Need M1A sight question answer, Mr. Christian?

robsguns

I have a dumb question but its important. On the elevation of the rear sight on the M1A, is the rear sight suppose to have it's large index mark for the 200 yd. line indexed with the index line of the sight base, and then go down 3 more clicks to the smaller index line to the (I'm guessing) 100 yd. line, small index mark? This being the lowest point of rear sight adjustment on the rear sight elevation knob? To phrase it another way... small unmarked index mark below the 2 = 100 yds., right?, and the rear sight should be bottomed out at that point? Then 3 clicks up you should be at the 200 yd. index mark, right?

I know this sounds stupid, but I've never shot the weapon I own at anything other than about 60 yds., about a year ago, and I have no idea how the sight works. I dont know how many clicks equal how many inches at 100 yds. either, and I need to know that also. Its not a NM sight, just stock. I've been on the rifle range on base all week, and found out today that there is an NRA sanctioned leg match this Sat., and thought I'd participate, just so I can shoot my weapon and see how it shoots. Its gonna make me look terrible not having a clue where its hitting, but who really cares. I'm gonna use old surplus ammo too. I'll be the only one out there looking like I dont really care, but I guess I dont really care, so... I'm just going to shoot, not compete. I'll have to join the NRA to shoot, but I guess worse things could happen.

I need to cram all the knowledge into my brain I need to shoot it and make sight adjustments, between now and Sat. morning. Gotta take it apart a couple times to refresh my crapola memory too. Appreciate any info, anyone.[?][:)]


SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC

mark christian

Hello Ryan. When did I become Mr. Christian? You know that you can call me Mark. Okay, to get your M1A on paper this is the standard drill: Crank the elevation knob all the way down so that the aperture is bottomed out and pay no attention to any of the markings on the elevation knob at this time. Now raise the sight 8 clicks. Center the windage line on the sight base with the center index line on the receiver. Now head to the range.

Fire a few warm up shots and then fire four or five shots, adjusting the sights after each round fired to move the point of impact to the center of the target. When you think that you are zero'd, fire a five shot string and see how it looks. Uncle Sam considered a group of 6 inches within acceptable limits for M14 Service Rifles, but I'm sure that you'd prefer to do better than that and may want to work the knobs a bit more! The M14/M1A sights are calibrated in meters so one click on either adjustment knob yeilds a change to the point of impact of 28mm (1-1/8") at 100 meters. The limit for zeroing of the M14 Service Rifle was supposed to be no more than 6 clicks of elevation or 3 clicks of windage from the starting points-- for civilian shooting these limits are not etched in stone by any means.

Once you have the rifle zero'd, loosent the locking screw on the elevation knob. MAKE SURE NOT TO MOVE THE APERATURE! Now turn the elevation knob so the 100 meter mark-- this is the line just below the "2". Align this line with the marking line on the side of the rear sight base and then tighten down the screw to lock the knob. From this point on the rear sight itself will calibrate the adjustments (with 7.62mm NATO Ball) using the markings on the adjustment knob-- more or less. Good luck and enjoy a day at the range with your M1A.

Mark T. Christian

GPWEAPON

rg this might help. I shot the M1A in comp for 5 years or so and learned a few tricks. First step is forget about the lines. 2nd is to get a zero for the sight picture you'll be using with the ammo you'll be using. a navy or 6 o'clock hold is considered the most reliable. chances are your sight will not be bottomed out. If you wanted your sight to bottom out for your 200 yd zero you would have to file your frount sight till you are zeroed for the sight picture you use. The sight you have has one moa evelation and 1/2 moa windage. in practical terms with the targets you'll be shooting at if you have a shot at 3 o'clock scratching the 9 ring (the edge of the black) three clicks left (counter clockwise as looking at windage) will put you center of the X ring at any yardage, ( 200,300,600). The elevation is one click and Kentucky windage. that's where the match sight with 1/2 click hood comes in. If you have your 200 yd zero click down till it bottoms counting the clicks now you know how many clicks up from bottom your zero @ two hundred for that ammo is. Never count on the lines as sights do loosen.Add three clicks elev. for 300 yds. I don't remeber the clicks from three to six hundred just ask someone at the line. One other suggestion, if the ammo your shooting is fmj try to get some LC match or some Federal Match for 3 and 600 to get the most out of your rifle( poor quality ammo only frustrates the crap out of you at 600) and remeber frount sight, squeeeeeze, hit the fuzz ball.[:)]

mark christian

Ryan, I STRONGLY suggest that you follow GPEAPONS's suggestion and purchase the match rear sight aperature. The "half-click" rotating hood can help make final adjustments MUCH easier and many people (like myself) find the hooded aperature is easier to use as well. This is a very easy installation which you can do yourself.

Mark T. Christian

Varmintmist

http://www.fulton-armory.com/sighting_in.htm

The link from Fulton Armory, bout the same as was suggested

http://www.fulton-armory.com/

Lot of good info here, go to the sight index and click on M1A/M14 info

Those people who see nothing but grey areas, no black and white, are lost in the fog.

robsguns

Thank you so much, all 3 of you fellas. I was snapping in last night in the bedroom and decided the NM sight was probably going to happen anyway. I havent read your posts thoroughly yet, I gotta get to work, but I know you've answered my questions as always, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Mark, no offense, I was just being memeber specific, and sometimes I cant scrunch everything into the subject line before it wont let me type in anymore, so I new that would get your attention right away.

Talk to you all tonight, off to the range, last day of 'work' at the range, woo hoo!


SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC