I have always loved the M14 but never could afford one

[jdmcomp]

'The Chinese make excellent firearms" Yes, they do. But I see few, if any, in the US. I do understand that the M14s made there vary quite a bit from god awful to acceptable in quality. My examination of several Chinese M14s confirms that for me. I have owned and do own many Chinese made firearms and they all function. I have also spent much time putting touch ups on the parts to make things work properly. It seems that the firearms that came from Chinese military factories some years back are much better then guns built in the last couple of decades.

You must have been very lucky or selective with your Chicom M14s. I still would not recommend buying one. Somewhere I have the original owners manual for my AK made by Norinco. The service life of the weapon is listed as 6000 rounds as I remember. A very honest admission by the maker.

[arado]

If it was issue to their troops it was/is excellent. Their TT33, T53, Makarov, SKS, etc. The commercial M14s I reworked. I found Chinese small arm ammo excellent. Regards, Gary

[Neal Myers]

Is there a complete list of the USGI markings on M14 parts? It's not like the M1 rifle where things were straight forward.

[Maniac]

Is there a complete list of the USGI markings on M14 parts? It's not like the M1 rifle where things were straight forward.

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=4323


Here's a link to a sticky at the top of this forum, you'd do well to download the pdf files here as well as check out some of the other stickys. The M14 is a fine weapon and I'd bet once you have one, it'll be a favorite.
HTH