arctic_front
New member
I'm interested in adding an M1A to my collection. what is an average price for a average M1A? What are the things to look for when shopping for one? and are the Norinco versions any real value? Thank you.
Interested in a Springfield Armoury M14.
- Thread starter arctic_front
- Start date
The M1A is good rifle, fit, finish, and function are much better than that of a Norc. The only real upgrade needed for an M1A is replacing the flat op rod spring guide with one of the match cylindrical style op rod guides from sadlak, S&J, NEA etc. And maybe the stock if you get one of the base models it will come with plasticy rubber type stock, Walnut is always a better choice if you can find it.
That being said there are some good norc's out there that have been tuned and tweaked by the previous owner to make them run the way they should. If you have no real interest in doing some tweaking yourself any one of the Norc's that have been tweaked by the previous owner on the EE would be a good buy and cost much less than an M1A.
That being said there are some good norc's out there that have been tuned and tweaked by the previous owner to make them run the way they should. If you have no real interest in doing some tweaking yourself any one of the Norc's that have been tweaked by the previous owner on the EE would be a good buy and cost much less than an M1A.
Springfield M1A rifles have thier issues too but certainly a step up from norinco.
I've always had a personal bias against springfield due to having a socom II literally torn out of my hands by the Springfield rep at a Worldwide Distributors wholesale buyers convention in reno a bunch of years back. I was a purchasing agent for a large sporting goods and marine retailer and an invited attendee , as you don't just get to walk in to a Worldwide dist. convention
When I told him I was canadian he flipped a lid LOL
Investment cast receivers..... yes, but after many years, and also being a 'fan' of hammer forged receivers, I must concede that these cast receivers are not a big issue to be concerned about.
Springfield rifles can arrive in the box with any number of issues from minor to major. Minor issues would be much like norinco, but no where near as common as found on norincos, in that barrels can come over or under indexed, oprod's bolt roller recess not milled out correctly, oprod guides can be loose and left lug bearing can be uneven and some of thier triggers I've reworked have been total junk.
major issues.... there is really only one recurring issue that many owners don't do thier due diligence to check..... that is bolt roller contact on the receiver , under the roller when the bolt is closed. This one keeps popping up over the years and I've seen it on standards and full boat loaded models. If discovered on a springfield M1A is is not safe to fire and 'must' be returned for warranty.
my advice, buy your M1A from a reputable and authorized dealer or a CGN member with a solid record in the EE and if you are buying new or used, make 100% sure to do the paper test under the bolt roller prior to purchase. The paper should not hang up or stick under the roller when bolt is fully closed. Normal writing paper is good.
i think that's about all I can remember for now LOL
I've always had a personal bias against springfield due to having a socom II literally torn out of my hands by the Springfield rep at a Worldwide Distributors wholesale buyers convention in reno a bunch of years back. I was a purchasing agent for a large sporting goods and marine retailer and an invited attendee , as you don't just get to walk in to a Worldwide dist. convention
When I told him I was canadian he flipped a lid LOL
Investment cast receivers..... yes, but after many years, and also being a 'fan' of hammer forged receivers, I must concede that these cast receivers are not a big issue to be concerned about.
Springfield rifles can arrive in the box with any number of issues from minor to major. Minor issues would be much like norinco, but no where near as common as found on norincos, in that barrels can come over or under indexed, oprod's bolt roller recess not milled out correctly, oprod guides can be loose and left lug bearing can be uneven and some of thier triggers I've reworked have been total junk.
major issues.... there is really only one recurring issue that many owners don't do thier due diligence to check..... that is bolt roller contact on the receiver , under the roller when the bolt is closed. This one keeps popping up over the years and I've seen it on standards and full boat loaded models. If discovered on a springfield M1A is is not safe to fire and 'must' be returned for warranty.
my advice, buy your M1A from a reputable and authorized dealer or a CGN member with a solid record in the EE and if you are buying new or used, make 100% sure to do the paper test under the bolt roller prior to purchase. The paper should not hang up or stick under the roller when bolt is fully closed. Normal writing paper is good.
i think that's about all I can remember for now LOL
45ACPKING, have you had any experience with the warranty service for Canadians on the M1A recently? I had one over 10 years ago, bought new online with an over indexed barrel and another issue or two, and had been unsuccessful finding anyone who could do warranty work, short of sending it across the border, and SAI was not very helpful knowing I was Canadian. I'm hoping this has changed, but the experience left me with a very bad taste.
The M305 has made me understand the platform, by having to tinker with it. It's a very enjoyable and fulfilling experience. Thanks for all the help you give us here as well!
The M305 has made me understand the platform, by having to tinker with it. It's a very enjoyable and fulfilling experience. Thanks for all the help you give us here as well!
Tony Bens vids were extremely helpful combined with Barneys class
For a tinker like me it has been a lot of fun to play with the M-14
Anyone who wants to learn watch his vids
I'm sure he isn't a 100% on everything But knowledge is good
For a tinker like me it has been a lot of fun to play with the M-14
Anyone who wants to learn watch his vids
I'm sure he isn't a 100% on everything But knowledge is good
I have heard very recently about Grech Outdoors in Mount Forrest ON, is a licensed warranty center for Springfield, Smith and Wesson, Henry, Mossberg, FN, Savage, and a few others. Dont know how long they have been doing it, but their website has some decent info.
to be honest, I have never dealt with springfield armory at the warranty level. Customers at the time with rifles requiring warranty work were directed to contact the retailer for warranty service or I laid out an option to correct the issue if such an option was present.
unfortunately, it seems dealing with them for warranty on rifles exported to canada can be problematic but I think every customer should ask the retailer up front how the warranty works.
I can't imagine it being that diffcult because they export many types of firearms to canada and elsewhere so there must be a way to expedite warranty work for canadians. I do believe the firearm must be shipped to springfield as there are no authorized warranty centers/individuals doing that work in canada (as far as I am aware)
Same for LRB
same for Rockola
same for SEI
so it's not just a springfield thing...... it's a border thing.
