M1A Scope Review
Searching for the best scope for M1A rifle should not be a challenge anymore since we have carefully researched and written this list of the best scopes for M1A rifle. Ideally, a good M1A scope should be compatible with the power of this semi-automatic rifle and should also be good for the 7.62×51 NATO cartridge.
There are dozens of scopes that can be mounted on M1A rifle but we would like to narrow down to the best based on a number of factors.
In our reviews, we try to strike a balance between the cost and the features or compatibility of a scope with a specific rifle. This approach allows us to share with readers the best scopes that are also within a good price range or the best value for every buck spent.
MIA Rifles Models & History
Before we can outline the best scopes for M1A, it is important to highlight some facts about this rifle. M1A rifle is a general name for various rifles since there are several models. Here is a list the most common M1A rifle models:
- SOCOM 16 Model
- SOCOM 16 CQB Model
- M1A Scout Squad™ Model
- Standard M1A™ Model
- Loaded M1A™ Model
- National Match M1A™ Model
- Super Match M1A™ Model
Innovative M1A History
Springfield Armory M1A is a legendary rifle which is modeled from M14 and it is made by the Springfield Armory company in the US. It was developed in the70’s after the Second World War. Obviously, it was an innovation from the battlefield experience.
Common Uses
M1A comes in several variants as listed above and it is a perfect rifle for a wide range of uses, notably law enforcement, sports shooting, competitions, outdoor shooting, target practice and hunting big game.
Caliber
Generally, the M1A rifle series comprises of tough and highly reliable rifles that are designed for the military and works with the 7.62×51 NATO cartridge.
The civilian version is equally a tough semi-automatic rifle that brings the best out of the battle-tested rifle technologies.
Favorite M1A Rifle Model
Among the several M1A models, my favorite is the M1A Scout Squad™ Model. I like its fast sight acquisition, two-stage military trigger, shorter barrel, and the muzzle brake that takes care of the recoil. It’s a perfect rifle for any outdoor rifle enthusiast.
It is also important to understand that each of these M1A models is suitable for different shooting needs. You can learn more about the M1A rifle series from the Springfield Armory website.
Choosing the Best Scope for M1A Rifle
Photo by Stuman / CC BY
It can be a challenging for the first time shoppers who want the best scope for M1A rifle especially if they have no prior experience with rifle optics. To choose the best M1A scope you should consider the following:
The Durability of the Scope
It’s obvious that a good scope should be durable but it’s not always the case when you buy a scope. The durability of a scope cannot be overlooked and it should be the first consideration when buying any rifle scope.
To know how well a scope performs in the score of durability; you should check out its construction, materials used, brand and the history. It is also helpful to learn more from specific user’s reviews.
Usability of the Scope
The ease of use ranks second to durability as the second most important consideration when you are shopping for the best M1A scope.
If you have no prior experience with rifle optics it’s good to learn first from basic scopes and not go for the advanced or highly sophisticated scopes. Most basic scopes come at a cheap price and can be a good place to start.
Price of the Scope
There are dozens of cheap scopes in the market but not all cheap scopes are quality. There is a lot of garbage products out there and worse some counterfeit optics that have flooded the market.
When buying an M1A scope you should consider the cost since a good budget will get you a reputable brand scope and a good warranty.
Ballistic & Optical Features
We cannot overemphasize the need to buy an M1A scope that is equipped with the best optics, a good bullet drop compensation reticle or an equivalent and a fine adjustment system for windage and elevation make it more fun to shoot any target with your M1A rifle.
M1A Scope Mount
When you are shopping for an M1A scope, you also need to look for the best M1A Scope mount since most of the best M1A scopes do not come with a mount. You can check out these top-rated M1A Scope Mounts:
Ideally, the best M1A scope mount will also be a perfect scope mount for the other M14 rifles since the design is compatible.
Best Scope for M1A Comparison Table
Let us now focus on the best M1A scopes. It helps to give you a quick glimpse of the list of these M1A scopes. Below is a quick comparison table featuring various M1A scopes. You can check out the latest price on Amazon using the ‘view price’ button.
| Preview | Riflescope | Check Price |
| Nikon M-308 4-16x42mm Riflescope w/ BDC 800 | View Price | |
| UTG 3-12×44 30mm Compact AO Scope | View Price | |
| Burris Ballistic Plex 2-7x32mm | View Price | |
 |
M14 M1A Mount 10-40×50 Rangefinder Rifle Scope Combo Set Free Sunshade | View Price |
| Nikon P-308 4-12x40mm Riflescope BDC 800 | View Price |
M1A Scope Reviews
#1) Nikon M-308 4-16x42mm Riflescope w/ BDC 800
Nikon M-308 4-16×42 is the best scope for M1A rifles since it has all the necessary features that make it highly adaptable to M1A and M14 style rifles. It features the AR optic technology that is designed for heavy caliber rifles to improve the long-range accuracy.
It’s a powerful scope that also comes with an awesome bullet drop compensation mechanism that you will automatically like. It’s easy to use and for beginners, it’s not difficult to sight and gets the best shots guided by the proprietary BDC 800 reticle. It is our first contender for the best scope for M1A; let us now look at the features in a brief summary.
Features
- It is a perfect match for the M1A since it’s designed for .308 Win/7.62 NATO calibers.
- It has a reliable bullet drop compensation reticle – the BDC 800 reticle that will help you take targets on ranges of 200-800 yards.
- It features fully multicoated lenses that enhance light transmission and deliver, crystal clear images that have balanced color
- It utilizes the Nikon’s Spot on Ballistic Match Technology that helps improve your M1A accuracy and makes shooting long range targets easier for beginners.
- It is made of high-quality materials and it has been waterproofed; additionally, it is fogproof and shockproof.
- It features a quick focus eyepiece.
- Great optics quality, Nikon never disappoints with the quality of the glass and the image
- It is easy to calibrate the reticle and adjust your aim appropriately.
- It is very easy to use and good for complete beginners as well.
- The ballistic spot-on technology has an app that helps learn how to get the best out of this scope for different calibers.
- Parallax adjustment on this scope is not that good
- It does not come with a mount
Bottomline: Nikon M-308 4-16×42 is the best M1A scope based on the magnification range, objective lens-field of view, excellent optics and the BDC reticle that works perfectly with the M1A and M14 style rifles.
#2) UTG 3-12×44 30mm Compact AO Scope
UTG 3-12X44 30mm compact scope is a good scope for the M1A rifle that brings to the table a unique 36-color glass Mil-Dot reticle. Aided by the Emerald coated lenses it delivers the best long range shooting experience for an M1A rifle.
I like the illumination on this scope and the Mil-dot reticle. Let us focus on the features and find out why we recommend it as our second pick for the best scope for M1A rifle.
Features
- It has a magnification of 3-12x and an objective lens of 30mm that is a good fit for the M1A and M14 rifles.
- It is sealed and Nitrogen filled to make it shockproof, fogproof and waterproof
- It uses the innovative EZ-TAP Illumination Enhancing (IE) system with the Red or green dual-color mode which has a 36 color multi-color mode that works perfectly for all weather or light conditions.
- Has a Mil-Dot reticle for finest target shooting performance
- Designed with ergonomic control buttons for the best natural, smooth and fast fine-finger adjustments.
- You can use the precise 1/4 MOA per click windage or elevation adjustment and side wheel adjustable turret (SWAT) for the best parallax adjustment.
- Best maximum light transmission and clarity due to the excellent quality of the optics.
- Best scope adjustment for elevation and windage without any hassles, it’s simple, smooth and sleek.
- The illumination and the 36 color mode are simply awesome for a scope of that price range.
- Great value for money compared to other scopes that retail at that price.
- Very good focus and easy sighting.
- The objective lens could be better if it was larger than the 30mm
Bottomline: Overall, this is a good M1A scope that comes at a good price and is packed with premium features and has been proven by most users to be reliable and durable.
#3) Burris Ballistic Plex 2-7x32mm
The Burris Scout 2-7x32mmRiflescope is designed specifically for the scout rifles, which qualifies it to be the third best scope for M1A scout rifle. It is a legendary scope that has received rave reviews from the hunting community for its reliability and ease of use.
It is designed with a slim optic to provide low to medium magnification range. It is designed with a posi-lock system that helps in improving your accuracy since it locks your target into position. Let us look at the various features that make it a good M1A scope.
Features
- Great design with an adjustment System that is made of steel on steel easy to repeat a sighting with audible clicks.
- It has the unique posi-lock system that is made of a coil-spring Assisted Retractable steel post which is designed to firmly and securely lock the accuracy into position.
- It is 100% fogproof, water and shockproof
- It has the ultra-fast target acquisition feature that can be used when both eyes are open
- The lens is the multi-coated lens and is made of high-quality glass.
- It is designed with a magnification of 2-7x and a 32mm objective lens that give you a good field of view.
- It is easy to mount it on M1A using the any Springfield M1A mount
- It offers a very good eye relief since it is designed with a good eye box.
- It’s a perfect scope for M1A scout rifle as rated by several users
- It comes with a good warranty to add on the exceptional quality of Burris scopes.
- If you want an illuminated scope this M1A scope does not have illumination
- The Ballistic Plex reticle is not as good as other bullet drop compensation reticles.
- Mounting with the factory rings seems to be problematic
Bottomline: Burris Scout 2-7x32mm offers what I call a perfect match for the M1A scout rifle, it’s by far one the easiest scope to mount and it is fairly priced.
#4) M14 M1A Mount 10-40×50 Rangefinder Rifle Scope Combo Set Free Sunshade
M14 M1A Mount 10-40×50 Rangefinder Rifle scope is not as popular as other top brands M1A scopes but it is worth the try considering it is specifically designed for the M14 and M1A rifles.
In our best scopes review, we try to provide a variety of scopes to give you a good range of options. This scope has an average rating and I like the fact that it has a rangefinder feature along with a sunshade. Let’s look at the features if this M1A scope and learn more on its suitability.
Features
- Includes a combo set which comprises of a rangefinder rifle scope
- It has a magnification of 10-40× an objective lens of 50mm
- It is designed with a free sunshade a unique feature not seen in other such scopes
- It comes with a free low ring and high ring sets to make it easy for you to mount this scope on M1A rifle.
- It features a multilayered emerald coated lens that delivers maximum light transmission and has five levels of brightness both green and red – you can, therefore, use this scope in low light conditions.
- It is an all-weather scope with a rugged construction to assure it withstands the recoil pressure of M1A or M14 rifles.
- It’s a good scope for hunters and it comes at an affordable price
- It is strong, rigid and easy to install on a variety of rifles including the M1A and M14 rifles.
- A specifically designed M1A scope with the needs of this rifle at the center of the design.
- Free Sunshade and the green/red illumination are the hallmark features of this M1A scope.
- The rangefinder is not as helpful as it should because it requires more calculations for the right adjustments – it is not a straightforward rangefinder.
- Although they offer a free set of rings, they are not of poor quality – you should consider replacing them after a while.
#5) Nikon P-308 4-12x40mm Riflescope BDC 800
Nikon P-308 4-12x40mm is one of those scopes that are designed to work with a wide range of rifles. It is a scope that is fit for MA1 rifle and just like the first scope on this list; it delivers high-quality images and also has a BDC reticle that can target up to 800 yards. It comes with a Kit and P-series mount to make it easy for you to install on your M1A rifle or any M14 rifle.
The notable difference between this scope and the Nikon M-308 4-16x42mm Riflescope w/ BDC 800 is the magnification and the objective lens diameter that are lower than the first best scope for M1A on this list.
Let us now focus on the specific features of this scope to learn more about why we have picked it as a worthy contender for the best M1A scope.
Features
- It is designed with a BDC 800 Reticle for .308 WIN/7.62 NATO round which is perfect for the M1A rifle.
- It has an advanced adjustment system that uses Spring-Loaded Instant Zero-Reset Turrets to make adjustment simple and quick.
- Features a fully multicoated optical system that has several layers of anti-reflective compounds on all glasses to ensure it provides bright transmission and crystal clear images
- It is built with the Spot on Ballistic Match Technology to improve the accuracy of every shot.
- It has a good eye relief
- It is waterproof, fogproof and shockproof.
- High-quality optics and the glass quality is very good, great brightness and light transmission.
- It comes with a P-Series Mount which makes mounting the scope easier.
- BDC reticle with a range of up to 800 yards makes it a reliable scope for most M1A shooting needs.
- It’s a tough and carefully constructed scope to withstand the recoil of M1A rifle and has a generous eye relief which is important for convenient shooting experience.
- 100% Compatible with M14 or M1A rifle making it our fifth pick for the best scope for M1A rifle.
- Windage adjustments are not straightforward and may be a challenge for beginners.
- The price is relatively high and may not fall into the category of low budget scope.
Conclusion- Best Scope for MA1
Finally, you can now easily pick the best scope for M1A rifle that suits your budget or shooting needs from this list. There are other good scopes that we did not list here but they are equally good M1A scopes. It’s my hope that you have a good idea on what to look for in a good M1A scope.
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