Springfield M1A
Springfield Armory, Inc. · Battle Rifle · In Production · 1974
Also known as: M1A, Springfield M1A
Overview
The Springfield M1A is the civilian semi-automatic version of the US military M14 battle rifle, manufactured by Springfield Armory, Inc. of Geneseo, Illinois. The company was founded in 1974 specifically to commercialize the M14 design after the historic federal Springfield Armory was closed in 1968 - the two organizations are otherwise unrelated. The M1A is mechanically nearly identical to the M14: same White-system short-stroke gas-piston tappet action, rotating bolt, two-stage trigger, and USGI-compatible magazines, but with a receiver lacking the third pin hole for the selector switch, making it semi-auto only by design. Over 50+ years it has become the dominant civilian battle-rifle alternative to the AR-10 platform, prized for its classic walnut-and-steel aesthetic, mil-spec heritage, and proven 7.62 NATO accuracy.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4070 g (143.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1117 mm (43.98") |
| Barrel Length | 559 mm (22.01") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Two Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 838 m/s (2749 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3469 J (2559 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3725 m (4074 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 279 mm (10.98") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Parkerized |
Calibers
- 7.62x51mm NATO · primary · 7.62 NATO — also known as .308 Winchester
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: M14 Pattern Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety In Trigger Guard
- Features: White System Short Stroke Gas Piston, Rotating Bolt, Two Stage Military Trigger, Usgi M14 Magazine Compatible, Military Aperture Sights, Investment Cast Carbon Steel Receiver, Walnut Birch Or Synthetic Stock
Variants
- M1A Loaded — Match Grade
- M1A National Match — Match
- M1A Super Match — Premium Target
- M1A Scout Squad — Scout 18in
- M1A SOCOM 16 — Compact 16 25in
- M1A SOCOM 16 CQB — Chassis Cqb
- M1A Tanker — Throwback Carbine
- M1A Loaded 6.5 Creedmoor — Alt Caliber
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Civilian sport/competition shooters · adopted 1974 · as M1A
- Limited US LE designated marksman roles · as M1A
Production
Production years: 1971-present
Production volumes not publicly published. Estimated several hundred thousand units across all variants over 50+ years.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Notes
Standard M1A spec; Loaded/National Match/Super Match are accuracy-tuned variants; SOCOM 16 (16.25" barrel) and Scout Squad (18" barrel) are compact variants. SOCOM 16 muzzle velocity drops to ~762 m/s due to short barrel. Originally produced by Elmer Ballance in Devine TX from 1971 before Robert Reese acquired rights and moved production to Geneseo IL in 1974.
Background
Springfield Armory Inc was founded in 1974 specifically to commercialize the M14 design after the federal arsenal was shuttered. The 'M1A' designation was coined by Elmer C. Ballance to differentiate the civilian semi-auto from the select-fire military M14 - and the company's receiver tooling deliberately omits the third selector-pin hole, making the rifle semi-auto by hard mechanical design rather than software lockout.