I’ve mentioned that I couldn’t choose which one was my favorite. A couple of Garands on the list and an 1884 Springfield.
But as a new owner of an M1A, I can tell you that it sure is a sweet shooter. If I could only have one rifle, this would be near the top of the list. Accurate, reliable and classic.
Bit of a story, I had found a Springfield Armory IOP* dealer, and was looking for a 9mm 1911. First store in the chain didn’t have any, neither did the second store, but at the second store, hanging on the wall, was an M1A.
The classic model, walnut stock, blued 22” barrel, iron sights, flash hider. The photo was taken with it in the range bag/box, so you can’t see the muzzle, but it’s a flash hider.
This one:
https://www.springfield-armory.com/...rd-issue-rifles/m1a-standard-issue-308-rifle/
As a Garand guy, this one was very familiar, same sights, op rod function, and safety. The box magazine takes a bit of getting used to, you have to push it in at an angle and “rock” it into place unlike every other rifle I own, but is a big improvement over clips.
Recoil is modest, for a .308. It’s got a decent trigger. A bit of creep, but that‘s easily fixed** with a stone. When I get to it. I won’t field strip it for at least a year. Excessive field stripping of a wood stock rifle destroys the action/stock fit and harms accuracy.
With the gas system, frequent field strip really isn’t needed. The action stays clean. Swab the bolt and op rod tracks to remove old grease and add new. Brush and swab the barrel from the muzzle. Use a guide to prevent wearing the muzzle rifling and degrading accuracy. Just like a Garand.
I own quite a few different rifles. When I’m looking in the safe to pick one, this one will be my first choice most of the time. It just shoots well, works well, and looks awesome.
*IOP is the SA LE/Mil discount program. They publish eligibility requirements and a current price list on their site if you’re interested. The savings over a retail price M1A were substantial. Shoot Straight in Tampa, FL was very accommodating of the transaction. One extra piece of paper and some information/documentation and I got the IOP price on the rifle. Nice store. Nice staff.
** Stoning the rear hammer hooks on an M1 reduces the felt creep. I learned the technique from the armorers at the CMP. My Springfield M1 Garand has a tuned trigger. It’s very nice. About a 5# pull. No creep. Great for a match rifle, or a range toy. That rifle used to be my go to for range fun. Once I get the trigger tuned up on this M1A, it’ll be hard to choose.
A word of warning - it’s very easy to go too far with the stone and destroy the hammer. The rifle will double, or worse, and you’re looking at a new hammer, or an even more labor (and precision) intensive process to regain safe function. Don’t just pick up a stone and start playing with the rear hammer hooks.
The technique is described in this book:
The U.S. .30 Caliber Gas Operated Service Rifles: A Shop Manual, Volumes I & II
by Jerry Kuhnhausen