M14 / M1A Scope Mount - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Plan9 · 07-07-2009, 12:24 PM

Okay, I'm taking a "precision rifle" class in the near future and my 3rd Generation Springfield Armory mount just isn't cutting it. I've got a 2000 era full size base model M1A with fiberglass stock and a decent 6x40 eyeball that needs a good mount. I'm not a genius, so I'm going to toss out some queries on various message boards. I've read a zillion ancient articles from HighRoad to AR15 to blah-blah. I kinda want up to date comments. So here:

...

According to a variety of sites:

- My M1A is not milspec (duh!) and yet it totally is (some say accessories work fine).
- I'll have issues getting a mount to seat and stay (#+ wobble) yet it'll be rock solid.

Turns out that shit is way confusing. Meh, I'm going to buy a decent mount anyway.

It would be an understatement for me to state that I'd rather have a late model AR-10.

...

I've only used this particular rifle with its glorious iron sights so I have little experience with M14/M1A mounts. I put a few M14s together in the military (old as hell, didn't actually fire them) and the extra crappy piece of dog poo that came with my own M1A. I've never had any function issues with the M1A, but that may change given the various forum comments regarding what seems like an endless array of mount / scope issues.

...

Candidate #1: $170. I was thinking ARMS #18 as looks way solid, 3 points, and very low profile. Only issue is that you can't use the iron sights when it's mounted, leaving you dead in the water if your scope isn't right. I suppose I could get QD rings, but I'd rather be able to shoot both in a pinch. Keeping the scope as low as possible is nice, though. Perhaps prevents having to use that giant cheek pad.

Candidate #2: $300. Also saw the Sadlak "Airborne" model. Skeletonized steel. Also comes highly recommended. Advantage is use of iron sights, albeit through an extremely tiny little channel. Worth the extra ~$130? Who knows?

...

Thoughts? Suggestions? What did I miss?

Part of me is thinking I should sell this headache and get a tricked Savage LE bolt gun.

cuervo · 07-09-2009, 07:00 PM

I have an ARMS that I'm happy with. If you use ARMS rings as well, they come only in 30mm so you'll need the inserts if you have a 1" tube.

Zeraph · 07-10-2009, 10:19 AM

You know I don't know a ton about guns, but I say sell it and get something better if you can afford it. Some of the videos I've seen of the highly customizable ARs... huhuhu gungasm.

Kingruv · 07-11-2009, 07:56 PM

"Thoughts? Suggestions? What did I miss?"

"Part of me is thinking I should sell this headache and get a tricked Savage LE bolt gun."

Going from last to first:

3. I don't think you missed anything.

2. Sadlak's mount is ok but I'm not sure it will give you an answer of Repeat Zero. The mount is only half of the lock-up. Also when the upper block is put in, it can result in hangups on ejection under the mount. A.R.M.S. is better for Repeat Zero certainly, BUT...............

1. Your thought of the Savage is truly a precision answer.

This may have run through your mind at times; The M1A, based on the M-14 which was based on the M-1 Garand; they were all a step down after certain considerations. Unfortunately political considerations have come to be bigger considerations each time.
(I think that may be behind the IAR debacle, it happens more than most would believe)
A compromise each time, they were all good but traded certain qualities for quantity. Same with the M-16 from the AR-10. At each point a rather prejudiced group was weighing judgement on cost vs performance. (plus behind the scenes machinations to get contracts for a campaign contributer)

While you could get a more precise, more accurate, more rugged, almost perfect weapon, for the price you'd be hard pressed to do better than the Savage. You'd probably have to go another 2000 to get a much finer degree of accuracy. AccuTrigger is a big plus.

I think of the AR-10 with a tear.

Does this have to be .308 or can you go up in cartridge size? You should have little problem moving your Springfield of course (if you have to)

Plan9 · 07-12-2009, 09:38 PM

Yeah, I'm sticking with .308 because it's easy to find, cheap to feed, and anything bigger would be total overkill for my GI Joe playtime purposes. If I need anything bigger, it'll be supplied by work.

I'm a big fan of Savage rifles (have a few myself) so now I'm thinking that the M1A might get pawned in favor of a 10FCP. I may have to go with the MacMillan stock.

raptor9k · 08-06-2009, 07:15 PM

deleted

07-07-2009, 12:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
Plan9 I Confess a Shiver	M14 / M1A Scope Mount Okay, I'm taking a "precision rifle" class in the near future and my 3rd Generation Springfield Armory mount just isn't cutting it. I've got a 2000 era full size base model M1A with fiberglass stock and a decent 6x40 eyeball that needs a good mount. I'm not a genius, so I'm going to toss out some queries on various message boards. I've read a zillion ancient articles from HighRoad to AR15 to blah-blah. I kinda want up to date comments. So here: ... According to a variety of sites: - My M1A is not milspec (duh!) and yet it totally is (some say accessories work fine). - I'll have issues getting a mount to seat and stay (#+ wobble) yet it'll be rock solid. Turns out that shit is way confusing. Meh, I'm going to buy a decent mount anyway. It would be an understatement for me to state that I'd rather have a late model AR-10. ... I've only used this particular rifle with its glorious iron sights so I have little experience with M14/M1A mounts. I put a few M14s together in the military (old as hell, didn't actually fire them) and the extra crappy piece of dog poo that came with my own M1A. I've never had any function issues with the M1A, but that may change given the various forum comments regarding what seems like an endless array of mount / scope issues. ... Candidate #1: $170. I was thinking ARMS #18 as looks way solid, 3 points, and very low profile. Only issue is that you can't use the iron sights when it's mounted, leaving you dead in the water if your scope isn't right. I suppose I could get QD rings, but I'd rather be able to shoot both in a pinch. Keeping the scope as low as possible is nice, though. Perhaps prevents having to use that giant cheek pad. Candidate #2: $300. Also saw the Sadlak "Airborne" model. Skeletonized steel. Also comes highly recommended. Advantage is use of iron sights, albeit through an extremely tiny little channel. Worth the extra ~$130? Who knows? ... Thoughts? Suggestions? What did I miss? Part of me is thinking I should sell this headache and get a tricked Savage LE bolt gun. __________________ *Whatever you can carry.* "You should not drink... and bake." Last edited by Plan9; 07-07-2009 at 12:45 PM..

07-12-2009, 09:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
Plan9 I Confess a Shiver	Yeah, I'm sticking with .308 because it's easy to find, cheap to feed, and anything bigger would be total overkill for my GI Joe playtime purposes. If I need anything bigger, it'll be supplied by work. I'm a big fan of Savage rifles (have a few myself) so now I'm thinking that the M1A might get pawned in favor of a 10FCP. I may have to go with the MacMillan stock. __________________ *Whatever you can carry.* "You should not drink... and bake."

08-06-2009, 07:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
raptor9k Crazy Location: Earth	deleted Last edited by raptor9k; 09-08-2021 at 04:51 AM..

07-09-2009, 07:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
cuervo Tilted Location: NC	I have an ARMS that I'm happy with. If you use ARMS rings as well, they come only in 30mm so you'll need the inserts if you have a 1" tube.

07-10-2009, 10:19 AM	#3 (permalink)
Zeraph Banned Location: The Cosmos	You know I don't know a ton about guns, but I say sell it and get something better if you can afford it. Some of the videos I've seen of the highly customizable ARs... huhuhu gungasm.

07-11-2009, 07:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
Kingruv Upright Location: NoVa	"Thoughts? Suggestions? What did I miss?" "Part of me is thinking I should sell this headache and get a tricked Savage LE bolt gun." Going from last to first: 3. I don't think you missed anything. 2. Sadlak's mount is ok but I'm not sure it will give you an answer of Repeat Zero. The mount is only half of the lock-up. Also when the upper block is put in, it can result in hangups on ejection under the mount. A.R.M.S. is better for Repeat Zero certainly, BUT............... 1. Your thought of the Savage is truly a precision answer. This may have run through your mind at times; The M1A, based on the M-14 which was based on the M-1 Garand; they were all a step down after certain considerations. Unfortunately political considerations have come to be bigger considerations each time. (I think that may be behind the IAR debacle, it happens more than most would believe) A compromise each time, they were all good but traded certain qualities for quantity. Same with the M-16 from the AR-10. At each point a rather prejudiced group was weighing judgement on cost vs performance. (plus behind the scenes machinations to get contracts for a campaign contributer) While you could get a more precise, more accurate, more rugged, almost perfect weapon, for the price you'd be hard pressed to do better than the Savage. You'd probably have to go another 2000 to get a much finer degree of accuracy. AccuTrigger is a big plus. I think of the AR-10 with a tear. Does this have to be .308 or can you go up in cartridge size? You should have little problem moving your Springfield of course (if you have to)