Here's some stuff I learned the "hard way" or from my FL buds:
1. Buy the tools you need now, or as you go and you'll be money ahead in the long run. This
Basic Tools link might help get you started.
2. Buy both the
Duff and Kuhnhausen books - what one doesn't explain in detail, the other does. This is especailly important when you finally get around to making some accuracy mods.
3. According to the pros and advanced shooters here, one of the single most significant accuracy mods (aside from a new barrel) is shimning or unitizing the gas system. You can buy the shims from a variety of places. I got mine from Fulton Armory, but you can get them from several other folks as well.
4. Shimming the gas cylinder is a do-it-yourself project - unitizing the gas cylinder isn't. That's why we have the pros like Hueygunner(send him an pm and he'll get back to you),
Warbird , and
Ted Brown . Very positive feedback from members using their services.
Here is my experience with
Shimming the gas cylinder.
5. Get some spare parts, starting with a USGI extractor kit. I bought the complete kit containing the extractor, spring and plunger cuz you never know where those little dudes are gonna end up if you don't buy an M1/M1A bolt assembly tool.
6. I keep a spare bolt rebuild kit around, just in case. It always easier and a whole lot quicker to have parts on hand and than having to wait for them to be shipped AFTER you need them. I still don't need it - but I've got it! GI1
BTW - buy the bolt roller greaser when you buy your spare parts. ICONSMILE
7. Next on the list for me was a Badger op rod spring guide. The difference in the cycling of the bolt is amazing.
8. The next major mod a lot of us do is either purchase a NM trigger group or send our trigger group off to Tim or Ted and have them do it - don't try this yourself unless you've had armorer training - it ain't worth the risk. Check the PX frequently for deals on trigger groups.
9. If you are going to disassemble your gas system for shimming or to have it unitized, do yourself a favor and buy a couple of spare castle nuts and several of those pesky little set screws. BTW - don't over-tighten the castle nut (Duff and Kuhnhausen both mention this, IIRC) or it will affect accuracy - Boy, do I know this first-hand. ICONEEK ICONEEK ICONEEK
10. Stocks, Stocks, Stocks!!! A major "dresser-upper" for most of us. GI1 Unless you like the stock that came with your rifle, you'll probably want a new one or two to play around with. There are so many variables here, just post a question in the appropriate forum and we'll get back at ya - ASAP.
I got lucky and got a "real-deal"
Whamo-Camo Renegade for mine. I hear Karsten does some pretty fine work, also.
11. Scopes and mounts. Same as stocks. This is my personal opinion, from my own experience, so please take it for what it's worth.
You will need a good, steel mount and a set of good rings for your M1A. If you decide to mount a 1" tube, you'll also need some spacers (and some lapping tools,etc). Check out the back threads in the Accessories forum (It's always a great idea to "meander" around the old threads - what a great store house of info.)
I bought an ARMS #18 mount (installed it myself with "No Problemo's - except I lost the instructions and one of the excellent folks here sent me a copy - Thanks, TomO!!! GI6)
I decided on the ARMS #22M QD 30mm rings, which allow the mounting of the scope and I'm still able to use my irons. YMMV.
I tried differnent scopes - yep, I had to buy the 1" spacers, before I decided on a
16X Super Sniper from SWFA (16X??? All Right, I admit it - I'm old). QD rings allow me to remount the scope with no "drift".
You better figure on getting some type of cheek piece (either adjustable or strap-on) for scope work.
12. Ammo - buy some small lots of various kinds of Milsurp and see which type of ammo YOUR rifle likes best. Mine has a decided preference for Aussie, but that doesn't mean your rifle will do the same. When you find some that works, hit the Ammo Bunker and click on the sticky by
sv sniper or visit the
Rifle Company link by XIV Corps for the best deals in case lots of ammo. Buy as much as you can...
Nope - I don't reload and as long as milsurp is still relatively inexpensive, I see no need to attempt using ammo that will automatically void my SA warranty if something goes wrong. Besides that, I know that my SA Loaded Standard is a clone of the M14 Battle Rifle and not a target piece.
On the other hand, I don't shoot competition - however the paper on the target hangers and the rocks in the vertical backstop at my range are in definite jeopardy!!! ICONLOL
At the Range -
Actually, before you hit the range the first time make sure your rifle is clean and well greased. A significant number of reported problems with new rifles come from not being properly lubed the first time out.
Make sure everything is clean and tight before you fire the rifle.
It's easiest for me to lock the bolt open, insert the mag and rock it back to lock it in place. Then I release the bolt and let the first round strip out of the mag into the chamber. Be sure to check the safety - I let a friend shoot my rifle(newbie to M14 rifles) and he darn near tried to break the trigger off pulling on the thing trying to make the rifle go bang - he had the safety on. GI8 GI8 GI8 GI1
Remember a good crisp trigger pull - no "milking" like you would with a bench rifle.
Speaking of benches - I bought a shooting mat so I can shoot prone (with and without a bi-pod). I also shoot sitting, and off-hand. Don't use the bench all the time - these are battle rifles - it's more satisfying and fun to shoot them the way they were intended to be used.
Unless you're saving them for some reason, try out all of your mags for functioning before you lock them up in the safe.
If you do use the bench for sighting, groups, etc. I recommend using your range bag rather than a bipod or BR shooting stand. Make sure that no part of your gas system or barrel is resting on anything. Bipods make your rifle "bounce" when used on a hard bench.
IMHO, you don't need to go through any extensive "break-in" with a non-match barrel. Just clean it up and shoot the darn thing.
Most important - have fun!!!
Here are a few handy links from your friends here on the FL:
General Cleaning of the M14/M1A
How to remove stubborn gas plugs
Gas cylinder drill sizes for cleaning the gas cylinder
Grease I use Tetra or USGI grease pots or Lubriplate, in that order.
Might do some cruising through the old posts and add some more info later, but this ought to get us started. BGRIN1
db