This classic rifle looks far into the future!
By Gary Paul Johnston
From the October 2012 issue of SOF
Few battle rifles can top the success story of the U.S. Rifle, Cal. 7.62mm M14. After taking over a decade to be developed and adopted, it was soon to be replaced by the M16 in 1963 at the startup of the Vietnam War. During the recent and ongoing conflicts in Southeast Asia, after a long list of complaints about M16/M4 failures, the M14 has been increasingly taken out of “mothballs” and refurbished and upgraded for use in the Global War on Terrorism. There, as with its ancestor, the U.S. Rifle, Cal. .30 M1 (“Garand”), the M14 is proving to be one of the best battle implements ever devised, this time in the form of a precision rifle.
In the late 1960s, however, a little known project was begun to produce a semi-automatic only version of the M14 rifle. With Directorate of Civilian Marksmanship (DCM) competition in mind, a secret program was developed at the Great Springfield Arsenal in Massachusetts. At about the same time as the semi-automatic XM21 (M14) sniper rifle was designed, a significantly different M14 receiver was also conceived from the ground up as a semi-automatic rifle, much the same as that of the M1 rifle. Although the then Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF) approved the prototype “X” numbered design for civilian use as the M14M (modified), the Army rejected it, and the project was reportedly cancelled.
What happened to the original drawings of that semi-automatic receiver is unknown, but not long afterward, Elmer Balance of Devine, Texas, founded the commercial company of Springfield Armory, and began to produce the first commercial semi-automatic variant of the M14. It was called the M1A. A few years later Balance sold the company and the Springfield name to the Reese family of Geneseo, Illinois, and the rest is history.
Whether officially or coincidentally, the Springfield M1A could have played a part in the military’s recent decision to re-issue M14 rifles. This is because, in the wake of the failures of the M16 and M4 in the Middle East, some troops were allowed to take M1A rifles into battle there, especially in the role of sniper rifles. Whatever the case, the “re-adoption” of the M14 rifle has spurred the development of upgrades, which have brought this 60-year old rifle well into the 21st century. Springfield Armory’s M1A is “riding shotgun” in this venture, as every improvement to the M14 also works on its semi-automatic sibling. Let’s take a look.
Vltor Weapon systems
Springfield Armory offers over 40 variations of its M1A rifle. While most are equipped with the standard 22-inch barrel in both light and sniper configurations, several use the popular 18-inch barrel in the Scout Squad version and even more types come with the 16-inch “SOCOM-16” barrel. Vltor Weapon Systems has developed a tactical package for the M1A, which Springfield Armory now offers as an option on its 16-inch barrel SOCOM II M1A. Called the CAS-M1A Stock System, this package consists of a special alloy rail handguard, the top rail of which extends back to lock into a replacement for the rifle’s charger guide. It will accept virtually any optical sight configuration including Aimpoint, Eotech or conventional and forward-mounted scout scopes.
Vltor also offers a streamlined version of this rail system, which is compatible with any M1A or M14 rifle. Called the CAS-V 14, this rail system can be used with any Mil-Std M14 stock, or in combination with Vltor’s modified M1A or M14 military polymer stock. It houses a full-length Mil-Spec 1913 top rail, two moveable side rails, a combination sling and bipod mount, separate pistol grip and fully adjustable Vltor E-MOD Enhanced Butt stock. The CAS-V 14 system will accommodate a myriad of optics, lights, lasers and so on. It comes in several colors, and the color of any synthetic stock can easily be changed with Duracoat’s do-it-yourself kit.
The CAS-V 14’s aircraft alloy handguard uses hardened steel components to anchor it to the rear of the barrel, with the rear extension of the top rail anchored to a special base that replaces the charger guide in the receiver. The operating rod guide is anchored to the handguard by a steel yoke and the ferrule contacts the front of the rigid stock as normal.
Vltor’s E-POD is a unique, two-piece bipod that is right at home on either the SOCOM or Vltor handguard of Vltor’s CAS-V 14. Consisting of two separate, adjustable legs that clamp rigidly onto any side rails, the E-POD’s fulcrums ride above the rifle’s bore, causing the weapon to hang in the bipod instead of balancing above it, as with nearly all other bipods. The CAS-V 14’s bottom rail will also accept the Harris Bipod and the GripPod with its own light rail which, together with a Vltor Ring Mount, positions a SureFire G2 Tactical Light to be operated with the support thumb. Vltor stock components are used by a number of special military units and law enforcement units.
Sage International
Another highly specialized stock system for the M14 and M1A is the MK 14 Mod 0 from Sage International. The centerpiece of a family of such stocks is the MK 14’s chassis, a totally CNC-machined aircraft alloy stock designed from the ground up as a mounting foundation for everything an operator would need or want to mount on the rifle. If this sounds like a tall order, read on.
Rather than any sort of a conventional top handguard, the Sage Stock comes with a machined alloy ventilated handguard that totally clears the barrel and becomes one with the chassis, using six heavy hex bolts. Atop this handguard is an integral Mil-Std 1913 rail running full length. Fastened to the bottom of the chassis via three similar hex bolts is a polymer wraparound hand rest.
With an almost endless choice of butt stocks and other bolt on features, the Sage M14 chassis is known as the MK 14 Mod 0, Mod 1 and Mod 2, or the Enhanced Battle Rifle (EBR). In fact, because of its total modular design, the system continues to evolve to fill different needs.
The precise fit of the action into the Sage stock automatically beds these two components. The barrel group is rigidly anchored to the stock using a heavy, machined steel operating slide guide that replaces the original guide, and which is anchored to the bottom of the stock by a large hex bolt. This bolt holding the barrel rigidly in place ensures repeatable sub-MOA accuracy, and assisting this is another bolt mounted through the top of the handguard at the front. With the rifle assembled into the stock, this screw is turned down to just touch the top of the protruding barrel to dampen vibrations and control “stringing.”
The latest improvement to the Sage MK14 and EBR stocks is a greatly improved rail extension, which not only connects the top rail to the issue charger guide but also elevates the mounting platform by .5” for better scope clearance. Locked in place with two robust adjustable cam levers, this new mount is a true problem solver; it needed to be for the optic we chose to test!
Bushnell’s New HDMR Scope
Sent especially for this test was the new HDMR Sniper Scope from Bushnell Optics. Using a new Horus Reticle, this fabulous scope has a 34mm tube, 1/4 click adjustments, and side focus and has a 3–21x50mm objective lens! No lightweight, this scope is not objectionable for what it offers, and that is super clear vision that far exceeds the range of the .308 cartridge. With it, we received a set of Millett 34mm rings. With the scope mounted on the new robust Sage extension rail, eye relief was a cinch! You’ll be hearing a lot more about this and other new optics from Bushnell, and don’t be surprised if some of it comes from the military!
In wide use throughout the US military, the Sage Stock will accommodate all versions of the M14 and M1A, from full-length heavy barrel sniper rifles to the 16-inch barrel SOCOM-16. This short barrel will not only effectively engage targets out to 600 yards but is “happy” when suppressed, with minimal effect on trajectory.
Smith Enterprises
In the wake of the increasing demand for its upgraded M14 rifles for the military, Smith Enterprises, of Arizona, has undertaken the production of state-of-the-art Mil-Spec M14 components, all built to print. These include complete forged/CNC-machined M14 and M1A receivers, bolt, match grade gas cylinder group, match grade 16-inch (SOCOM) barrel and much more. The latter is of particular interest, as the U.S. Army has moved toward a 16-inch match grade barrel rebuild for many of its 7.62x51mm NATO precision rifles, including bolt action and semi-automatic precision rifles. Where the M14 is concerned, Smith Enterprise’s new MOA SOCOM-16 barrel provides match accuracy to an effective range of 600 yards and beyond.
Made from its inception to match specifications, Smith Enterprises’ 16” M14 barrel looks identical to the Springfield SOCOM-16 barrel, but is held to much tighter tolerances, as is the gas cylinder group, which was part of the package I ordered. Refinement of these components over their issue M14 counterparts is noticeable. Using the proven four-groove, 1-in-10” (254mm) right hand twist, this barrel is headspaced with a match chamber prior to being finished. This is necessary, because of the proprietary salt bath nitride type finish Ron Smith has trademarked as M80HT, which would make final chambering impossible, because of the 60 Rockwell “C” harness it renders to all surfaces. According to Smith, a longtime U.S. Government contractor, it will be next to impossible to wear out the bore of a barrel so treated. In addition to building M14 sniper rifles and sound suppressors for the U.S. Military, Smith Enterprises manufactures a line of Mil Spec M14/M1A and AR-15/M16 components. Smith Enterprises also manufactures a 7.62mm NATO titanium sound suppressor, which it has supplied to several military units for many years. This suppressor is not sold to the public, but another one is.
Gemtech’s Sandstorm
Smith Enterprises’ match grade gas cylinder group for the 16-inch barrel is redesigned especially for their adapter with 5/8” x 24 threads. This short adapter will accept any .30 caliber or larger screw-on sound suppressor, and a natural is the titanium Sandstorm suppressor from Gemtech, of Boise, Idaho. Weighing just 13.3 oz., this 7.8” x 1.5” suppressor has a 32 Db reduction in sound, and has less effect on changing the point of impact than a heavier steel suppressor. I’ve been testing the Sandstorm on several rifles, including my 16” Smith Enterprises SOCOM barrel, and it is a superb piece of gear!
Springfield Armory’s M1A family can be had from the factory with a number of stocks, such as wood and synthetic, including conventional bedded McMillan fiberglass stocks in woodland camouflage and others, as well as with several heavy precision match barrels. No matter what you want in an M1A, Springfield can supply it.
The Sage M1 Garand Stock
However, as fine as the original style walnut stocks for the M1 Garand rifles are, the Sage M1 Garand stock offers something quite unique. Made with most of the features found on Sage’s MK 14 and EBR stocks, the M1 version uses a similar barrel-holding fixture and can be had in three configurations, two with separate pistol grips. In addition, any of the same butt stock configurations can be had on the M1 stock, including one version that uses a more conventional looking stock. I recently received a sample M1 stock with the MK 14 Mod 0 fully adjustable butt stock system. As with all other Sage stocks, ours came with an ERGO Grip from Falcon Industries.
While the Sage M1 stock uses the same CNC-machined aircraft alloy and an almost identical bolt-on handguard with integral top rail, it cannot use an extension on the rail, as this would interfere with the M1’s top-loading en bloc clip. For optics, an extended-range Scout scope is the answer, and the stock’s handguard holds it just as rigidly as on the MK 14 stock. This stock will also accept virtually all the same accessories as the MK 14 and EBR stocks. Not only can the Sage M1 stock increase accuracy of an issue-grade M1 rifle, but also for those who want the ultimate in a foolproof precision stock for a match grade .30-06 or .308 Garand, the Sage M1 Garand Stock is the answer.
Range Time
While the M1A and M1 rifles cannot be bore sighted in the usual manner, sighting them in using the Ultimate Precision Shooting Rest from Carroll Targets, of Montrose, Colorado, makes it simple. Simply sight on center paper at 25 or 50 yards, shoot a three-round group and lock the rest with the scope reticle or open sights on your original point of aim (POA). Then adjust the windage and elevation knobs or center the reticle on the center of the group. Then move to a 100-yard target, shoot a three-round group to settle the reticle and start shooting, adjusting the sights as needed.
Testing of the M1A 16-inch barrel rifle was conducted at 100 yards with commercial .308 Win. match grade ammunition using 7.62x51mm NATO ball as a control round. Not surprising was that any match grade .308 ammunition averaged about one MOA, with several grouping well under that, while GI issue ball ammo would not break 2.5 inches. Accuracy from our 16-inch barrel M1A was close using both the Vltor and Sage stocks, but the heavier Sage stock produced smaller groups overall. The addition of the suppressor saw a change in point of impact of only about an inch vertically, but different ammunition brought slightly varying results.
One element that truly made it all happen was Bushnell’s new HDMR Sniper Scope. Packed with optimum features, including a fast side focus, this scope features the new Horus H59 reticle, which for me is far easier to use than the earlier Horus reticle.
With our issue grade Springfield M1 rifle, we tested only commercial .30-06 ammunition before and after changing stocks, and changing to the Sage stock last. Overall, the commercial .30-06 proved superior to GI ball .30 M2 ammunition, especially when shooting commercial match grade ammo. In the Sage stock, overall improvement in accuracy was about one-third, or reducing a three-inch group to two inches.
Yes, the M14 rifle has redeemed itself as a top notch self-loading rifle. As for the M1A, it never left that position. As a friend once said casually, “Everybody should have one.” The same could be said of the M1. To keep your Springfield rifles and the rest of your guns, JOIN THE NRA…DO IT NOW!
Specifications: Springfield M1A Springfield M1
Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Win.) .30-06
Muzzle velocity: (16” barrel) 2560 fps 2800 fps
Operation: Short stroke gas piston Long stroke gas piston.
Type of Fire: Semi-automatic Semi-automatic
Barrel Length: 16” 24”
Rate of Twist: four-groove, 1-in-10” RHT
Feed Device: 5-, 10- and 20-round box magazine eight-round en block clip
Safety: Positive safety in trigger guard Same
Sights: (front) Protected post adj. for windage Same
(rear) Protected aperture adj. for W/E Same
Stock: Wood or synthetic Wood
Finish: Mil-Spec Same