Whose making the best M14/M1A out there? Starting to look into one and am curious what or who people like.
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Whose making the best M14/M1A out there? Starting to look into one and am curious what or who people like.
Haven't worn a "Springfield" out, yet. Some history of QC glitches, but so do the others. If you're worried, get whatever receiver and use GI parts elsewhere.
I first started out with a Polytech and liked the quality o.k. but could not get it sighted in unless I set the front sight over quite a bit. Probably a misalignment of the barrel into the receiver. I traded the rifle off and got an early production Springfield Armory M1A with a TRW barrel, all in mint condition. I am very happy with the rifle.
Lots of discussion on that subject on this recent thread on CMP forums:Quote:
Originally Posted by Minnesota Joe
http://www.thecmp.org/forums/showthread.php?t=8493
You'll notice that some folks are fans of SAI, Springfield Armory INC (no relation to the now-defunct Springfield Armory that made M1 Garands & M14's), they have a great reputation and a lifetime warrantee, no others do. Their receivers are made by an investment casting process as opposed to forging, the way the old USGI Springfield Armory (as well as TRW, HRA and WRA) did it LRB and Smith Enterprises do now. These forged receivers are very expensive and just not worth the extra $ IMHO. The LRB/SEI fans will say that the SAI cast receivers are inferior but I'd maintain that they are just as good and better in many ways, especially when it comes down to warrantee and price. As far as cast receivers being inferior, I'd point out that Ruger makes their receivers and many other parts by casting and they have a stellar reputation. Heckler & Kock makes some of the toughest, most reliable and accurate fully and semi automatic firearms in the world - using stamped receivers! Many AK-47's, also renowned for their reliability (although not accuracy) use stamped receivers.
Lots more info on M14's and their various clones can be found here:
http://www.imageseek.com/m1a/welcome.html
Lee Emerson, who runs the site, is very knowledgeable and a moderator on some other forums, great guy who can answer any questions that aren't addressed on his website.
Good luck in your quest for an M14 type, they're one of the world's finest.
HTH
Throw my vote in for Springfield Armory. I bought my first in 1984. A standard which I sent back and had upgraded to a national match and later upgraded to a super match barreled kreiger after shooting the NM barrel out. I liked them so much I bought another Standard and National match, followed by 2 more super matchs for my sons. I recently returned one of the super matchs for repair and rebarreling and damn what great customer service. They repaired a bolt roller I had no idea was damaged at no charge and the price for the new kriegr barrel I had put on was very resonable. They never charged me a dime for shipping or repairs to the bolt roller only the barrel replacement that I requested. And the turnaround time was shockingly fast. Great company to work with great products.
Got a brand new Springfield. Fantastic!
B
Ditto, Springfield Armory.
The Best M1A new is by no question the LRB
Forged, and as close to a M14 as you can get
Both my SA's have given great service. I don't feel investment cast receivers are an issue with a semi only rifle.