M1A: Introduction

When commercial gunmaker Springfield Armory decided to begin making and selling a civilian version of the M14 rifle, it didn't seem a plan long for this world. The M14 had been a qualified failure as a military arm and had been replaced years earlier.

Why would civilians buy it?

In truth, even Springfield wasn't sure if the public would go for it and, if it did, for how long. But the company, then based in Texas, had acquired a large stock of military surplus M14 parts (from canceled government orders and guns returned from foreign militaries) and by making its own mil-spec or better receivers, it figured it could turn a fast buck. That was more than 25 years ago.