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Posted: 7/19/2004 12:22:16 PM EDT
| Guys, I have been thinking about getting an M1A. Just a standard grade Springfield. I have read or heard they are now using cast parts as GI parts are running out. Are the new M1As from Springfield still good or should I just save more money and buy one from Fulton Armory? Thanks |
| Springfield Armory, Inc. has been using reproduction commercial manufacture M14 parts since at least 1978. I recommend reading the free online book M14 Rifle History and Development at www.imageseek.com/m1a You have my permission to print off a copy for your personal use. You'll need eighty (80) sheets of paper in your printer tray. No BS. |
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Fulton has no magic supply of parts that Springfield doesn't. Nor does Fulton put anything special in their products. Current production M1A, with all reproduction parts, is still a good rifle. Only weak point is the extractor and you can pick up a USGI extractor easily. With a minimum of searching Guns America you can find new in box M1A rifles with USGI chromelined M14 barrels, a desireable item. Look a bit longer and you'll find some with even more USGI parts. Springfield bolts are forged, just like M14 bolts. I have one "all USGI" M1A and one "all Springfield" M1A and other than keeping the Springfield barrel coated with CLP there's no difference in how they function. -- Chuck |
A current production M1a is a good rifle IF you get a good one. With the quality control they have today there is a chance that that may not happpen. Springfield builds both junk and 100% perfect rifles on the same day. |
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Get the Springfield Standard. If you feel better about it put in a G.I. Bolt. I must be the only one without a problem with my M1A's. I have had 16 of them in different configurations. I have had exactly one that had to go back. Yes the bolt was out of spec and would not push the hammer back far enough. I have several that have all GI parts and some that have no GI parts. They work just fine. G.I. parts wear out and break and commercial parts wear out and break. That is a fact. The accusations I have seen have been just individuals who have had a single part break. Unless there is a scientific study done (take 6 commercial parts and 6 GI parts and test them to destruction) I consider these to be rumors. How do we know the guy that had the cracked bolt did not fire a proof load or out of spec ammo thru the gun? He may not even have known it. Be careful buying GI parts also. Unless new in the wrap you have no way of knowing how much it has been used. I can take an old piece of crap bead blast and repark it and make it look new. It could have had 100K rounds on it. It may be at the end of its serviceable life. Who knows. Good Luck |
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