Springfield Armory M1A 50th Anniversary rifle
Springfield Armory introduces a limited edition of the M1A .308-caliber semi-automatic rifle, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Company's first production of this quintessential design
Springfield Armory M1A 50th Anniversary rifle
The new Springfield Armory M1A "50th Anniversary Rifle" 7,62x51mm NATO semi-automatic rifle, first showcased at the 2024 edition of the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, commemorates the first commercial launch of Springfield Armory's M1A rifles, back in 1974
The M-14 7,62x51mm NATO select-fire battle rifle, adopted in 1954 and introduced into service in 1959, was manufactured in huge quantities by the US Government-run Springfield Armory, but rapidly turned out to be obsolete compared to the needs of the modern US military. Phased out as a standard service rifle by the mid-1960s in favor of the new and lighter M-16, it was retained in service only in smaller quantities of niche, modified and specialized versions.
Springfield Armory M1A 50th Anniversary rifle – right side
The US Government-run Springfield Armory was shut down in 1968, and the "Springfield Armory" brand was adopted by Elmer Ballance, who used it for a small run of semi-automatic M-14 type rifles for the civilian market, assembled in Texas with surplus GI parts. The Reese family would later buy out the brand and establish Springfield Armory, Inc. in Geneseo (IL).
The production of M1A rifles in Illinois would start in 1974, and that's why the 50th Anniversary edition will be produced in 1974 semples only, each sold in a custom display crate, inspired by the military significance of the M14 rifle, hand-crafted out of eastern white pine and finished off with metal hardware.
Springfield Armory M1A 50th Anniversary rifle – left side
The 50th Anniversary M1A rifle is built around a hand-selected walnut stock with a flip-up metal buttplate – the same used on the select-fire M-14 allegedly to help tame the rifle when fired in full-automatic from a bipod or from the prone position – and an embedded distinguished 50th Anniversary Crossed Cannon medallion.
Each Springfield Armory 50th Anniversary M1A rifle features an engraved 1 of 1974 operating rod, symbolizing its unique place in history; a brown synthetic top handguard, replicating the look and feel of the original M-14; and a two-stage precision tuned match trigger that breaks cleanly between 4.5 and 5 lbs (approximately 2 kilograms).
The 50th Anniversary M1A rifle comes with a National Match grade, air-gauged 22" carbon steel barrel with six right-handed grooves and a 1:11" twist rate, topped off with a flash hider that features an integral bayonet lug ready to accept the period accurate M6 bayonet. The provided iron sights include a National Match .062" protected blade adjustable front sight and a Match-grade non-hooded rear sight with a small .052" aperture, ½-MOA windage adjustments, and 1-MOA. elevation increments.
Springfield Armory's M1A 50th Anniversary Rifle is compatible with any M-14 or M1A magazine; each rifle comes from factory with a single 10-rounds magazine, and features a clip guide at the rear of the ejection window allowing shooters to top up their magazines with stripper clips without removing them from the rifle.
Standing at 112,5 cm (44.33") in overall length and weighing in at approximately 4,3 kilograms (9 lbs 8 oz) when empty, the Springfield Armory M1A 50th Anniversary Rifle comes issued from factory with a cleaning kit inlcuding a multi-tool, cleaning rod, bore brush and chamber brush designed to fit within the rifle's stock; an OD Green cotton canvas rifle sling; a reproduction M14 Army TM-9-1005-223-12 technical manual; and a certificate of authenticity.
MSRP for the Springfield Armory M1A 50th Anniversary rifle on the US market is set at US$2,499. For informations concerning availability and pricing outside of the United States, consult the authorized Springfield Armory distributor for your Country.