Springfield M1A Tanker .308 WIN
The Springfield Armory M1A is the civilian version of the venerable M14 rifle used by our military since the late 50s. New for 2019, Springfield released the M1A Tanker inspired by the “Tanker” Garand rifles of late WWII. The shortened barrel makes the Tanker easier to maneuver in tight spaces while retaining the firepower of the .308 WIN cartridge. The M1A Tanker is the same size as the famous SOCOM 16 but sports a vintage walnut stock that pays homage to those who carried Springfield Armory rifles into battle. It comes with one 10-round steel magazine, a soft rifle case, and owner’s manual.
The M1A Tanker has a 16.25” carbon steel parkerized barrel with an overall length of 37.25” versus 44.33” for a standard M1A. Springfield’s proprietary muzzle brake with integrated front sight sit on the end of the barrel. It features a white XS Sights tritium front sight post allowing for easy target acquisition in all lighting conditions. The front sight can also be adjusted for windage. Specially positioned gas ports on the muzzle brake reduce muzzle rise and felt recoil.
A retro-style barrel shroud covers the barrel and protects shooters from injuring themselves on a hot barrel. An enlarged rear Ghost Ring aperture helps with faster target acquisition and features MOA windage and elevation adjustments. The steel receiver is made through an investment casting process and hand fitted to the stock. The M1A uses a rotating bolt system and is manipulated with a standard GI style op-rod. The receiver has a bolt release on the left side and features a stripper clip guide on top for quick reloads.
The American walnut stock features integrated sling loops and a steel hinged butt-plate with storage for accessories. The trigger group features a two-stage trigger with integrated safety lever. It can also be removed and serviced.
MSRP on the M1A Tanker is $1,987. Find one from your local dealer on GunsAmerica for less.
Shop on GunsAmerica for a Springfield M1A Tanker
Learn more at Springfield: https://www.springfield-armory.com/products/m1a-tanker/
As the Editor-in-Chief of GunsAmerica, Hunt365, Decoding Darkness, and Suppressor Academy, True Pearce brings a rare blend of legal expertise, competitive shooting credentials, and deep hunting knowledge to the forefront of the firearms world. A former professional sponsored 3-Gun and Multigun competitor with multiple championships and titles, True’s shooting career began in long-range and tactical sniper matches—and he still burns powder in precision competitions, now branching into Hunter NRL.
A certified firearms instructor who has trained over 10,000 students face-to-face, True has also served on both sides of the courtroom as an attorney and currently as an elected Prosecuting Attorney. He has prosecuted and defended high-profile self-defense and firearms cases, giving him a unique, real-world perspective on the Second Amendment.
Outside the courtroom and off the range, True is a true western outdoorsman. A lifelong hunter and rancher, he rides and hunts off his own string of horses and pack animals, chasing elk, mule deer, wolves, coyotes, and anything else in season. He’s a longtime reloader, producing both precision rifle ammo and, back in the day, handloading over 40,000 rounds of 9mm and 5.56 annually for competition.
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Experience:
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I grew up around various Springfield weapons, the M1A my all time favorite, i am an Infantryman and the deadeye of the squad is issued an M1A as well as an M4….sorry M4! Next to an M1A youd might as well be a pile of puke!
I have an M1A I bought around 1979. The only problem I’ve had with it is the extractor broke allowing the round to blow up over the magazine. This ruined the magazine and broke the stock. I later found that SA was making their own extractors and they would on occasion break. At this time I believe they had switched to the military extractors.
I sent it to SA and they fixed the extractor/bolt and replaced the Stock. They did not give me a new magazine, probably my fault as I didn’t send it with the rifle.
Thank you SA, I am happy!
Looking for serviceable M14 barrel and triger assembly all the guts have a complete stock.
What a lovely idea. I’ve got a socom and really love it. Handy, dandy, fun and effective. What’s not to like? That short stiff barrel/gas system stack is surprisingly consistent, too.
I think SA would sell more of them if they made the Tanker with a walnut hand guard. Wonder why not.
Without that, I’ll just stick w/my socom and its handy pickaninny rail.
Peace, through superior firepower
I love this rifle, I would love to own one,but since my accident I am permanently disabled and if only I could afford one I would buy one immediately. Have fun you guys that are able to afford one. 🙂
Great review. I have been looking at this rifle for a long time
Now, with the walnut stock it’s even better.
I even called Springfield once and asked if I could
get a walnut stock on a SOCOM. The answer was no.
But, now it’s yes. Now I just have to sell one of my kids
and buy it…..LOL
I can understand the love for this platform from the sense of nostalgia. However, too heavy for hunting, not the best for competition either. With all of the moving parts such as the operating rod among others. In order for this rifle to be good for competition you have to accurize the heck out of it. I just can’t justify the nearly $2000 price tag for a rifle, I would own for just nostalgia. I look at it the same way I do the 1911. I’m proud that it is our nation’s pistol and in this case our nation’s rifle. If it was cheaper like by half I’d buy one.
I guess enough people called SA to see if the wood stock would fit the Socom16, then ordered one, to offer it already installed as a “ tanker”. That’s exactly what I did over a couple years ago, dump the plastic stock for a Walnut one. The only difference is I still have a black upper hand guard which IMHO looks better than brown.
I acquired a Springfield M1 “Tanker” years ago.
Found a M1A w/ Stainless Bbl later.
Found a SOCOM 16 a few Years back.
Carried a M14 back in the day & a M16 later.
No, the “tanker” M-1 was NEVER designed or ‘cut back’ to fit inside a tank. During the 1940’s, tank crewmen used the 1911 pistols, M-1 Carbines, M-3 Grease Guns and the WWI Thompson sub-machine guns when dismounted action was required.
Stop repeating the myth that anyone ever built a “tanker” rifle.
I love the M1A, this “tanker” should have a pistol grip and underfolder stock.
No, that would make it a paratrooper’s rifle.
This doesn’t look any different than the M1A SOCOM…sans wood stock of course.
I have the M1A Socom urban camo. This looks the same. I don’t need it. Yes I do. No I don’t yes I do……yes i do…
Looks like the DOs win.
I have two of these, thé originals, and yes they are awesome.
Uh oh, Im gonna be in the dog house again….
You and me both, Paul.
Oh well. Short term pain = long term gain.
This is a great rifle. I always have wanted one of those. I had the chance to buy one years ago from one of our now closed gunshop called Fetlers in Indiana but being cheep I passed on the opportunity a lost the rifle.
Sweet, I think I need one
M1A tanker Beautiful work. You will sale a lot of these. This rifle is very nice, I may have to get one just to set in a chair and look at it.