How does is perform?
Dabbs gives us the full report based on his experiences with it.
The M1A air gun was provided to the author for this review.
How would you like to buy an M1A with a walnut stock for less than $250? Oh, and you will be able to shoot it in your backyard assuming local regulations don’t prohibit it.
Have you noticed anything different about these recent years?
A worldwide pandemic fomented unprecedented turmoil, and fallout on the supply chain was harsh.
Even today some manufacturers are finding certain critical components remain in short supply.
At the top is the Springfield M1A air rifle. The below gun is the author’s .308-chambered M1A rifle from Springfield Armory.
This impacted ammunition prices prices that still seem elevated from pre-pandemic levels.
When quality 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition can run two bucks a round, whats an M1A fan to do?
Now, Springfield Armory offers the same option for your favorite M1A rifle.
This air rifle is absolutely massive.
The dimensions are just a hair larger than the Real Steel, and it weighs a whopping 9.9 lbs.
Thats about half a pound heavier than the actual standard rifle.
The Springfield M1A underlever pellet rifle is a very close representation of the venerable Springfield Armory M1A battle rifle.
The beautifully stained walnut stock provides the same heft and feel as the real weapon.
The particulars will seem familiar to anyone who has ever fired a live M1A.
The rear sight easily adjusts for both windage and elevation in the same manner as the original.
Charging the rifle is easy, and employs a lever that locks up under the barrel and looks like the gas piston of the original rifle. The M1A underlever pellet rifle operation is reliable.
How Does It Work?
Cocking force is 35 pounds, and my .177 version pushes pellets to around 1,000 feet per second.
The way the Springfield Armory folks adapted the gun to fit the M1A format is fascinating.
The Springfield Armory crew did a splendid job of recreating the classic M1A rifle.
To charge the rifle you use what would be the gas piston on the real gun.
This appendage snaps loose from the barrel and pivots downward.
The end of this charging handle will slide out another 6 or so for added leverage if needed.
The safety is a pivoting tab on the front of the trigger guard. Its operation is opposite that of the live weapon.
Retracting the lever slides the forearm forward to open up the loading tray automatically.
At the bottom of the stroke the power lever locks in place.
When fully closed the lever snaps in place in its bracket alongside the barrel.
The flash suppressor is polymer and, on an air rifle,obviously non-functional.
The safety works in the opposite direction of that of the live rifle.
Forward is safe, and the rear position is fire.
Move like you mean it and you could put some pretty serious lead downrange.
Springfield Armory can hook you up with anything you need to optimize your range time behind the M1A air rifle. From steel or paper targets to pellets, they have everything you need.
Their spring-loaded dueling tree reactive target features eight steel plates in two stacks of four.
Hitting one pivots its opposite number into view on the other side.
Im an introvert so I can burn an afternoon just bouncing those things from one side to the other.
Unlike centerfire ammunition, air rifle pellets are dirt cheap and, just as importantly, reliably available.
Paper targets come in thick pads and are great for zeroing, competition, and recreation.
Steel silhouettes let you go hunting big game without leaving the backyard.
I mounted mine on a length of 26 lumber to keep them oriented.
The Springfield M1A underlever pellet rifle is the spitting image of its real steel brother. With the exception of the lack of a protruding magazine, the gun is just spot on.
Each different animal makes a unique sort of noise when you hit it.
Pellets come in a wide variety of weights and designs.
Czech Exact Heavy Diablo 10.3-grain target projectiles shoot straight for plinking and target work.
German-made H&N 9.57-gr.
Baracuda FTs are a little faster and suitable for the same applications.
H&N Baracuda Hunter Extreme pellets are frankly terrifying.
The nose of these vicious little rascals is crenellated like the turret on a castle.
The end result produces a forward surface area up to 165% larger than the unfired projectile.
This is the round you use for bunnies or tree rats.
Additionally, the really expensive sort are still only around three cents per shot.
you’re able to shoot all afternoon for about nothing.
Impressions
I settled in behind my new Springfield .177-caliber M1A pellet rifle and started throwing lead mid-afternoon.
Unlike live weapons, the Springfield Armory M1A pellet rifle is also surprisingly inexpensive.
There are many lighter air rifle options, but they dont look nearly this awesome.
