[TB]

It is my understanding that the original M-14 (S.A. TRW H&R) receivers were forged steel and that the receivers produced by Springfield Armory today are not; Smith Enterprise offers a heat treat procedure to harden the surface of the Springfield Armory M1A receiver. I am wondering if the M1A receiver in stock configuration is adequate, or is such a hardening procedure necessary to prolong the life of my rifle or for any other reason? Regarding another rifle, would I be best off building one on a receiver other than Springfield Armory or just buy another S.A. rack M1A rifle?

 

[SixTGunr]

There was a batch of SA M1As several years ago that were a bit soft. However I belive SA took care of that issue. If, and only if I was sending my M1A to Smith for other work, I would have them check and heat treat if needed. But only if I already was sending it in. SAs are good, solid receivers with minimal problems. Until someone comes out with a forged that don't arouse the ire of the ATF/E (they added explosives when assigned to the Justice Dept) I'll stay with SA. Besides, it does have a lifetime guarantee.

 

[Oxmix]

Entreprise comes close to a true forged receiver by machining their receivers from a forged billet.

Regards

Ox

 

[SixTGunr]

receivers

i would not be afraid of sa even though i dont own one as long as the loads were kept in line. i have firsthand knowledge of some receivers cracking with rather hot handloads, 190 boattails. my polytechs are just fine with me. one is doctored, the other is right out of the box. i must admit i like the idea of the receiver being made the way the rifle was originally designed. two cents worth.

 

[Hawk]

Guest, Why not take the time to register, as it kinda serves as sort of an introduction to us all and we have an idea who we are chattin with. It's painless and above all FREE!

As far as I know all commercial receivers on the market today are heat treated after the final machining. If they weren't then they wouldn't last long at all. Also: as far as a SA receiver cracking with hot loads, I've never heard of any, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen. Perhaps someone from the board can chime in and let us all know if they've heard about it.

Welcome!, Hawk

 

[harley guy]

receivers

the post above you was me. forgot to log on as harley guy. will take me some time to get used to as i have not used a forum before. as far as the cracked receivers, a highpower shooter out of san antonio, texas, supposedly one of the camp perry boys has experienced the cracks with hot loaded 190 boattails. he went to a polytech receiver and his problem went away. this info came to me from his good friend one day while we were shooting down at his ranch. he was interested in my polytech because of this. he has a sa m1a but shoots only surplus so i think his fears of cracks are in his mind. there is also mention of cracked receivers on the fulton armory site. i believe in the faq section.

 

[Hawk]

Harley Guy, Welcome aboard!!! If when you login you check the little box that asks if you want your password stired, you will be logged in automatically each time you come onto the forum. Hope this helps, Hawk

 

[SixTGunr]

Entreprise makes its receiver from barstock, thus it is not forged. MKS, which is belly up, and now LRB Arms when it gets its act together will be the only US made forged receivers. Of course you don't want a MKS, unless you just want to give it to ATF because they are collecting them all. Hopefully LRB will have it's act together and put out a good product.
Polytech made a good receiver. It just usually needs some work and GI parts.
Also the story you heard about cracks after hot loads. Hot loads normally mean hand loads. Well, SA tells you not to use handloads, only factory spec ammo. If someone uses what the rifle is not designed for and it breaks, well they should not be surprised!

 

[Oxmix]

The photo on LRB's site shows the Evil Appendage having been removed and the op rod dismount notch at the rear of the receiver instead of the middle of the receiver. I am sure this will pass muster with the BATF. They will have to provide letters from the BATF indicating that these are in fact legal receivers with the BATF's blessing before anyone in their right mind will buy one given there lineage.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

Regards

Ox

 

[DK2000]

Ok I was a little late with the M1As compared to all of you guys, I know this may sound dumb, but what exactly is the deal with MKS? What did they to? what was their problem, why are they illegal?

 

[Oxmix]

MKS originally started remanufacturing demilled M14 receivers and rifles. Unfortunately they did not cross all the "T's" and dot all the"i's". the end result was that the BATF declared their remanufactured M14's to be machine guns and made the owners of said machine guns surrender them, the receivers. Next MKS started manufacturing a true forged semi auto receiver. Unfortunately again MKS ran afoul of the BATF and again people who purchased their receivers or rifles had to surrender them to the BATF. All of this has made people a little leary as far as purchasing a product associated with them.

Regards

Ox

 

[Hawk]

One might add that LRB "formerly" a dealer for MKS, also got hurt in the ATF confiscations and has severed all ties with MKS.

 

[Oxmix]

If LRB can turn out a quality product that won't run afoul of the law I wish them all the luck in the world.

Regards

Ox

 

[TB]

In my pursuit of information regarding the M-14/M1A I had written a small e-mail to Springfield Armory Inc. and today I received a reply. Below is my e-mail and their response.


Dear Springfield Armory,

I own a Springfield Armory Inc. M1A rifle and am concerned about the strength of the receiver. For the most part I am ignorant of the manufacturing process and details of the Springfield Armory Inc. M1A that is why I am looking to you for information and hoping that somebody there at Springfield might indulge me and answer what might seem elementary questions.
I understand that the original M-14 rifles produced for the government by Springfield Armory (New England), Harrington & Richardson, and TRW were built on Forged steel receivers and that the M1A as produced by Springfield Armory Inc. now are built on cast receivers. Could you please explain the difference between forging and casting receivers; which method is better and why.
I have been in contact with different gunsmiths that specialize in M-14/ M1A work, one in particular offers a service of “heat treatment” to the receiver; “Surface results -60 to 65 Rockwell, Melonite hard surface, black finish” is such work necessary for an M1A? In comparison, does Springfield Armory Inc. heat treat their receivers and if so how hard are they?
As far as ammunition is concerned I have been shooting only factory Federal 168gr match ammunition and have been told on several occasions that the 168gr load is too heavy/hot for the M1A and using it is having the rifle “beat itself up”. I do not want to risk ruining the rifle and certainly do not want to risk injury shooting a load that in not appropriate. Is the factory federal 168gr match load appropriate to shoot in the Springfield Armory M1A? If not, could you please recommend an appropriate load.
I appreciate any time and effort you might put into my query.




Hello—
Our receivers our investment casted. They are 86/20 carbon steel. 47-60 on a C scale. We suggest using 147-179 grain factory ammo.
Thanks,
Kristine Bolte
Springfield, Inc.
420 W. Main Street
Geneseo, IL 61254
[email protected]
(309)-944-8972
1-800-680-6866


I’m not a metallurgist so I still have a few questions.
What is “86/20 carbon steel”?
What is the difference between “47-60 on a C scale” and “Surface results -60 to 65 Rockwell, Melonite hard surface, black finish”

 

[m14dan]

I know springfield is investment cast and I believe the polytech and norinco are both forged just like the original. I know a few years ago when everyone was realy talking bad about the commie rifles I took mine to work and did a hardness check in a few key places and compare it to a chunk of a winchester that I had. It was so close it wasn't even funny. I am not scared of my norinco at all. I have never seen a problem with investment cast receivers. I have only fed all of my guns reloads for a long time and have never had a problem. You should just keep in mind that reloading is a way to save money and make your weapon shoot better. I have seen people treat their rifles like race cars too many times. you should never try to make them go much faster than factory specs. Have you ever been next to a 308 win at the range going 3300 fps with a muzzle brake. That guy had a death wish.