Fang
11-06-2007, 03:52 AM
I recently purchased a box. The end of the box provided little clue as to its contents, save that they were illegal in California:
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_box.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/box.jpg)
Naturally, this was intriguing; what could be so soul-numbingly horrible as to prompt the freedom-loving folk in the Sunshine State to prohibit its very existence in the hands of its citizens?
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_cat.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/cat.jpg)
Oh God, a cat! It's more horrible than anyone could possibly imagine! Wait, no--that came after I emptied the box. Here's what was originally inside:
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_side.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/side.jpg)
This is a Springfield Armory M1A Loaded model with walnut stock, NM carbon steel barrel, target trigger, and NM sights. The sling is an M1907 sling I purchased separately because shooting from a bipod or bench is for weenies who actually like hitting the target occasionally.
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_side_close.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/side_close.jpg)
Here's a closeup of the sights:
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_receiver.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/receiver.jpg)
And one of the receiver with the bolt closed. As you may already have noticed, there's a lot of grease on the gun, but I like running my guns a little heavy on the lube for the first few hundred rounds while the parts are working in.
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_bolt.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/bolt.jpg)
One thing that surprised me was the fact that the bolt, when closed, leaves a hefty gap behind the bolt and under the rear sights. This gaping void opens directly into the trigger mechanism and at first seemed like a huge target for dirt and debris to enter. But if it's easy for dirt to get in that way, it can't be too hard for it to get out, either. In fact, the entire bolt/receiver matchup leaves lot of free space for unimpeded motion; it seems surprisingly loose and sloppy to someone used to the relative precision of semi-auto pistols.
Popping open the buttstock reveals some goodies stashed within.
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_buttstock.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/buttstock.jpg)
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_buttstock_contents.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/buttstock_contents.jpg)
Like many battle rifles, the butt of the M1A contains compartments for cleaning kits, and I felt it was a waste of money to have perfectly good holes in the rifle that weren't filled with anything; thus, the only logical choice was to purchase a buttstock cleaning kit. This is comprised of a multitool, chamber ratchet brush, oiler, and cleaning rod sections. Not only does this permit on-the-spot cleanup if necessary, but a serendipitous side effect is that it helps to balance the rifle.
Moving to the opposite end of the rifle, we come to the reason the rifle is illegal in California.
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_flash_suppressor.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/flash_suppressor.jpg)
That's right: a flash suppressor. I'm not contrarian by nature, but the knowledge that someone, somewhere, is upset by the fact that I own a gun with this feature gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling. Wait, false alarm--it was just the cat I was feeling. I still like the flash suppressor, though.
Here's the gas cylinder:
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_gas_cylinder.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/gas_cylinder.jpg)
The gas cylinder plug initially gave me some trouble, as it was impossible to remove with the combination tool and a gas cylinder wrench. The latter is not shown here, but consists of a simple piece of Delrin that fits snugly around the gas cylinder to ensure that one does not inadvertently snap the cylinder off the barrel splines while trying to remove the plug. I upgraded from the combo tool, which didn't provide a lot of leverage, to a socket wrench with a 3/8" hex socket, then hit the plug with some Liquid Wrench. Final score: Fang 1, Springfield Armory's pet gorilla and M1A assembler: 0. When the gorilla twisted the plug into place, he not only used a ludicrous amount of torque but also did so without first applying some grease to the threads, an oversight I immediately rectified.
Finally, here's a shot of the bolt area with a loaded magazine ready to proceed to happy fun time:
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_loading.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/loading.jpg)
Speaking of loaded magazines, a rifle is just an overprice and awkward club without ammo. (Unless it's an AR-15, in which cased it's just an overpriced and awkward whiffle ball bat.) I stumbled across some Australian surplus ammo on sale at a local gun store and bought a couple rounds.
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_ammo_can.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/ammo_can.jpg)
The ammo came packaged in smaller cardboard boxes within the can itself and looked pretty manky:
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_ammo_box_open.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/ammo_box_open.jpg)
The acid in the paper boxes must have caused some surface corrosion in the nearly forty years since it was packed.
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_ammo_box.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/ammo_box.jpg)
Fortunately, the Australian ammunition shot well; in fact, it was the best of all the ammunition I tried out at my first trip to the range. (Other candidates included some Winchester 7.62x51 NATO contract overruns and some Miwall loads in Federal NATO brass.) Not that I was able to wring much accuracy out of either the gun or the ammo; since it was my first time shooting the M1A I was satisfied to keep all the rounds on a piece of printer paper at 100 yards offhand and just concentrated on function checking and getting used to the recoil, which was much milder than I expected. Still, my shoulder was a bit tender after touching off 80 rounds in an afternoon.
Of all the rounds, there was one malfunction around number 70, when a Miwall load failed to extract. Either the case stuck and the bolt cycled without inducing a doublefeed (unlikely), I was riding the oprod and didn't notice a piece of metal sliding back and forth under my fingers at a good portion of the speed of sound (also unlikely), or a transient blockage in the gas system prevented cycling. There's also the possibility that the round was underloaded, but I don't recall the recoil differing on that round. Regardless, the bullet cleared the barrel and all subsequent rounds shot without a hitch. Empty cases were ejected with great consistency, landing in a 6' diameter circle a few feet ahead and to my right.
I left the range a happy man, despite having spent my time sandwiched between hunters testing their new extra-hot .300 Ultra Mag rounds in bolt-action rifles with muzzle brakes. Fortunately, I protected the finish of the rifle when my nose started bleeding from the shockwaves.
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_box.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/box.jpg)
Naturally, this was intriguing; what could be so soul-numbingly horrible as to prompt the freedom-loving folk in the Sunshine State to prohibit its very existence in the hands of its citizens?
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_cat.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/cat.jpg)
Oh God, a cat! It's more horrible than anyone could possibly imagine! Wait, no--that came after I emptied the box. Here's what was originally inside:
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_side.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/side.jpg)
This is a Springfield Armory M1A Loaded model with walnut stock, NM carbon steel barrel, target trigger, and NM sights. The sling is an M1907 sling I purchased separately because shooting from a bipod or bench is for weenies who actually like hitting the target occasionally.
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_side_close.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/side_close.jpg)
Here's a closeup of the sights:
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_receiver.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/receiver.jpg)
And one of the receiver with the bolt closed. As you may already have noticed, there's a lot of grease on the gun, but I like running my guns a little heavy on the lube for the first few hundred rounds while the parts are working in.
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_bolt.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/bolt.jpg)
One thing that surprised me was the fact that the bolt, when closed, leaves a hefty gap behind the bolt and under the rear sights. This gaping void opens directly into the trigger mechanism and at first seemed like a huge target for dirt and debris to enter. But if it's easy for dirt to get in that way, it can't be too hard for it to get out, either. In fact, the entire bolt/receiver matchup leaves lot of free space for unimpeded motion; it seems surprisingly loose and sloppy to someone used to the relative precision of semi-auto pistols.
Popping open the buttstock reveals some goodies stashed within.
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_buttstock.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/buttstock.jpg)
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_buttstock_contents.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/buttstock_contents.jpg)
Like many battle rifles, the butt of the M1A contains compartments for cleaning kits, and I felt it was a waste of money to have perfectly good holes in the rifle that weren't filled with anything; thus, the only logical choice was to purchase a buttstock cleaning kit. This is comprised of a multitool, chamber ratchet brush, oiler, and cleaning rod sections. Not only does this permit on-the-spot cleanup if necessary, but a serendipitous side effect is that it helps to balance the rifle.
Moving to the opposite end of the rifle, we come to the reason the rifle is illegal in California.
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_flash_suppressor.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/flash_suppressor.jpg)
That's right: a flash suppressor. I'm not contrarian by nature, but the knowledge that someone, somewhere, is upset by the fact that I own a gun with this feature gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling. Wait, false alarm--it was just the cat I was feeling. I still like the flash suppressor, though.
Here's the gas cylinder:
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_gas_cylinder.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/gas_cylinder.jpg)
The gas cylinder plug initially gave me some trouble, as it was impossible to remove with the combination tool and a gas cylinder wrench. The latter is not shown here, but consists of a simple piece of Delrin that fits snugly around the gas cylinder to ensure that one does not inadvertently snap the cylinder off the barrel splines while trying to remove the plug. I upgraded from the combo tool, which didn't provide a lot of leverage, to a socket wrench with a 3/8" hex socket, then hit the plug with some Liquid Wrench. Final score: Fang 1, Springfield Armory's pet gorilla and M1A assembler: 0. When the gorilla twisted the plug into place, he not only used a ludicrous amount of torque but also did so without first applying some grease to the threads, an oversight I immediately rectified.
Finally, here's a shot of the bolt area with a loaded magazine ready to proceed to happy fun time:
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_loading.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/loading.jpg)
Speaking of loaded magazines, a rifle is just an overprice and awkward club without ammo. (Unless it's an AR-15, in which cased it's just an overpriced and awkward whiffle ball bat.) I stumbled across some Australian surplus ammo on sale at a local gun store and bought a couple rounds.
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_ammo_can.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/ammo_can.jpg)
The ammo came packaged in smaller cardboard boxes within the can itself and looked pretty manky:
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_ammo_box_open.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/ammo_box_open.jpg)
The acid in the paper boxes must have caused some surface corrosion in the nearly forty years since it was packed.
http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/tn_ammo_box.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/m1a/ammo_box.jpg)
Fortunately, the Australian ammunition shot well; in fact, it was the best of all the ammunition I tried out at my first trip to the range. (Other candidates included some Winchester 7.62x51 NATO contract overruns and some Miwall loads in Federal NATO brass.) Not that I was able to wring much accuracy out of either the gun or the ammo; since it was my first time shooting the M1A I was satisfied to keep all the rounds on a piece of printer paper at 100 yards offhand and just concentrated on function checking and getting used to the recoil, which was much milder than I expected. Still, my shoulder was a bit tender after touching off 80 rounds in an afternoon.
Of all the rounds, there was one malfunction around number 70, when a Miwall load failed to extract. Either the case stuck and the bolt cycled without inducing a doublefeed (unlikely), I was riding the oprod and didn't notice a piece of metal sliding back and forth under my fingers at a good portion of the speed of sound (also unlikely), or a transient blockage in the gas system prevented cycling. There's also the possibility that the round was underloaded, but I don't recall the recoil differing on that round. Regardless, the bullet cleared the barrel and all subsequent rounds shot without a hitch. Empty cases were ejected with great consistency, landing in a 6' diameter circle a few feet ahead and to my right.
I left the range a happy man, despite having spent my time sandwiched between hunters testing their new extra-hot .300 Ultra Mag rounds in bolt-action rifles with muzzle brakes. Fortunately, I protected the finish of the rifle when my nose started bleeding from the shockwaves.