M14 Forum

warbird9 · January 9th, 2012, 08:08 PM

Took my new SAI Loaded to the range today for first firing. Prior to shooting I cleaned and lubed the rifle. I flipped the gas lock in order to get a little snugger fit. I fitted and installed a USGI sight base and a hooded NM sight aperature. And I made a temp shim for the stock out of refrigerator magnet material.

Shot at 100 yards off the bench. Too muddy to sling up prone. 41.5 gr IMR 4895 with a SMK 168. SR-1 target.

Function 100%

Best group 1.125 but several at 1.250. I think I can find an inch after bedding.

Overall, I am very pleased after reading numerous reports of poor function and poor accuracy found in SAI. Maybe I got lucky and won't need the warranty for a while.

Packing a 45 · January 15th, 2012, 05:01 PM

let's see you haven't shot it and you start changeing stuff right. How will you know it didn't shoot 1 1/4 MOA out of the box?
Packing

1KPerDay · January 15th, 2012, 07:15 PM

Sounds like it works!

rscalzo · January 15th, 2012, 07:18 PM

Unless you fired twenty or so rounds to set the stock, the results were not doing to be that accurate.

coloradosherpa · January 15th, 2012, 07:51 PM

I think I would have at least put a few boxes through it just to nreak it in and establish a baseline. As an aside I bought a brand new std m1A and have had no issues with it. Maybe I got lucky too.... or perhaps the sai issues arnt as common as we have been lead to believe.

warbird9 · January 16th, 2012, 09:25 PM

I did indeed fire 30 rounds of Winchester White box FMJ blaster ammo in order to settle the stock and check function before I shot for groups.

The front band was loose. I don't think it would of helped accuracy.

I changed the rear sight to my preference. It fits and functions more precisely than the chinese junk that SAI included.

Perhaps it would have shot the same out of the box. But none of my other match rifles are unmodified. I truly believe there is a special corner of hell where I will be forced to shoot a unmodified rifle.

I thought about shooting as it came but it is gonna be bedded and unitized soon, so what did I hurt. My personal goal is 1MOA.

MFD · January 17th, 2012, 02:55 AM

Assuming your groups were from 5 shots and repeatable, would say thats good for a service rifle. Sounds like you and your rifle get along together and that's a good thing.

Whatsinaname181 · January 17th, 2012, 08:26 AM

SAI rifles are awesome. I love mine. I have a Loaded and its killed more deer and hogs in the last 2 years than any of my other rifles. it shoots the 700 and 800 meter all day long and i dont think ive ever had any sort of FTF FTE FTLIB- ever. I take care of her, she takes care of me.

People complain about SAI but remember, they make more than all others combined + then some. more rifles = more chances for error. You can probably believe that whenever someone gets a bad one, they are online complaining about it. think about all the SAI shooters who didnt have a problem today :D

Hunting seasons is over. Gonna go detail strip mine right now :)

2336USMC · January 17th, 2012, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warbird9

I truly believe there is a special corner of hell where I will be forced to shoot a unmodified rifle.

Hah, I hear ya, I have a disease that makes me feel like nothing really belongs to me until I have modified it in some way.

it's refreshing to hear a range report that does NOT claim sub-MOA all day long. Great shooting!

Al Mack · January 17th, 2012, 08:45 PM

Your rifle shows real promise, some changes do make it yours. And also shoot after each change to see if it made a differance. One upgrade that you wouldn't think would make it shoot better is trimming the hand guard. enjoy and keep us informed on your progress.

panther308 · January 19th, 2012, 09:45 AM

Good shooting !!

Welding Rod · January 19th, 2012, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warbird9

I changed the rear sight to my preference. It fits and functions more precisely than the chinese junk that SAI included

SAI is manufacturing in China?

I was thinking of ordering a NM today, but won't even think about it if parts are Chicom.

Mindfield · January 19th, 2012, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welding Rod

SAI is manufacturing in China?

I was thinking of ordering a NM today, but won't even think about it if parts are Chicom.

Likely Taiwanese as they have no GI parts now days

That said Ive never understood why people buy a rifle, immediately change things around and before they fire shot 1

1KPerDay · January 19th, 2012, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mindfield

Likely Taiwanese as they have no GI parts now days

I'd bet Brazil before Taiwan. Pretty much all their stuff is made in Brazil from what I understand.

Welding Rod · January 19th, 2012, 11:03 AM

That would make a big diiference to me. I could live with Brazilian manufacture... federal republic instead of communist, no nuke weapons, and they are one of the few countrires we are running a nice trade surplus with.