Upgrade to my M1A

[Jayhawker]

My M1A National Match came in a Archangel Precision stock...and while it was a shooter, it was just an awkward, heavy set-up...So I got with my friend out in Kansas, looking for a military stock, and as chance would have it...he had a couple...one in like new condition...it showed up a couple of days ago along with a couple of G.I. magazines...I made the switch over today and am quite pleased with the result...I decided to leave the scope in place....its an older Millett 4-16 X 56 with a Mil-Dot reticle... Before and After pics

20230803_115207.jpg (1.82 MiB) Viewed 617 times

20260215_161531.jpg (5.33 MiB) Viewed 617 times

[sakodude]

Military dress is where it's at in my mind. Looks great.

[Zee]

I love you! That’s absolutely beautiful.
A well deserved transformation. Can’t wait to see the range report.

[breamfisher]

Looks much better, now.

[GrapeApe]

Looks good <3

[Diver43]

Sako said it best. Looks Great

[Elk Creek]

Mucho mejor! I like it!!

[Chiro1989]

Looks good, how much weight did you save?

[Jayhawker]

A little more to the story....in September of 1969, I was a member of the last basic training cycle to qualify with the M-14 at Fort Knox KY...There wasn't anything about that rifle I didn't love...It's way past time for me to have my own...

[Jayhawker]

Now for a question....the sling...do I go with a 1907 leather sling, or a vintage web sling or a V-Tac...I'm comfortable with all of them...whatcha think?

[Jayhawker]

Looks good, how much weight did you save?

In truth, probably not much...but what weight there is, is so much better distributed, it makes for a much more ergonomic package...

[Bigslug]

Now for a question....the sling...do I go with a 1907 leather sling, or a vintage web sling or a V-Tac...I'm comfortable with all of them...whatcha think?

I've competed with both the 1907 and the green canvas web. Concluded the canvas is a lot easier to make a cuff sling out of, and a lot easier to adjust. It's pretty much become my favorite sling to get on a rifle quick and cheap.

While the 1907 would technically be Camp Perry Correct, it's a little too early vintage to be on an M14 otherwise.

A Vickers sling? No. Just. . .no.

[Wambli Ska]

1000x better

[CPJ 2.0]

Now for a question....the sling...do I go with a 1907 leather sling, or a vintage web sling or a V-Tac...I'm comfortable with all of them...whatcha think?

For hunting use, with the rifle hanging from the front where it makes the most sense….then Vtac. That’s the most useful.

For “I need a sling” use, web.



And while I love putting new stocks old rifles especially ones that don’t belong….that wood is a large improvement.

[Zee]

I went leather on mine. Not because I particularly like the sling but, I had it and I liked the look.

IMG_9584.jpeg (895.19 KiB) Viewed 469 times

IMG_9585.jpeg (685.45 KiB) Viewed 469 times

[Gene L]

Leather is a better sling but web is more correct for the time period. It works fine for shooting as well.

[Zsarvashere]

I have a vtac on mine, but it still wears the synthetic stock Springfield sent it with.

[shotgunshooter3]

Excellent update for a classic rifle. Are you going to glass bed it, in true NM fashion?

As far as slings, I would lean towards the M1907 leather sling personally, from one of the quality US makers that is still around. I also wouldn't sneeze at the USGI web sling though: As Bigslug pointed out, it's a fine shooting sling in its own right.

I plan to toss my M1A in a USGI wood stock as well, just haven't gotten around to it.

[Gene L]

My M1A weighed 10 pounds, in wood stock. I got rid of it last year. I qualified on the M 14 in 1967, basic and AIT. I prefer the looks of the walnut stock. I don't know why it was so heavy.

The gas plug was difficult to remove, had to heat it up and get a cheater bar. Another thing I don't understand. They were easy to remove in the Army; routine maintenance.

I remember the first time I saw an M14, it was on a weekend and I was a recruit. I was on a bus during Christmas holidays and as we went past a PX and I saw the guard who was walking (pacing) around the outside of the building, on guard duty. I thought it was the most beautiful rifle I'd ever seen. The long barrel really set it off.