M1A Receiver

[carry-45]

Hi Y'all, I have been kicking around the idea of ordering a M1A new-made receiver from Gun Parts Corp. ( I realize that the Springfield receiver is probably the way to go) and since I am on a tight budget-still doing the child support thing-ouch !, the Armscorp USA seems to be a viable alternative - $379.00 vs. over $600.00 for the Springfield. My question is-does anyone have any experience-good or bad with this type of receiver ? Comments please.:2guns:

[Bill]

SA is the best cast receiver on the market, and they stand by their reputation. If you know of one in a shop, grab it. Apparently they have stopped selling receivers, as California is sucking up all their production for the CA legal M1A (since AR-15's are no longer legal for sale here, the M1A is the way to go).

If you have a source, get it while you can. In the end, the addtional few $$$ will be well spent, and you may even save that on the smithing/armorer services involved, because SA receivers fit up better than anyone elses cast receivers.

[PSG1]

Armscorp is a TOP notch reciever!! I have 2 and couldn't be happier.I have had Springfield and they aren't any better.Both are cast.The Armscorp is 8620 steel,heat treated to 56/58(very hard),case depth of .012/.018.All CNC machined.Go to their web page and check them out.You can get them 3 ways,standard NM,rear lugged,front & rear lugged.They are parkerized black instead of gray.They also sell complete rifles. www.armscorpusa.com (http://www.armscorpusa.com) These guys are not small time.All USGI parts fit & function perfectly.No signs of any wear(2500+ rounds).Springfield better look out.Give these guys a call.410-247-6200. I think you'll be glad you did.:sniper:

[carry-45]

Hey PSG1, thanks for the reply and the info on those receivers ! Man ! I am sooo very glad to hear that,and relieved,as I didn't want to wait to save for a Springfield receiver.I was getting it from Gun Parts Corp. Does Armscorp have a separate web site, or were you speaking of the Gun Parts web site ? Anyhow,I really appreciate your input on the receivers.- BILL:2guns:

[PSG1]

Bill,that is Armscorps site.I don't know how GunParts is selling them so cheap.Armscorp sells their basic reciever for $450.00.Must be a quanity discount thing.:P If you need any help(or tools) when you start to built your gun let me know,I've built many. :sniper:


www.armscorpusa.com (http://www.armscorpusa.com)

[carry-45]

PSG1,thanks for your reply,and offer of help.Have built a quanty of .45 autos from scratch for people,and accurized them,but as of yet have not tackled a M1A. If you don't mind bugging you with some questions along the way,I will graciously take you up on your offer.I really believe we are put here on this planet to help others by Grace from the Almighty. So what barrel would you reccomend as a start ? Just a plain G.I. type or other ? I plan to mount a rangefinding scope on it as well as a starlight type scope in the future,but the basics first,of course. Thanks, BILL:2guns:

[PSG1]

Bill,I don't mind at all.And your right about the Almighty.With barrels you have alot of choices.USGI standard barrels are pretty good stuff if you get a new one.They are crome lined so you don't have to worry about rust.USGI sniper & national match barrels are not crome lined.Probably the best M-14 barrel out there is a Kreiger. www.kriegerbarrels.com (http://www.kriegerbarrels.com) They are rifled by the "Single point" method.A very slow,but most percise method.Also very costly,about $450.00 a barrel. A good middle ground barrel is made by "Barnett".They sell for about $240.00 threw Brownells. www.brownells.com (http://www.brownells.com) First you need to decide a few things:
1.Stainless or Crome Moly
2.Standard,medium,or Heavy weight contour (Heavy requires modifing the handguard).
3. 1/10,1/11,1/12 twist rifling
4. 4 or 6 grooves.
I wouldn't suggest the Krieger unless you are going to do some SERIOUS shooting.1/10 shoots heavier bullets better,1/12 shoots lighter bullets better.Go with a 4 groove barrel,it puts less drag on the bullet.
:sniper:

[PSG1]

carry-45,did you ever get your reciever?:sniper:

[carry-45]

Hey-PSGI, how you been ? Waiting for it as we speak,Ordered it last wekk from Cal.-Dealers Warehouse,with 3 other friends-we are all going to build up one at the same time. Am on pins and needles 'till it gets here. Have not found an inexpensive parts "kit" though. They are all pretty pricey.But one of my buddies has a H & R G.I. barrel,unused,that he is selling to me,so all I'll have to do is find the other parts,and already have 2 different stocks,a synthetic and a nice figured walnut with all the proof marks on it. Thanks,by the way,for all your good info. Will let you know how all this plays out. - BILL:2guns:

[PSG1]

H&R is a good barrel,you'll be happy with it.If you don't mind me asking,how much did the reciever run ya?:sniper:

[carry-45]

Hey there PSGI, well,happy day !!! Just picked up that Armscorp receiver today. OOOOOOHH, very nice indeed.The National Match version cost me $379.00 plus shipping and another $30.00 for the dealer fee to get it in and transfer it to me. And am picking up the H. & R. bbl. at gun show this weekend. With any luck I'll have a shooter by the end of the month,maybe a little later since I plan to glas-bed the action in one of the wood stocks I have.Not in a hurry (I am really ) ,but want to do this right the first time and get it right. Will relate more later,and will try to put up pix here of the final result. BILL:2guns:

[PSG1]

SWEET!! I'll be waiting.CONGRATS!! Your gonna love it!!:sniper:

[gunsmithlee]

This website might help out alot, check out their M14 FAQ...

www.fultonarmory.com (http://www.fultonarmory.com)

[carry-45]

gunsmithlee- I agree,their site is very informative. Found their site last fall and learned a lot from it. They are really proud of their parts and services (read expensive here) and since I'm still paying child support,I had to find another alternative to the high-priced spread ! Heading to the gun show now to look for a parts kit for the M1A.

[PSG1]

45,did you get your 14 built?

[carry-45]

Hey PSGI,Good to hear from you ! Yes and no. One of my shooting buds has a work bud who is a true gunsmith with a verticle milling machine, barrel lathe etc.,and the 4 of us had him install the barrel,headspace it to the bolt and receiver (you need to supply several bolts for this operation, as many times the bolt YOU supply won't do the headspace thing and fit correctly. Put the rifle together and fired a couple rounds from a mag (10 exactly) for function,then disassembled it because I have decided to put on National Match sights,and am toying with having it cryogenicly treated,since there are SOOO many benefits to doing this.There you have it,up 'till today. Haven't talked with you in awhile,so how are you doing ? :2guns: - BILL

[alcmaeon]

I saw you bought your m1a reciever from Cal.-Dealers Warehouse. DO you have a webpage or other contact info for them?

Thanks

Rich

[carry-45]

Hi there Al. O.K., the info for Dealer Warehouse is: phone #(209)545-2800, fax# (209)545-2528. They don't seem to have a webpage,and they are located in Kalifornia,so there would be a couple hours difference in time zones,depending on where you live. Got my receiver in less than a week. By the way,the least expensive gov't mags I have seen for sale are from www.coledistributing.com (http://www.coledistributing.com) . I was able to pick up the rest of my parts at various gun shows,some of which were really inexpensive,such as the complete trigger group and housing for $45.00-never been used;gas piston in gov't wrapper for $15.00;gov't chrome lined barrel for $100.00-never installed on a receiver ! So,some judicious scrounging at gun shows pays off if you're not in a hurry. Good luck to you. :2guns: BILL

[carry-45]

I want to ask a question of the general membership. Has anyone had any experience with the M14 magazines made by " Western " brand as advertised on the website of fortyfourmag ? Both the Mini-14 AND M14 prices for the 20 rounder are very inexpensive;plus if you want Stainless for the Mini-14,it is only $2.00 additional. Majority of the time "you get what you pay for", as the saying goes-but this is really cheap !!!! Plus they have a lifetime warranty !! Feedback welcome,please. Inquiring minds want to know. :2guns: BILL

[theopolis]

Carry45,
All together, how much do you have in your put together M1A?
Theo

[carry-45]

Good morning Theo., well,all together,I'd say less than $700.00. I already had some mags. from my other M 14 I had to sell because of divorce,so that figure is accurate.

[theopolis]

That is amazing! Congratulations.
Theo

[carry-45]

Thanks,Theo,I appreciate that. I,myself,was amazed what I was able to " scrounge " at various gun shows. Some things were so cheap because it appeared that a couple vendors really wanted to "get rid " of some odds and ends that were not part of what they had an interest in diplaying on their tables. So I used time to my advantage, did not make myself to appear over-anxious to buy parts,and as such, got them all for a good price-some for " a song ". Seems being non-chalant does pay off !!:2guns: BILL

[PSG1]

carry-45,whats the latest on your 14?:confused:

[carry-45]

Hello PSG1, hope all is well with you. Well, I have put the "14" together and fired it some,with good results.It has respectable accuracy,but feel I can "wring" more out of it.So I took it apart and am fiddling with it ala accuracy suggestions from Scott Duff's book - the accurizing section of it.Have finished glass bedding a wood stock for tightness,and have welded gas cyl. and front band assembly - this is the tough part and most time consuming,and it has to be done right.I have decided to cryo the barreled receiver and op-rod w/spring for wear resistance and an edge on accuracy. This will be done in a few months,as other priorities demand my attention right now. Let me know how you are.As an aside my son just enlisted in the Air Force,and in basic training in Tex.He scored in the upper 2% in math - neat,huh ? He chose Civil Engineering as his M.O.S. :2guns:

[PSG1]

Glad to hear of your results!Top 2%?Thats great!You must be proud.I'm now building a "Bush Rifle".16" I'll let ya know how it turns out.How much $ was the cryo?:sniper:

[carry-45]

Hey there,PSG1. As of today I have written to 5 companies that advertise cryo treatment for firearms. Having gotten only 1 back it seems barrel and receiver w/op. rod is $45.00, plus shipping and ins. back to me. Asked about small metal parts tied up inside a cotton bag,and that would be an extra $20.00. When I receive more replies,I'll post them.:2guns: BILL

[Barbarianz]

Wow, and I thought I got a deal at $1199.00 for my Loaded Springfield M1A. Great Job!
Todd:eek:

[carry-45]

Thanks,Todd. I went to another gun show in Tenn. and picked up a fully glass bedded walnut stock w/inspectors marks and all metal for $15.00. It pays to be patient,and look around.:2guns:

[F Murray]

Carry-45 It sounds like you got a hell"va" good deal on your M14 build. I have managed to put a few M14's together cheap also but this was a while back. I put a few together for around $700 $800. But the price has gone up as of lately. :( When I started I got the major parts from CMP op rod bolts trigger group they were cheap :D I also kept a close eye at the gunshows, I found a place at the show parts and more and did a little trading and picked up some TRW NIW bolts he was asking $75 for them but he was asking $100 for the trigger groups so I traded him a trigger group I picked up at CMP for $35 for a NIW trw bolt, he said Kool and everyone was :D me most of all. So sometimes gunshows are the way to get M-14 parts cheap, I ended up ordering the smaller parts from Fulton Armory like pins springs and that's expensive, Fulton is a great shop but they ask top dollar for there stuff, but I needed small parts, that I couldn't fine anywhere at the gun shows, I used Armscorp receivers from Gunparts corp, I think they were $349-$379 something like that, I picked up the barrels from Springfield Armory back when they would sell you them, not anymore.... Like new GI chrome lined tubes for $98, a steal I picked up SAKO TRW(the best) WIN and SA barrels, I still have all the parts to build one more rifle it's a Winchester barrel, drawing number 7790190 dated may 1963-36R before I was born, I'm not sure if I want to use another Armscorp though this time. The last one I built I had to take the stock liner out of a GI stock and file down the liner to fit the receiver becaues the receiver legs were two wide to fit in the stock, it was a headache, I think the ones AC receivers being sold so cheap are factory seconds I'm not sure but I think they have minor cosmetic defects or small casting bubbles in them, not a big deal but I can't see getting a AC receiver from gun parts for a $349 and then looking at armscorp web site and seeing the price a lot higher for the same receiver from them. Don't make sense :rolleyes: CMP has run out of parts like the gas systems and front ends ie Flash suppressors, but still have bolts and op rods and a few other parts, at a good price. I'll have to look into Cryo it sound like it may be a good thing to do. I barreled them using a receiver wrench and barrel vice from brownells. They were good investment, ;) I also invested in a set of 308 headspace gages to check my work, they all seemed to be good. So now it's time to hit the range :rapid:
"The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the constitution so the second will not become the legalized version of the first." -- Thomas Jefferson