Scoped Services rifles for NRA matches

[jimbo88mm]

I saw the notice on the bulletin.

With my poor eyesight I never payed too much attention to the service rifle competitions but now that they are going to include optics it has gotten my interest.

The NRAs rule book and website is a little confusing to me. Can any AR15 qualify or does it still have to meet certain requirements? Specifically does the rifle need to be in a military config (i.e. standard handguards) or can you run with some mods (i.e. free float tubes)?

Thanks

 

[Taildrag15X]

If it's shot as Service Rifle it must meet those requirements per the NRA Rule Book.

3.1 Service Rifle - As issued by the U.S. Armed Forces,
or the same type and caliber of commercially manufactured
rifle, having not less than 4 1/2 pound trigger pull, with
standard type stock and standard type leather or web sling.
External alterations to the assembled arm will not be allowed.
The application of synthetic coating, which includes those
containing powdered metal, to the interior of the stock to
improve bedding is authorized provided the coating does not
interfere with the function or operation of safety features. The
front and rear sights must be the standard or National Match
design, but may vary in dimensions of rear sight aperture and
front sight blade. The rear sight aperture may be hooded. The
internal parts of the rifle may be specially fitted and include
alterations that will improve the functioning and accuracy of
the arm, provided such alterations in no way interfere with
the proper functioning of the safety devices as manufactured.
The rifle must be so modified as to be incapable of automatic
fire without removing, replacing, or altering parts. The gas
system must be fully operational

 

[nfhjr62]

Does this mean i can use my glass bedded and lugged M1A in this match

 

[memilanuk]

Not sure why you couldn't use that rifle already... those mods are both internal, and AFAIK completely legal

I wonder how the use of optics is going to mesh with the sight height issues on an AR? I mean, even if you go with a flat-top A3/A4 upper, I don't believe the rules make any exceptions for the front sight tower being anything other than stock height. I know there are all sorts of fiddly little modifications that people do *to* the front sight - I've got a WOA SR upper that has several of those done to it. But the front sight tower sticks up there a ways, and I don't think people are going to want to set up their optics to co-witness like the tacticool crowd does, and I don't think the optics class makes any allowance for a cheekpiece to be used - and anybody who's tried using glass mounted over the carry handle knows that the cheekweld sucks out loud in prone...

It should be interesting to see how peole work around this sort of stuff. I'm sure a lot of neat ideas come out of it.

 

[Greg110]

If you will read the rules again, you will note that the rifle must maintain it's original appearance. That would seem to mean a carry handle mount on an A2 as shown in the article on the main page. I beleive the only way you could use a flattop would be the M4 configuration and I'm not sure that the M4 is legal either.

 

[memilanuk]

The A4/A3 uppers were legal circa 2007/2008... but I can't seem to find where in the rules it says so

 

[memilanuk]

Actually, I think its a combination of this (in the NRA rulebook):

3.1 (e) Any rifle or modified rifle not covered by NRA Rule 3.1, but permitted by CMP Rules is considered a service rifle in NRA sanctioned competition.

combined with this rules page from the CMP:

The 2004 edition of the CMP Competition Rules expanded the definition of legal service rifles by including, for the first time, the M16 A4 rifle.

http://www.odcmp.com/Competitions/M16.htm

 

[Doc Bob]

I asked about this "Optic" course of fire at my local High Power shoot and was told that the special Scoped Class involved at minimum a 300 yd range. Since my club is 200 yd, I didn't inquire further.

I hear you about the eyes, a scoped shoot would make it less frustrating at the monthly match, but with the distance certainly no easier.

 

[243Mendoza]

I asked about this "Optic" course of fire at my local High Power shoot and was told that the special Scoped Class involved at minimum a 300 yd range. Since my club is 200 yd, I didn't inquire further.

I hear you about the eyes, a scoped shoot would make it less frustrating at the monthly match, but with the distance certainly no easier.

That doesn't make sense since the offhand and rapid sitting portion of the match is at 200yd

 

[Taildrag15X]

I asked about this "Optic" course of fire at my local High Power shoot and was told that the special Scoped Class involved at minimum a 300 yd range. Since my club is 200 yd, I didn't inquire further.

I hear you about the eyes, a scoped shoot would make it less frustrating at the monthly match, but with the distance certainly no easier.

I didn't find ANYTHING in the Rule book or in the Rule book Changes about limiting distance to 300 for Scoped Service Rifle, here is the latest changes I have from the NRA.

Your Service Rifle Optic Sight looks to be #1, and again I don't see any distance limits.

http://www.nrahq.org/compete/rules/rul_hpr_11.pdf

 

[normmatzen]

I was initially excited about this new class.

That is, until I took a close look at the list of legal rifles! My K-31 is not listed.

The M1931-42 and M1931-43 were essentially prototypes and I believe only a few were made. The M1931-55 is a real gem , but only 900 made and the going price is over $3500! Plus, buying a collectors item like that almost precludes shooting it at a match!

 

[BobLor]

Norm, I think you are confusing the CMP Vintage Sniper match with the NRA Scope Service Rifle match. Two different "authorities" and matches.

However I do believe you can use your K-31 with a scope and shoot it in the NRA matches as Match Rifle Scope Class. At least that is where I would put you at my NRA matches.

I would have liked to have seen scoped K-31's allowed for the CMP Vintage Sniper Match. I bet it would have increased participation. But I guess then where do you stop with the Faux snipers. Then again from what I have read during WW1 almost all manner of scoped hunting rifles were pressed into service as sniper rifles. In this month's AMERICAN RIFLEMAN magazine they have an article on the Marines using Win. Model 70 rifles with 8X Unertl scopes as sniper rifles early in WW2.

B.L.