Luigi

Thinking about a 3 point scope mount for my new m1a. can you still remove the bolt with the scope mount installed?

Grump

The SAI still allows bolt removal, but it gets a bit tricky.

Luigi

thanks Grump,

I guess I am a bit OCD and like to field strip and clean my M1A after every range session. I like to remove the bolt and clean it.

When you say SAI scope mount are you talking about the Smith Enterprises or the Sadlak Industries mount ( steel )?

this if for a new standard walnut SA that I finally rec'd in November 2009 ( Ordered in July 2009 )

I Love this gun! (after shooting this rifle it makes my M4 feel like a BB gun!)

SlammerCop

I have a Sadlak on mine. Bolt comes right out without a problem.

Luigi

Thanks SlammerCop

that's exactly what I needed to know!

You have the steel or the aluminum Sadlak?

SlammerCop

Aluminum. Works a-ok for me.

Grump

SAI - Springfield Armory, Inc.

It's a 3rd-Gen.

I also have an un-marked almost identical unit which has a steel allen screw that bears in the vertical receiver groove--I like THAT much better than the all-aluminum SAI. The rear screw, going into the replacement for the s-clip guide, is about 1/4-inch further forward on the SAI, eliminating the ability to just drill and tap the guide (like I did...). I HATE that about the SAI.

The SAI, on the other hand, does have a round groove in the bottom usable for shooting with the iron sights out to about 300 or so. THAT I like!

The un-marked one uses captive thumbscrews. That's much better than the SAI "lose them" non-system. The two grooves on the Weaver "base" are NOT Mil-1913 spaced. Hate that. The SAI is Mil-1913. I'm thinking about having Pictatinny grooves and the sighting tunnel cut into my other one.

Now you have more data points than you want...

You can often get used SAIs for $75 or so. Just really check out the vertical rib, 'cause improperly mounting them can make them shear off.

powmia56

I've worked on rifles with the SAI Gen 3, the Sadlak, the Smith, the crappy $60 ebay copy, and the ARMS. Although it requires that you hold your tongue just right sometimes, the bolt will come out with any of these setups.