Guns, Bows, Shooting Sports, and Hunting M1-a

[Tractorat]

For the guys talking about watching their thumbs, you're referring to the M1 Garand which was clip fed from the top. Great guns and I own a few. The civilian M1a successor is magazine fed from the bottom.

The M14 can also be loaded by a clip from the top. I think I still have a couple of the clips floating around here somewhere. (no bullets of course)

 

[GHarman]

Yep, that was the quick way to load your magazines. However, in a firefight, you swapped out the magazines, quite smartly, MOF :-laf!

 

[Tractorat]

I guess I just had a senior moment (duh). I was picturing the M1 carbine which does have a removable magazine. And, Im pretty sure, could be loaded from the top the same way an M14 can be. Not the same as the gerand rifle.

 

[BIGNASTY]

I guess I just had a senior moment (duh). I was picturing the M1 carbine which does have a removable magazine. And, Im pretty sure, could be loaded from the top the same way an M14 can be. Not the same as the gerand rifle.

The senior moment happens I made 3 trips to Missoula to pick up the house yesterday at the rail head. The last trip I turned up the WRONG way going North the wife asked if I found a new way to Missoula.

 

[HHhuntitall]

Watch out for the new imports being sold!!! Norinco, I think, although they are labled M14, they're M1A semi-autos. They're just above junk, and with hot ammo have had some serious head-spacing issues!!



Speaking of the M1A, I had one with a Douglas Supreme barrel that shot lights out, chambered with a Miltary Match reamer, same spec as the USMC use.



I was told the CMP has stopped selling the M1A because the recievers have all been recalled by the US Govt, to be refitted and reissued for mid-range precision tactical rifles..... I know a very large number have been issued to qualified personel in the Sand Box... . rumor, but anyone heard any different?

 

[GHarman]

I heard or read that the M-14's are being refurbished with the Sage International platform and being issued to designated marksmen. This is a huge step up in accuracy potential from the NM accurizing procedure previously done on these rifles for competition and sniping. GregH

 

[GHarman]

I think this is one of the new configurations. GregH



Tactical World: Sage International Ltd, M14ALCS/PMRI

 

[The patriot]

AFAIK The CMP has NEVER sold M14 or M1a's. They do "loan" them out to shooters to compete with... or at least used to. They may be down to all AR's by now.

I get their newsletter so I consider myself an RKI on this.

They sold M14 parts kits recently. I dont remember the price, but they werent cheap. No USGI M14 parts are anymore. The parts kits were "incomplete".

I remember when complete GI parts kits were advertised in shotgun news for $275. I wish I bought several dozen.



I got an M1A with a Troy stock. SWEET but heavy. Oo.

 

[The patriot]

I heard or read that the M-14's are being refurbished with the Sage International platform and being issued to designated marksmen. This is a huge step up in accuracy potential from the NM accurizing procedure previously done on these rifles for competition and sniping. GregH

I know Smith enterprise is involved with the rehab program.

Google smith ent and crazy horse.

 

[HHhuntitall]

I think this is one of the new configurations. GregH



Tactical World: Sage International Ltd, M14ALCS/PMRI

Hmm, drop in fit? I'm not sure about that, Greg. I've never seen a stock an M1A would drop in and shoot very well in... ... without a little work. It certainly looks lighter than some of the other options out there, though!! I've got a Troy Modular, as well, and it's a bear. It takes away the handling ability of the rifle. If you carry it all day, it'll make a man out of you!!! I can't say it shoots much better than with the McMillan stock I had on it, either. I was really dissapointed in it, especially for the money. I intend to take my Troy stock off of mine as soon as I find the time. Anyone interested?



Yes, and I left out that the CMP "Leased" out their M1As. I did mention they were recalled, though. I know this as some of my friends have been issued ones that have been refitted by the base amorers, and it's said some of them are tested before they're refitted, and may be issued "as is. " I'd wager those were the ones with Kreiger SS barrels some match shooters were using from Raton, NM, and Langley, VA. They were thoroughly upset to lose their rifles, but that was part of the agreement.....



I've got a real problem with mine at the moment. I keep getting flyers when it loads from the left side of the magazine..... seems the bullets are getting scarred from the loading ramp or magazine. If I load it single shot, it shoots very well..... still will knock a hog down very quickly... .

 

[GHarman]

Hmm, drop in fit? I'm not sure about that, Greg. I've never seen a stock an M1A would drop in and shoot very well in... ... without a little work. It certainly looks lighter than some of the other options out there, though!! I've got a Troy Modular, as well, and it's a bear. It takes away the handling ability of the rifle. If you carry it all day, it'll make a man out of you!!! I can't say it shoots much better than with the McMillan stock I had on it, either. I was really dissapointed in it, especially for the money. I intend to take my Troy stock off of mine as soon as I find the time. Anyone interested?



Yes, and I left out that the CMP "Leased" out their M1As. I did mention they were recalled, though. I know this as some of my friends have been issued ones that have been refitted by the base amorers, and it's said some of them are tested before they're refitted, and may be issued "as is. " I'd wager those were the ones with Kreiger SS barrels some match shooters were using from Raton, NM, and Langley, VA. They were thoroughly upset to lose their rifles, but that was part of the agreement.....



I've got a real problem with mine at the moment. I keep getting flyers when it loads from the left side of the magazine..... seems the bullets are getting scarred from the loading ramp or magazine. If I load it single shot, it shoots very well..... still will knock a hog down very quickly... .

HHHuntitall, The Sage industries stock is not a drop in. I wished I could remember where I read about this(old timers disease:{). Each one is a hand fit and the operating rod guide is attached to the forend rail. If I remember correctly. This assembly procedure is supposed to remove(best case compromise) the interference with the barrel harmonics. In this configuration the rifle is capable of some astonishing accuracy for an auto-loader! GregH

 

[HHhuntitall]

HHHuntitall, The Sage industries stock is not a drop in. I wished I could remember where I read about this(old timers disease:{). Each one is a hand fit and the operating rod guide is attached to the forend rail. If I remember correctly. This assembly procedure is supposed to remove(best case compromise) the interference with the barrel harmonics. In this configuration the rifle is capable of some astonishing accuracy for an auto-loader! GregH

Ah. Well, they still need a lot of work around the trigger assembly to properly tension the rifle in the bedwork, as you probably know. The Troy modular is similar, if you seen it. They pin on the rear reciever, and then tension on the gas cylinder. You're supposed to be able to "tune" them by tension, but I've never has much luck with it, despite just about wearing out the threads on the set allens. :-laf I can't say as it shoots bad, especially considering what it is. It's definitely sub-moa if you'll single load it, or just shoot off the right side of the mag! With the Troy, it's just not a carry rifle any more, and I carry some pretty heavy rifles. I'm going back to my McMillan stock so I can carry it and enjoy shooting it. What good is it if I don't shoot it any? I really want to get a Krieger in 6. 5 and chamber it for 6. 5 Creedmore... . but that's just what I need, something else to do!!!

 

[GHarman]

Personally, I wouldnt pay a premium price for an M1-A. I've seen them priced well over $2000:--) in "Super Match" configuration with a Douglas barrel. Sorry, cant to excited about that!

One thing to look for is the barrel timing where it screws into the receiver. Yes, there is a timing issue with the clearance cuts at the breech end of the barrel where the bolt comes up to the breech face. If those clearance cuts are not in their proper alignment, the bolt face/extractor will hit the breech end of the barrel and not completely lock. I've seen 2 M1-A's with this issue. If your front sight looks like it is leaning a little to the right? That is one inspection indicator. The barrel can be screwed on to the shoulder, but it is not timed correctly. Check it, if you have one. GregH

 

[GHarman]

Ah. Well, they still need a lot of work around the trigger assembly to properly tension the rifle in the bedwork, as you probably know. The Troy modular is similar, if you seen it. They pin on the rear reciever, and then tension on the gas cylinder. You're supposed to be able to "tune" them by tension, but I've never has much luck with it, despite just about wearing out the threads on the set allens. :-laf I can't say as it shoots bad, especially considering what it is. It's definitely sub-moa if you'll single load it, or just shoot off the right side of the mag! With the Troy, it's just not a carry rifle any more, and I carry some pretty heavy rifles. I'm going back to my McMillan stock so I can carry it and enjoy shooting it. What good is it if I don't shoot it any? I really want to get a Krieger in 6. 5 and chamber it for 6. 5 Creedmore... . but that's just what I need, something else to do!!!

HHHuntitall, I havent seen these new stocks up close and personal. I have used the Army TM guidelines to accurize the M-1 and M-14/M1-A in the standard configuration stock. What a bunch of hoops to jump through. The triggers are easy to tune. Just getting the tension between the stock, receiver and trigger housing group, I agree, is a real pain!
HH, Check the breech face of your barrel and see where that right side round is hitting. Could the clearance slot for the extractor be miss placed? Check for lockup, in free recoil, off a set of bench bags? Just some thoughts? GregH

 

[The patriot]

I'd personally LOVE to see the 6. 5 Creedmoor in the M14 platform.

 

[GHarman]

IMHO, The 6. 5 Creedmoor on a M1-A platform would be an interesting project! However, getting the round to feed reliably through the M1-A/M14 magazines will be the biggest obstacle! The next issue would be the relatively soft Hornady brass. I reckon one could form cases from a more robust case? That would be fairly labor intensive. I do like that cartridge, but as long as it is a proprietary round (Hornady exclusive), I would not consider it. I do know it is used on the AR platform rifles. I wonder how many reloads can you get using them in an auto-loader? GregH

 

[The patriot]

The 260 Rem has been done. It's almost identical ballistics wise to the Creedmoor.

IMO the boltface is the big hurdle. The rest all can be "worked out".

 

[GHarman]

patriot, It would be more efficient than the . 260. I have a couple boxes of brass from Hornady. It is a shorter cartridge, I'm sure you know. Same head size. Just getting those clearance cuts in the breach face, the slots for the gas piston housing and the gas port all timed(and properly sized) is the big job. I think that would be no problem for Kreiger to make the barrel. Just getting a shorter case to feed out of the GI magazine, cycle without ripping of a case rim and getting more than one reload out of the brass are my concerns. GregH

 

[The patriot]

No doubt, a big job.

I noticed in my dealer catalog Savage is now doing their bolt guns in 6. 5 Creedmoor.

 

[GHarman]

The Ruger #1 Single Shot is available in 6. 5 Creedmoor!!!!!!! That would be my favorite! GregH