The Difference Between M21 and M1a Rifles
May 18, 2009 by m1arifles
Filed under M1A Rifles, Springfield M1A Rifle
The M21 rifle is a rifle based on the M14 rifle and was the primary Army sniper rifle for the Vietnam War till it got replaced by the bolt action M24 Sniper Weapon system in 1988. The M21 accuracy is about 750 yards and uses the US match grade M118 NATO 7.62 cartridges in five-round or 20-round magazines. With the immense accuracy, the M21 can fire at long-range ball and ball/tracer and armor piercing ammunition. Its long-range ammunition produces stringent tolerances to ensure superior accuracy.
It is the ultimate rifle that has auto-loading accuracy and in active duty, is has elite spec-ops groups world-wide. The M21 is classified as the ultimate tool for those entire law enforcement sharpshooters. The rifle is equipped with an adjustable cheekpiece stock, which enables it to maintain its perfect head alignment with the scope. Known for being accurate, reliable and powerful, the M21 rifle remains the world class standard for sustained precision fire.
On the other hand we have the M1A. In a nutshell, the M1A is a high-quality reproduction of the U.S. M14 rifle which was used in the early years of the Vietnam War. First is was criticized as being outdated but with its re-introduction in 1957, the M1A remains in service today with certain U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine units as well as other law enforcement units around the world. The Springfield M1A capitalizes on the popularity of the M14 type by using GI parts and specs.
This rifle is gas operated and comes in a military style configuration. The Standard model of the M1A costs around $1000 when purchased on an online auction site and it is classified as an assault weapon if equipped with a pistol grip or flash suppressor in several states.
The obvious differences between the M21 and the M1A are the M1A has a vertical recoil system whereas the M21 can move to the left or right while firing. The M14 holds more bullets, but more damage is done by the M21. Also, the M1A is a semi-automatic/automatic rifle while the M21 is a modified version of the M14 which is especially built for sniper activity.
I ran a Recon/Sniper Team in Nam. We carried M16s, M79s and M60s… my snipers were all equiped with… well you can see for yourself…
Check out http://deltafalcon.50megs.com/Rasco/EqipJpeg/98.htm for our rifle and gear and
http://deltafalcon.50megs.com/Rasco/EqipJpeg//56.htm for a shot through the starlight.
Mekong Delta… E Company, 3/39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Div… 1969
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m1arifles Reply:
May 22nd, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Looks like you guys had some high tech gear for the times. From one vet to another, thank you for your service!
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David R Reply:
May 22nd, 2009 at 8:31 pm
You are welcome.
As to gear… the day scope was a Redfield… zero at 300m and when you place the top stadia on the targets head and bottom on his belt buckle, it was goodbye…
The starlight was pretty good…but when used with our flashy jeep on road interdiction (the spotlight would cast infrared shadows at 500m) it was like shooting fish in a barrel.
Nothing like the 14 for reaching out and touching… beat our 16s flat out.
I like your site… just picked up a M1A… getting back the feel from the old days.
Best Wishes
DR
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Roger R Reply:
May 23rd, 2009 at 9:51 am
WOW. you guys had a jeep and food and they gave you good weapons! You must have been in Siagon!!
Wasn’t the 9th down in the mud of the delta? My first tour was with the 173rd at Bien Hoa, second tour with the 25th at Cu Chi and my last tour was with the 101st at Phouc Vinh.
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David R Reply:
May 24th, 2009 at 11:45 am
The 9th was in the delta (http://deltafalcon.50megs.com/Rasco/locations/140.htm)
We worked out of FSB Moore towards the Cambode border. Had a Flashy Jeep with a Xenon Seachlight in the back that would give us illumination (in the infrared) when we pulled roadblocks… otherwise we hoofed (http://deltafalcon.50megs.com/Rasco/EqipJpeg/142.htm).
I did one tour…(got to take some time off to see Japan at Camp Zama Army Hospital) was going to go back for second and decided that since I had the T Shirt already, I would pass… my hat is off to you for three tours!!!
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I would consider revising the following section. The two rifles are basically the same in every way except the M21 has more unitized components, tighter tolerances, is glass bedded with a heavy match barrel and has a trigger job. They use the same magazines, so bullet count is the same. The cost of a Standard M1A today is $1500 to $1700. An M21 by Springfield Armory is $2800 to $3000. The recoil system in the same.
“The obvious differences between the M21 and the M1A are the M1A has a vertical recoil system whereas the M21 can move to the left or right while firing. The M14 holds more bullets, but more damage is done by the M21.”
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m1arifles Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Yeah, I had a writer who thought they knew about the rifle. I didn’t have much time to proof the article because I’m in school using the GI bill.
I’ll try to edit the article this weekend.
Thanks
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