[WaM14gunner]

I thought the recalled bolts came much later.

 

[KurtC]

I thought the recalled bolts came much later.

You don't go by the date, you go by the markings.

The bolts in question are marked as follows:

No numerical or alphabetical characteristics on either top or back of bolt (completely unmarked).
Any bolt with any numerical or alphabetical markings at all on the back of the bolt.

Any bolt with the top marked "7790185" and with "SA RRR" centered below that number.

Any bolt with the top marked "790185" and with "SA" centered below that number.

 

[WaM14gunner]

You don't go by the date, you go by the markings.

So this rifle had its bolt replaced with one that was later recalled?

 

[KurtC]

So this rifle had its bolt replaced with one that was later recalled?

I'm pretty sure it's original from 1981.

 

[Jarhead504]

S.A.I. of Geneseo,IL changed the bolt in my 1979 Super Match in 1988. I brought it to them and they changed it with a TRW.

Jarhead

 

[Douglas Haig]

Same with my early 1985

 

[KurtC]

S.A.I. of Geneseo,IL changed the bolt in my 1979 Super Match in 1988. I brought it to them and they changed it with a TRW.

Jarhead

They will still change it out, but the USGI bolts are long gone. The replacement will be a forged commercial bolt.

 

[HKSteve]

Thanks for posting this; I just got a 1980 NM SN 019xxx. I’ll check this

 

[highlandfarmer]

Only USGI bolts for me -

 

[Random Guy]

They will still change it out, but the USGI bolts are long gone. The replacement will be a forged commercial bolt.

Fwiw, I purchased a similar 1981 SAI M1A last month (15k serial number), and it had the exact same recalled bolt, so I shipped it off earlier this month for the no-charge bolt swap under the recall. So the recall bolts do go back to 1981 era. It will presumably come back with an SAI forged bolt next month, which is fine for my purposes with this rifle. I'll post a pic once I get my rifle back, for anyone curious. (My 15k rifle came with old WWII lock-bar sights including a WRA elevation knob, and a birch stock, but otherwise very similar to parts seen on the auction rifle; same trigger housing, and op rod. Barrel is an unmarked commercial part with a very faint 'NM' engraved on the top barrel behind the flash hider). It's going to be my "as-issued" rifle for CMP Modern Military matches and a local 'fun service rifle match' at 100 yards.

The stock-up at the trigger pads was non-existent without a bedding job, so I'll be using a different stock on this old M1A.

 

[KurtC]

The "790185" and with "SA" centered below that number bolts are from the early '80s.
The "7790185" and with "SA RRR" centered below that number bolts are from the late '80s.

During the '80s, USGI parts were not always available. NOS supplies were drying up and Uncle Sam hadn't yet started chopping up perfectly good rifles.

Each rifle from that period needs to be judged on an individual basis.