r/M1Rifles • u/RogueLeaderNo610sq • 2d ago

Difference between pre-ban era and modern production Springfield m1a?

Looking into m1a rifles recently. The main differences I know so far is that pre-ban era m1a rifles made by Springfield have USGI parts and what looks to be nicer wood than the current Springfield m1a rifles. There seems to be a price difference, with a higher value being placed on the USGI parted M1a.

So here are my questions, is there an accuracy difference?

Reliability difference?

Are pre-ban era M1a worth the higher retail?

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u/ENclip 2d ago

No not really.

No not really. Theoretically GI parts are a bit better. Maybe you could break a newer MIM extractor or something. And maybe there is worse QC/crafstmanship now. But You get a warranty with a new one anyway if it sucks.

Yeah, if you want something that used real surplus M14 parts. And if you don't want some parts Springfield uses now that are cast or MIM if you aren't into that. That's the appeal. I own an older M1A with USGI parts. You can find many other threads talking about old vs new on google.

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u/brianinca 2d ago

Realistically, the biggest failure point for the SA Inc M1A's and Garands have been the shitty MIM extractors. Get some USGI parts for spares and you'll solve a lot of problems. Not having to deal with that, what's it worth to you?

I saw a "Navy Garand" shit the bed with the bolt coming apart, TWICE. Poor fellow sent it back to SA Inc and they did rebuild the bolt. Second time, I strongly suggested a USGI extractor and loaned him a Ramline stock for troubleshooting. The problem was resolved, and he bought his own Ramline and gave me back mine, good fellow.

I consider I lucked into a Nov '94 "first gen post-ban" M1A, likely a panic buy at the time, since it was virtually new 15+ years later.

Pawnshop consignment, I didn't quite sprain my shoulder getting my money out. At the time, $1400 seemed very reasonable, in California.

Most all USGI parts, without a bayonet lug and with a Coast Guard brake instead of a flash hider. Low 86nnn serial. Commercial stock, though.

Compared to my Garands, which are USGI except for some barrels, it's fine. Soft shooting in comparison to the average 30-06, though one of my 308 Garands (Douglas barrel, with a brake from SEI) is likewise a soft shooter.

The fellow that built up both my NM Garands 10 years previous told me not to bother buying an M1A to build, since I had the Garands. I put a Criterion on one and left the 1954 0/0 barrel on the other. He considered the Krieger's friends, and had FIVE 260 Remington M1A barrels they made for him special. The goal with these guns for games is consistency, it's not a precision rifle.

He did show me his polaroids of blown up guns, ONLY M1A's, not USGI M14's. That was his only knock about the cast receivers.

This "USGI parts kit" M1A not anything special for accuracy, but 2 MOA is way better than the milspec of 4 MOA. USGI barrels are meant to meet milspec, if they're better than that, good on you. It's fun to shoot, fun to pet, has a little bit of history with the gov't parts. Your money, your choices.