M14 and M1A — Battle Rifle and Civilian Version Reviewed
“Descended from the M1 Garand, the M14 utilized multiple improvements that made it a far superior firearm for combat and a much better rifle for competition.” — Dick Jones, Shooting Sports USA.
In the April 2018 issue of Shooting Sports USA, you’ll find a good article on the civilian version of the M14, now sold commercially as the Springfield M1A. An evolution of the battle-proven M1 Garand, the M14 was designed to shoot the 7.62×51 (.308 Win) round instead of the larger .30-06 Springfield cartridge used in WWI, WWII and Korea. While the vast majority of today’s M1As are chambered for .308 Win/7.62×51, Springfield Armory also produces a 6.5 Creedmoor version.
Dick Jones reports that accurized M14/M1As could post remarkable scores: “The accuracy potential of the M14/M1A is unquestionable. During their reign as service rifles, they produced multiple perfect 200 scores at 600 and 1000 yards in the hands of top shooters. This is a difficult feat with a modern, scoped, magnum-caliber rifle and remarkable with an iron-sighted battle rifle. Good competition rifles can group 10 shots under one MOA, and the meticulously-massaged rifles used by the top shooters during my career would consistently put up 10 shots under an inch at 200 yards off a test cradle.”
CLICK HERE to REGISTER for 2018 Springfield M1A Match »
For many years, the semi-auto version of the M14 was “top dog” in iron sights Service Rifle competition. Now that discipline is dominated by .223 Rem (5.56×45) AR-type rifles, but the bigger .308-caliber rifle, now sold as the M1A, remains popular. The CMP hosts a major M1A Match every year at Camp Perry, sponsored by Springfield Armory. Significant prizes are awarded. M1A Match competitors took home over $25,000 worth of cash and merchandise in 2016.
Photo courtesy Civilian Marksmanship Program.
In this video, YouTube Reviewer Hickok 45 compares the M1 Garand and the M14/M1A:
See how the modern M1A is built in this Springfield Armory Video:
As racing improves automobiles, competition improves firearms, and the current crop of Springfield M1As, from the Basic to the top-of-the-line Super Match and Loaded models, reflects the years of development. The M14 and its variants are still in service today and it’s still considered by many to be the best battle rifle in the history of the U.S. Military. — Dick Jones, Shooting Sports USA
Similar Posts:
- The Springfield M1A — Civilian Version of the Military M14
- The Springfield M1A — Popular 7.62×51 Semi-Auto Civilian Rifle
- Videos Show How to Maintain and Optimize M1A Rifles
- Springfield Armory M1A — Care, Maintenance, and Operation
- Sunday GunDay: Springfield M1A at Camp Perry
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Tags: Camp Perry, Dick Jones, m14, M1A Match, Shooting Sports USA, Springfield Armory, SSUSA
A great article – thank you for putting the link up!
Ooohhhh ………..I’m GREEN with envy. I always wanted to own a good M1 Garand in service trim and a match quality M1A. Before I got around to the former or afford the latter, we had the summer 1988 Hungerford mass shooting in the UK (using an AK47) and all semi-auto rifles other than .22 rimfires have been banned here since 1st April 1989. As time goes by and I become older, far from becoming more reconciled to this, I resent it more bitterly each year.
What are the prerequistes to be a part of Camp Perry’s Rifle Range? i have been look for a rifle range the exceeds 500 yards. but there are none in Texas.
Thank You