Springfield Armory M1A Instructions Manual

							TO UNLOAD
1. 
Place the gun on safety, point it in a safe direction,
and 
remove the magazine.  Push the magazine release with 
your thumb and rock the magazine down and forward 
[see figure 5].
2.  If the operating rod handle is not already locked back 
and the chamber empty, pull the operating rod handle 
fully to the rear to eject the shell in the chamber. 
WARNING: REMOVING THE MAGAZINE DOES NOT UNLOAD THE RIFLE.  YOU MUST
ALWAYS PULL THE OPERATING ROD HANDLE TO THE REAR AND LOOK INTO THE
CHAMBER TO MAKE SURE IT IS EMPTY.  PRACTICE THIS UNTIL IT BECOMES A HABIT.
WARNING
LEFTLEFT
20
Fig. 5
Always wear eye and ear protection when using any firearm.
Safety and instruction manuals are available from Springfield, Inc. 
						

							FIRING THE RIFLE
WARNING: BEFORE AIMING AND FIRING YOUR RIFLE BE SURE IT IS SAFE TO DO SO.  KNOW WHERE YOUR 
BULLET WILL BE STOPPED.When the rifle is loaded and you intend to fire, aim at your target, move the safety to the off position and pull the 
trigger.  Expect the gun to fire loudly and recoil.  Do not drop the rifle.  The M1A will automatically chamber a live
round from the magazine after each shot until the magazine is empty.  When through firing put the safety “ON” and
unload the gun.  Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
A rifle may be fired from various positions. [See illustrations at the back of the manual.]  If you are unfamiliar with
shooting a rifle you should get instructions from a competent instructor before attempting to fire your rifle.  
This manual does not attempt to provide instruction on marksmanship, hunting, self defense or the
many other uses of a rifle.  Each firearm discipline requires training and practice from a competent
instructor.  Do not attempt to use any high power rifle such as an M1A for home or neighborhood
defense without prior training and consideration of other options. 
MAINTENANCE
Your M1A rifle is one of the finest military-type rifles ever built.  Very little maintenance is needed to keep your
M1A in superb condition.  Disassembly should be kept to an absolute minimum.  This is especially true with
National Match and Super Match rifles, whose actions are glass bedded to their stocks.  Unnecessary removal 
promotes wear, sloppy fit, inaccuracy and defeats the purpose of the bedding.  Please do not field strip your 
match rifle unless it is absolutely necessary.21
WARNING 
						

							GAS SYSTEM
The only normal maintenance procedure requiring any 
disassembly pertains to gas system care [see figure 6].  After
clearing the action, making sure the rifle is unloaded and safe,
remove gas cylinder plug (29) using a Springfield Armory 
combination tool or a socket wrench by turning it counter-
clockwise and withdrawing it from the gas cylinder (23).  Tilting
the rifle muzzle down, remove the gas piston (27), clean with
bore solvent and wipe dry.  Clean the inside of the gas cylinder
and wipe dry.  Use a #15 aircraft length drill bit and a letter “P” 
standard drill bit to remove carbon from inside the piston and
plug.  Use 3M Scotch Brite (green scuff pad) to remove build-
up on the outside of the piston.  Insert the piston into the gas 
cylinder with the flat side up toward barrel.  Make sure the 
piston is completely below the threads in the gas cylinder
before replacing plug.  
Re-assemble dry - apply a SMALL dab 
of grease to the thr
eads
on the plug.  CAUTION: The gas piston was designed to operate dry.
CLEANING
The bore and chamber should be regularly cleaned using proper equipment.  Modern barrels shoot better when
clean.  To properly clean the barrel you should remove powder fouling and gilding metal from the bore, clean the
flash suppressor and clean various residue from the chamber.  When cleaning the barrel, place the rifle upside 
down to prevent solvent, oil, etc. from entering the stock and the gas system.
22
Fig. 6
Springfield Armory
Combination Tool 
						

							CLEANING THE BORE
Boresolvent such as Shooters Choice
®or Hoppe’s Bench Rest
®(not regular) is recommended when cleaning your
M1A bore.  Place rifle with sights down and run wet patch through the bore.  Let soak for 20 to 30 minutes then run
dry patches through bore until patch comes out clean.  Use bronze bore brush sparingly to help loosen particles.
NOTE:Put solvent on brush - not brush in solvent!Clean brush thoroughly afterward with gun scrubber, lighter
fluid, etc.  Good solvent will attack the brush.
CLEANING THE
CHAMBER
The chamber should be cleaned periodically with the
chamber cleaning brush.  The following procedure is
used with the rifle ASSEMBLED and the magazine
removed and the safety on.  Screw the threaded end of the cleaning rod section
into the ratchet base of the brush [see figure 6a].  Pull the operating rod handle
rearward and engage the bolt lock to hold the bolt back.  Apply a light coating of
bore cleaner in the chamber.  Insert brush into chamber.  Pull the operating rod
handle rearward to release the bolt lock and slowly allow the bolt to move forward
to push the brush into the chamber.  Move the rod section up and down several
times to scrub chamber interior [see figure 6b].  Lock the bolt to the rear.  Grasp
the brush handle next to the receiver and remove the brush from the chamber.  Use
a clean patch to wipe the chamber.  Repeat with clean patches until patches come
out clean.  Do not oil chamber as chamber was designed to operate dr
y.
23
Fig. 6a
Fig. 6b 
						

							STOCK
Once a year, on oil-finished stocks, a light coat of tung oil or boiled linseed oil applied to the exterior wood surface is 
favorable but not necessary.  After applying, immediately wipe wood dry with paper towel.
STORAGE
Consideration toward safety is paramount in storing your M1A.  The rifle should be unloaded with the safety on.  A very light film of 
high quality oil should coat the bore and all metal surfaces.  Periodic inspection of your M1A should be performed, especially inenvironments where high or fluctuating temperatures and/or humidity is present.  Use a gun lock when the rifle is stored [see figure
7].
LEFTLEFT
24
Fig. 7
Safety On 
						

							MUZZLE PROTECTOR
Springfield Armory strongly suggests their muzzle protector, [see figure 8], 
as a useful addition to M1A storage.  NOTE: Not available for muzzle brake
equipped M1A rifles.  This low cost cover not only keeps dirt, moisture and
particulate matter from damaging the rifle bore, but also protects the front
sight, bayonet lug and flash suppressor from “dings” and mild shock.  
A clean, dry area, secure from children’s curiosity, is ideal for safe 
storage of your M1A rifle.  Always use a gun lock when not in use.
REAR SIGHT PROTECTOR
A rear sight protector, [see figure 10], is available to protect the rear
sight aperture and adjustment knobs and is recommended by
Springfield Armory.
Springfield Armory offers a complete line of options and accessories 
to accommodate your M1A.  Please refer to our general catalog 
and current price list.  Write Springfield Armory, 420 West Main
Street,Geneseo, IL 61254, or visit our website at 
www.springfieldarmory.com.
25
Fig. 8
Fig. 10 
						

							SIGHTS
CAUTION: The sights are not zeroed at the factory.  All sights should be “adjusted and sighted in” immediately in
order to shoot accurately.  A standard sighting in procedure is set forth in the article by Duff and Miller enclosed 
with your rifle.
Note “V” notch at rear edge of hooded aperture.  When notch is turned from the “down” position to the up position,
your zero will move up 1/2 minute.  When the notch is turned to the “down” position, your zero will move down.  
Most shooters sight in with the notch down.  The M1A standard rear sight does not have a hooded aperture
.
MATCH SIGHT FINE ADJUSTMENTYour National Match rear sight, (found only on National Match and Super
Match rifles), has a 1/2 minute of angle elevation adjustment feature built 
into the hooded aperture eyepiece [see figure 9].
26
2411
A. Elevation Knob
B. Elevation Reference Point
C. Windage KnobD. Windage Reference Point
E. Hooded Aperture Eyepiece
Fig. 9
Always wear eye and ear protection when using any firearm.
Safety and instruction manuals are available from Springfield, Inc. 
						

							DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY
The Standard M1A has been designed to be taken apart and put together easily.  No force is needed if it is disassembled
and assembled correctly.  However, the frequency of disassembly and assembly should be kept to a minimum.  Constant
disassembly causes excessive wear of the parts and leads to their early unserviceability and to inaccuracy of the rifle.This is especially true with National Match and Super Match rifles, whose actions are glass bedded to their stocks.
Unnecessary removal promotes wear, sloppy fit, inaccuracy and defeats the purpose of the bedding.  Please do not
field strip your match rifle unless it is absolutely necessary.
THE THREE MAIN GROUPS
The three main groups are the trigger housing group, the barrelled receiver group, and the stock group.
Prior to disassembly, put safety on and unload the rifle!
LEFTLEFT
27
Fig. 11
Trigger Housing 
Group
Stock Group
Barrelled Receiver Group 
						

							DISASSEMBLY
After the rifle is unloaded, remove the magazine and close the bolt prior to
disassembly.  To do this, pull back on the operating rod handle and allow 
the bolt to go forward [see figure 12].
To remove the trigger housing group place the rifle upside down with barrel
pointing away from you.  Grasp the forend with your left hand.  Grasp the
rear of the trigger guard with the thumb and forefinger of your right hand 
and pull upward and outward until the mechanism is released.  Lift out 
the trigger housing group [see figure 13].To separate the barrel and receiver from the stock, lay the rifle on a flat surface with the sights down and muzzle to the left.  Grasp
the top of the grip of the forend with the left hand and with right hand grasp the rear sights/receiver and pull down.  With a standard
rifle the stock should separate easily.  If not, or for a match rifle, with the rifle in this upside down position, raise the buttstock and
strike down firmly on a hard surface against the stock’s cheek surface while pulling the receiver down with right hand [see figure 14].
28
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14 
						

							DISASSEMBLY OF BARREL AND RECEIVER GROUP
REMOVING THE OPERATING ROD SPRING AND 
OPERATING ROD SPRING GUIDE
Warning: Removing the operating rod spring is a dangerous procedure.  If not 
properly held, the spring will eject the operating spring guide and could injure 
you or a bystander.  Wear eye protection at all times.
Place the barrel and receiver group on a flat surface, sights down, muzzle to the left.  With your left hand, pull toward the muzzle on
the operating rod spring and spring guide to relieve pressure on the connector lock [see figure 15].  With your right forefinger pull or
slide the connector lock toward the operating rod handle side of the rifle [see figure 15].  Allowing the operating rod spring to expand
slowly, disconnect and remove the operating rod spring and operating rod spring guide [see figure 16].  Separate these two parts.
29
WARNING
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Connector
Lock