December 24th, 2024
8minute read
Everyone who knows the name Springfield Armory knows the M1A.
Hailing from an era of manufacturing when rifles were constructed of wood and steel and based upon the reveredU.S.
The7.62x51mm NATO(.308 Win.)
Dennis Reese, CEO and owner of Springfield Armory, has played an integral role in the life of the M1A rifle since its release 50 years ago. He is shown here with the special-edition 50th-anniversary model. Image: Jake Miller/Springfield Armory
However, its appeal and usefulness far outlived its officially short lifespan.
In fact, the M14 continued to serve in specialized roles well past its official retirement.
This journey, beginning 50 years ago this year, would be shepherded by a man namedDennis Reese.
Mr. Reese was there from the beginning with the M1A, hand-building the earliest models at the launch of the rifle in 1974 and shepherding the design through the decades since.
Early into the conversation, I learned that firearms have long been a passion for the Reese family.
Those demilitarized guns still had valuable parts that could be removed and sold to surplus dealers and manufacturers.
Their work proved to be very successful, with a great deal of demand for these firearms parts.
Springfield Armory applies cutting-edge 21st century manufacturing techniques to the classic 20th century M1A design. Mr. Reese is shown here inspecting a newly manufactured receiver. Image: Jake Miller/Springfield Armory
I had decided it was just not for me, he told me.
I came home and asked myself, Where am I going to go from here?.
Reese, having grown up around firearms, was fascinated with them.
In the early days of Springfield Armory in Geneseo, the classic wood and steel M1A was built the old-fashioned way.
He loved shooting and hunting.
The negotiating moved beyond the debt discussion to them seriously considering making an offer to buy all of it.
I remember my father calling my mother and telling her that he thought the business had some potential.
The M1A line has grown to include a wide range of variants for practically any application.
Are you comfortable with us going bigger into this?, I heard him ask her.
and took it all back home.
My brothers were in high school at the time but would come in and work after school.
The 50th Anniversary M1A comes with a wood presentation case, M14 Army Operator and Maintenance manual, M1A cleaning kit, G.I. sling, and a signed certificate of authenticity. Image: Jake Miller/Springfield Armory
This was truly a family business and a family effort.
My family had literally bet the farm on this effort.
But, the story did not end there, and is one that continues on through to today.
Dennis Reese inspecting a Springfield Armory M1A rifle during the early days of the company, showcasing the attention to detail that helped adapt the iconic M14 design for civilian use.
Lets be frank the M1A has a naturally retro appeal to it.
As noted, its a design from an era when rifles were made of wood and steel.
This allowed them to reduce the number of machining operations and ensure consistency throughout the process.
This interview with Dennis Reese was the cover story for the Fall 2024 print issue, which you can seehere.
He also noted that they have improved the heat-treating process by going to an advanced vacuum carburizing system.
If youre looking for even more options, theres theM1A Loaded series of rifles.
The Loaded Precision variant adds in a customizable Archangel Precision Adjustable stock.
Be sure to read Will Dabbs full review of theM1A 50th Anniversary rifle here.
Conclusion
Its hard to overstate how revered a design the M1A is.
I know Im thankful they did, and am sure all the M1A enthusiasts out there agree.
Heres to the next fifty years of the design!
Go to forum thread
M1ATMSeries
