M1A: Legend or Fantasy? FIND OUT!

• Gordon Sloan Aug 11, 2025

  It is good to see someone your age realizing that the old guy’s got it right. I have lost count when I’ve been at many different rifle&pistol ranges how many combat Marines flock to the M14 type platform when they come back state side. My son’s choice was no different when he returned from Iraq. He hated the M4 and chose to be one of those guys that luged the Saw. So when he returned home he did buy a couple of AR type rifles sold them a Scar and kind of liked that but sold it. He had used something that was like a chopped down M14 sometimes as a DMR rifle as he ran with a Sniper team and would clean things up when the situation became messy. In 2009 he mentioned he was looking for the Scout Squad M1A and I found one with the Reel Tree camo stock. The funny thing is when I called him to let him know where it was he spit from work drove two hundred miles to get it in a hart beat and never looked back. He told me if the world is coming to an end he can fix it with the Scout Squad rifle even if out numbered as he has been there before more than once. He has a few hard miles on him and hates rifles that jam. Anyway I watch closely three times your video and is no surprise that it groups 1/2 an inch as your rifle barrel returns to the same location after every shot. That’s the biggest trick to the M14/ M1A keeping it semi free floating.The gap on the forward hand guard looks to be correct and little to none with the retainer by the gas block but free enough to put no pressure on the barrel. Very important as it heats up. The same goes for the opt.rod./free. This is more important I found than bedding the receiver so long as it’s fit is reasonably snug. Like your rifle. Looks cool shoots well. Don’t change it. But on your next build witch I’m quite sure there will be as the balance and that rock solid smooth feel chasing running targets/swing with the medium heavy barrel there is no other rifle on the planet like this one. A pointer stick best describes it. A fine tuned bird gun. The scope base you run is correct or the the Smith Enterprise is also excellent. But I would try scope rings that keep it lower and of course hope you find a good stock to fit you. Enjoy your currant rifle and thanks for sharing the story and the video. Well done.

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