Springfield M1A Loaded

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panther

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Hi there,
Does anyone out there has any experience with M1A Loaded??? Is it worth it's value -around $2700- and what's the best source to get/order one??
If it's not worth spending that much money, what next in .308 win is the best choice for target shooting in semi-auto??? Thanks
 
Let's put it into this perspective
A norinco receiver, tuned trigger, usgi unitized gas sytem, usgi bolt and krieger barrel with.308 headspace
Labour to have built by an experienced professional..... And yer prolly gonna spend less money for just as much gun. ;)

If I was going to spend 2700 plus taxes n junk, I'd be looking to LRB Arms over any springfield.
 
Made in China Norinco M305 is not Made in USA Springfield Armory M1A. It is an apple to orange comparison. It also explains the price difference.

Just keep that in mind.
 
How fast did the last batch of Norincos sell out at Marstar? And how many people were #####ing that they got shafted out of one?

There is a reason why they are popular.
 
"...not Made in USA..." Neither are M1A receivers. Springfield receivers are made in Brazil, last I heard.
"...explains the price difference..." Primarily the wages paid to the workies. Then throw in the amount of advertising SA Inc does, the brand name and our government's interference.
 
sunray said:
Springfield receivers are made in Brazil, last I heard.
Click to expand...

Actually, the castings springfield uses for their receivers are made in Canada by a company called Alphacasting. http://www.alphacasting.com/realisations/police.html. Alphacasting also made my Brobee AR15-870 CQB adapter and did a bang up job. So by buying a springfield receiver you are indirectly supporting Canadian industry.

And again (as about every month or two there is a thread which winds up spiraling into the big debate on chinese vs springfield vs lrb bla bla bla) on the subject of what is better....I have a bunch of chinese M14 type rifles that I do the bulk of my playing with, but I also have a couple springfields that shoot just as well and are finished significantly nicer.

Cheers,

Brobee
 
Not trying stir up debate, that's a dead horse.
Here are the options availlable to would be owners of the semi auto m14 platform.
Norinco and polytech
Springfield armories inc
LRB Arms(no canadian dealer but can be imported)
And at some point soon I hope, New Italian manufacture offerings coming from Marstar.

There is so much info availlable on the first 3 on the list, that anyone should be able to research (google) and make an informed decision on which one suits their needs and or budgets.
 
The sprg arms are simply finished better cosmetically, and sures quality control
Norinco has it's long history as well, and they are getting very experienced.
I would say the only thing stops norinco from making a 99.9% identical item is the cost of manufacture......and the amount they produce...

Just like 1911 guys... think back...
Colt is not the only 1911 maker anymore, and many other ones are just as good... Colt is just the origin.
 
Whether it's worth it or not is entirely subjective. I don't think it's worth the money but others will happily drop the cash for one, for whatever reason. The SA does have the advantage of the lifetime warranty (if you don't like digging into your gun) and can be brought into the states. If neither of those are a concern then a tuned and upgraded norc will be of better value.



TGC said:
Whats the difference between a forged receiver and a cast one?
Click to expand...

Casting is essentially pouring molten metal into a mold and letting it cool down, then it's sent off for final milling to have all the holes and threads cut in.

Hammer forging means the steel piece is heated to red hot, then pneumatic hammers pounds it into the desired shape before being sent off for milling.

The forged receivers will also have better yield strength then the cast, the cast will have better elasticity. But strength is a more desirable trait in a firearm receiver as it means it will deform less as thousands of rounds are fed through it.
 
Alpha casting has a really cool website showing their methods. Last time I checked it out I think they had a seperate section showing the process used for gun parts.
They make a wax duplicate and overmold it with ceramic, multiple units on a "tree". Then when they fire harden the ceramic, the wax drains from the tree. Then they inject molten metal into the tree, filling all of the individual units to be cast. Then once cool, the ceramic is removed and you have a bunch of parts ready for the cnc to finish.

LRB Arms has pics on their site showing the hammer forge process, from barstock to completed receiver. Pretty neat stuff
 
If you are indeed considering purchasing an M1A, pay attention here!

From the July 03, 2007 draft of the Third Edition of M14 Rifle History and Development:

Bolt - Springfield Armory, Inc. M1A bolts are manufactured in the United States of America. The M1A bolts are typically marked 7790186-SA on the first line and A00030, B00048 or F00059 or similar number on the second line. They may have markings such as D and M3 on the rear end and A9 or B1 on the bottom surface. The letter A prefix for the number under 7790186-SA means the bolt was cast then finish machined. The letter B prefix for the number under 7790186-SA means the bolt was machined from bar stock. The letter F prefix for the number under 7790186-SA means the bolt is forged. Springfield Armory, Inc. began installing F prefix M1A bolts by no later than 2000.

See 1987 Springfield Armory, Inc. Recall Notice for additional M1A bolt markings. No M1A parts, including bolts, are made by metal injection molding. Around receiver serial number 165###, Springfield Armory, Inc. commercial manufacture factory installed bolts have letters and numerals with a taller and thinner font than the style found on USGI M14 bolts. A Springfield Armory, Inc. M1A bolt not subject to recall was tested for surface hardness. The result was 52 HRC, the same as a USGI HRT marked M14 bolt.

When I look at buying an M1A, I make damn sure it either has an F code bolt or a real GI one, beware of the A code bolt!!!

On that note my best M14 rifle is now a custom USGI build on a forged Polytech receiver and it came in at $200 less than a M1A standard costs.
Many M1A parts are made outside the USA and their quality has suffered over the last several years. If you can find an older one with GI parts that's fine but the newer ones are not worth it anymore.

I have owned and shot M1A's for many years, but they're not what they used to be.
 
Set up an ambush in the EE's parts n bits forum, then when those usgi parts appear.....CHAAARGE!!!!!:D

I got lucky and found all the parts in a few weeks on the EE.

If I wanted to buy another M14 rifle at this point, I would wait to see these Italian ones from marstar.
 
G.I. Spec oprods are availlable through me ;)
I have real gi and new manufacture RWB (the very same as used on LRB rifles) , pm for details.
RWB usgi spec bolts aren't availlable yet but runour has it they will be along at some point.
Other parts EE or brownells for sprinfield, sadlak and smith enterprise parts for triggers, sights, gass assemblies.
 
M14Doctor said:
So J996 ... How does that rifle shoot after being on my operating table ;)
Click to expand...

Bang-pinggg!! Bang-pinggg!! Bang-pingggg!!:D:D:D

Have only had time to run 40 rounds through it but it ran like a dream!! Just gave it a quick battle zero and annihilated a silhouette target at about 300. Very effective hehe!!

I'll post a thorough range report when I get some more time.
 
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