Thought I would post up some pictures of my Springfield Armory M1A rifle and carbines. The M1A is the semi-automatic civilian version of the U.S. military M14 (which is select fire - or capable of automatic fire). The M14 was the next generation of battle rifle that was designed to replace the venerable M1 Garand 30.06, which was the gun that defeated Germany, Italy, Japan, and their Axis allies in World War II. It was introduced after the Korean War in 1957 and was the battle rifle U.S. troops first carried in Vietnam, until the M-16 began to replace it.
The M1A has a detachable box magazine, and can hold 5, 10, 20 or 25 rounds per magazine, and I have seen 30 round mags, but those are not factory/OEM quality. It fires the powerful and accurate 7.62x51 NATO round (.308 Winchester), and comes in several variants, three of which are presented here.
I prefer the synthetic stocks on my guns, since they hold up better in inclement weather. The stocks are fiberglass-reinforced composite plastic.
The rifle on the left is the M1A Standard variant, with the 22 inch barrel. Next to it is the M1A SOCOM 16, which is the carbine length barrel (16 inch) variant. It has a proprietary compensator to help control muzzle rise. (It is dark and cold outside, so the lighting inside is not ideal - sorry about the shadows - I will shoot better pictures once the weather improves).
This is the M1A SOCOM II, which comes from the factory with the VLTOR quad rail ("cheese grater") for mounting optics and accessories. I have a Military model Grip-Pod on this rifle (serves dual roles as a vertical forward grip and a bipod) with the steel-reinforced legs, since this gun pushes 12 pounds plus loaded. The added weight really helps absorb recoil, however. I also added a Streamlight Scorpion weapon light, in an Israeli Command Arms Accessories flashlight mount.
Both the SOCOM 16 and SOCOM II have tritium night sights on the front sights standard.
Here is a zoomed in shot, showing the 5.11 Tactical Viking Tactics Padded Two Point sling (padded sling on a 12 pound gun really increases operator comfort).
Here is how I run the gun - Grip-Pod, mag, weapon light, iron sights. The M1A has the best iron sights I have ever used on a factory mass-produced rifle/carbine.
Zoom photo of compensator, rail mount sling attachment, and weapon light mount. The gas piston system was also enhanced by Springfield Armory, as I understand it, to ensure proper cycling with the shorter carbine length barrel. Note that the gas piston and operating rod mechanism are below the barrel on these guns, unlike the gas piston designs in the AK-47, SIG 55x series, H&K series, and SCAR piston designs. This means you must clean the gun upside down to keep cleaning solvents and oil/lubes out of the gas tube and gas port.
I will post some better pictures when I can get these battle rifles outside in the sunshine, where they belong. I'll post a range report soon, too. Cold as ice tonight.
The M1A has a detachable box magazine, and can hold 5, 10, 20 or 25 rounds per magazine, and I have seen 30 round mags, but those are not factory/OEM quality. It fires the powerful and accurate 7.62x51 NATO round (.308 Winchester), and comes in several variants, three of which are presented here.
I prefer the synthetic stocks on my guns, since they hold up better in inclement weather. The stocks are fiberglass-reinforced composite plastic.
The rifle on the left is the M1A Standard variant, with the 22 inch barrel. Next to it is the M1A SOCOM 16, which is the carbine length barrel (16 inch) variant. It has a proprietary compensator to help control muzzle rise. (It is dark and cold outside, so the lighting inside is not ideal - sorry about the shadows - I will shoot better pictures once the weather improves).
This is the M1A SOCOM II, which comes from the factory with the VLTOR quad rail ("cheese grater") for mounting optics and accessories. I have a Military model Grip-Pod on this rifle (serves dual roles as a vertical forward grip and a bipod) with the steel-reinforced legs, since this gun pushes 12 pounds plus loaded. The added weight really helps absorb recoil, however. I also added a Streamlight Scorpion weapon light, in an Israeli Command Arms Accessories flashlight mount.
Both the SOCOM 16 and SOCOM II have tritium night sights on the front sights standard.
Here is a zoomed in shot, showing the 5.11 Tactical Viking Tactics Padded Two Point sling (padded sling on a 12 pound gun really increases operator comfort).
Here is how I run the gun - Grip-Pod, mag, weapon light, iron sights. The M1A has the best iron sights I have ever used on a factory mass-produced rifle/carbine.
Zoom photo of compensator, rail mount sling attachment, and weapon light mount. The gas piston system was also enhanced by Springfield Armory, as I understand it, to ensure proper cycling with the shorter carbine length barrel. Note that the gas piston and operating rod mechanism are below the barrel on these guns, unlike the gas piston designs in the AK-47, SIG 55x series, H&K series, and SCAR piston designs. This means you must clean the gun upside down to keep cleaning solvents and oil/lubes out of the gas tube and gas port.
I will post some better pictures when I can get these battle rifles outside in the sunshine, where they belong. I'll post a range report soon, too. Cold as ice tonight.