SA M1A

SOTVEN · Post by **SOTVEN** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 3:19 pm

HELLO ALL. QUESTION TO THE GUN GURUS HERE. A FRIEND JUST AQUIRED A BRAND NEW SPRINGFIELD ARMORY M1A LOADED CONFIGURATION UNDER MY GUIDANCE. THE GUN IS AT ALL AS EXPECTED AND MUCH MORE SO. HOWEVER, AS ALWAYS, BEFORE HOLDING THE GUN (THOUGH FAMILIAR WITH IT) WE WENT OVER THE MANUALS FIRST. AMONG THE REST, THERE IS A PRINTED PAPER ABOUT "SLAM FIRE". THIS IN A NUTSHEL IS WHEN THE BOLT PUSHES FORWARD WITH A FRESH ROUND TOWARDS THE CHAMBER, THE FIRING PIN MIGHT GO FORTH AND SOMEWHAT HIT SLIGHTLY THE NEW PRIMER CAUSING PREMATURE FIRING OF THE ROUND. ACORDING TO THE PRINT THERE HAS BEEN LIMITED INCIDENTS WITH GARANDS AND M1A, AND AFTER INVESTIGATION, IT WAS ISSUES WITH INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE. THE ADVISE IS TO USE MILITARY GRADE AMMO SINCE IT HAS HARDER PRIMERS. I HAVE FIRED HUNDREDS OF 30 CAL THROUGH M1 GARANDS IN THE SERVICE, AND QUITE MANY ROUNDS THROUGH VARIOUS M14 AND M1A. NEVER HAD AN ISSUE. IS THIS SOMETHING TO WORRY MORE THAN HE WOULD WITH ANY OTHER SEMI AUTO, OR IS IT A LIABILITY ISSUE AGAIN, ABOUT SOMETHING THAT OCCURES ONCE EVERY TIME THE HALEY COMET PASSES BY?

afvet6670 · Post by **afvet6670** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 8:14 pm

I shot competitively with both the Garand and the M14, never had a slam fire but was using issued Lake City match ammo...

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 8:43 pm

A "slam fire" is possible with any auto-loading weapon with a centerfire cartridge. It is an extremely rare occurrence which usually occurs when something impedes the progress of the cartridge into the chamber, such as when the round gets "cocked" just far enough to hit the lip of the chamber but not far enough to "smokestack." I'm sure it could prove fatal to the shooter if it occurred with a shoulder weapon.

afvet6670 · Post by **afvet6670** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 9:31 pm

I have seen (and had to clear/repair) slam fires in the M39 and M61A1 20MM electrically fired aircraft guns. The M39 in F-100's, and the M61A1 in the SUU-23/A gun pod for the F-4, in the F-105D & G, and in the F-15C & S models. Mainly caused by miss linked rounds... slam fires with HEI and tracer rounds were usually pretty messy and not fun to clear; slam fires with AP and Tp weren't as bad but still dangerous in their own way...

Master Yota · Post by **Master Yota** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 11:34 pm

Not an M1, but I've had similar issues with my .303 Winchester. I was in the habit of closing the bolt and flicking the safety on when transporting the gun, and I've had a few instances when the safety was flicked off that it would dry fire. Really scared the crap out of me the first time it happened, I was just very happy that I don't transport the gun loaded, ever. Its not a fun feeling...

MikeOneSix · Post by **MikeOneSix** » Thu Nov 18, 2010 12:56 pm

SOTVEN
I think it is more of a case of Springfield Armory just covering their a** for liability reasons. I've owned & shot an M1A for over 20 years now with no problems. I'm not going to say that slamfires never happen 'cause they do but, it's a rare occurance. My advise is to use quality ammo in that weapon.

Master Yota

Did you know that Chuck Norris has to use a stunt double for crying scenes?

Matt

Master Yota · Post by **Master Yota** » Thu Nov 18, 2010 1:24 pm

MikeOneSix wrote:SOTVEN
I think it is more of a case of Springfield Armory just covering their a** for liability reasons. I've owned & shot an M1A for over 20 years now with no problems. I'm not going to say that slamfires never happen 'cause they do but, it's a rare occurance. My advise is to use quality ammo in that weapon.

Master Yota

Did you know that Chuck Norris has to use a stunt double for crying scenes?
Matt

Longhunter7 · Post by **Longhunter7** » Thu Nov 18, 2010 4:48 pm

There is another aspect to be considered about slam fires. When reloading the .308, it is critical that the new primer be seated properly. A high primer WILL cause a slam fire!

That said, it also applies to all semi-auto rifles, but the M-14 / M-1A seem to be more prone to this condition.

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Thu Nov 18, 2010 7:27 pm

Longhunter7 wrote:... it also applies to all semi-auto rifles...

Not just rifles. Autoloading pistols can do it, too. I've never heard of it actually happening, but I'm sure the potential is there considering the number of "smokestacks" I've cleared over the years. It only has to happen to you once!

MikeOneSix · Post by **MikeOneSix** » Fri Nov 19, 2010 4:08 am

When I was at the range I witnessed a Glock 22 slip into full auto on it's owner. M1911s were legendary for doing that (when the disconnector broke-or so I'm told).

Did you know: That Chuck Norris has never won an Oscar for acting? That's because he's not acting.......

Matt

SOTVEN · Post by **SOTVEN** » Fri Nov 19, 2010 9:36 am

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ADVISE. IN MY PERCEPTION, IF A GUN IS IN PROPER OPERATING ORDER, MATED TO PROPER AND DECENT AMMUNITION WILL PERFORM AS IT SHOULD. CAN SOMETHING GO WRONG? OF COURSE, JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER MECHANICAL DEVISE, SOMETHING MIGHT FAIL. THAT IS WHERE COMMON SENSE COMES IN. THE MORE I HAVE SEARCHED ABOUT "SLAM FIRE" THE MORE I REALISE THAT IT IS A VERY RARE PHENOMENON (COMPARED TO THE MILLIONS OF ROUNDS SHOT) AND IT OCCURES BECAUSE SOMETHING "OBVIOUS" TOOK PLACE I.E. POOR MAINTENANCE, BREAKAGE, OR MOST OFTEN WITH "HANDLOADS" (HIGH PRIMERS)!!!!!. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS "SLAM FIRE" INFO PAMPHLET WAS JUST FOR SA TO COVER THEIR A** INDEED, AND I DO NOT BLAME THEM. RECENTLY THERE WAS A TV PROGRAM (CBS PERHAPS???) ABOUT THE POTENTIAL DANGERS OF THE REMINGTON 700, AND ITS FAILING MANUAL SAFETY. IT TURNED OUT THERE WERE ABOUT 9 INCIDENTS THAT THIS MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED, WITH A RIFLE THAT SINCE THE FIFTIES HAS SOLD MILLIONS. GO FIGURE.

SOTVEN · Post by **SOTVEN** » Fri Nov 19, 2010 9:46 am

MikeOneSix wrote:When I was at the range I witnessed a Glock 22 slip into full auto on it's owner. M1911s were legendary for doing that (when the disconnector broke-or so I'm told).

Did you know: That Chuck Norris has never won an Oscar for acting? That's because he's not acting.......

Matt

HERE IS A VIDEO OF JERRY MICULLECK FIRING A SIX GUN AS IF IT "SLAM FIRED"!!!!! THIS GUY IS UNBELIEVABLE (ALONG WITH CHUCK NORRIS LOL

)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsLx5ISBXw4

vtdeucedriver · Post by **vtdeucedriver** » Sun Nov 21, 2010 6:28 pm

When I bought my M1A, I had questioned the same pamphlet and was told that it was printed for hand loaded ammo. I was told to use good ammo and it will be ok. What a great shooting rifle!!

SOTVEN · Post by **SOTVEN** » Tue Nov 23, 2010 5:43 am

vtdeucedriver wrote:When I bought my M1A, I had questioned the same pamphlet and was told that it was printed for hand loaded ammo. I was told to use good ammo and it will be ok. What a great shooting rifle!!

THIS MAKES SENSE ABOUT THE RELOADS. YES, THE M1A SEEMS TO HAVE ALL THE THINGS THAT MAKE A RIFLE GREAT!!! WE CAN NOT WAIT TO GO AND FIRE IT AT THE RANGE. PERHAPS THIS ONCOMING WEEKEND.

SOTVEN · Post by **SOTVEN** » Tue Dec 07, 2010 1:16 pm

WENT TO THE SHOOTING RANGE THIS PAST SUNDAY AND TRIED THAT SPRINGFIELD. WHAT AN AWESOME RIFLE IT IS!!!!! IT HAPPENED TO BE ADJUSTED ACCURATELY ANOUGH OUT OF THE BOX. MY COUSIN, ME AND A FRIEND SHOT A FEW ROUNDS OUT TO 150 YARDS (I KNOW IT IS A 1000 YARD GUN) AND WE WERE DEAD ON!! PLEASANT TO SHOOT TOO!! I REALLY LIKED IT. HOWEVER, THE COLD WAS TO MUCH FOR US, AND WE DID NOT STAY LONG. IN THE SPRING TIME AGAIN. MY COUSIN WANTED TO MOUNT A SCOPE ON IT, SO I SUGGESTED THE 4TH GEN SA MOUNT, AND I JUST FINISHED INSTALLING IT. I FOLLOWED THE INSTRACTIONS TO THE LETTER, AND IT SEEMS THAT IT HAS MOUNTED REALLY STRONG. AS FOR A SCOPE, I SUGGESTED A 3-9X40, LEUPOLD PERHAPS. HIS SHOOTING WILL BE BESIDES THE SHOOTING RANGE PERHAPS AN OCCATIONAL DEER IN MAIN, AT DISTANCES UP TO 300 YARDS AT MOST. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS ON SCOPES?

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