Aging Gracefully
I used to think that any 50-year-old anything was absolutely ancient.
That is, after all, fully half a century.
I was eight years old when Springfield Armory sold their first M1A.
The special-edition 50thAnniversary M1A rifle from Springfield Armory gives collectors and fans of the design a rare opportunity to pick up this collectible for their collection.
A tricked-out M1A actually very nearly ended my burgeoning marriage.
I also packed a decent Italian tactical shotgun to use as barter.
I got my buddy to drive home so I could drool over the gorgeous thing.
Shown here is an early Springfield Armory for the M1A rifle. The rifle is the bedrock on which the company was built.
Once back, I eagerly showed the new addition to my young bride.
She knew nothing of firearms, but she recognized quality.
She knew immediately I did not get that rifle for $400 and a high-mileage shotgun.
The package includes the rifle, custom wooden crate, M14 Army Operator and Maintenance Manual, M1A cleaning kit, G.I. sling and a Certificate of Authenticity. Image: Jake Miller/Springfield Armory
I was wrapping up my last year in engineering school, and she was the sole breadwinner.
If youre wondering, everything turned out OK.
I still have both the rifle and the awesome wife.
Without any doubt, the Springfield Armory 50thAnniversary M1A rifle is one of the most attractive rifles ever built.
The point being, the Springfield Armory M1A and I have enjoyed quite the journey together.
Officially adopted in 1957, the M14 remains a special-issue weapon serving downrange with selected marksmen even today.
The M14 was technically born in the 1930s.
Dennis Reese, CEO and owner of Springfield Armory, is shown here building M1A rifles in the early days of the company.
The M1 rifle was laboriously loaded from the topvia awkward eight-round en-bloc clips.
En-bloc meant that the clip became part of the action while firing.
American planners were already scheming out a replacement by the onset of World War II.
The anniversary rifle features a gorgeous upgraded walnut stock with a 50thAnniversary Gold Medallion inlay. Image: Jake Miller/Springfield Armory
However, WWII was a come-as-you-are party.
American G.I.s freed the world behind their amazing M1 rifles.
We made nearly 5.5 million copies.
The flash suppressor of the rifle features an integral bayonet lug, just as the U.S. Military’s M14 rifle — upon which the M1A is based — would have had. Image: Jake Miller/Springfield Armory
They adored every single one of them.
I once asked his opinions of the weapons they used.
He loved hisM1911A1and respected thecarbinefor its portability and magazine-fed design.
Each rifle is marked “1 of 1974” on the op rod, and custom serial numbers run from M1A0001 through M1A1974. Image: Jake Miller/Springfield Armory
The new rifle would eventually become the T44 in the then-new 7.62x51mm round.
The T44 was everything the WWII-vintage M1 could have been.
Harvey, Studler and the rest of their team had clearly captured lightning in a bottle.
A member of Sea-Air-Land (SEAL) Team 8 checks his 7.62mm M14 rifle aboard the fleet oiler USNSJoshua Humphreys(T-AO-188) in February 1991. Image: PH2 Milton Savage/U.S. Navy
Details
The T44 was truly remarkable.
It clearly hewed to what made the M1 so great, but upgraded and modernized the design where needed.
It included a bolt roller to minimize frictional effects.
With 50 years under its belt, the M1A shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, the guns are as popular today as they have always been.
The abbreviated gas system and long flash suppressor cut a dashing figure.
The sights included a readily adjustable, user-friendly rear sight.
Windage and elevation adjustments required nothing more than a standard set of human fingers.
The Limited Special Edition 50thAnniversary Springfield Armory M1A rifle package comes with a custom case and well-considered accessories.
Those of the subsequent M16 were actually a step backwards in my opinion.
The T44 went head-to-head against the T48, an Americanized version of the FAL, and prevailed.
Along the way, it gained the formal appellation M14.
The 50thAnniversary M1A rifle comes with a certificate of authenticity and an M14 U.S. Army operator manual.
This sexy beast subsequently endeared itself to generations of G.I.s.
cartridge are conspicuously absent.
Like my wifes grandfather before him, that beefy .30-cal.
The entire kit makes for a very appealing package for fans of the M1A family of rifles and their storied history.
round made the extra weight burden worthwhile for him.
This argument remains valid even today.
And so, the M14 soldiered on for the next nearly seven decades.
The M14 was modified intoa squad automatic weapon,a close combat toolanda designated marksman rifle.
The old girl just wont quit.
And then in 1974, Springfield Armory began making these magnificent rifles in Geneseo just for us.
(Learn more about thefounding of todays Springfield Armoryin Geneseo, Illinois.)
The synergistic combination of steel and walnut just touches something primal in the gun nerds soul.
The distinctive racket it makes when charged is the sound of pure unadulterated freedom.
This is a serious rifle firing a serious cartridge designed to do serious things.
Recoil is present without being objectionable, and the gun fits my anatomy like a second skin.
When fed most any decent ammo, the M1A is as reliable as a mothers love.
It will also shoot way straighter and farther than my aging eyes are capable of managing.
Golden Anniversary Edition
The M1A is an innately attractive firearm.
The 50thAnniversary version is all the more so.
The package starts with an M1A.
Each copy is marked 1 of 1974 on the op rod.
Custom serial numbers run from M1A0001 through M1A1974.
Then there is the gorgeous upgraded walnut stock with a 50thAnniversary Gold Medallion inlay.
sling, and Certificate of Authenticity.
The rifle ships in the expected superlative Springfield Armory padded range bag.
I must say, the whole package is truly remarkable.
And while the end result is undeniably attractive, I will point out this is still a working firearm.
You could conceivably use this 50thAnniversary M1A for hunting, target shooting, recreational blasting and home defense.
This rifle has all the expected Springfield Armory utility in a sweet, attractive package.
The MSRP for the whole shebang is $2,499.
Ruminations
Everybody likes nice things.
In the 50thAnniversary Springfield Armory M1A, we see a timeless design transformed into a piece of ballistic art.
The appointments are perfect, and the cool-guy accessories ample.
I will admit to harboring unvarnished affection for the M1A rifle.
As I said at the beginning, this gun and I go way back.
The 50thAnniversary M1A rifle embodies the spirit of this classic old warrior.
Just like yours truly, it is proof positive that the timeless M1A is really only just getting started.
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