This announcement by Springfield Armory of the release of M1A Desert FDE Rifles for Nation’s Best Sports (NBS) makes us pine for the M14 and M14 SOCOM AEGs. With some airsoft players yearning for new M733s and other classic rifles that trace the origins from World War II and the Cold War, perhaps the M14 should be in the radar again for airsoft players.

The M1A is the proprietary name for Springfield Armory's M14-pattern rifle and it is a semi-automatic rifle made for the civilian and law enforcement markets. Released in 1974, we already lost count of the variants made for it. Even the M14, which replaced the M1 Garand, has also variants such as the MK14 EBR and M89SR. The M14 in airsoft uses the Version 7 gearbox and it is perhaps the toughest to take apart and put together again. There is also a gas blowback version made by WE Airsoft.

The NBS-Exclusive M1A Desert FDE Rifles fire the .308 round and the colour pattern reminds us of the conflicts that the U.S. was involved in the Middle East, especially during the Gulf War in the early 1990s. It will be available in the 22” Standard Barrel and the 18” Squad Scout which is similar to the M1A SOCOM 16 variants (our favourite is the M1A SOCOM 16 CQB with Vortex Venom).

The price for the 22” Standard Barrel is US$1,847 while the 18” Squad Scout is US$1,980.

M1A Scout Squad – Two-Tone Desert FDE

M1A Standard Issue – Two-Tone Desert FDE

Nation’s Best Sports (NBS) is a nationwide sporting goods buying group that is based in Fort Worth Texas, the company offers independent retailers a diverse portfolio of buying opportunities in all categories of outdoor sports and general sporting goods.

The airsoft versions of the M14 and SOCOM 16 that are made by Tokyo Marui are still in production though we hope that they update this with NGRS versions. There are clones of the Tokyo Marui models available as well, with the CYMA models being the best among these models.

Press release from Springfield Armory below:

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY® ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF NBS-EXCLUSIVE TWO-TONE DESERT FDE M1A™ RIFLES

GENESEO, ILL. (6/8/22) – Springfield Armory® is proud to announce the release of a pair of exclusive .308 M1A™ rifles in Two-Tone Desert FDE, developed specifically for sale by Nation’s Best Sports (NBS).

The semi-auto M1A, descended from the respected M14 rifle, represents a modern take on a classic design inspired by the revered M1 Garand rifle of World War II fame. With its detachable box magazine, excellent sights and rugged reliability, the M1A has been a favorite with shooters since its introduction in 1974. And now with these two new NBS-exclusive variants, M1A fans have some exciting new options.

The two variants — an M1A Standard Issue and an M1A Scout Squad™ — feature an attractive two-tone Desert FDE finish. The barreled action’s steel features a rugged Cerakote finish, complemented by a matching two-tone FDE composite stock. Also, both rifles are equipped with an OD Green cotton sling and come with two magazines.

“With the addition of these new NBS-exclusive rifles to the M1A line, fans of this ever-popular rifle have two more options from which to choose,” says Steve Kramer, Springfield Armory’s Vice President of Marketing. “From their expertly applied Cerakote finishes to the matching two-tone FDE stock, these M1A rifles would make a great addition to anyone’s gun collection.”

MSRP for the M1A Standard Issue Two-Tone Desert FDE is $1,847, while the M1A Scout Squad Two-Tone Desert FDE has an MSRP of $1,980.

• M1A Standard Issue – Two-Tone Desert FDE .308 | MA9116
• M1A Scout Squad™ – Two-Tone Desert FDE .308 | AA9116

To see the M1A Standard Issue – Two-Tone Desert FDE, visit https://spr-ar.com/r/5200.

To see the M1A Scout Squad™ – Two-Tone Desert FDE, visit https://spr-ar.com/r/5199.

For more information on Springfield Armory, please visit: www.springfield-armory.com.