[ENC]

This might be a dumb question. I tried searching TFL archives but couldn't find any real answer. I am looking into a semi-.308

I know about the Fal and Ar-10 but I am really interested in these old military rifles. Basically I was wondering what the difference if any is and which is generally accepted to be the better of the two.

Thanks
Evan

[Archie]

The M14 rifle had internal workings that allowed it to be altered to fully automatic.

The M1A, being a civilian only copy, does not. In fact, in some of the older M1As, you could see a wood repair done on the right side of the stock, just at the rear of the bolt opening area. That was where some of the mechanism was... it left a gap.

In terms of shooting the rifle in a semi-automatic fashion, they are pretty much the same.

Oh. The M14s were made to strict specifications in terms of tolerances and material. Depending on who built a particular M1A receiver, they sometimes fall a bit short of the original.
I have been told by a gunsmith I respect (retired USMC Match armorer) that a "match" M1A is on a par with a "rack grade" M14 in terms of accuracy. But - if you want that type of rifle - they is the only game in town.

If you are thinking of buying a new one, do a lot of checking and reading first. Go to some of the dedicated match rifle shooting websites and see what the shooters there think are proper rifles.

[ENC]

Thanks

I will definetly do my reasearch before buying anything. Right now I am trying to sell a truck to buy a newer one then I will begin to worry about guns again.

[telewinz]

Also the M1A as I understand it, is trade marked by Springfield. Armscorp (Baltimore, MD) makes an outstanding rifle but it's marked M-14. Same rifle just a different label.:)

[Engineer]

Here's a good place to get some info on M14/M1A's: http://m14.freeservers.com/. For all intents and purposes, they are the same thing, M1A is basically Springfield's Armory name for their semi-auto version of the M14. Other manufacturers like Polytech, Entreprise, etc. use the M14 designation.

Here are my kids:
http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/glockboy/3M1AM14s.jpg