M1A/M14/M305 Scope Mounting Options?

M.w.wolf

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What's the general consensus on the best scope mounting option for the M1A/M14/M305?

I'm paying plenty for a real Springfield Armoury M1A, so I don't want to cheap out on a low-quality mount.

Ideally, I'd like one of the models that still allows the function of the iron sights.

I'm sure the CASM mounts are high quality, but my understanding is they require the removal of the rear sight.

Any advice welcome.
 
I'm using an OE Springfield mount on my Norc. Hasn't lost zero in over 3 years, so I'm happy with it. Bought it used as well, so I figured if it didn't work out, it wouldn't be that big a loss
 
you couldn't pay me to put a casm on my rifle.
the m14 was meant to have iron sights and a mount that removes them is usless to me.
buy a battle proven mount, sadlak, sei, arms and don't look back.
 
If your on a $200- under budget, the CASM is hard to beat. If you want a more traditional "battle mount" and don't mind the $250-$400 range, then Sadlak, SEI, A.R.M.S. etc are your choices. I run a CASM, only 'cause I couldn't justify the $150+ for NM Rear Irons plus the cost of a SEI or Sadlak on my Norc.
 
I just bought a casm the other week and took it to the range on Saturday, all I have to say is AWESOME! Held zero all day after 500 rounds. Easy to install, great customer service from frank at m14.ca

If your a purist and want to keep your iron sights get something else, BUT if you don't care, buy a casm, you won't be disappointed.
 
I see I am not the only one. Plus with my eyesight the 30mm 1.5 -6 tube on the CASM is unbeatable.

If your on a $200- under budget, the CASM is hard to beat. If you want a more traditional "battle mount" and don't mind the $250-$400 range, then Sadlak, SEI, A.R.M.S. etc are your choices. I run a CASM, only 'cause I couldn't justify the $150+ for NM Rear Irons plus the cost of a SEI or Sadlak on my Norc.
 
I am running a CASM on my M1A and it is pretty darn good. I have tried a number of M14 mounts (ARMS, SADLAK and cheapo side mounts) and I found the CASM the easiest to get the scope on target with. Yeah you give up the adjustable rear sight but you still have a peep to use. Personally, I don't miss iron sights on my M1A as having a cheek riser makes it difficult to use irons and if you are going to remove the cheek piece to use the irons you might as well just take off the whole optic at the same time.
 
I am running a GDI (Global defense Initiatives) G1-OSM mount on one of my loaded M1A, this is the only mount I am able to mount an ACOG with proper eye relief and any other scope optic.
 
CASM, Bassett (don't know if they are available in CA), Sadlak, ARMS.

You couldn't pay me to own a Sue Everyone Inc. part simply out of principle.

Everyone has their views of being able to use the irons if a scope is mounted but sometimes I just don't get it. Realistically, most guys will only use their rifles at the range while shooting off a bench. They will most likely use an optic if available and will never use their iron sights. It only matters to people who know how to use their iron sights well and frequently and like to shoot in iron sighted competitions. My guess is that you want to scope your rifle and will probably never go back to using iron sights; and why should you?

So if the scope is intended to stay, then go with a CASM or one of the ones listed above.

Tony.
 
TonyBen's logic - it be good. I shoot iron sighted M14s but I would never bother with a scope on those types of rigs. If I have an optic I am going to use it. If my scope craps out at the range, I will take it home and change the optic or go to a dedicated iron sighted configuration...
 
Ya, tony's comment makes sense for those who just shoot on ranges. Something I rarely do being surrounded by wilderness and crownland.
I like my ARMS 18 because I can leave the mount in place and it's low enough that it will not interfere with use of irons. I can then either use my eotech or scope with quick release rings.
For me, it's best of both worlds.

Go with what you can afford and best suits your use of the rifle. Irons are important to me so this shapes my view on the topic
 
ya, everyone has their own needs
and like tony's bias towards SEI (which is perfectly okay) , I'll admit to having my own biases towards the casm and other products from that company..... which based on my experiences is perfectly okay as well

in the end , for those wanting to scope the m14, first decide what your own needs are. Some mounts require purchasing additional items to make the scope useable, such as adjustable or fixed cheekrests. Some are low enough to keep the irons as is but ring choices become important so that the rear of the scope doesn't rest on the aperture. In fact, on my arms 18 equipped rifle, wanting the lowest sleekest profile, and lowest scope mounting position possible, and because I did not want to add a cheekrest to my stock, I had to carefully shave the top of the aperture until it cleared the scope. I could have used one size up in ring height , but then I would have required building up the cheekrest area to correspond with the scope height. This also was all custom to my own personal fit to the rifle and scope, so what worked for me, won't necessarily work for everyone.

I also hunt and getting my m14 rifles out in the field, on my shoulder, putting miles on the boots is a whole nuther facet of owning, shooting (killing), maintaining and equipping/accessorizing an M14.
High mounts requiring cheerisers are not a benefit to a hunter in the field, adding weight and giving the rifle a larger profile, making it that much more cumbersome and snaggy on the bushes or getting out of a vehicle ect ect. Having hunted for years and a good many of them with an m14 type rifle, I've got upmost confidence in my ability to shoot both with an optic or soley with irons and have come to value the m14 iron sights as some of the best I've ever used in the field.

if you are building a range rifle though, or a "target rifle" , I don't think it matters much which one you choose as long as it has a solid track record and most importantly, FITS you and your shooting needs. beyond that it's all just opinion and unfortunately, bias
 
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