[kelvin85712]

Just bought a M1A. The instructions say that receiver should be removed as little as possible to prevent damage to the glass bed. What gives? OK don't remove receiver from the stock. Now what? How do I clean the rifle?

 

[warbird]

If it has Acraglass bedding, I wouldn't remove it unless it's needed.
Steel bedding would be a different story.

 

[kelvin85712]

If it has Acraglass bedding, I wouldn't remove it unless it's needed.
Steel bedding would be a different story.

How do I clean the rifle? I can not imagine how the bolt would come appart without removing the stock from the receiver?

 

[Trung Si]

kelvin85712 Two of my Rifles are Bedded one Glass the other Steel,I only use them for Matches (about 3 a Month) I only take the Action out of the Stock once a Year after the Season is over, but that is me you can do whatever You want its Your Rifle! If Your Rifle is Glass Bedded I would suggest that You take it apart as little as possible to retain a tight fit on your Bedding so that you dont have to Skim Bed each YEAR

 

[warbird]

The op-rod can be removed from the track and moved forward but, it takes a bit of experience.
It's hard to describe without actually showing you in person.
The bolt can be removed without disassembling the rifle.

 

[dighawaii]

Aloha Kelvin,

That is probably some really good advice that SA provides for their match rifles. I know it sounds confusing to put such advice in the box with a match rifle, but is still good information for new owners.

As everyone has indicated, taking it out frequently is not good but is also not necessary for maintaining your match rifle. I would inspect all areas including the bore that is readily accessible, make sure its clean and well lubed and go shoot it. Break it in as you would a normal rifle... if you have any problems or feel that it requires you to take the rifle apart, then do so... just go easy and take your time. From that point, try to take it apart as infrequently as possible... I think that is the main key. The bedding as is should give you years of good service. Even if you decide to do a complete inspection prior to shooting, if done gently, will be fine.

It is not unusual for bedding to wear out and require skim bedding to bring it back to its original state. With today's new products on the market (Devcon, Steel Bed, etc.), the bedding itself will last pretty long.

Good Luck on your new rifle and Have lots of fun!

Aloha,

Tom O.

 

[TEA]

While you should only take the receiver out of the stock as infrequently as possible (about once a year, as Trung Si stated, or in the event of it getting soaked in the rain), if its NIB, then you should take it out of the stock to dissemble and properly lube your rifle. SA Inc sends their rifles out pretty much bone dry, so you need to put grease in the appropriate places (i.e. any place that there is metal on metal contact of moving parts) and a light coat of a good rust preventing oil (eg Breakfree CLP) on all other metal surfaces. For routine maintanance, clean the chamber, bore, bolt face, trigger group and flash suppressor. Make sure you clean the rifle upside down to keep solvents out of the gas system and the bedding. You should also clean the gas system about every 300rds with the appropriate tools.

 

[atr]

Don't rock it out . Take your trigger group out , use a brass rod and try to tap it straight out , if you feel the need .

 

[kelvin85712]

OK. Don't remove stock unless necessary. I believe it.

Sorry that is just plain wierd. My AR match rifles are surgically clean in every nook and crany. It is a strange concept to leave crud in the rifle in places that I can not get at, but I'll do it.

 

[30Caliber]

Sorry that is just plain wierd. My AR match rifles are surgically clean in every nook and crany. It is a strange concept to leave crud in the rifle in places that I can not get at, but I'll do it.

There won't be a lot of crud in the places you can't get to and those places don't really effect the function of the rifle and aren't going to cause premature wear-out of parts.

Ty

 

[Norton1]

Sounds like steel bedding is the way to go then -

I'm a clean freak and would take it apart every time I shot it - dang - never underestimate the value of early child hood training -

 

[Spikenfritz]

If it has Acraglass bedding, I wouldn't remove it unless it's needed.
Steel bedding would be a different story.

Hey Tim.

Could you please provide some pictures of what Acraglas v. Steel Bed looks like?

On my SuperMatch, the horseshoe of bedding material around the receiver heel looks metallic, yet when I pull out the receiver, the bedding underneath is brown in color. Does this make sense to you? What do I have? I'd provide pics, but the rifle is 100 miles away right now... :?

Regards,

Spike

 

[warbird]

On my SuperMatch, the horseshoe of bedding material around the receiver heel looks metallic, yet when I pull out the receiver, the bedding underneath is brown in color.

Regards,

Spike

Sounds like somebody used brown dye in the steel bedding in order to match the wood stock.
I've done it before myself.

I don't have pics of acraglass but, steel bedding pics are on my website.
Acraglass by itself has a cream color to it just so ya know. It can be dyed brown or black as well.

 

[Jack Orr]

The metallic look sounds like steel bed to me. Even though it comes with dye, it does not take color well at all. You may want to go to a lumber yard and pick up carpenters %#&$ up pencils. They are made for trim work and are crayon like, but the color stays on better than a Crayola. They come in packs of assorted browns & tans. Old carpenters trick from an old carpenter :arm29: .

 

[kelvin85712]

Sorry that is just plain wierd. My AR match rifles are surgically clean in every nook and crany. It is a strange concept to leave crud in the rifle in places that I can not get at, but I'll do it.

There won't be a lot of crud in the places you can't get to and those places don't really effect the function of the rifle and aren't going to cause premature wear-out of parts.

Ty

After several shooting sessions now with the M1A, I feel much more comfortable with NOT tearing it down. Yes you were right about crud not getting into lots of places. I can rest assured now that the rifle won't feel neglected and dirty.

 

[mew]

takedown

I read a long time ago that more wear occurs with disassembly of pistols and rifles than shooting the gun. Of course that has to be a relative statement but for the most part probably true, with a few exceptions. When I ordered an M1A years ago from SA I specified everything NM except the bedding, all because I knew that I would be taking the action out of the stock. Although bedded or not I try to not make a habit of taking it out. just my 2cents