Springfield Armory M1A
Springfield M1A rifle
Type	Semi-automatic rifle
Place of origin	United States
Production history
Designer	Elmer C. Ballance
Designed	1974
Manufacturer	Springfield Armory, Inc.
Unit cost	$1,703 (Standard model)
Variants	Standard, Loaded, National Match, Super Match, M21, M25
Specifications
Weight	9.2 - 11.2 pounds (Empty magazine)
Length	44.33 inches (1126 mm)
Barrel length	22 inches (558.8 mm)
Cartridge	7.62x51mm NATO (0.308 in)
Action	Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire	Semi-automatic
Feed system	5-round, 10-round or 20-round double column, detachable box magazine
Sights	National Match front blade, Match-Grade Hooded Aperture with One-Half Minute adj. for Windage and Elevation.

The M1A is a civilian version of the M14 rifle designed and manufactured by Springfield Armory, Inc. in 1974. The term "M1A" is a proprietary title for Springfield Armory's M14 pattern rifle. Early M1A rifles were built with surplus G.I. parts until Springfield Armory, Inc. began manufacturing their own.

Differences between the M1A and M14

The Springfield Armory M1A is for the most part identical to the M14. There are however a few differences:
M1A receivers are made from precision investment cast AISI 8620 alloy steel. The military M14 receivers were manufactured using the drop-forge process, which is more complicated and more expensive. Until at least the late 1990s, the M1A produced by Springfield Armory retained the cutout in the rear right of the stock for the selector switch found on the M14. The walnut stock of the M21 has a height-adjustable cheek rest, which is unique to that model. The M25 Whitefeather, built to commemorate Carlos Hathcock is also unique in that it comes with a black McMillan Fiberglass Stock and a built in picatinny optics mount. This is because there is no provision for iron sights on the M25. Springfield Armory has also omitted the "7.62-MM" caliber designator on the M1A receiver since 1991.
Once the Assault Weapons Ban of 1994 was passed, banning (among other features) bayonet lugs, the M1A no longer shipped with a bayonet lug. Although the 1994 law expired in September 2004, making bayonet lugs legal again (in most states), Springfield Armory has not restored that feature. Since the bayonet lug is attached to the flash suppressor, "post ban" rifles can easily be fitted with a bayonet lug by fitting a pre-ban flash suppressor.
The California Assault Weapons Ban, which went into effect January 1, 2000, prohibited flash suppressors on all Semi-automatic rifles capable of accepting a detachable magazine. As a result, Springfield Armory designed a muzzle brake, which they installed in place of the standard flash suppressor on all models that were sold in California. The muzzle brake reduces climb of the barrel, allowing the operator to aim more quickly for another shot.

M1A/M14 select fire rifles

Most of the M1A rifles manufactured since 1971 were made for the commercial market and thus were only capable of semi-automatic fire. However, it is estimated that well under 1,000 select fire M14 type rifles were manufactured and registered for civilian ownership prior to the passage of the Firearm Owners Protection Act on May 19, 1986. Springfield Armory, Inc. and Smith Enterprise were the two companies that produced select fire M14 type rifles for civilian ownership. Up until May 1986, Springfield Armory, Inc. had a Full Auto Department at their factory in Illinois. A few M1A rifles were converted to full-auto fire and registered with the ATF by Class II manufacturers like Neal Smith and Rock Island Armory (also owned by the Reese family). The receivers of these select fire rifles have the selector lug and operating rod rail cuts for the connector assembly.
Due to their scarcity and the fact that no new select fire M1A/M14 rifles can be produced for the civilian market because of the Hughes Amendment in the McClure-Volkmer Act, their market value is now well above $10,000.

Variants

Besides the standard M1A, Springfield Armory also produces multiple variants including the M21 Tactical and M25 Whitefeathe

Loaded rifles

The Loaded variants are available with either a walnut or synthetic stock, and one model comes with an Extended Cluster Rail Fiberglass Stock. All Loaded models include the following features:

• Barrel: air-gauged medium weight National Match (available in stainless steel or parkerized chrome moly steel), 22" inches in length with a 1:11 right hand twist.
• Front Sight: National Match .062” Military Post
• Rear Sight: GI Match Grade Non-hooded Rear Sight: Aperture .0520, Adjustable, One-half Minute for Windage and One Minute for Elevation
• 2 Stage Military Trigger, Match Tuned, 4.5-5lbs

The Loaded models do not have the action glass bedded into the stock as do the National Match models. While the National Match features included lend considerably to the Loaded models' accuracy, they are not a true National Match rifle.

Match rifles

Two M1As are advertised as match rifles, the National Match M1A and the Super Match M1A. The National Match is a more basic model, while the Super Match is more customizable has additional features on some models such as a McMillan stock and a Douglas stainless steel barrel.

Scout Squad

The Scout Squad is an M1A marketed toward law enforcement users. It has an 18-inch barrel, a forward mounted optical sight base, and a proprietary muzzle stabilizer. It is advertised as being optimal for Aimpoint optics.

SOCOM rifles

The SOCOM II and SOCOM 16 are variants with 16-inch barrels, the shortest barrel length for a rifle permissible without taxing and registration under the National Firearms Act in the United States. The gas system was reworked to ensure proper operation with the shortened barrel, and a new compensator was added to help soften recoil. The SOCOM II features a "Cluster Rail System", while the SOCOM 16 has a single short scope base.