Bought a new M1A and took it to the range for the first time to sight-in. Had several FTF. Nothing visually wrong, hammer "clicked" but no ignition. No firing pin witness mark on primer. I wonder if maybe the safety could be impinging on the hammer? I have not taken the trigger group out but I'm wondering if there might be debris in the mechanism. Any help would be appreciated.
M1A Failure To Fire
- Thread starter Sarge901
- Start date
ddeuce22
Professional
I had that issue a couple of times on the first round of each magazine when I first took my M1A out to break in / zero scope. Rack the round, pull the trigger, nada. Cycle the round out, next one went boom.
Try leaving one round out of the magazine until you get a bunch through it, after 40-60 rounds that issue went away, seems to almost always be the first round out of a fully loaded mag that was doing it for me.
Try leaving one round out of the magazine until you get a bunch through it, after 40-60 rounds that issue went away, seems to almost always be the first round out of a fully loaded mag that was doing it for me.
Last edited:
Keystone19250
SAINT
When I first shot my new M1A I had maybe 3-4 FTF out of 60 rounds, I never found that this issue was due to fully loaded magazines. Following that I took the rifle apart following the instructions in the owners manual and cleaned and lubed, “oil and greased” all the mechanical parts leaving areas free of lubricant again following the owners manual and the following trip to the range had no issues whatsoever shooting over 80 rounds.
Let me state that I did clean and lube the gun prior to the first trip to the range. I learned quickly that this gun is different then other rifles I’ve owned and shot and requires a level of care that I was not used to.
Right now I feel confident in its abilities as well as mine to shoot this gun.
My suggestion is to try different loads and manufacturers ammunition.
Let me state that I did clean and lube the gun prior to the first trip to the range. I learned quickly that this gun is different then other rifles I’ve owned and shot and requires a level of care that I was not used to.
Right now I feel confident in its abilities as well as mine to shoot this gun.
My suggestion is to try different loads and manufacturers ammunition.
Thank you for the reply. I'll do this today. I shot on our state high power team and never had any issues with ftf. Thanks again.
I intend to give it a good cleaning today. You're right about it needing a little different cleaning regimine than other rifles. Thanks for the reply- I'll post again after another trip to the range.
I really appreciate the replies that you guys gave me. I'm gonna clean it today and try it again. I have a couple boxes of Lake City that I'm going to try. What I tried to shoot yesterday was Federal match ammo and I noticed- after the fact that it was kinda hard to eject the unfired round. I'm thinking that maybe I just got a box of ammo that isn't to spec. I'll post results after a visit to our range. Thanks again for the reply.
Keystone19250
SAINT
Until you get some rounds through it before each shot make sure the bolt has rotated over into full battery.
KillerFord1977
SAINT
Lake city .308 M118 did not work it my M1A at all. All light primer strikes. The primers are too hard for the light M1A firing pin.
I switched to commercial “non soft tipped”(per manual) remington, Win and other commercial ammo and didn't have a problem after that. Ever.
Keystone19250
SAINT
KillerFord1977
SAINT
Use it as well amoung other brands no issue
The M118 Army ammo was no bueno in the M1a. Fine in the Saint .308 though
ddeuce22
Professional
I've fired Federal American Eagle .308 150gr FMJ, Norma .308 150 gr FMJ, Federal white box 7.62x51 149 gr, Winchester white box 7.62x51 149gr - all have cycled. haven't found ammo it does not like yet.
Even shot a few Winchester Super X 180gr Soft Tips just to see if it would cycle. No issues.
Even shot a few Winchester Super X 180gr Soft Tips just to see if it would cycle. No issues.
Blackfeather
Custom
Always field strip, clean, deburr as needed, and grease a new M1A BEFORE shooting it.