new M1A, some questions

[AllaSnackbah]

i bought the SA kit with the little handy tool thingy.

Fair enough. I'm not looking for trouble with the rifle. At this point the rifle is one hell of a lot more accurate than me. Honestly I just heard it helps with accuracy and reliability. I am a newb here. But my simple observation of the gas system can be tightened up this way. I figure with it apart anyway for cleaning, it only costing $15 for parts, and folks recommending it... why not?

x2, i had a little contest with a buddy last weekend. shooting clays set up @ 100 yards from a standing position, his $5000 AR rig with a sweet trijicon, vs my M1A with iron sights. He beat me by 1 clay. the SA was hitting every spot i put my sight on it was pure human error that caused me to lose. once i get more trigger time with this gun i think ill beat him with the iron sights no problem.

 

[vellnueve]

I haven't cleaned my M1A since buying it. I have never felt the need to even touch the gas system. I sure as hell haven't "shimmed the gas system" or done any of this. Hell, I haven't lubed it since getting it.



I've had exactly one failure with it - due to Indian ammo that was bent.

 

[MassMark]

I understand and agree with running the piston, chamber, and bolt face dry. That's what I do.

But what is wrong with using a box wrench to unscrew the piston plug? It works just fine and I don't need to buy another tool.

Sorry - been slacking on this thread. Using a box wrench is fine, as long as you have the gas system supported, (which he didn't). I forgot to add that he used the box wrench to take it off, but finger tightened it to put it back on.

Frosty - I'd just make sure your piston is clean and dry and your chamber is the same. Grease your roller and rails and go have fun...

 

[AllaSnackbah]

what about solvents/grease? what do you all use? i have been using spectra gun grease and hoppes #9

 

[bpm990d]

I use to use the red Shooter's Choice stuff in a syringe. I ran out, so I kept the syringe and filled it up with red mobile 1 synthetic grease from the auto parts store. I can't tell the difference. Same stuff as far as I'm concerned.

B

 

[MassMark]

I use Militec-1 grease. It's slippery, yet tacky - stays where you put it. I also use Lucas grease...

 

[Mass-diver]

i\. shooting clays set up @ 100 yards from a standing position, his $5000 AR rig with a sweet trijicon.

Exaggerating to make a point? Honestly, as an M1A fan myself, IME an $800 AR will out shoot a $1500 M1A just about all the time.

 

[PatMcD]

9150-248-3480
GREASE, RIFLE
144/2-1/2CC TUBES

circa 1973. I bought it at a gun show ten years ago and have used about 10 of the 144 little jars. Not hi-tech, but the price was right and it works.

 

[AllaSnackbah]

Exaggerating to make a point? Honestly, as an M1A fan myself, IME an $800 AR will out shoot a $1500 M1A just about all the time.

not exaggerating, and i would tend to agree with you about an AR outshooting an M1A. his AR is ridiculous, PEQ2, ACOG with red dot, suppressor, the works. he has to have about 5k into the thing.

 

[FPrice]

Took my Scout Rifle out to the range today (FINALLY!). Two ggod things and one bad thing.

First good thing: In three 5-round strings I got it zeroed (only at 50 yards but you take what you can get). It shoots well, better than I can.

First (only) bad thing: Magazines are a MOTHER to insert! Especially the ten-rounders that come with a Massachusetts rifle. My 20-rounders seated much easier although they were a bit stiff also. It came with a Sadlak magazine release if that makes any difference. Never had that problem with a full-sized rifle. Any suggestions?

Second good thing (or maybe it's bad...): My 14 yo son shot it and LIKES it. Thinks the recoil is nothing.

 

[Gadsden]

Took my Scout Rifle out to the range today (FINALLY!). Two ggod things and one bad thing.

First good thing: In three 5-round strings I got it zeroed (only at 50 yards but you take what you can get). It shoots well, better than I can.

First (only) bad thing: Magazines are a MOTHER to insert! Especially the ten-rounders that come with a Massachusetts rifle. My 20-rounders seated much easier although they were a bit stiff also. It came with a Sadlak magazine release if that makes any difference. Never had that problem with a full-sized rifle. Any suggestions?

Second good thing (or maybe it's bad...): My 14 yo son shot it and LIKES it. Thinks the recoil is nothing.

Don't feel bad, I had the same issue with the crappy 10 round mag.. it would not go in with the bolt closed. The 20-rounder I tried worked with no issues..

 

[gunclinger]

First (only) bad thing: Magazines are a MOTHER to insert! Especially the ten-rounders that come with a Massachusetts rifle. My 20-rounders seated much easier although they were a bit stiff also.

Any suggestions?

It takes a little getting used to the M1A magazine...to insert it quickly you need to get just the right angle, slide it a little, and rotate to click. That said, I recently got a new 10 rounder (it was a genuine SA) that was obviously out of spec, maybe 2mm or so too large in the stock-to-muzzle direction. The tolerances are already close, and so this new mag was practically unseatable in the receiver. So much so that when you did get it in and then pushed the mag release, the was NO movement at all.

Perhaps a bad batch from the factory?

Anyway, I called Springfield Armory, and RMAed it to them. Took about 2 weeks to get a new one.

 

[FPrice]

It takes a little getting used to the M1A magazine...to insert it quickly you need to get just the right angle, slide it a little, and rotate to click. That said, I recently got a new 10 rounder (it was a genuine SA) that was obviously out of spec, maybe 2mm or so too large in the stock-to-muzzle direction. The tolerances are already close, and so this new mag was practically unseatable in the receiver. So much so that when you did get it in and then pushed the mag release, the was NO movement at all.

Perhaps a bad batch from the factory?

Anyway, I called Springfield Armory, and RMAed it to them. Took about 2 weeks to get a new one.

I may have to call Springfield Armory and see if they will replace it for me. I am the second owner but maybe they will for good customer relations.