Back from boot camp, question on M14s

[MTMilitiaman]

Hey guys. You may or may not remember I shipped out to MCRD in Oct. Well I am back now. Got my Eagle, Globe, and Anchor on the 18th. Got about a week of my 10 days of leave left before reporting to Camp Pendleton for 8 weeks of infantry training. You are probably not aware I came home for ten days of emergency leave in Dec because there was a family problem that needed dealt with. Actually more than that, my parents were involved in a car accident in which my mother was killed. It set me back a couple weeks in training, but it was worth it to be there for the funeral. Anyways, my dad wants to get something for each of "us kids" out of my mother's life insurance money. Him and my sister are both getting laptops. But if this is to be essentially my last gift from my mother, something to remember her by, I want it to be something a little longer lasting and more permanent than a computer, and something I will find more use and enjoyment out of. I have wanted a battle rifle for a long time so I think I am going to get an M14. The M14 is a rifleman's rifle--machined steel and wood--something with depth and character. It is a rifle fitting to remember someone buy. I told my dad I'd pay the difference but I'd still like it to be in the $2000 to $2200 range. I am not looking for a fancy National Match rifle, just your basic service rifle with a chrome lined barrel. Right now I am looking at Fulton Armory, but I wanted to know how they compare to LRB. On the website, the Fulton looks nicer, but the LRB seems to be a little more expensive, so maybe it is the higher quality rifle, I don't know. I'd just like your thoughts on what to look for when buying an M14, and what people thought about these two companies.

 

[dixierifleman]

hey im right behind you. just signed up today. leave for MEPS monday and tuesday. then off to Parris Island. get my 10 days home. then to Infantry School.

sorry to hear about your mother. best regards to you and your family. i think a rifle would be a great reminder of her. and an M14; cant beat that for one thatll last you.

 

[Kaylee]

I'm so sorry about your mother.

Congratulations on your graduation, and thank you for signing up.

Wish I could offer advice on the M14 thing.. but you're already out of my league.

 

[Zak Smith]

For my money, I'd go with the LRB.

 

[Sniper X]

The civillian version of the M14 is the M1A available from Springfeild Armory for about $1000.00 and well worth every penny. I was in the US Army Special Forces for 10 years and a qualified sniper. I started on the XM25, which was an experimental M14 accurized and using a Leatherwood Camputer sniper scope with comeups on a ring behind the turrets. The rifle was great, and became the M21 SWS or sniper weapons system, Then the Army went to a bolt gun the M24 which was a Model 700 action and heavy barrel not unlike the USMC M40. I love the M14-M1a serries and one day will either have an M1A or a SOCOM....check them out on springfieldarmory.com

Oh, and Semper Fi!

 

[thereisnospoon]

Consider a POLY

I've had 3 different Polytech Rifles over the last few years and each one of them was a thing of beauty.

If you really want to drop that kinda money, go for the LRB, since it is a FORGED receiver (like the POLY).

Sorry about your mother. Hopefully every time you squeeze off a round you'll remeber her...

 

[MrDig]

Out of my league as well But I do want to convey that, I am sorry to hear of your loss, and I am truly greatful for your service.
I have admired the basic walnut stock for some time.
My rational for wanting Walnut is that if necessary it is better to use when "Butt Smashing" than synthetic stocks. This is just my opinion but I don't think the Synthetic would have the same effect, report, or gratification when used QQC as a blunt object.

 

[Sniper X]

Nothing plastic is as "real" as an M1A with a walnut stock. And therrefore not a "Marine rifle" like the M14 was. Remember Full Metal Jacket, when they were still using M14s as the basic riflemans rifle? Get a real M-14 allbeit not full auto...get an M1A. Oh, and on the thing about a PIC of the arms room, or Armory tech being able to take your rifle to the range and shoot it, if that would have happened in the Army in MY arms room the PIC of the Armory would have been busted out of the service, does that happen in the Marine Corps? Not in any arms room I was ever in charge of in the US Army!

 

[Coronach]

Im general, I agree with the above posters who advise you to bank the money in a CD or similar investment and withdraw it when you muster out. You can still earmark it for a M14, the difference is that you'll also make money while you're off killing people and breaking things (and unable to use your new rifle, anyway)

The only snag in this is if you believe that the M14 clones will be made illegal or prohibively expensive via legislative action in the interim. Personally, I don't think that will happen, but who knows? If you have a good, secure place to store the gun off-base, I probably would just buy it now, just to be safe. The money you make off of the CD will probably be mostly eaten up by inflation in the cost of rifle over the intervening years. Not completely, but mostly.

If you do NOT have a secure place to store it (away from weather, curious fingers and thieves), I would absolutely invest the money.

My condolences about your mom and my thanks for your service. Honor her memory and serve your nation- she's watching. Semper Fi!

Mike

 

[MTMilitiaman]

Yeah the rifle would stay with my dad, who would be more than happy to keep the dust off of it, and give it a light coat of oil every once in a while. It's official--Hillary has entered the race. I don't claim to be an expert on her chances of winning the Dem primaries, let alone the presidency, but I am skeptical of the Republican's chances of keeping the White House. I'd rather buy the rifle now, even if it means I don't get to use it until my next leave date, sometime in the unknown future.

So LRB has a forged receiver, as compared to what for the Fulton receiver, and offering what advantages? Honest question here as I have no idea.

 

[30Cal]

I'd probably get an SA Inc (which you could get today rather than waiting several months).



Ty

 

[30Cal]

The Fulton receiver is cast (they actually buy them from Armscorp). In theory, the forged receiver will last longer--either way, you'll need to buy barrels (lots of them) in order to get a quantitative answer.

Ty

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

Go ahead and get the rifle because it will mean a hell of alot to you in the years to come. I have a rifle I purchased back in '84 and it means a ton to me and I bought it when I was in the service. If you can't keep it in your possession while in the service then let your dad keep it for you. Beats a CD at any rate in this case. Listen to someone who's put 20 years into the service, it can be done easily. It's the smart thing to do, A computer will die off in short time an M1A won't. Something to remember your mother by and also to commemorate your Eagle Globe and Anchor. Good luck with the Marines. Remember that in finding direction without a compass by simply using a watch is point the Twelve O:Clock towards the Sun and between the sun and the hour hand is the general direction of south . Don't worry, they will teach you that kind of stuff and a whole lot more when you go to infantry school anyhow.

 

[Sniper X]

Here is what you want....buy it now and love it FOREVER!

http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?model=15

 

[Frog48]

Springfield M1A is the way to go, in my opinion.

 

[armoredman]

Well done, Marine. Condolences on your loss.

 

[hank327]

I would go with the LRB for the forged receiver and all USGI parts. It's the closest you can come to an actual USGI M-14. I don't have a problem with the cast receiver used by Springfield Armory. What does concern me about Springfield is that in their current production rifles, they use few if any USGI surplus parts. The quality of the commercial non USGI parts is very suspect.
I have an older Springfield M1A that has USGI parts and it has been great.

Since you have the money and this rifle will be a tribute to your mom and to your becoming a Marine, I suggest you go all out and get the LRB. You will never regret paying for quality.

My deepest condolences on the loss of your mother.

 

[tbtrout]

Semper Fi, I would go with the Springfield. Remember when you are in the sand box " Locate, close with and destroy....."

God Speed

 

[trbon8r]

There are a couple ways you could go in my opinion.

The easiest way is to shop around for an older used Springfield M1A for sale. You can often get a good deal on a used rifle since people sometimes have a change in wants, needs, or financial situation. It's not unusual to see a good older M1A stuffed full of original GI parts for $1400 or maybe even less.

Another alternative is to buy a Springfield receiver for around $500 and find a GI parts kit which will run about $1000. Get yourself a good smith to put it together and you should have a nice rifle for under 2 grand.

LRB sells their bare receiver for $900+ and doesn't offer any practical benefit over Springfield. Don't get caught up in the cast vs. forged hype. SA Inc. has a good reputation for making solid receivers that will outlast the man shooting it. Where SA Inc. falls down on the job is in the quality of some of their reproduction parts they've produced in recent years. The receivers are fine. Sure SA has turned out a clunker or two, but so has LRB.

I still say the best way to go is to learn to identify repro from original parts, shop around, and find yourself an older SA Inc. and save a bundle of cash, even if it means postponing your purchase until you get back.

 

[pccraig]

Semper Fi

People will tell you now that you're entering the FMF to keep your head down.

They'll never understand.

 

[MikePGS]

I'm sorry for your loss. Thank you for serving.

 

[kludge]

Remember that in finding direction without a compass by simply using a watch is point the Twelve O:Clock towards the Sun and between the sun and the hour hand is the general direction of south .

Actually it's the other way around. Point the hour hand at the sun. Oh, and if you're on DST subtract an hour.

 

[yongxingfreesty]

congrats to you!

 

[Brian Williams]

Condolences and
Semper Fi
75-79


Get the LRB

and then you need to save up and get 2 of the most loved rifles of the Marines, a 1903 and a Garand.

Also start saving for a Marines Handgun, a 1911.

Keep your head down and listen to the Sarge.

 

[shaggycat]

I have no first hand experience with M14s, but allow me to thank you for your service.