Springfield springer

I’ve never owned a large collection of airguns, mainly because it frustrates me when a gun is just lying around, not being used regularly. I understand the satisfaction of admiring specialist models, but I don’t have the space for them, either. Collectors of replica-style guns can branch off in various directions, and once you invest in a certain area of the market, I should imagine it can get quite addictive, albeit a little expensive.

WORKING MODELS
On test this month is an intriguing prospect: the Springfield Armoury M1A. This model ticks several boxes, as it is a faithful replica of the US service rifle famously used in the Vietnam War. Yet, it also happens to be a fully functional spring-powered airgun. Seemingly the best of both worlds, this isn’t just a gun to hang on the wall and admire—it can well and truly earn its keep.

The Springfield Armoury M1A is manufactured by Air Venturi, with Sportsmarketing (SMK) handling UK distribution, which means it should be widely available. At 9.3lbs in weight and 46in long, this model is a real handful, but when you consider it houses the internals of an under-lever spring piston action, that heft is hardly surprising.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Visually, the full-length hardwood stock looks a little plain, and closer inspection reveals a significant amount of plastic in the M1A’s construction. Yet, the overall build feels solid, and it handles well in the aim. Admittedly, the original rifle would have featured wooden panels across the top of the forend (designed to shield the hand from barrel heat). Here, however, they’ve been replaced with brown plastic. But overall, the aesthetic works quite well.

Let’s not forget that military-style weapons are typically utilitarian by design—no-frills, functional tools made cheaply out of necessity. This airgun version captures the essence of the original while packing in plenty of features.

CLEVER MECHANISM 
As mentioned, this is an under-lever springer, and a clever feature of the M1A is the **telescopic design of the cocking lever**. You pull out the knurled tip to extend it, then pull it down to unclip the lever and cock the action, making use of the extra leverage. Effort is minimal, and as the lever moves down, the dummy wood section on top slides forward to expose the open sliding breech, much like on the TX200.

At this point, it’s worth stressing an important safety rule: whether using an under-lever or break-barrel airgun, always keep a firm grip on the lever (or barrel) while chambering a pellet directly into the breech. The M1A includes a built-in safety mechanism, which prevents the lever from closing the breech unless you press a spring-loaded safety button located on the left rear side of the action. However, it’s always better to prioritise safety.

SIGHTING 
It isn’t possible to mount a scope on the M1A in the conventional way, but the same side-mounting points found on the original rifle are present here, allowing for M1A-specific scope fittings. As supplied, the gun features a military-style peep sight. Adjusting the twin finger wheels for zeroing is a bit crude, but I managed a near-perfect zero at 30 yards during testing.

The aiming system involves aligning the open post foresight within the circular “peep” aperture of the rear sight. Once I added some Jack Pyke orange dot stickers to my targets to enhance visibility in poor light, I managed groups just under one inch. That’s pretty impressive. Adding some bright paint to the foresight would likely improve visibility even further.

PERFORMANCE
Over a chronograph, the M1A achieved an average energy output of 10.9ft/lbs, with a total spread of just 7fps — a testament to its excellent consistency.

The trigger is single-stage and a bit creepy, but with practice, you can take up the slack, and the final pull isn’t bad. The firing cycle was slightly “twangy”  during testing, but recoil was mild overall, leaving little to complain about in the grand scheme of things.

VERDICT
In conclusion, the Springfield Armoury M1A is a bold and exciting addition to the airgun market. It’s reasonably priced, great fun to shoot, and an excellent starting point for any collector. As a replica, it’s not just about aesthetics; it also performs well in the field.

Thanks to Range & Country Shooting Supplies in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, for kindly loaning this product for testing. Range & Country can be found at www.rangeandcountry.co.uk