Custom M1A Build

Nickoslav

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Hello Everyone

So im looking at building a shorter barreled#M1A#Rifle (18.5'=non restricted). Ive done some looking around and a lot of the custom builders are located south of the border. Could anyone recommend where to start, builders, parts, action and barrel, or any posts that are geared toward custom#m1a#builds!

Cheers
Nick
 
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to be a little more specific, im looking at a stock by J allen enterprises, a krieger heavy barrel with a 1:10 twist in .308. As for the rest im a little unsure about.

Thanks.
 
you could try James River Armory or LRB Armory or even Fulton Armory which as you said are all south of the border, or you could buy all the parts yourself up here and have them assembled up here by a gun smith you trust, or maybe another member here on CGN, or you could take said parts to one of Tactical Teachers (Hungry)'s m14 clinics, if there happens to be one near you.
 
Hey Nick,

Well it depends on your budget for the build. Is this a balls out money no object endeavor or is there a cash limit?

For builders in Canada I know of very few. Cgn member 45acpking used to build M14's (but I think he no longer does?). There is Smith Tac in Pet that can do it and I have also heard of Tac ord.

The main problem will be finding the parts up here. Go to Armtac's site, they have a few usgi parts as well as a parts kit, fulton bolts ect. For gas system parts I would go usgi or SEI, a full SEI gas system can be ordered from brownells. For the receiver you can go norc, put an add in the EE someone will have one.

Yet another route altogether would be to phone up LRB in the states and talk to them about building you an M25 complete action with 18.5 krieger barrel and then have it imported and drop it in your stock of choice.

The nice part about going the LRB M25 route is the scope mount is part of the receiver and comes with it.
 
Hey thanks for the info guys. i wouldnt say its a balls out endeavour but im not planning to cheap out. i like your last suggestion of calling up LRB bit im going to check out all your suggestions. Much appreciated!
 
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well at 18.5 feet it will be very hard to hold steady lol. maybe try Irunguns and see if he can get all the parts imported if you want them out of the U.S
 
An 18.5' barrel is a shorty MBT gun. snicker. I'd contact Mystic Precision, site sponsor.
An M1A will cost you big dollars just for the rifle. Then a pile to have the barrel changed, if you can find one. Not impossible to find, but big bucks to do so. You may want to look for an M305 vs an M1A.
 
Canam is sold out of the Socom...I saw one or two on the E.E recently .
Take the time to read up as much as you can about these rifles , there are accurizing tips that you can do yourself for free.
As well if you could look at the rifle first and be able to recognize the comman faults these have would be a good idea.
The Socom I just received was a replacement for the first one I received and if I was unfamiliar with how to fix it I wouldnt be happy right now. This is my 6th or 7th M-305 and it needed the most work of any of them to get it right.
So its still a crap shoot if you get a good one or not.
 
Ok thanks, thats exactly why i thought i would just build it from scratch from the bottom up, i have heard varied reviews with regards to the dominion arms version as well as the Norinco model as well. This too is also my first semi auto build and there is much for me to learn. Everyones help is appreciated
 
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You will need to go through Wolverine Supplies for the JAE stock.
It will cost you around 1500, and could take some time. Mine was close to a year, but things may have changed since that was a few years back.

Have fun with the build.
 
The heavy barrel and JAE stock are for a precision rifle. Will you really enjoy a rifle weighting 12-16 pounds?

What's your intended range? Beyond 5-600m the extra velocity of a 22" barrel would help to reduce the drop.
For a long range rifle you may shoot 175-180gr bullet. For these heavy bullets you should use a Sadlak grooved piston.
Do you want to aim with a scope or iron sights? For maximum accuracy you should get NM sights. For mounting a scope, a LRB M25 receiver is the best option.

Looking at JAE they seem to use the front band. If it's the case you'd get maximum consistency with a front-band unitized with gas-cylinder. LRB can unitize it for you.

I imported my custom LRB with Prophet river. They were great to deal with. Other importers are Questar and Irunguns.

If you choose to get a LRB, they used to have a wait list of 6-14 months. Contact them to put your name on the waitlist. They don't need a deposit and you'll have time to think about your build and specs until they're ready. It will also give you time to gather your stock and other parts. Like a flash-hider, they can't export a rifle wearing one.
 
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I'm condemplating an LRB myself. did you have any problems getting it through the boarder?

Did you import a whole rifle, or just a receiver?

No problem, Prophet river made it easy and safe.
I chose a barreled action but it's the same process wether you import a receiver or a rifle.
 
Looking at JAE they seem to use the front band. If it's the case you'd get maximum consistency with a front-band unitized with gas-cylinder.

That is the case, and it should to be done.
For the OP: Casey @ Tact Ord does an amazing job.

Will you really enjoy a rifle weighting 12-16 pounds?

And yes, it's stupid heavy, lol.
 
I wont be shooting past 500 meters, i'll be using 175 grain bullets and using a scope. Im not set on JAE i was looking at a Sage EBR as well. Wildphil can i send you pm, i have a few more questions to ask you!

Cheers
 
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I tried to buy a Fulton Armory M1A not too long ago only to be told by Fulton, no sales outside the states, no exceptions. They were not interested in my money or dealing with any exporter/importer (Prophet, IRUN etc.). Have things changed? Also Propet told me they cannot import anything with a flash hider like an M1A. Was I being BS'ed? That is my Fulton experience. Nice to know if things changed?
 
Wildphil can i send you pm, i have a few more questions to ask you!
Go ahead, you don't need to ask. You can PM anyone, most people here will be helpful.

I tried to buy a Fulton Armory M1A not too long ago only to be told by Fulton, no sales outside the states, no exceptions. Have things changed? Also Propet told me they cannot import anything with a flash hider like an M1A. Nice to know if things changed?
Fulton have their principles and policies, the US have their laws. If you still want a Fulton M14, you can buy it from a dealer or used with the help of an importer.

As I tried to explain in post 12 and as Prophet river told you, you cannot import a rifle with a flash-hider. You should easily find the desired flash-hider in Canada and it's easy to install.
 
As I tried to explain in post 12 and as Prophet river told you, you cannot import a rifle with a flash-hider. You should easily find the desired flash-hider in Canada and it's easy to install.

I just don't get this? irunguns imports SAI's with the flash hider, so does armtac with LRB's and I don't think the flash hiders are being put on this side of the border? I guess I will have to find a dealer in the US that has Fulton M14's in stock.
 
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