Hey guys, I have a standard SA M1A and wanted to know if replacing the spring guide with one from Badger Odanance was akin to replacing an AR15 firing pin with a titanium one?  My rifle shoots fine, but the Badger guide looks much more studier.  Thanks for any thoughts on the subject.

Op rod spring guide which came with the rifle will do everything you need.  This is yet another "national match" part of dubious need.  Probably a better modification than a titanium firing pin which is more fragile than the standard pin and can cause problems in the rifle.

If your spring guide is rough smoothing it will make the gun run microscopically better,

A fully chrome plated M14 firing pin in your bolt is beneficial because it stays cleaner and taking a M14 bolt apart too often is just asking for missing parts.  Get a new M1 or M14 extractor and chrome plated M14 firing pin and do a preventive maintenance parts swap on your bolt at your earliest convenience.

Check your Springfield (Inc) gas cylinder more often than you would a M14.  The commercial versions can rust and the piston won't move.

-- Chuck