M1A: The Variations Pt. 2

However, with the introduction of heavier .223 Rem.-cal. bullets for the AR-15-style rifles in recent years, the M1A has lost its dominance in highpower matches. The heavier bullets--some weighing as much as 80 grs. and so long that cartridges have to be loaded singly into the gun--keep AR-15-style guns competitive with the M1A at the 600 yd. stage of highpower competition. Such was not always the case with earlier, lighter .223 bullets.

Despite AR-15-type/.223 Rem. advances, the M1A continues to thrive. It's not finicky about ammunition, is available with wood furniture, hits hard, is rock solid and just looks the way some people feel a rifle should.

No, Springfield and the M1A are not done. With the development of its match rifles, the company found itself with a commercial version of a military rifle with all of the finest military rifle attributes--ruggedness, reliability, simplicity, power, magazine capacity--but this one was now also a long-range tackdriver. Slap a scope on a such a gun and you have yourself a tactical or police marksman's rifle. So, in 1985, that's just what Springfield did.

In creating the M21 Tactical Rifle, Springfield took the Super Match and added the option of a stainless steel Kreiger barrel, detachable third generation scope mount (match-grade iron sights come standard) and walnut stock with adjustable comb to accommodate scope use. With the optional bipod mounted, it is a very serious piece of law enforcement/counter-terrorist equipment.

I had the opportunity to try an M21 at the superb Mid-South Institute of Self Defense Shooting in Mississippi in December of 2000. We were shooting Black Hills 168-gr. match ammunition at ranges of up to 180 yds. (Most police marksman shooting actually takes place at relatively short distances. The police marksman isn't often under fire, and it is usually a simple matter to get close to the subject.) Despite my lack of familiarity with the gun and scope, I never missed.