You can still get a good SA Inc rifle if you know what to look for and have a few to pick from.

Find a good one, take it home and install a GI extractor and have fun.

You are correct that there are other better choices out there with rifles built by some good armorers but they are going to cost you a lot more than a SA Inc rifle.

If you can afford the better rifle then get one.

 

I have no idea why anyone would blackball SAI M1A's. It's been my experience that for every one negative story you hear, there are 100+ shooters that have never had a problem one with their Springfield. And in a large number of cases, where there was a problem, the problem originated between the index finger of the shooter and the ground. For example - extractor problems starting with the first few rounds fired due to a failure to clean new chamber before going to the range.

Six months ago, I bought, from a dealer in Houston, a loaded model M1A after doing extensive research on who's making the rifles. I carried an M14 in Vietnam and I had always wanted to own one that I didn't have to give back at the end of a tour.

I've fired over 2,100 rounds through my new rifle without a glitch. I researched who's version of the M14 to buy and since there is no guarantee from anyone that you're not going to have a problem, I wanted to go with the company that could give me the best warranty when something did go wrong (and it will, no matter whom you buy from). Hands down, that was Springfield with their lifetime warranty. I don't work for them, I just love their rifles.

Clean the rifle with an Otis cleaning system before you fire it - I recommend the Otis Elite, it'll clean anything you've got from a BB gun to a 50 cal and it's just over a hundred bucks - keep everything greased!!!!! - buy decent ammo (stay away from anything close to 180 grain, it's just too heavy a round for continual use) - and the SAI M1A should keep spitting it out as long as you can afford to buy it.

All this is just my $0.02 worth. But there are thousands of SAI M1A owners out here that are glad we didn't spend out the anal orifice to buy one from one of the higher end sellers just so we could have a few USGI parts in our rifles. BTW, mine came with a TRW trigger group straight from SAI. And the loaded model comes with several National Match features. Cost me about $1500 and it's the best money I've ever spent on a weapon. And I've spent a lot.

mojocj

 

I have been very pleased with my Springfield NM M1A. It functions flawlessly and is great fun to shoot! I also think Springfield has the best warranty program out there.

 

I have no idea why anyone would blackball SAI M1A's.

Because it is commom knowledge that SA Inc has a terrible quality control problem today.

If you order a M1a when it shows up it can be 100% perfect in every way or it can be a POS from hell.

They let some rifles out the door and claim they are "in spec" with a gap under the reciever heel and zero tension on the trigger group and a loose FH and gas cylinder and a front sight sitting over to one side like a cheap Century AK.

Such a rifle would have never left the factory a few years ago.

Some people refuse to buy anything from a company who sells products like this and I understand where they are coming from.

If I was in the market for another M1a I would not order a SA Inc M1a rifle and know I had to pay for it when it got here. To me spending over $1,000 on a rifle is a huge investment and a hell of a lot of money. I expect the rifle to be perfect and I would not be happy if I had to spend hours working on the rifle or had to send it back to the factory as soon as I got it.

I would only buy one if I could personaly see it and check it out before I paid for it. I know what to look for because I have seen far too many that had problems out of the box.

As far the extractors the SA Inc extractor is junk. They break no matter if your chamber is dirty or clean and this is a fact of life if you own a SA Inc rifle with a cast extractor.

 

All of this is well and good, but like I said in my original post, I'd like to buy a NON-SA M1A style rifle *now* if possible.

Fulton is backordered for months. Who else stocks them and has them available?

 

I know of a small gun store in South Central Texas that has poly for sale that I almost bought...I chose one I found on gunbroker. Let me know if you want the number.

Jim
jb0437@yahoo.com

I respond quicker to email than PM.

 

How bout a one party Government. To listen to some owners
you have to buy a Springfield as if nothing else exists. I have
Amscorps and Springer and they all shoot about the same.

 

Springfield Armory makes and sells lots of M1A rifles. Except for the lousy cast extractors, the rifles work fine and have a lifetime warranty. Most parts are no longer USGI, and we should be thankful SA is making repro parts, or rather, having the parts made for them, or USGI parts would really be expensive. I would rather pay as much, or more, for a used SA M1A with all GI parts, than a new one with repro parts though.

 

All of this is well and good, but like I said in my original post, I'd like to buy a NON-SA M1A style rifle *now* if possible.

My bad, it's your money. :thumbsup:

 

All of this is well and good, but like I said in my original post, I'd like to buy a NON-SA M1A style rifle *now* if possible.

Fulton is backordered for months. Who else stocks them and has them available?

Most reputable builders that sell complete M14 type rifles do so on a custom basis (ie. you call and order, they build your rifle when your name gets to the top of the list, usually a few months, ... Smith Ent., LRB, Warbird, Ted Brown, etc., up to a year or better with Fulton. If you need a complete "non-SAI" rifle *now*, your only REAL option is to pick up a good used one. Watch the "For-Sale" or "PX" sections of the various M14 forums, watch Gunbroker, Auction Arms, and Gunsamerica firearm auction web sites, and visit local gun shops and gun shows.

SAI is the only "factory made" game in town.

 

All of this is well and good, but like I said in my original post, I'd like to buy a NON-SA M1A style rifle *now* if possible.

Fulton is backordered for months. Who else stocks them and has them available?

LRB Arms, the only forged receiver available. they sell complete rifles.

 

All of this is well and good, but like I said in my original post, I'd like to buy a NON-SA M1A style rifle *now* if possible.

Fulton is backordered for months. Who else stocks them and has them available?

LRB Arms, the only forged receiver available. they sell complete rifles.

 

http://www.lrbarms.com/pages/1/index.htm

NOTICE

We are currently out of stock of M14SA receivers, barreled actions and complete rifles. We are continuing to accept orders without a deposit.

Due to a design change in our forging, modifications to fixtures, tooling, and program were required. We are now in the final stages of machine set-up and are running test pieces for inspection. Full production of both receivers is expected to begin week of April 17. Anticipate filling back orders of M14SA receivers beginning May 15, and M25 receivers beginning June 19.