I have a question.

I have a NM M1A and I would like to be able to mount a bipod but still use the factory sling attachment.   Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Put it in the drain hole.  
If you're not planning on dragging the rifle through the rice paddies of 'Nam, it should pose no problem.

How abou a USGI M14/M1 bipod? But I understand that its cratches the stock, I don't know first hand.

Harris also makes some good bipods. I think they have a special arrangement where you can use the factory sling swivels.

Quoted: How abou a USGI M14/M1 bipod? But I understand that its cratches the stock, I don't know first hand. Harris also makes some good bipods. I think they have a special arrangement where you can use the factory sling swivels.

The USGI bipod is heavy, noisy and does indeed scratch up the stock.  They also cost an arm and a leg ($100+) for a real USGI.  Chinese knock-offs are in the $30 range though.  It's a bit of an overkill for the gun really.  It was desinged for the M14A1 support weapon.  

The military does mount some Harris-type bipods on some M14s.  Using the drain hole as noted above, or by simply drilling another.  Either way, it's as difficult as adding a second sling swivel stud to the forend of the stock.  No biggie, and you still keep the original sling positon.  You can always take off the bipod if you don't need it, and all you have is the stud sitting there.  If you need a bipod, the Harris is about he easiest one to use that's worth a darn.

Ross

Thank you everyone for your help.   Once I get the rifle done I will post a pic.

Thomas

I mounted a harris on my NM M1A. Due to the fact the wood is a little thinner up on the forend of the stock, i mounted the stud just behind the factory sling swivel. I had to take a chisel and clean out some of the inside of the stock (I used an AR adapter) for the stud to screw into the adapter. I also used a small wood screw to hold the adapter in place in case i wanted to remove the stud, so that the adapter would stay in place and would easier facilitate putting the stud back in.

There is some good info here

tharter: Good luck on the installation. It is not too easy when the stock in the NM M1As is glassed-bedded(ie glued in) into the action. If you take it a apart, you risk getting small particles of the fiberglass into the bedding, thus ruiining its accuracy. It was recommended by many people not to seperate the stock and the action for cleaning for this very reason. Pick you poison carefully.