
operating rods (hint: Harrington & Richardson Arms op rods are not my first choice). I've seen and read about more broken USGI operating rods than commercial SA, Inc. On its third barrel, that commercial M1A operating rod looks good and works well. M1A was factory built with a commercial M1A operating rod. M1A operating rods have been in use by civilian match shooters for over thirty years. sells M1A magazines that are made by the same company that makes M14 magazines for the military, Check-Mate Industries. manufactured gas system components have been holding up just fine in 2nd Infantry Division M21A5 rifles since 2004. chromium plated barrels get rave reviews from M14 gunsmiths and civilian owners. However, there is hope for commercial made parts.Ĭommercial barrels perform very well as compared to government contract barrels.


The new M1As look great, but are they reliable?There's no empirical study that can conclusively answer your question. FYI, I just bought a preban M1A, because I wasnt sure about the quality of the SA parts on new rifles.

Im confused, would a present day SA M1A be considered reliable and accurate as the older M1As ? If not is it because of GI vs Commercial parts, & wouldnt the commercial parts be made to GI specs in order for the gun to function properly ? Its difficult to imagine a company like SA to produce less than top notch firearms.
