The M1a has many advantages over it’s competitors, 20 rounds .308 as fast as you can pull the trigger being one, but it isn’t without its drawbacks. The design is from a time where optics were gimmicky at best and electronics were restricted to flashlights and fighter jets.
The M1a is a great option over other rifles and a step up from intermediate rifles like Ar-15's and Ak-47's. Taking advantage of the increased range means using an optic and finding a mount for the M1a is tricky at best, and the best M1a scope mount will be different for just about every situation you can think of.
The 5 Best M1A Scope Mounts
Mounts | Summary |
|---|---|
Overall best M1A scope mount #1 Pick | |
The best low price option | |
Ultra light weight mount | |
Best "sniper" M1A mount | |
"Tactical" M1A scope mount |
Challenges
When you go to mount your perfect M1a scope up to your brand new shiny rifle, you may run into a few problems:
Mount Height
The low comb of the M1a stock was designed to be used with the included aperture sight. That means if you put a mount, scope rings, and optic on it, it’ll be sitting high enough off the bore axis you’ll lose your cheek weld. A “chin weld” can work but isn’t optimal.
Mount as low as possible, get low profile M1a scope rings and a short scope. and you can then raise the cheek comb and lose little performance if you’re careful.
Open Action
The open action of the M1a is based on the Garand action and ejects the brass almost straight up. This means any mount you’d like to add over the action means you’re blocking the ejection port, turning the rifle into a single shot. This also means if you have a malfunction and you have an optic mounted over the action, you’ll have trouble cleaning it.
Cheek Weld
Cheek weld is important for precision shooting to have consistent accurate rifle fire. The answer to losing the cheek weld is to raise the comb of the stock with a riser or slip on pad. This can mean that the further your cheek gets from the bore axis the more your rifle is apt to can’t while shooting it.
Iron Sights
Every rifle should have backup iron sights and the M1a comes with a fantastic set right out the box. Springfield Armory offers tritium front posts now straight from the factory. The problem is that these sights glow all the time and will show up in the sight picture of a scope. Depending on your magnification level and scope height you could get a blurry black silhouette in the lower third of your optic.
Brass Hits
The brass out of an M1a is ejected almost straight up, any brass that comes out of an M1a is flung at high speed directly at your scope and mount. This for a few rounds isn’t a problem but it is a problem for a high-volume competition shooter. The surface finish of a mount can go to trash fast, so buy a quality mount with durable blued or anodized finish.
Size and Weight
.308 Winchester is a heavy cartridge. The M1a is a heavy rifle. Combined with mount, rings, and an optic the m1a can reach 13lbs with a full magazine before you’re finished. If you plan on having this as a truck gun or ranch rifle, a job ideally suited for this gun, then 13lbs is far too heavy.
As soon as you go out to use the thing, you’ll be tired from lugging it around. The scope mount is a great place to save some weight by opting for an aluminum base rather than a steel one. The scope mount only needs to hold a zero, deflect brass, and hold up a scope.
Aerospace grade aluminum is more than up to the task and won’t have the same point of impact shifts that bolt action rifles do because the mount is off the action and barrel, heat buildup won’t be a problem.
You also need to mount the scope as low as possible without obstructing the brass. Most mounts will already be as low as possible but some are tall. The comb of the M1a is very low and you’ll be resting your chin on the gun when you go to fire before too long.
M1a Scope Mount Reviews
Here are reviews of the top M1a scope mounts in their respective categories:
Best M1a Scope Mount:
Springfield Armory M1A Generation 4 Scope Mount
You can never go wrong with manufacturer parts. This is a great option for a scope mount because it hits that critical area of price vs quality vs features. Made by Springfield Armory this is a fantastic option because it does everything you need it to do without being overly expensive. The steel design is heavy but also very rugged and should last a very long time without being stripped out or sheared off.
It is a steel mount with two large thumbscrews that allow for easy installation and a perfect fit straight from the same machine shop at Springfield Armory. It allows for a weaver mounting rail directly above the action and a conventional scope to be used with no fuss.
Best Cheap M1a Scope Mount:
New Generation Locking Deluxe M14/M1a
The M1a is an expensive rifle and saving money on your setup is a good idea, you’ll have more money for expensive .308. Finding a good mount for M1a is tricky and most are expensive. This option from Tiger Rock Inc. is made from mil-spec aluminum and hard anodized to protect from corrosion and damage. It adds 6-inches of weaver style slots to accept scope rings for your optic. It mounts right up and doesn’t require any fitting or gunsmithing to get a good mount in a hurry and for cheap.
This is a great option for a lightweight buildup and for mounting a scope over the receiver as low as possible. The M1a already has a low comb and mounting a scope over the receiver makes it very hard to get a good cheek weld while still shooting. This is a good solution to help parts of it.
If you need a good quality inexpensive scope mount, this is a good option for your M1a.
Best-Ultralight M1a Scope Mount:
Sadlak Industries M14 Aluminum Scope Mount
The weight of a .308 rifle is what kept it from being used today. TheM1a is a heavy gun and shaving weight wherever you can is an important part of using it in the field. The rifle alone is heavy, so don’t weigh it down any more than you have to.
This is a high-quality scope mount made from anodized aluminum. This is the answer for saving weight because it weighs half of what steel mounts do without any loss of performance. The aluminum is anodized to protect the surface finish from damage and corrosion.
This is a modern equivalent of the original design made for the 10th special forces unit still used today. The rugged 4 points of contact mean that it’s ready for duty and take hundreds of hits from brass and shock to the scope. This is a great ultralight scope mount for a rifle that is hard to mount with an optic.
Best Sniper M1a Scope Mount:
Sadlak Industries M1A - M14 Titanium Airborne Scope Mount
This is an extremely pricey mount but it is expensive for good reason. The Sadlak Industries is an awesome choice for people looking for a top of the line scope mount for their M1a. As a designated marksman rifle or anyone looking for the most rugged and durable scope mount money can buy this is it.
The special features of this scope mount is the fact that it’s made of forged titanium. Extreme hardness and rigidity is important in a scope mount, and doubly so in an M1a because it hovers above the rifle action and takes repeated hits from brass.
This scope mount was designed around the 10th special forces design that was the granddaddy of M1a rifle mounts. This is a great option for the upmost in accuracy and durability in a firearm.
Best Tactical M1a Mount:
GG&G Scout Scope Mount for M1A
The M1a was being made before tactical accessories were available for shooters and war fighters. The answer to updating this legacy design is to add the necessary picatinny rails to the fore end for optics, lights, and lasers.
From the premium company, GG&G this is an upgrade to the M1a SOCOM, and scout squad. The idea behind this is to clamp onto the barrel where the handguard cut is from the factory. This lets you add all the picatinny rails you need without modifying the stock or barrel.
If you have an M1a and would like to have night vision and an optic, this is one of your only solutions. This also works well for people wanting to mount flashlights, and accessories to make your rifle shine.
Bottom Line
The M1a is a legacy design from the cold war that represents one of the finest .308 semi auto rifles to ever be developed. The M1a has its challenges, namely being completely designed around not having an optic, but they can be overcome with planning and patience to get used to the system. Choosing the best M1a scope mount will definitely help with this.
If you choose an M1a for shooting, hunting or a gun just to have, you have an excellent rifle that’ll outlast you and provide decades of enjoyment.
