Official M1A thread.

[smoothy8500]

Clearly my post came out with a certain tone that was not intended.

 

[Malibu]

It doesn't make the weapon itself less effective.

If that then is the case, would it matter if the Mini-14 was chambered in .22LR? If not, what is your definition of “effective”, or in what context are you using it?

 

[Malibu]

2026 Highpower Rifle

These Rules govern all CMP sponsored and sanctioned Matches for Highpower Rifle events in National Trophy Matches, Excellence-In-Competition (EIC) Matches, CMP Cup Matches and other CMP-sanctioned competitions. Find out more at https://thecmp.org/competitions/cmp-competitions-rulebooks/.

online.fliphtml5.com

https://competitions.nra.org/media/9388/2024-high_power_rifle_rules.pdf

That is the same reference (and hasn’t changed much over the years) that all the folks I know from service rifle matches of numerous sorts have used. Seems to be the standard anywhere in the Unites States. Granted, some clubs/instructors change some aspects a bit to suit their own ideas. If one wants to partake in sanctioned service rifle matches, it will almost always be governed by the cited reference.

 

[smoothy8500]

Open invitaion: I normally shoot matches at Camp Pendleton MCB with Santa Margarita Gun Club https://practiscore.com/clubs/santa_margarita_gun_club
and occasionaly matches with Apple Valley Gun Club https://applevalleygunclub.com/ or Escondido F&G https://escondidofishandgame.com/

So if you shoot at those venues and want to try out the M1A; be my guest and hit me up, I'll see you there.

https://imgur.com/FRIJdNd

 

[tedster]

If that then is the case, would it matter if the Mini-14 was chambered in .22LR? If not, what is your definition of “effective”, or in what context are you using it?

RFKjr's father was effectively assassinated with a .22lr handgun.

Any firearm is a weapon by nature. That's the way I look at firearms.
Rimfire, centerfire, Black Powder etc.

You miss your target with a .308, how effective was your shot (or the caliber, for that matter)?
You hit the target correctly w/ a 5.56. Mission accomplished. How effective was it?

Purpose, parameters, application of the weapon, plus (as always) the skill of the shooter will determine "effectiveness".

 

[Radman64]

The Mini 14 became infamous during the 1986 Miami Shootout

To me it was The A-team TV show that made it popular lol.

 

[tedster]

I don't think I've seen much of the A-Team series.
The Mini 14 was only a suggestion for those who want to get into it. If nothing else, it's a great training rifle.
Mini 14 is underrated, the new series is significantly accurized and reliability is undisputed.
I understand everybody is hot for ARs. Not me. This is a M1A Thread. Let's get back to it.

 

[tedster]

Hello, welcome to 2025! Lol

I found this pic of the last Standard M1A I had in my arsenal. Sadly that's a picture when the rifle was listed for sale. So, she's gone.
Interesting part in the way I acquired this one. A galgunner sold it on CGN. He kept discounting it heavily, until I thought 'I better take it'.
PPT at Greta's, he agreed to drive out (gave him extra $50 for gas).
Once we met, it turns out he was the same guy from back when I had bought my first M1A from at Martin B Redding in Culver City.
The guy was at that time an employee there. Martin B Redding has closed in October 2023.
I don't know exact details, but the store was there since the 60s and Culver City with their ever changing ordinances (banning gun stores near schools etc.) pushed them out or bought up the store just so they can close it.

 

[Malibu]

Martin B. Retting had an employee known as “Pony Tail” who had an interesting reputation, from what I have read elsewhere. Wonder if it was him that you bought your M1A from?

 

[tedster]

He was clean shaven w/ a straight mens haircut, when he worked at Retting. When I met him 5-6 years later doing the PPT he had wild long hair and full rough beard. It took me a while to recall his face, when I asked him to confirm. After a while, he did remember me also. Apparently an M1A is not sold just any given day.
He had some asiatic features around his eyes, but still around 6' tall, tan skin and somewhat muscular. His CGN handle disappeared shortly after. If I remember correctly, his strange kind of first/last name user ID was actually the name he put in the paper work. We had a great conversation. I respectfully mentioned that there was some kind of attitude I experienced during the transactions in the store. He said everybody there had a big attitude, so he just tried to keep up with it.
Another guy I remember had a strong NY accent. Certainly an interesting place. The reason I went there, it certainly was not my local store, I commuted on the 405 5x a week. Since there was not much driving after 3pm, I decided to hit up that store.

It actually was this one:

https://caguns.net/threads/official-m1a-thread.3187/#post-24573

 

[queso1]

I have the standard Loaded model and installed the CASM optic mount. http://www.m14.ca/M14_M1A_CASM_Scope_Mount_STEEL.html
You have to remove the rear sight to utilize the slot, but I don't use iron sights and they are easy to reinstall if you want. I tried the SA and Sadlak optic mounts but didn't like the way they mounted and how high the scope sat. Hundreds of rounds later, this is still on the money every time I take it out. I have the steel one, not the newer aluminum.

 

[NASAcollector]

Here are a few M1A's I've collected over the years, I have a few more in storage that I'm digging out next month. In this group is a mint Smith Ent National Match, 3 Glen Nelson NM, an early 5k SN, 2 5 line scouts / bush, 2 loaded and 7 of these are 5 line with USGI parts. Not pictured are a few Chinese M1A with USGI parts that I picked up 20 years ago.

 

[tedster]

Oh yeah, Mr Nasa Collector, you got a few, right there.
You're a good man. I seem to struggle with holding on to too many guns.

 

[Malibu]

Here are a few M1A's I've collected over the years, I have a few more in storage that I'm digging out next month. In this group is a mint Smith Ent National Match, 3 Glen Nelson NM, an early 5k SN, 2 5 line scouts / bush, 2 loaded and 7 of these are 5 line with USGI parts. Not pictured are a few Chinese M1A with USGI parts that I picked up 20 years ago.

Is your SEI Match built on one of Ron’s receivers?…..those are the gold standard, IMO.

 

[Radman64]

Here are a few M1A's I've collected over the years, I have a few more in storage that I'm digging out next month. In this group is a mint Smith Ent National Match, 3 Glen Nelson NM, an early 5k SN, 2 5 line scouts / bush, 2 loaded and 7 of these are 5 line with USGI parts. Not pictured are a few Chinese M1A with USGI parts that I picked up 20 years ago.

Now that is epic and the fact you own a few Norinco's is amazing, I always wanted one before they got banned by Clinton but even back then they were not inexpensive running around 700.00.
I also recall them being sold as M-14's, not M1A's which is what Springfield designated them when they started on the civilian market.

 

[Enfielder]

Now that is epic and the fact you own a few Norinco's is amazing, I always wanted one before they got banned by Clinton but even back then they were not inexpensive running around 700.00.
I also recall them being sold as M-14's, not M1A's which is what Springfield designated them when they started on the civilian market.

My Polytech is an M14/S

 

[chefdude]

Socom II (it’s for sale) with th vltor full rail hard to find

 

[Radman64]

Socom II (it’s for sale) with th vltor full rail hard to find

Now thats a nasty looking viper.

 

[Radman64]

My Polytech is an M14/S

If I recall Polytech and Norenco M14's came from the same factory.

 

[tedster]

Now thats a nasty looking viper.

These kind of "vipers" make me wonder if I should upgrade my Mini 14 to one of those.
That would mean I'd be all in on .308 for rifle caliper.
I have lots of .223/5.56 in storage, I'd prolly be sitting on it w/ out any shooting apparatus for it.