Hunting is not just a sport but a calling for most people. At first, people used to hunt for food, fill up their stomachs, and feed their families. But soon, the need to hunt started to vanish when trading became a safer option. Because while hunting big game, people often used to get hurt. Now hunting has become a sport that requires patience.
People use many weapons for hunting, bows, crossbows, and rifles. Rifles are mostly preferred for hunting in some states. But a rifle is as good as the tools you equip it with, for instance, a scope mount. So we came up with a list of the best M1A scope mounts for your use.
As the name suggests, a scope mount is a mount that lets you put on a scope on your weapon. M1A is one of the most popular hunting rifles of all time, requires a scope mount for you to put up a scope on it. The M1A is designed by Springfield Armory, which dates back to the history of the US.
First founded in 1794, it produced ammunition for the American Revolutionary War. Then afterward, it started manufacturing firearms for the nation. Having such a long experience with firearm manufacturing, they have some of the best guns in the US.
Why Do You Need a Scope Mount for Your M1A Rifle?
The M1A rifle is the civilian variant of the M14 rifle, which was the time and tested weapon for the military. This rifle has been long used for sports and even considered America’s Rifle by some. The only problem with it is that it does not have a scope mount.
Without a scope, hunting does not seem like a feasible idea, even for sport. Because you are bound to miss a shot or two with your standard iron sights, unless you are a veteran who has been shooting for a long while, you will need a scope to sight your score.
Other than that, a weapon is as good as the tools you attach to it. A scope is what we call a standard when using ranged weapons like a rifle for hunting. A rifle is the best weapon to hunt with as it gives you the thrill of the sport as no other weapon does.
The best thing about a rifle is its accuracy. It shoots one shot at a time, but it hits it accurately. Without a proper scope, you might not be able to shoot with precision, specifically if the target is at a far distance.
These days there are all kinds of scopes available, but the problem is, M1A does not come with a mounting mechanism. Even though the rifle does not come with standard mounting hardware, you can install one quickly. There are plenty of scope mounts in the market right now, and even Springfield Armory sells one. You can attach various scopes on the M1A using the mounting mechanism.
What to Look for When Buying the Best M1A Scope Mount
We have reviewed the best M1A scope mounts in this article. You shouldn’t limit yourself to the ones mentioned in this guide. Instead, you can buy an M1A scope mount from your local gun shop. However, if you are new to this, you might have trouble picking up your scope mount.
You would need to be equipped with more than your M1A to find the best scope mount. You will need knowledge as well. Let us go through some points that will help you understand what you need to look for when buying a scope mount.
1. Railing System
Now the first thing to look at is whether the scope mount supports different kinds of scopes or not. It should be a given that most scope mounts support all sorts of scopes, whether it is a red dot sight or a magnification scope. Having a railing system on the mount that supports all the scopes is essentially a money saver.
So you should look out for such a scope mount wherever possible. Some manufacturers deliberately don’t have a railing system that supports multiple scopes; avoid such manufacturers.
A railing system for the scope mount should support Picatinny and weaver accessories. If it supports only one, then you better find another manufacturer. Because modern-day scope mounts have support for both types of accessories, this kind of mount will last you for decades, provided that the material it is made from is durable enough.
2. Material and Construction
Speaking of durability, being light and stable is a requirement in most of the business industry. That is why aluminum is the preferred material of choice for most products on the market. Not only is it lightweight, but it is also durable and does not accumulate rust over time. This makes aluminum one of the best materials to make M1A scope mounts from as well.
When it comes to hunting, having a lot of gear equipped will tire anyone. Even if you are a veteran at the sport, having heavy equipment will cut down the time you can enjoy the sport. Instead of carrying a backpack full of heavy steel equipment, you can always cut down weight where necessary.
Even if it is just a few pounds lighter, having weight reduced wherever you can extend the time you can hunt. Even if the mount is made of a lighter material, it will make an incredible difference.
That is why aluminum mounts are enjoying big sales these days. But one thing to make sure of is the finishing of the mount. If the finishing of the material is not as good, it means the mount is third grade. Ensure that when picking your mount, regardless of the material it is designed from.
3. Features
Even if the scope mount is a separate accessory, it should not feel like it is not part of the rifle itself. You should not have to zero your aim after every few shots. Once you attach your mount, attach your scope, and zero it in, you shouldn’t have to fiddle with it again to get a perfect aim. The scope mount should shoot a couple of hundred shots without having to adjust again once it is set in the rifle.
Other than that, a good scope mount will be resistant to shock. Other than that, if the scope mount is made of aluminum, it will also be immune to the elements. It will not accumulate rust over the years and also won’t oxidize either.
The Best M1A Scope Mounts Reviewed
1. Springfield Armory M1A Gen 4 Scope Mount
First up is none other than the M1A rifle’s original manufacturer’s scope mount. The Springfield Armory M1A Gen 4 scope mount is designed and made for the original Springfield M1A. It will not only fit perfectly but is also flawless in its design.
Most people complain about jamming in the empty casing of the bullet when reloading. That is because most scope mounts are designed to fit on multiple rifles. But this specific design is made by the rifle manufacturers themselves to fit perfectly on their firearm.
The whole body is aluminum, cut from one big block. So there are no joints, no welds in the entire piece. The integrity of the aluminum scope mount is not sound, and it can withstand abuse. The only issue with this scope mount is that it has a single railing system called Picatinny-Style. If it had a weaver-style rail system, it would have been perfect. But other than that, there aren’t many scope mounts that can compare to this one.
Pros
- Solid Aluminum One-Piece Construction
- Durable and Fits Perfectly
- Easy to Use and Fix
Cons
- Only One Railing System
2. Sadlak Industries M14/M1A Lightweight Airborne Model Steel Scope Mount
Sadlak Industries Lightweight Airborne Model Scope mount does not need any introductions if you own an M1A or M14 rifle. Disregarding the latter, this scope mount is one of the best, and lightest scope mounts for the M1A rifle.
Sadlak has 20 years of experience in making scope mounts and accessories for the M1A and AR. It is an American company making mounts for the rifle of America. Because they have been so heavily focused on the mounts for AR and M1A, they have mastered it perfectly. That is why there is no other scope mount better than what Sadlak Industries design.
You can even argue that it is better than Springfield’s scope mount. It is very durable compared to the standard aluminum constructed mounts but also sports a highly lightweight. That is due to being built from solid chrome-moly steel. The biggest bonus that this rifle has is, you can use it with weaver railing system scopes. Even though it has a Picatinny rail, it supports Weaver-style rail systems. This alone makes it better than the Springfield Gen 4.
Thanks to its construction design, the mount stays true zero for a long time after once you set it. You will not have to adjust it repeatedly for a long time, even if you store it away when you aren’t hunting. Although once you take it off, it will reset the adjustment. Also, installing the scope mount is incredibly easy; it will hardly take you any time.
Pros
- Supports Weaver Rail System While Being Picatinny Style
- Solid Construction Made From Durable Chrome-Moly Steel
- Lightweight
- Easy Installation
Cons
- Tad Bit Expensive
3. UTG New Gen 4-Point Locking Deluxe M14/M1A Scope Mount
UTG is a company for the people by the people, as it tends to the masses. It has been a manufacturer of affordable yet durable hunting gear for almost 20 years now. Although previously known as Leaper Inc., it has been providing the most affordable hunting gear that isn’t cheap quality.
Whether it comes to scopes or mounting accessories, UTG will always fit your budget. The UTG Gen 4-Point Locking Deluxe Scope mount works with both the M1A and M14. It has a lovely matte finish in black color.
Other than the fine finish, it is lightweight and is crafted from a single block of aluminum. That is done to improve integrity and give it a durable structure while providing the best finish to the product. One more advantage of this scope mount is that it supports the weaver style and Picatinny style rail system.
The side features a screw for tight installation and adjustment. You can install it with ease without having any knowledge about gunsmithing. All in all, it is a well-built and solid product for the low price they charge you for it. One more thing to mention is that it holds a solid zero even after a hundred shots. But will reset if you remove the mount.
Pros
- Solid Aluminum Construction
- Great Finish
- Side Screw for Adjustment
- Easy Installation
- Affordable Pricing
Cons
- Resets Once Removed
4. Sadlak Industries M14/M1A Aluminum Scope Mount
Sadlak Industries is solely focused on M1A/M14 rifles and has a lot to offer regarding its accessories. It has been focusing on the rifle for a long time, making it the company’s niche. So it was evident that another Sadlak Industries scope mount would be included in our list. The Sadlak Industries M14/M1A Aluminum scope mount is for those who require a lighter and robust scope mount.
It is cut from a single block of aluminum and has a super fine finish. It is made in the US, and that says something about its quality. Made from locally sourced materials, it is heavily focused on quality, so that it might be a tad bit expensive than the other aluminum manufactured scope mounts.
The aluminum is aircraft-graded, so it is super durable while being as light as it can be. It is black and coated with anodized paint, making it scratch-resistant. Aluminum is naturally rust-proof, so you will be using it for a long time to come.
The scope, just like the chrome-moly one, has support for both the weaver rail system and Picatinny rail as well. So most scopes can be mounted over your M1A rifle without any issues whatsoever. It perfectly zeroes in and does not need adjustment even if you shoot 100 shots after adjusting it.
Pros
- Made from Single Piece Aluminum
- Durable and Rust-Proof
- Anodized Scratch Resistant Surface
- Both Railing Systems Supported
- Perfectly Zeroes in
Cons
- Tad Bit Expensive
5. AIM Sports M-14/M1A Scope Mount
The AIM Sports M14/M1A scope mount is a cheaper knock-off design than the Springfield Gen 4 scope mount. The only difference is that it is more affordable and a bit lower quality. Other than that, it is a fine low profile scope mount that works with the M1A Springfield Armory rifle without problems.
It is made from the same aircraft-grade aluminum as all the other scope mounts from any other brand. Even the Springfield Armory scope is made from the same material as this one.
It works well with most scopes and is designed for the M1A but with a slight problem. The scope does not come with any instructions whatsoever. Installing it can be a bit of a pain, and some gunsmithing might be required. You might need to work with tools a bit, and if you are not okay with that, it is better to purchase one of the four scope mounts above. But you will be saving more than $100 on the purchase of this mount because that is how cheap this is.
It accepts Weaver-style rings for scopes, so Picatinny-style rail accessories are out of the question. This limits your options of scopes that you can mount on your rifle if you have this on your rifle.
Pros
- Affordable
- Durable Construction
- Made From One Block Aluminum
Cons
- Requires Gunsmithing Skills for Installation
- Only Accepts Weaver-Style Rail Accessories
Conclusion
With this, you must have some idea about what kind of scope mount is the best for your M1A rifle. These best M1A scope mounts are all solid and durable. They all require some installation, but they will help you mount a good scope on your M1A for hunting purposes. With a scope, you can track better, aim precisely and miss your shots less. But since M1A does not support mounting a scope on it factory-made, you need a scope mount.
These scope mounts in our review will serve your purpose well, we recommend going for a Sadlak, but the rest is up to you. The Sadlak is a perfect scope mount that supports both railing systems. Plus, it comes in either aluminum or chrome-moly steel. Both of these are light and have an excellent finish.
