The Bradley Cheek Rest for the M1A

As anyone who owns an M1A/M14 knows, as soon as you scope it you will probably have to adjust your stock in order to get a higher, consistent cheek weld for correct sight alignment. This usually involves adding some type of stock component. There are many options available on the market, with the most inexpensive being non-permanent nylon, fabric cheek rests, ranging from $10 from Amazon to $75 from outfits like TNVC. You then move up from there to adjustment options that are made from solid materials and can be permanently (requiring modification) or non-permanently affixed to the stock. I tried a couple of the less expensive nylon, fabric rises, but they all exhibited movement when tightened down to the stock and I was not sold on their longevity. I finally decided I needed to try the Bradley Cheek Rest and ordered up the coyote brown M1A/SOCOM Cheek Rest. This is the non-adjustable model, simple and robust, made from tried & tested kydex.

[Click on images to enlarge]

Straight out of the box it was obvious this is the way to go, a rigid platform, an extension of the stock. As pictured above, the cheek rest comes with the kydex main body, velcro straps, and a non-slip pad.

Installation

Installation is very straight forward: loosen up the velcro straps, set the non-slip pad within the body of the kydex rest, then fit it into place and tighten up the straps. 

With the traditional M1A metal buttplate, flip up the plate, slip the cheek rest on, and tighten the velco above the storage compartment.

Push the rest forward to snug it into place. Then flip the buttplate back down into position.

Loop the velcro straps through and cinch them down. Check that the rest is snugged down.

There is no right way or wrong way to install the Bradley cheek rest as far as I can tell. Alternatively, you could start the install with the bottom velcro straps and then finish rear strap.

Closeup view of the nonslip pad contacting the stock. It does it's job very well.

Finished view.

As stated previously, the Bradley cheek rest is very rigid and creates a solid platform. I highly recommend it if you decide to scope your M1A.

Final notes: The M1A pictured is the Springfield Standard model with a USGI FCG. The mount is an aluminum Sadlak scope mount. Scope is a Vortex PST 4-16x50 FFP EBR-1 with match 30mm 0.97" (24.64 mm) Vortex rings. The ring height and Sadlak mount allow me to use irons with the removal of Bradley.