I recently built up two M1a's from my stockpile of CMP parts. One was "all TRW". The bolt, trigger group and operating rod are the only things marked TRW. The gas cylinder is unmarked, the buttplate, the flashsuppessor too. The stock was an aftermarket heavy match. The NM rear sights were too. And the Douglas heavy barrel is certainly not GI.
So did TRW parts add to my on paper accuracy?: No, can’t say I saw a difference.
I have two Super Matches, two NM M1a’s, and one “standard” grade. I got my Distinguished with a M1a. On paper the part mfgr does not matter. The gunsmithing skills of the guy who put your rifle together and your ability matter more than the part mfgr does.
Because TRW built the only Government factory accepted NM rifles, TRW parts got a reputation for being premium parts. Certainly TRW built high quality parts. What about the other builders?. All GI parts were built to GI drawings which had the same dimensions and material requirements. All GI rifles had to pass the same functionality tests and specs. Of course HRA had bolts frag, we all read about it right? So they corrected the process added 100% inspection and I expect that later HRA bolts were all double plus good. We just have not heard about the problems the other builders had, and trust me, every factory has a learning curve. And unless someone has lot acceptance data, parts reject data, how can anyone now say that one mfgr's parts were "better" than another. (Especially after 50 years of time has passed?) And what makes them "better"?. Without gauging and metallurgical analyses of hundreds of parts, how can anyone definitely say that one guys parts are better than another?
Any differences are probably due to someone getting an increased profit margin through advertizing.
My criteria for part selection
1. GI parts
2. Best overall condition
3. I prefer TRW and SA all things considered.
4. Absolutely no hesitation to use any brand of GI parts if they are in new condition.
