO

[Sunray]

An M1A is a cast receivered clone of an M14. How the receiver is marked doesn't matter. When the M1A first came to Canada, in the late 70's/early 80s,(worked in the shop that was the Canadian distributor) 7.62NATO and .306 Win were the same thing. The Internet changed that. Not SA Inc.
They run $1500 and up now.

[general Ike]

Looks like the $$ is going up on this auction. When does the price go from a "steal" at $1500.00 to a bargain, to just OK, to pass too expensive?

Thanks again

[general Ike]

Well done deal, at least I think. Got it for $1550. Think it worked out well. It appears to be new, the seller states it was new when he got it , had to clean out the cosmo and shot 100 rounds before selling it to me.

Here are the auctions photos and will post more when it arrives if anyone desires them.









I want to thank everyone for the help bringing me up to speed on these!!. Ike

[arado]

I checked out the date of my SA M1A. It was made in 1987. Sold as a receiver only. I built it into an M14 E2 configuration. All other parts are GI including an ARTII, rate reducer and M2 bipod. Did not cost much then to build. Could not do it now. Gary

[Maniac]

Stop teasing us, arado, and post a few pix of your baby - pleeeease?

[tony549]

I have a Springfield Armory NM M1A, sn 4xxx, that I bought in 1976 for less than $600. It has performed well for me and is capable of ~1 moa with handloads. For sentimental reasons, I prefer it to my Stoner SR-25. I guess I just like the walnut stock better and it's less finicky about ammo.

[general Ike]

Well picked up the M!A yesterday. Just as described. I do not think it has had over 100 rounds shot thru it. Basically it looks like it just came out of the box.

Wood is a liitle dry, some BLO will resolve that and there is some figure to it. It looks like walnut but some of the figuring pattern reminds me of birch, any thoughts? Here are some new pics.
Thanks again to everyone, especially Charlie for all the help!!! Ike