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5/19/2013 2:27:56 PM EDT
I see dozens of internet threads about M1As breaking or going back to SA for repairs - are they total crap these days? Or are these problems rare?
5/19/2013 2:36:54 PM EDT
[#1]
Don't believe everything you read.
5/19/2013 2:37:31 PM EDT
[#2]
Very few people post about their guns working perfectly.
5/19/2013 3:07:31 PM EDT
[#3]
Quoted:
Very few people post about their guns working perfectly.


This. Those who are unhappy are quick to complain on the internet but those who are happy are too busy shooting their rifles to post how happy they are

If you do get one with a problem, you can't ask for better customer service than SA Inc. They will fix it or replace it.
5/19/2013 3:08:26 PM EDT
[#4]



Quoted:


Very few people post about their guns working perfectly.


That's true.

 



People just seem to make a big deal about USGI parts and how crappy an M1A is without them.
5/20/2013 12:18:54 AM EDT
[#5]
I bought mine in 1999.  I had to send it back because the barrel was canted, as in front sight off the dovetail and still not zeroed.  Once I got it back, it has fired a couple thousand rounds with no issues, other that the cost of the ammo.
5/20/2013 3:25:41 AM EDT
[#6]
I've been happily banging away with my Springfield Armory  M1A std. and Scout for years with NO problems of any kind!!! 'nuf said!!!!!
'Mo
5/20/2013 4:07:32 AM EDT
[#7]
I also think number of complaints could have a lot to do with numbers of rifles sold. I think that Springfield is the best selling M1A/M14 clone out there. There are others and they are arguably better but I don't think they have as large a market share as SA. So obviously if there are more SA guns out there you are see to see more comments about them.
5/20/2013 4:15:58 AM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
I bought mine in 1999.  I had to send it back because the barrel was canted, as in front sight off the dovetail and still not zeroed.  Once I got it back, it has fired a couple thousand rounds with no issues, other that the cost of the ammo.

I bought mine in 2001. 4 warranty repairs were needed before it was somewhat reliable.
I parted it out and had SEI build what I wanted with USGI parts on a Norinco receiver...
never had a single problem with that rifle.

5/20/2013 1:50:09 PM EDT
[#9]
My standard-grade bought in 1999 has been flawless.  

Got an H&R barrel but the rest is SAI.
5/20/2013 1:53:06 PM EDT
[#10]
I bought my loaded last year and it works great.

However, I personally know 3 people who bought one in the last couple of years that would not work out of the box. Springfield made it right for all of them and they all run great now.  

So out of the 4 new ones I have had experience with only 1 worked without having to be sent back.
5/20/2013 2:06:49 PM EDT
[#11]
My National Match has been running like champ for 10+ years.
5/20/2013 6:06:39 PM EDT
[#12]
Judging from all these responses, seems to be hit or miss.



I ended up getting one - should be here by the end of the week - went with the standard walnut model.



I really wanted an LRB, but I couldn't justify spending another $1,200 - this isn't a rifle I'm going to be shooting every other day - this is purely for weekend shooting fun and the added cool factor that goes with owning one of these pieces of history.



So, I'll take my chances I suppose and just hope I don't get a lemon.
5/20/2013 6:44:38 PM EDT
[#13]
Quoted:
Judging from all these responses, seems to be hit or miss.

I ended up getting one - should be here by the end of the week - went with the standard walnut model.

I really wanted an LRB, but I couldn't justify spending another $1,200 - this isn't a rifle I'm going to be shooting every other day - this is purely for weekend shooting fun and the added cool factor that goes with owning one of these pieces of history.

So, I'll take my chances I suppose and just hope I don't get a lemon.


SA will take care of you..... don't worry.


5/20/2013 6:53:16 PM EDT
[#14]

I was once a dissatisfied Springfield Armory M1A owner,
I am a satisfied LRB Arms M14SA owner.

The SA was a cluster fuck, my LRB Arms has given me
reliable service for over 5 years now.


5/20/2013 7:09:52 PM EDT
[#15]







Quoted:
I was once a dissatisfied Springfield Armory M1A owner,



I am a satisfied LRB Arms M14SA owner.
The SA was a cluster fuck, my LRB Arms has given me



reliable service for over 5 years now.




LRB would have been my first choice, and I was REALLY considering one after hearing all the good things about them, but the price just kills it for me in the end...





$2,700 for an M14SA is just a little too much to stomach. I don't doubt it's higher quality and more reliable out of the box, but for what I intend to use this rifle for, it wasn't worth the extra $1,300 to me - so the cheaper Springfield was the better, more practical choice.
 
 
5/23/2013 12:48:02 PM EDT
[#16]
I got five rifles built on M14 platforms - two recently acquired LRB's and 3 older model M1A's.  All five fire and function fine.  HTH
5/24/2013 8:22:28 AM EDT
[#17]
My 2006 era Socom 16 hasn't had a hiccup, but admittedly the round count is well under 1000.

My dad and I once had a pair of Standard M1As between us that had more rounds through either of them than my Socom without problems, but neither had the accuracy potential we were after. Both got sold.
5/24/2013 2:44:03 PM EDT
[#18]
No complaints here.  My SOCOM 16 rocks...
5/24/2013 9:42:48 PM EDT
[#19]
I shoot my Scout made on DEC 30 2012 regularly supressed and unsupressed. Has 1K down the tube and works great. First time I pulled the trigger I was dead on the center of the target with no adjustments on the sights.

M1A Loaded Stainless is unfired. Just haven't gotten around to it.
5/25/2013 6:10:54 AM EDT
[#20]
My late 90's M1A is perfect....sent it back to the factory once but that was because I dropped it barrel first and wanted them to check it out.

My loaded 1911 from them on the otherhand, is another story and will probably be traded in for a colt or dan wesson once it returns from warranty repair.
5/26/2013 6:54:56 AM EDT
[#21]
had few problems with my scout , couple big burrs on the receiver that wouldn't let the op rod out, and extractor went out after 300 rounds... easy fixes , runs great now.
5/27/2013 8:16:18 AM EDT
[#22]
My loaded model works like a fine sewing machine............
5/27/2013 8:31:13 AM EDT
[#23]
Quoted:

Quoted:

I was once a dissatisfied Springfield Armory M1A owner,
I am a satisfied LRB Arms M14SA owner.

The SA was a cluster fuck, my LRB Arms has given me
reliable service for over 5 years now.



LRB would have been my first choice, and I was REALLY considering one after hearing all the good things about them, but the price just kills it for me in the end...

$2,700 for an M14SA is just a little too much to stomach. I don't doubt it's higher quality and more reliable out of the box, but for what I intend to use this rifle for, it wasn't worth the extra $1,300 to me - so the cheaper Springfield was the better, more practical choice.

   


LRB dose NOT come with a life time warranty... Springfield INC Does... and is cheaper...



5/27/2013 9:28:01 AM EDT
[#24]
Two loaded M1A's.  One 15 years old on 5 years old, both run great. The only issue with the newer one was a defective canted flash suppressor, it was replaced with a USGI flash suppressor- fixed it.
7/24/2013 7:28:50 AM EDT
[#25]
Owned 3 over the years. Still own a loaded model and a Scout. The scout went back after the roller on the bolt dislodged and jamed up the gun. SAI fixed it no problem. Both shooting great since.
7/24/2013 7:46:52 AM EDT
[#26]
I have one of the newer SAI Scouts; zero issues up to date and I have dfed it everything from Silver Bear to Magtech M80 "NATO" to XM80C from Federal without a hiccup.
7/24/2013 8:41:26 AM EDT
[#27]
I bought a loaded version with stainless barrel about 6 years ago.  It needed an extractor and spring right away.. SA fixed it and all I needed to do was send in the bolt.  My rear sight aperture had a huge burr in it and they replaced it with a hooded version at my request.  I did not send in the rifle either time.  

I am satisfied with it.  It is an accurate sumbitch.
7/29/2013 10:12:57 PM EDT
[#28]
I got a loaded about 6 years ago , Many rounds with zero problems . A great rifle.
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