The M1A has always been one of those classic guns that have always had my attention.
Not enough to make it a priority purchase but enough that it would stay with me for a few weeks when I remembered it.
However, after the very first time I shot it, I knew I had been depriving myself of one of the most beautifully visceral shooting experiences one can experience with a rifle.
This experience is akin to driving a muscle car, where being unrefined is a good thing.
Between the looks, the smell, the sound, and how they drive muscle cars overload you with sensations, and the Springfield M1A does the same thing, and I love it.
It’s my favorite rifle. My grandfather had an M1 Carbine that I used to shoot from time to time. I loved everything about it: Accuracy, power, sights...just the weight of the rifle itself.
It might be a generational thing, but I’ll take the M-14 over anything else. This thing looks bad. Muzzle velocity?
He cracks me up. Not because he’s joking, but because he’s dead serious, just so damned joyful he expresses himself lightheartedly.
I like the Scout version better than the SOCOM version. The 18” barrel definitely increases range.
I have one, it is a great rifle.
The muzzle device does indeed reduce recoil.
I still prefer its little brother (Mini-14) over the AR platform.
They are super reliable and effective shooters in the newer versions with heavier barrels.
The M14, Not Much For Fighting (A Case Against The M14 Legend)
https://looserounds.com/the-m14-not-much-for-fighting-a-case-against-the-m14-legend/
I had a very nice National Match M1A for years. Tiger birch stock that I hand rubbed a dozen coats of Tung oil into. Serial number below 24,000, correct scope mount, and the matching Springfield Armory rangefinding scope. All TRW parts, too.
Wicked accurate rifle, absolutely no problem out to 800 yards. But my days of lugging a 16 pound rifle are over. I payed $600 bucks for it from a guy going through a divorce. Sold it for $3,500 a couple years ago.
The dude got a bargain.
L