Opinions? M14/M1A Rifles

[Maniac]

Whose making the best M14/M1A out there? Starting to look into one and am curious what or who people like.

Lots of discussion on that subject on this recent thread on CMP forums:
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

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[Harry aka Cowboy]

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.