Springfield M1a Serial Number Search Fix

How to Find Out the History of Your Springfield M1A Rifle Using Serial Number Search

If you own a Springfield M1A rifle, you might be curious about its history and origin. The M1A is a civilian version of the M14 rifle, which was used by the U.S. military from 1959 to 1970. The M1A was introduced by Springfield Armory, Inc. in 1974 and has been produced in various models and configurations ever since.

One way to find out more about your M1A rifle is to use a serial number search. The serial number is a unique identifier that can tell you when and where your rifle was made, as well as some of its features and specifications. However, not all serial numbers are easy to decipher, and some information may be incomplete or inaccurate. Here are some tips on how to use a serial number search for your Springfield M1A rifle.

Locate the Serial Number

The first step is to locate the serial number on your rifle. The serial number is usually stamped on the receiver heel, which is the rear part of the receiver where it meets the stock. You may need to remove the buttplate or the cheek rest to see it clearly. Some early models may also have a serial number on the barrel or the bolt.

The serial number consists of six or seven digits, sometimes preceded by a letter or a prefix. For example, 000001, 165001, X2655982, or NM000011 are all valid serial numbers for M1A rifles.

Identify the Manufacturer and Production Date

The next step is to identify the manufacturer and production date of your rifle based on the serial number. This can be tricky because different manufacturers used different serial number ranges and formats over the years. Also, some serial numbers may overlap or duplicate each other due to errors or changes in production.

The main manufacturers of M1A rifles are Springfield Armory, Inc., which is a private company based in Geneseo, Illinois, and not related to the original U.S. government arsenal; Valley Ordnance Co., which was a subcontractor for Springfield Armory, Inc.; and Winchester Repeating Arms Company, which produced some receivers for Springfield Armory, Inc.

Here are some general guidelines on how to identify the manufacturer and production date of your rifle based on the serial number:

If your serial number is between 000001 and 003700, your rifle was made by Springfield Armory, Inc. in Texas between 1974 and 1976. These receivers tend to have some dimensional flaws and may not fit well with other parts.

If your serial number is between 003701 and 063XXX, your rifle was made by Valley Ordnance Co. for Springfield Armory, Inc. between 1976 and 1980. These receivers have a lot of hand grinding and polishing by Melvin Smith, a former employee of Springfield Armory (the government arsenal).

If your serial number is between 064XXX and 120000, your rifle was made by Springfield Armory, Inc. in Illinois between 1980 and 1982. These receivers have less hand finishing and more machine tooling than the previous ones.

If your serial number is between 120001 and 1380000 (with some gaps), your rifle was made by Winchester Repeating Arms Company for Springfield Armory, Inc. between 1982 and 1994. These receivers are considered to be of high quality and accuracy.

If your serial number is between 1380001 and 1650000 (with some gaps), your rifle was made by Springfield Armory, Inc. in Illinois between 1994 and 1997. These receivers have a hemispherical cut in the windage knob ear for commercial NM rear sight.

If your serial number is between 1650001 and 2100000 (with some gaps), your rifle was made by Springfield Armory, Inc. in Illinois between 1997 and 2008. These receivers have various features and markings depending on the model and configuration.

If your serial number is above 2100000 (with some gaps), your rifle was made by Springfield Armory, Inc. in Illinois after 2008. These receivers have various features and markings depending aa16f39245