M1A Loaded Opinions

Tomochan

Tomochan

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I have taken in on a trade a M1A 'Loaded' and when it arrives I will write and post a review of how it compares to my Norc/USGI hybrid and a stock norc but, while waiting for the arrival of the new toy, I thought I would ask for the opinions of others who actually own / have owned this rifle so that I can add into my review the viewpoints of others.

What's the thinking out there ?
 
Depends. What's the code on the bolt? What's it got for parts? Year of manufacture? (when it was made will be on its headspace card).
 
You can't compared the craftsmanship on any M1A with the Norc M14. One of mine loaded model M1A with A.R.M.S#18, Burris XTR 6-24x50mm hits 300yards target with less 1moa CONSISTENTLY @prone, using sierra 150hpbt match with 40.5grs benchmark...sorry to said....why waste time and money on a Norc?...if you can afford the M1A?. I hope this helps.
Cheers
 
kinggeorge168 said:
You can't compared the craftsmanship on any M1A with the Norc M14. One of mine loaded model M1A with A.R.M.S#18, Burris XTR 6-24x50mm hits 300yards target with less 1moa CONSISTENTLY @prone, using sierra 150hpbt match with 40.5grs benchmark...sorry to said....why waste time and money on a Norc?...if you can afford the M1A?. I hope this helps.
Cheers
Click to expand...

Funny, reading into it a bit you might find that a standard Sprinfield m1a performs pretty much equally with the norinco m305 at nearly 5x the price ($2070 vs $429).

$1600 gets you a nice set of upgrades....
 
l1fel1ne said:
Funny, reading into it a bit you might find that a standard Sprinfield m1a performs pretty much equally with the norinco m305 at nearly 5x the price ($2070 vs $429).

$1600 gets you a nice set of upgrades....
Click to expand...

uuuuugh...

What this guy said! You can bash a Norc all you want... but if you seen Tomochan's review (and extremely neutral review) between swiss arms/sl8/norcm4 you would be surprised.

the M1A in question comes from my roomate, I packaged it and I'm very eager to see Tomochan's range report M1A vs norcM14. I bet we might be all in for surprise!
 
I have an M1A loaded with the VLTOR rails and the extended cluster rail. Beautiful finish on the rifle, I don't quite like the gap in the rear of the receiver though where the bottom of the receiver comes up and you can see under it through the rifle. That's just how its made though and not a fault against the rifle. Just one more spot dirt can get in though. Brass tends to nick the extended cluster rail as it ejects, leaving brass marks on it. The rifle shoots great but is definitely heavy. Mine has the stainless NM barrel and the thing isn't one you'd want to pack very far.

Accuracy is good. I had some issues mounting a scope to it, but I was trying to use regular hunting scope rings and mount straight to the rail. Ended up having wobble unfortunately. Haven't had that issue with some red dots though so was probably just my rings.

Would I buy the rifle again? Not sure. Probably not I think. I would probably go the Norinco route and upgrade the crap out of it or buy a couple nice guns that I would use. . The problem is, I had more money than brains at the time and figured it would be a good hunting rifle. A few trips trying to pack it around and not being able to see through the peep in low light taught me a lesson on that, haha.
 
....what?! $429 for the Norc M14!... as I can remember...a friend offer me his ploytech M305 to me....as a gift(free)...I turn it down....I told him I needed the room in the safe. LOL
 
Before this gets out of hand for the 20th time this year,

Receiver: The Springfield receiver will not compare to the norc/poly receiver.
Norc/poly is forged and as close to the usgi spec as it gets. Springfield is cast and not as close dimensionally as the norc. This is a FACT. Don't believe it, take it up with Ron Smith or Lee Emerson.

This does not mean the Springfield receiver is bad, just that certain ones can have cq issues. Obviously the rifle in question is used so it is running fine.

Springfields craftsmanship and cq has gone down the sh*tter the last several years so don't make me laugh. And I would know, I was an M1A snob for many years.

Now back to the M1A loaded, if it was built with usgi parts that's great, if not it should have a Douglas premium barrel and they are good. If the bolt in it is SAI inc and the number code starts with F, its all good, forged bolt. The letter B means machined from bar stock, still good. If it starts with A, replace it, cast bolt.

Norcs most times need to be taken apart and reassembled properly either in a clinic or by a gunsmith familiar with the M14 type rifle, after that they are great. The parts on them are good forged parts. Don't let the made in china thing fool you, parts were all made by state arsenal.
The best rifle you can build is all usgi parts on a norc or poly receiver.
Springfield, as long as it was built right and has no issues, will still shoot straight and run fine.

And kinggeorge, lots of guys on here running norc barrels that shoot an inch also.

My usgi parts built chinese polytech could shoot a 3" group at 300 meters with M118 and I don't need the telephoto lens. No M1A of mine ever pulled that off.
 
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LOL...3 for 1 trade. I am taking trades for... every one used M1A (any model)for 3 used norc M14's. Limited time offer...act fast...before it's all gone.
 
Fellas - thanks for the interesting responses. Not trying to start a war here so I will leave it at this : I will write a review as objectively as I can - no biases - as I own all the rifles and own all the buying decisions. I will comment on price, fit + finish, handling and accuracy using 150 gr AE FMJ, FGMM 186 g and whatever handloads I have that are suitable for a gas gun ( note to self - don't use the stuff for the TRG LOL ! ). When I'm one we can at least see how a few rifles compare - whether this will be a 'representative' sample can, and will probably, be the subject of further discussion :)

Now I will await Mr. Postman.

Cheers,

Bob.
 
My "unbiased" Opinion

I own several rifles, one of which is an M14 Platform - a Poly M305 in 308.

My other rifles are a Mini-14, Remy Varminter (.223), Vanguard in .243, Browning BAR (30-06). Had a Browning BLR (30-06) which I gave to son and a Sako Hunter (vintage '82). The mini-14 is a plain 'ol Ranch (vintage 2010) after getting rid of my target mini.

I became interested in the M14 as a result of having too much fun and generally good accuracy. I reload all my cartridges.

In dealing with the M14, from sandbags, it will shoot hornady pills on average at about 1" at 100 yards with ideal conditions and a steady eyeball. I have fluked off better groupings, but I also have had worst too. I resize my cases fully and leave a .005" to reduce excessive case fatigue. I have not ever had a case seperate (touch wood) and my recipes are somewhere in these postings. Since working up my loads, I have not really experimented to strive for anything better, because I am satisfied with a relatively cheap budget.

I bought my M14 for fun, but now use for hunting as well. It is heavy (same with my Remy) to carry, as opposed to my Browning or Weatherby. The Browning loves Nosler 165's and is glassed (average 3/4" to 1" groups - sandbaggged). I actually prefer the versatility of the M14 due to the open sights, and the fact that the rifle is a workhorse and designed to be bumped and bruised a bit. Same goes for my mini-14, but it is not as accurate to 300 yards for 'yotes. For that (and gophers) I use my Remy, as it is a supurb tack driver to 300 yards.

My Browning is much more finickety (especially the scope) to some of the abuses of hunting but it is a very fine tuned instrument.

My Vanguard is a deer rifle and long range 'yote gun, depending on my mood, but is more expensive to reload. It is also a very accurate gun shooting at about 3/4" MOA at 100 yards with 80 gr Noslers.

I firmly believe, based on the opinions of their owners that a well tuned M1A will shoot every bit as good as mine, or perhaps better, but I could really care less, as I am not into it for the bragging rights.

If I had to walk all day, I would use my Browning. Pushing bush, I would be with my M14, hands down.

To summarize, the rifle did not cost me a fortune and with a little tuning (thanks to Hungry's clinic) and a good maintenance/cleaning regime, it sounds like my 'ol M305 is plotting holes in paper the same as a loaded M1A. In the end, does it really matter? If folks want to get all uppity for bragging rights as to who's is better then count me out as that kind of discussion is a waste of time.

My M14 sees more use than the rest of my rifles, with the exception of the Remy, because it is very reliable, shoots straight and is a workhorse all the time. It is not the prettiest rifle around but it is perfect for the tasks I use it for, but it is not so well suited for gophers and 'yotes as the ballistics are far from perfect in my circumstances. It is great for Bear! (see previous posts)

Specific to the M1A or M305, you will do well with either. From what I have read, I suspect the loaded M1A (out of the box) will be tighter and perform better at the range than the M305, but will easily cost 3 or 4x that of a M305. Tuning my M305 cost me about $300 (which included Hungry's fee, gas and lodging in Calgary, a better guide rod and grease).Headspace gauges will also set you back $200 if you subscribe to the headspace issues relating to the M1A or M305.

After all the bills are added up...to the paper 100 yards downrange I am shooting the same gun, but at just over half the price.;) :ar15:
 
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