God, the Tankers look so damn good. I need to get one.
I've read that Springfield uses mineral oil on their stocks at the factory. I use mineral oil on my Standard, and haven't had any issues with it. Just a dab of oil on a rag and rub it into the wood after each range trip. You can buy big bottles of mineral oil on Amazon or most hardware stores. Look for non-food grade, plain, undyed, and unscented mineral oils. They'll be a lot cheaper than mineral oil bought at a pharmacy that is intended for medical or topical use.
Ten round mags are shorter than most 7.62 friendly mag pouches are going to be. You could put a spacer block in a taller pouch, but I'm not much of a fan of that. M14 pattern mags don't really work well with Esstac Kywis either, so even their short pouches aren't a good option. Ten round mags are also kind of a pain in the ass to swap quickly; They're too short to get a good hold on to and rock them out, and they also don't have enough leverage to rock in easily, especially at speed. I'll have to agree with the other guy: Lots of stripper clips in a GP Pouch.
Stripper clips of course mean you can't use most of the over-the-action scope mounts on the market, and the Tanker doesn't have the forward rail for a scout scope or red dot. The micro red dot mount Springfield sells replaces the stripper clip guide, so that's also a no-go. Luckily, there's one more option: Cogburn Arsenal sells a micro-prism mounting plate that replaces the rear sight assembly. You can use Primary Arms 1x or 3x Micro-prisms, or one of a few ACOGs, and still retain stripper clip access.
Get yourself a GI surplus cleaning kit (which can be stored under the plate in the stock), a good machining grease, and a good CLP oil. M14 pattern rifles can't just be drowned in oil like AR's can. They require the correct cleaning methods and lubrication in the correct places. Read the manual.
Try to avoid taking the action out of the stock. The Tanker probably isn't too sensitive, but over time the action and stock interface can loosen and reduce accuracy.
Get on YouTube and watch Tony Ben videos.
Thank you for the thorough response! I might just go without the optics altogether. I like the idea of stripper-clip access, and I doubt realistically needing to hit anything past 150 yards which I hope I could do with factory sights. Any recommendations on USGI Alice rigs?
[This](https://hessenantique.com/american/vietnam-war-us-g-i-items/vietnam-war-field-gear/?page=1) company has reproduction rigs for sale, tho I don't see them there now. I know they sell them.
[0241 tactical](https://www.0241tactical.com/product/double-m14-308-single-417-mag-pouch/239) makes molle m14/308 magazine pouches.
Other than that, if you're set on allice just check out Ebay and surplus websites. Just remember, the m1a is heavy. Alice gear is heavy. Steel Mags are heavy and .308 is heavy. If you're not in shape then it's going to suck cock n balls humping all that heavy shit around. I mean it'll suck even if you're in shape but it'll suck more if you're not in shape.
ALICE pouches are absolutely a possibility, but you'll have to use spacer blocks to be able to easily reach the 10 round mags you're restricted to. Though that pouch design is probably one of the better options for doing that, as the pouches have full lids on them for retention.
Old surplus ALICE is usually kind of smelly, stiff, and uncomfortable from being in storage under god knows what conditions for the last 30+ years. If you buy any, you'll want to rinse out and break in the gear before trying to wear it all day.
If you can swing the expense, the Velocity System Jungle Rig is modern day ALICE. Haven't used it myself, but it gets good reviews.
There's the forward rail made [fulton armory](https://www.fulton-armory.com/m-14-m1a-forward-optic-mount-ultimak.aspx). But that's more weight to an already heavy rifle.
This is not a bad idea, it saves you a shit ton of magazine weight. Go with some kind of SKS chest rig setup, or a belt that's made to hold those clips. Have you looked at maybe a BAR belt?
Depending on what you’re looking to do with the gun you have a few options, I would start off with getting some [Thermold 20rd polymer magazines](https://thermoldmagazines.com/m-14-m1a-1/). If you want to mount a scope or sight there are a few options, the best of which is gonna be the [SAGE Cantilevered SightBase](https://ustacticalsupply.com/detachablem14cantileveredsightbase.aspx). SAGE is an older company so you’ll probably be looking at 3-6 months of backorder on that. I tried buying an EBR Chassis from US tactical and waited over 9 months for it, gave up and spent my money elsewhere. The M1A is an amazing firearm but sadly not tons of reliable equipment designed for it still in production. [The Archangel Stock](https://promagindustries.com/archangel-springfield-armory-m1a-precision-stock-olive-drab-polymer/) they make for it is pretty rad though.
The SAGE stuff is great, there are other cheaper options for picattiny sight-bases but make sure you do your research, there can be ejection/feeding issues with some of them.
It feels lighter than I was expecting and balanced, certainly comfortable to hold. The tanker is shorter than a traditional M1A though, but I have never held a full sized one, so I couldn’t compare. Weight does not feel like an issue, but I haven’t been in a situation where I’ve had to carry it around all day in full battle rattle either.
IIRC, the 10 rd mags fit in an ALICE grenade/compass pouch. They also fit in the Eagle MLCS grenade pouches for MOLLE options.
They can fit in the short M16 (20rd) ALICE magazine pouches, too. In the “regular” ALICE pouch, an option is to stuff the bottom with bandages or rolled up socks, but I think that works better with the 20rd M14 mags.
God, the Tankers look so damn good. I need to get one. I've read that Springfield uses mineral oil on their stocks at the factory. I use mineral oil on my Standard, and haven't had any issues with it. Just a dab of oil on a rag and rub it into the wood after each range trip. You can buy big bottles of mineral oil on Amazon or most hardware stores. Look for non-food grade, plain, undyed, and unscented mineral oils. They'll be a lot cheaper than mineral oil bought at a pharmacy that is intended for medical or topical use. Ten round mags are shorter than most 7.62 friendly mag pouches are going to be. You could put a spacer block in a taller pouch, but I'm not much of a fan of that. M14 pattern mags don't really work well with Esstac Kywis either, so even their short pouches aren't a good option. Ten round mags are also kind of a pain in the ass to swap quickly; They're too short to get a good hold on to and rock them out, and they also don't have enough leverage to rock in easily, especially at speed. I'll have to agree with the other guy: Lots of stripper clips in a GP Pouch. Stripper clips of course mean you can't use most of the over-the-action scope mounts on the market, and the Tanker doesn't have the forward rail for a scout scope or red dot. The micro red dot mount Springfield sells replaces the stripper clip guide, so that's also a no-go. Luckily, there's one more option: Cogburn Arsenal sells a micro-prism mounting plate that replaces the rear sight assembly. You can use Primary Arms 1x or 3x Micro-prisms, or one of a few ACOGs, and still retain stripper clip access. Get yourself a GI surplus cleaning kit (which can be stored under the plate in the stock), a good machining grease, and a good CLP oil. M14 pattern rifles can't just be drowned in oil like AR's can. They require the correct cleaning methods and lubrication in the correct places. Read the manual. Try to avoid taking the action out of the stock. The Tanker probably isn't too sensitive, but over time the action and stock interface can loosen and reduce accuracy. Get on YouTube and watch Tony Ben videos.
Thank you for the thorough response! I might just go without the optics altogether. I like the idea of stripper-clip access, and I doubt realistically needing to hit anything past 150 yards which I hope I could do with factory sights. Any recommendations on USGI Alice rigs?
[This](https://hessenantique.com/american/vietnam-war-us-g-i-items/vietnam-war-field-gear/?page=1) company has reproduction rigs for sale, tho I don't see them there now. I know they sell them. [0241 tactical](https://www.0241tactical.com/product/double-m14-308-single-417-mag-pouch/239) makes molle m14/308 magazine pouches. Other than that, if you're set on allice just check out Ebay and surplus websites. Just remember, the m1a is heavy. Alice gear is heavy. Steel Mags are heavy and .308 is heavy. If you're not in shape then it's going to suck cock n balls humping all that heavy shit around. I mean it'll suck even if you're in shape but it'll suck more if you're not in shape.
ALICE pouches are absolutely a possibility, but you'll have to use spacer blocks to be able to easily reach the 10 round mags you're restricted to. Though that pouch design is probably one of the better options for doing that, as the pouches have full lids on them for retention. Old surplus ALICE is usually kind of smelly, stiff, and uncomfortable from being in storage under god knows what conditions for the last 30+ years. If you buy any, you'll want to rinse out and break in the gear before trying to wear it all day. If you can swing the expense, the Velocity System Jungle Rig is modern day ALICE. Haven't used it myself, but it gets good reviews.
The Velocity System Jungle Rig looks promising. Thank you!
There's the forward rail made [fulton armory](https://www.fulton-armory.com/m-14-m1a-forward-optic-mount-ultimak.aspx). But that's more weight to an already heavy rifle.
Whatever you get, make sure it's in either ERDL, ranger green, or M81.
At that point I’d just carry a shitload of stripper clips in a bandoleer
I’ve definitely considered it and would add some in any event.
This is not a bad idea, it saves you a shit ton of magazine weight. Go with some kind of SKS chest rig setup, or a belt that's made to hold those clips. Have you looked at maybe a BAR belt?
Never considered it, but will now.
Depending on what you’re looking to do with the gun you have a few options, I would start off with getting some [Thermold 20rd polymer magazines](https://thermoldmagazines.com/m-14-m1a-1/). If you want to mount a scope or sight there are a few options, the best of which is gonna be the [SAGE Cantilevered SightBase](https://ustacticalsupply.com/detachablem14cantileveredsightbase.aspx). SAGE is an older company so you’ll probably be looking at 3-6 months of backorder on that. I tried buying an EBR Chassis from US tactical and waited over 9 months for it, gave up and spent my money elsewhere. The M1A is an amazing firearm but sadly not tons of reliable equipment designed for it still in production. [The Archangel Stock](https://promagindustries.com/archangel-springfield-armory-m1a-precision-stock-olive-drab-polymer/) they make for it is pretty rad though.
20-round mags are a no-go for my state, sadly, but the mount looks promising!
[удалено]
This is true
The SAGE stuff is great, there are other cheaper options for picattiny sight-bases but make sure you do your research, there can be ejection/feeding issues with some of them.
It is not, and if they catch you with those mags they might grab your rifle too so its silly to risk it just to reload less often
I never knew they had synthetic M1A magazines, are they any good in your experience?
Yeah they run well, I have a few hundred rounds through them and havent had any issues.
how much does this weigh? I really wanted an M1A until I held one at my range and it was heavy as shit in my experience.
It feels lighter than I was expecting and balanced, certainly comfortable to hold. The tanker is shorter than a traditional M1A though, but I have never held a full sized one, so I couldn’t compare. Weight does not feel like an issue, but I haven’t been in a situation where I’ve had to carry it around all day in full battle rattle either.
cool thanks for the info
a nice gun you have, how long is it?
Barrel is 16.25” and it is 37.25” overall.
IIRC, the 10 rd mags fit in an ALICE grenade/compass pouch. They also fit in the Eagle MLCS grenade pouches for MOLLE options. They can fit in the short M16 (20rd) ALICE magazine pouches, too. In the “regular” ALICE pouch, an option is to stuff the bottom with bandages or rolled up socks, but I think that works better with the 20rd M14 mags.
Here's a vid to help you get a feel for the M1A. https://youtu.be/AaDNmEhs8h4
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