Grail Gun Realized - M1a

Zee

I used to carry an M1a. Even took it to a desert somewhere years ago. Then, they were phased out and turned in. 

Ever since, I wanted to get one of my own. For nostalgic reasons. 

They aren’t the most accurate rifles. Heavy. Sometimes unreliable. But, it did what I needed at the time and I kinda like them for what they are. But, cost and other things always got in the way and I never got around to getting one. 

Well, my best friend just remedied that. He’d heard me mention liking and wanting one in the past. Last week, he said he was going to get me one as a token of gratitude for something I did recently. The argument of such a gift not being necessary as selling shoes is selling shoes (or some such) ensued. But, I’ve rarely won an argument with him. So…………….

Damn, she is beautiful!!
So now, I can check that off my list of grail guns. It has even more meaning for me as being gifted my my best friend. I am truly blessed and don’t know what else to say. 

Thank you, my friend. 

CHIRO1989

Your friend is correct, looking forward to the range report, stretch its legs.

Ernie Bishop

The emotions connected to some of these guns, are significant, primarily because of the relationship connections. 

I am always pleased when someone honors you with a gift like this.  

jbp-ohio

My wife almost got a Q/A job at a machine shop that made forged receivers and other parts for M14's. Think they even had fully assembled rifles........ I was planning on getting her a bigger lunch bucket.

PFD

Yes, a nice example like that is downright sexy! 😍

Now where to source some .308?🤔

Mine came with a black, factory synthetic stock which I promptly replaced with a wooden stock because I like the look.

I have to admit that I also like how the Zee inspired paint job on the black stock turned out.

A mesh laundry bag from Walmart for 99 cents and some Krylon. Who would have thunk it.

Gene L

Great looking rifle.  I've got one that weighs 10 pounds!  I carried an M 14 thoughout basic training and Infantry AIT, but I was 21 years old then and could stand the weight.  Mine isn't remarkably accurate but it is what it is.  I like the M 14/M 1A better than the Garand.

Diver43

That is one good looking rifle
And its source makes it priceless 
Congrats to you both for such a good friendship.

Jayhawker

Well done.....well deserved....

Wambli Ska

That’s a fine rifle and I’m sure glad your friend is doing better.  Hell, he looks great!!!

Bigslug

Nice commission on the shoe sale.  The luck of the draw was with you in the lumber department!

I had mine upgraded to the skinny NM front sight blade and the 1/2 MOA windage clicks / 1/2 MOA elevation rotary aperture.  Not sure how "necessary" that really was, but I shot a couple 100 yard reduced Highpower matches and the full minute windage clicks were inconveniently bracketing the x-ring. . . so I showed HIM! 

ojr

It looks great.
I could find a place for it.

Wambli Ska

You’ll probably find the civilian version a bit more accurate than your mil issue.   Not at your bolt gun(s) level but I would not be surprised if it shoots MOA or better with good ammo it likes.

Ernie Bishop

For better accuracy, I have seen guys bed every piece of the stock and forend. 

Gene L

I would be shocked if any M1A shoots a MOA.  The sniper version only does 1 1/2 MOA.  Bedding a M1A is involved, especially around the gas plug and the action.  I looked into it but decided that with a regular barrel it wouldn't be worth it.

Wambli Ska

Gene L said:

I would be shocked if any M1A shoots a MOA.  The sniper version only does 1 1/2 MOA.  Bedding a M1A is involved, especially around the gas plug and the action.  I looked into it but decided that with a regular barrel it wouldn't be worth it.

My old SA Loaded would do very close to MOA with iron sights when I did my part.  It had match barrel and sights from the factory.  I have no doubt it would have gone sub MOA if I scoped it which I never did.

bullsi1911

Very nice, Zee!  Can’t wait for the range report.

Gene L

Wambli Ska said:

Gene L said:

I would be shocked if any M1A shoots a MOA.  The sniper version only does 1 1/2 MOA.  Bedding a M1A is involved, especially around the gas plug and the action.  I looked into it but decided that with a regular barrel it wouldn't be worth it.

My old SA Loaded would do very close to MOA with iron sights when I did my part.  It had match barrel and sights from the factory.  I have no doubt it would have gone sub MOA if I scoped it which I never did.

9-hole reviews, where they shoot all sorts of military guns, says they have never shot a service rifle that will shoot MOA.  Occasionally, almost any gun will get that magic 3, mine has done it once, but it wouldn't do it on command.

Zee

I dug around and found the old Smith Enterprise Scope mount I used to run on my work gun. Missing the side screw, though. Called the company and they are sending me a replacement in the mail. 

I will do some scope swapping and put a “period” appropriate scope on it. A 10x Leupold M3 that may or may not have once actually rode on my Work gun at some point in the past. 

This is kinda cool. 

Zee

My work gun was actually a modified M14. It still had the selector rod sticking out the right side. I guess that’s what it was. But the knob that allowed you to select the “pew,pew,pew” option was removed. 

breamfisher

Nice rifle!

Not trying to be a jerk, but... for its purposes, does it NEED  to be a sub-MOA rifle? Sometimes I think folks get too hung up on that 

Gene L

No, it doesn't need to be a MOA rifle.  I think it's generally (field grade, not loaded) is about a four MOA rifle.  Carlos Haithcock's M 70 was a 2 MOA rifle.  And he did pretty well with it.  Nowadays, it's a lot easier to get to 1 MOA with all the bells and whistles and a scope, but for almost all applications, it isn't necessary.

Zee

breamfisher said:

Nice rifle!

Not trying to be a jerk, but... for its purposes, does it NEED  to be a sub-MOA rifle? Sometimes I think folks get too hung up on that 

My work gun was a 1.5 MOA rifle on a good day with Federal GMM. Would I say that was awesome?  No. Would I say it worked?  Well, some would say it did if they could. 

Gene L

As I said before the M 21 rifle, NM and set up by the USAMTU rifle with a ART 3-9 scope was a 1.5 MOA rifle.  It was accurate enough for CoM shots out to 900 yards.

Zee

CHIRO1989 said:

Your friend is correct, looking forward to the range report, stretch its legs.

If I can get the 10x mounted. 800 should be easy. 

Zee

Ernie Bishop said:

The emotions connected to some of these guns, are significant, primarily because of the relationship connections. 

I am always pleased when someone honors you with a gift like this.  

I have a few more to post about. Just waiting for it to feel right. 

Zee

jbp-ohio said:

My wife almost got a Q/A job at a machine shop that made forged receivers and other parts for M14's. Think they even had fully assembled rifles........ I was planning on getting her a bigger lunch bucket.

“One piece at a time…..”

Zee

PFD said:

Yes, a nice example like that is downright sexy! 😍

Now where to source some .308?🤔

Mine came with a black, factory synthetic stock which I promptly replaced with a wooden stock because I like the look.

I have to admit that I also like how the Zee inspired paint job on the black stock turned out.

A mesh laundry bag from Walmart for 99 cents and some Krylon. Who would have thunk it.

Here is a nostalgic pic of my first M14 at work. Prior to the optics and new chassis. 

It sports an original “Zee” paint job. 

Ernie Bishop

Zee said:

Ernie Bishop said:

The emotions connected to some of these guns, are significant, primarily because of the relationship connections. 

I am always pleased when someone honors you with a gift like this.  

I have a few more to post about. Just waiting for it to feel right. 

Completely agree 

Zee

Diver43 said:

That is one good looking rifle
And its source makes it priceless 
Congrats to you both for such a good friendship.

We take care of each other.  👍🏻

Zee

Bigslug said:

Nice commission on the shoe sale.  The luck of the draw was with you in the lumber department!

I had mine upgraded to the skinny NM front sight blade and the 1/2 MOA windage clicks / 1/2 MOA elevation rotary aperture.  Not sure how "necessary" that really was, but I shot a couple 100 yard reduced Highpower matches and the full minute windage clicks were inconveniently bracketing the x-ring. . . so I showed HIM! 

I’m really pleased with the wood stock. Can’t say that I’d have originally gone out and gotten a wood stocked rifle. All of mine were synthetic or modular. But, I’m really happy to have this one and make it somewhat more original in nature and intent. 

Bigslug

Zee said:

My work gun was actually a modified M14. It still had the selector rod sticking out the right side. I guess that’s what it was. 

Basically served the same function as the auto sear in an M16. In the final bit of forward travel just before locking up the bolt, the charging handle would tap that rod which linked back to make the rifle do the Happy Dance.