RARE Springfield Armory M1A 22” Bruce Dow .300 WSM Build M14 M21 Rifle 2002
SOLD FOR: $2,900.00
WOA#: WY240411RW087
Make: Springfield Armory Receiver, Bruce Dow Build.
Model: M1A
Serial Number: 150302
Year of Manufacture: 2002. According to Springfield the receiver was made in December of 2002. Sold as a Receiver to DOW in January of 2003 and then built out by Bruce Dow.
Caliber: .300 WSM (Winchester Short Magnum)
Action Type: Semi-Auto, piston operated rifle fed by detachable magazines.
Markings: the top of the receiver is marked “US RIFLE M1A / SPRINGFIELD / ARMORY / 150306”. The scope mount is marked “SMITH ENTERPRISES, TEMPE, AZ M21”. The barrel is marked “KRIEGER BARRELS E054880 .308 1-10 B.R. DOW 300 WSM”. The op rod is marked “7267064SA”. The bolt is marked “77901S6 SA CA1”. The muzzle device is marked “U.S.C.G. SEI”. The butt pad for the stock is marked “MCMILLAN”.
Barrel Length: 22”. 24.25” with the US Coast Guard muzzle brake from Smith enterprises Inc.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade set between two protective ears. The rear sight is an adjustable peep sight. The left side of the receiver has a drilled and tapped hole to which has been mounted a see-through style Smith Enterprises scope mount.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a desert camo McMillan fiberglass stock, with textured semi-pistol grip and forend, adjustable foam padded cheek riser, spacer, rubber butt pad and composite upper handguard. The LOP measures 13.5 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock and handguard have some scattered scratches and rub marks where the paint has been removed. There are no chips or cracks. There are two sling swivels present. Overall the stock is in about Very good condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: None.
Type of Finish: Desert Camo and Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no visible erosion. The feed ramps are clean and shiny. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. This rifle shows some minor rub wear on the barrel from the op rod, operational wear on the bolt and receiver, also some wear on the metal nose cap of the stock. The scope mount has lost some of its finish as well, especially on the rails. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good to Very Good + condition.
Mechanics: The action functions as intended. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Circa 2003, a remarkable project undertaken by Bruce Dow of Dow Arms Room in Dade City, FL, brought a significant evolution to the M1A. Dow was tasked with converting M1A rifles to the powerful .300 Winchester Short Magnum (WSM) caliber, transforming them into M21 type configurations optimized for precision and power to be used in Iraq. This endeavor was not just a testament to the adaptability of the M1A platform but also highlighted the ingenuity required to bridge traditional firearm design with modern ballistic capabilities. The rifles, equipped with Smith Enterprise, Inc. scope mounts for enhanced targeting precision, were delivered to McDill Air Force Base. The initiative, fueled by hand-loaded ammunition with 175 grain SMK projectiles, was aimed at testing the modified rifles’ performance for potential military applications. The meticulous modifications—ranging from the extractor’s adjustment, chamber enlargement, reduction of the barrel’s gas port diameter, to the reengineering of the scope mount’s bottom surface were crucial. Yet, it was the invention of a new ejector assembly that stood as the linchpin of Dow’s project. This innovation was necessitated by the .300 WSM’s unique demand for a faster ejection process to avoid stovepiping, showcasing Dow’s problem-solving acumen. Despite the absence of follow-on orders, feedback from military personnel who tested the rifle in Iraq confirmed the system’s impressive performance. The project underscores a fascinating intersection of military need, firearm customization, and the relentless pursuit of technological advancement in weaponry. Bruce Dow’s work on the M1A rifles illustrates not only the potential of the .300 WSM caliber in enhancing the capabilities of traditional firearms but also the importance of expert gunsmithing in pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the realm of firearms technology. This rifle is one of the few run off orders of this conversion made by Bruce Dow himself and will make an excellent and rare gem in any collection. Please see our photos and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.
