Springfield Armory M1A Instructions Manual

BEFORE USING OR HANDLING REVIEW THE
FOLLOWING RULES FOR SAFE SHOOTING.
ALWAYS FOLLOW THESE RULES TO BE A 
SAFE SHOOTER!
READ THESE AND BE A SAFE SHOOTER
ACCIDENT (AK si dent) N. 1. An unintentional or unexpected happening that is undesirable or unfortunate, esp.
one resulting in injury, damage, harm or loss. Dont be the cause of an accident!A responsible gun owner is safety minded and always handles guns in a safe manner by following the basic rules 
of safe shooting and using common sense in the use of...

BE A RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNER...
Read these rules!  Use common sense!
•  Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. 
•  Keep your finger off the trigger until you are actually aiming at the target and ready to shoot. 
•  Treat every gun as if it is LOADED...ALL THE TIME!
•  Be sure of your target and backstop before you shoot.  Ask yourself what your bullet will hit if it misses or goes 
through the target.  The bullet can travel over a mile.
•  Place the safety ON when not shooting. 
•  DO NOT...

BE A SAFE SHOOTER...
•  Never let water, snow, mud or other material enter the barrel. 
•  Never pull a gun towards you by the muzzle.  Do not climb a tree or cross a fence or ditch with a loaded gun. 
•  Guns and alcohol or drugs do not mix.  Do not use them before or during shooting activities.
•  Get instructions from a competent firearms instructor before using any gun. 
•  Always keep and carry your rifle with an empty chamber until you intend to shoot.
•  Firearms should be unloaded when not...

•  Store guns and ammunition separately beyond the reach of children. 
•  Never place a gun where it could fall and fire. 
•  Children do not really believe that guns can kill.  Keep every gun secure so kids can not get to it.  If a child finds 
your gun and plays with it, tragedy may result. 
•  Use a rifle case with safety flap or strap when transporting your M1A.
• 
Old or reloaded ammunition may be dangerous.  Use only clean, dry, original, high-quality, commercially 
manufactured
ammunition. 
•...

•  Do not attempt to change your guns trigger pull, because alterations of trigger pull usually affect sear 
engagement and may cause accidental firing. 
•  Stop using your gun if it fails to function properly.  Have the gun examined by a competent gunsmith. 
•  Do not horseplay with a gun.  Your gun can not think...but you can.  Firearm safety depends on you.
•Use a gun lock when gun is not in use and store firearms in a secure place.
•  Never assume or take someone’s word that a gun is unloaded....

WARNING: WHEN THE TRIGGER IS PULLED YOU MUST EXPECT THE GUN TO 
FIRE, AND YOU MUST TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR FIRING IT.
WHEN YOU PULL THE TRIGGER AND 
NOTHING HAPPENS
You can expect your M1A to fire when you pull the trigger, but there may be times when you pull the trigger and the
gun does not fire.  When this happens it is important to understand the various conditions that could cause this to 
happen.  In every instance it is important to keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction while you...

If there is a cartridge in the chamber, remove the magazine and release the operating rod handle smartly and open the bolt
again.  If the cartridge continues to remain in the chamber pull the operating rod handle back and lock it open.  Point 
the gun in a safe direction and insert a cleaning rod in the muzzle.  Keeping your hands away from the muzzle, tap the 
cartridge until it comes out.  Check the extractor and clean the chamber.  If this problem repeats itself, unload the gun and
take it to a...

NOTE TO LEFT HANDED SHOOTERS
The M1A was designed to be operated and fired right handed.  Thats the way Uncle Sam wanted it and thats the way
instructions on use were given.  If you are left handed and normally shoot left handed take the time to practice using the
M1A right handed.  If this does not work for you, you must develop safe handling procedures that work for you.  
OPERATION OF THE
SAFETY
When the hammer is cocked the gun may be
placed on SAFE.  To do this press firmly on the
safety lever until...

To take the safety OFF place your finger inside
the trigger guard and press the safety lever firmly 
forward until it snaps in place in front of the 
trigger guard [see figure 2].  When the safety is
OFF the gun will fire when the trigger is pulled.  
The rifle should be unloaded with the safety ON 
by removing the magazine and ejecting the 
cartridge in the chamber by pulling the bolt to 
the rear.  
The rifle should always be loaded and
unloaded
with the 
safety ON.
WARNING: THE SAFETY IS SIMPLY A...

LOADING AND UNLOADING
CAUTION: WHEN LOADING AND UNLOADING ALWAYS PREPARE THE RIFLE  
BY HAVING THE SAFETY ON AND THE RIFLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION.
1.  Load the magazine by inserting the cartridges one at a time into 
the magazine [see figure 3].  
Place the rifle on safety and point it 
in a safe direction.
2.  Insert the magazine into the magazine well with the rear of the 
magazine slightly lower than the front.  When the front of the 
magazine is fully inserted, firmly rock the magazine up and to...