my 1st M1A is finally here....

[awz1287]

ok so my m1a came a few days ago. The stock came so dry I had to put a few coats of tung oil and some howard's feed n' wax on it before posting pics. It's a M1A standard walnut. I really like it so far. It feels great in my hands, I haven't shot it yet though just cleaned it and greased it. I'm sure I will have some questions soon but for now here is some pictures. Anyone got any tips for someone new to the m14 type rifle.

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[The Lawn Ranger]

Re: my 1st M1A is finally here....

You are in for some fun. I like to shoot mine at bowling pins out to 500 yards.

 

[bunsen27]

Re: my 1st M1A is finally here....

A wealth of information on this platform can be found at:

http://m14forum.com/forums.php

It's a fun platform and you should enjoy shooting your new toy quite a bit.

 

[BOL556]

Re: my 1st M1A is finally here....

You will have fun with it dont be cheap on the optics mount.

 

[awz1287]

Re: my 1st M1A is finally here....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bunsen</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A wealth of information on this platform can be found at:

http://m14forum.com/forums.php
</div></div>

ok thanks I just registered there.

 

[awz1287]

Re: my 1st M1A is finally here....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HAVOC615</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You will have fun with it dont be cheap on the optics mount. </div></div>

yeah I'm thinking about keeping just iron sights for now till I get used to the rifle. eventually I want to get an 18" model to put in an ebr stock with optics.

 

[EricCartmann]

Re: my 1st M1A is finally here....

Beautiful Gun. To me this is how a M14 should look. In a walnut stock shooting iron sites.

 

[hamstur]

Re: my 1st M1A is finally here....

Only recommendation is grab extra CMI made USGI mags from 44mag.com and get a 4-4.5# trigger job

 

[HPLLC]

Re: my 1st M1A is finally here....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EricCartmann</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Beautiful Gun. To me this is how a M14 should look. In a walnut stock shooting iron sites. </div></div>

Kudos. There are a few things you can do to improve them- gas cylinder shims, a match grade op rod, a buffer to soften the mechanical impact of the Op rod, a trigger job, reaming the flash suppressor if there is any bullet contact, etc.

Beyond that it gets more technical. They look like they would be a nightmare to bed IMO. Or you can pay a pro to bed one for several hundred dollars.

 

[awz1287]

Re: my 1st M1A is finally here....

I just ordered gas shims, a Badger Ordnance Spring Guide and Bolt Roller Greaser, some Sadlak gas system Cleaning Drills, and a gas cylinder wrench. I already have the rest of the standard cleaning supplies. I guess I'm set for now. I have 500 rounds of ammo coming tomorrow. And I already got a good deal on 5 cmi 15rnd. mags from the shop I got the rifle transfered. Did I miss anything I should get?

 

[The Lawn Ranger]

Re: my 1st M1A is finally here....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HAVOC615</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You will have fun with it dont be cheap on the optics mount. </div></div>

I have always felt this platform should be shot iron sites. It doesn't make a good scoped weapon.

 

[223hpbt]

Re: my 1st M1A is finally here....

Nice lookin rifle. I sold mine a while back and still regret it! I like iron sights on them, but my opinion.

 

[Kodiak61]

Re: my 1st M1A is finally here....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: m14er</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HAVOC615</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You will have fun with it dont be cheap on the optics mount. </div></div>

I have always felt this platform should be shot iron sites. It doesn't make a good scoped weapon. </div></div>

I second this.

Out of all the M1A's I have owned, irons were the way to go.

Once you get your click adjustments down, its easy breezy cotton peasy.

 

[mceod]

Re: my 1st M1A is finally here....

I've had more fun shooting my M21 with irons than I have with the optics. If you do decide to go with a scope, the Bassett mount has served me well.

 

[Different]

Re: my 1st M1A is finally here....

Don't be surprised if you get asked to wipe the grin off your face after the range session. Congrats!

 

[RTL]

Re: my 1st M1A is finally here....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mceod</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you do decide to go with a scope, the Bassett mount has served me well. </div></div>

+1 on the Bassett. Mine returns to zero pretty well using their little tool to set the torque on mounting the glass so switching between irons and glass is no big deal.

 

[JoeyT1833]

Re: my 1st M1A is finally here....

Beautiful weapon

 

[SGT TickleFight]

Re: my 1st M1A is finally here....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HAVOC615</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You will have fun with it dont be cheap on the optics mount. </div></div>

Optics mount? The greatest thing about the M1A and M1 garand are the long sight radius. I like a good piece of glass but iron sights all the way on that beauty.

 

[mceod]

Re: my 1st M1A is finally here....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RTL</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mceod</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you do decide to go with a scope, the Bassett mount has served me well. </div></div>

+1 on the Bassett. Mine returns to zero pretty well using their little tool to set the torque on mounting the glass so switching between irons and glass is no big deal. </div></div>

I haven't taken my mount off since I put the optic on it 6 months after I got it. I'm thinking of getting another one to shoot with irons. I would just run irons on the M21, but it seem a little counter productive for that particular rifle.