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Field stripping and cleaning a Springfield M1a National Match?
I recently bought a Springfield M1a National Match second hand from someone. It was in great shape, and an absolute steal for the money I spent.
While I'm familiar on how to field strip and clean a standard M1a, I've been told and have read that I should not do the same to the National Match/Super Match series of rifles, because I could potentially screw up the bedding.
I was wondering what the acceptable level of cleaning I should do for this gun is. Currently I just brush out and clean out the action that I can reach from the open receiver, as well as using a bore snake for the barrel. Then I apply a thin coat of either oil or grease.
9 Answers
- Staap ItLv 77 years agoFavorite Answer
I have owned a few M1 National March rifles. Began a 17 year run of shooting with an M1 Garand. A good bedding job, is tough enough you will not hurt it. BUT, just be gentle and don't wiggle and force it apart like a gorilla. I honestly only took mine down to that extent once a year. Most normal cleaning only requires a field strip. AND don't forget the gas block. ALL my M1s were bedded.
At one time I have run DCM/CMP program at several clubs, Had a total of 70 - M1s I maintained. The folks shot them sometimes on hot summer days till I had to pull them off the line and rotate out some cause the forend WOOD got so hot you could not keep your hand on it. Even those only got torn down once a year. Field stripped and cleaned about every other use. If I had help could have kept up better and cleaned after each use. 70 rifles is just allot of work ya know ?
- MJLv 77 years ago
Every time you remove the stock from a M1/M14/M1A rifle, you imperceptibly loosen the fit of the stock. Remember that the trigger guard clamps the stock, and re-clamping will slowly compress the wood or composite material. It isn't much, but enough of it adds up. This is of greater significance with the tight tolerances and expected accuracy of the National Match rifles.
If the rifle is having functioning issues you will still need to detail strip it. You'll simply want to do it less often than a firearm you will rely on to hunt or defend yourself with, rather than punch holes in targets.
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- USAFisnumber1Lv 77 years ago
FIELD STRIPPING is the minimum you have to do to clean a gun properly. Go on line and get a manual on how to do it correctly and you should not have a problem.
- acmeravenLv 77 years ago
Just take it down and clean it as you would something without the fancy name attached. Remember that you do not lube the gas operating rod as it gets gummed up and blah-blah-blah.
