August 8th 2021
2021 CMP Springfield M1A Match Camp Perry The M1A rifle is the star of Camp Perry’s show this year. It is a descendant of the M1 Garand. Today, August 8, 2021, the 14th Annual Springfield Armory M1A Match will take place at the CMP National Rifle Matches.
History of the Springfield M1A Match
One man’s passion and idea was the inspiration behind the Springfield Armory M1A match. Mike Doy, Springfield Armory, witnessed the decline of classic M1 Garand rifles and M1A rifles after they were removed from the high-powered competition firing lines. “I wanted to get those M1A rifles from safes and closets back onto the field. I advocated the idea of having an M1A-specific match at Camp Perry 13 years ago. We had 600 spectators and competitors that first year. The match now offers some of Camp Perry’s highest pay-outs. Springfield Armory has donated more than $25,000 in cash and prizes over the years, including a $2,000 cash prize to the overall winner.
Nick Till in the 2009 M1A Match. Nick Till was the 2007 Service Rifle Nat’l Champion. Photo courtesy NRA Blog.
Springfield M1A at Camp Perry National Matches
The semi-auto M14 was the “top dog” in iron sight Service Rifle competition for many years. The.223 Rem (5.56x45mm) AR-type rifles dominate this discipline, but the larger.308 rifle, now known as the M1A is still very popular. Springfield Armory sponsors a major M1A Match at Camp Perry every year. There are significant prizes. Past M1A Match winners have taken home more than $25,000 in cash and merchandise. Camp Perry will host the 2021 Springfield M1A match on August 8, 2021.
Photo courtesy Civilian Marksmanship Program.
The April 2018 issue Shooting Sports USA features a great article about the civilian version M14, which is now known as the Springfield M1A. The M14 is an evolution of the battle-proven M1 Garand. It was designed to shoot the 7.62×51 round (.308 Win) instead of the larger.30-6 Springfield cartridge used in WWI and WWII. The vast majority of M1As today are chambered for 7.62×51/7.308 Win, but Springfield Armory also makes a 6.5 Creedmoor model.
Dick Jones reports that accurate M14/M1As can score remarkable scores: “The accuracy potential is unquestionable. They were used as service rifles and produced numerous perfect 200 scores at 600 yards and 1000 yards by top shooters. This feat is difficult with modern, scoped magnum-caliber rifles and impressive with an iron-sighted battle rifle. Good competition rifles can group 10 shots under one MOA, and the meticulously-massaged rifles used by the top shooters during my career would consistently put up 10 shots under an inch at 200 yards off a test cradle.”
“Descended from M1 Garand’s M14, the M14 featured multiple improvements that made it a superior firearm for combat and a better rifle for competition. Dick Jones, Shooting Sports USA.
M1A Match Equipment Rules & Course of Fire
In 2008, the first Camp Perry M1A match was held. This was due to renewed interest in the M1A and major sponsorship from Springfield Armory. The match attracted over 500 shooters. Match organizers expect hundreds of shooters this year.
Equipment rules allow almost all types/grades M1As to be used in matches. The one-day course fire consists 50 shots at 300 meters on the NRA MR65F target. These are: 5 sighters, 20 shots slow-fire prone, 10 shots rapid -fire prone, 10 shots quick-fire prone, 10 shots rapid -fire, kneeling, or sitting, and 10 shots slow -fire standing. Photos from the 2014 Springfield MIA match are courtesy NRA General Operations.
Racing improves automobiles and competition improves firearms. The current crop of Springfield M1As from the Basic to the Super Match and Loaded models reflects the many years of development. Many still consider the M14 and its variants to be the finest battle rifle in American military history. — Dick Jones, Shooting Sports USA
Military Version Operation Revealed — Training Film M14
The M1A was originally a military version. It was called the select-fire M14. Below is a 27-minute U.S Army video that demonstrates the operation and capabilities of the M14. Field-stripping can be seen from the 5:13 to 8:30 time-mark. Cut-away drawings show the M14’s gas operation at 8.40.
From the 9:25 mark to 22:41, the complete 8-step functioning cycle of M14 is shown. These eight operations include: 1) Feeding, 2) Chambering, 3) Locking, 4) Firing and 5) Unlocking. 6) Extracting and 7) Ejecting. Although the movie is quite long, battle rifle enthusiasts will find it very worthwhile. This video is a must-see for any M1A owner.
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Tags:.308 Winchester 1000 yard shooting, 7.62×51 Camp Perry, Camp Perry 2021 M1 Garand M14, M1A Service Rifle Springfield M1A Match Team USA
