What were "pre hysteria" prices on M1A's?

[ozwyn]

Also might want to check mdshooters.com I am pretty sure someone was selling a lightly used rifle for under 2k. Local sellers too, which can be nice.

 

[natescout]

Warbirds makes a nice custom M14 style rifle, check them out at warbirdscustomguns.com

 

[H2O MAN]

shaker I see that SEI M14 on GB was built on a Poly Tech receiver, I've been reading good and bad about Poly Tech, is this generally a hit or miss receiver or more hit than miss? I guess LRBs the best and then there are the betters like USGI and others. Poly Tech is just good huh?

There are zero problems with Chinese receivers, but LRB has had its issues.
The Chinese receivers are the closest you can get to USGI.

The M118LR chamber allows you to shoot just about any available 7.62x51 or .308 ammo.

 

[Jason_G]

Got my Loaded just prior to price increases. $1500 out the door, and that was locally, with tax. Last I checked, Bud's was hovering around $1680-$1700 for the same rifle.

...but LRB has had its issues.

What would those be?


Jason

 

[H2O MAN]

Some receivers cracked and they don't allow the bolt to travel as far back as it needs to.

 

[shaker]

So now I assume the proper receiver quality grading rundown would be; 1 USGI (I am assuming they are FA, class 3 only?) 2 Springfield Armory, 3 Poly Tech, 4 LRB, Fulton, SMI?

I am also guessing the desireability/collector factor would have USGI at the top as well?

Scott

 

[lipadj46]

My opinion on the the receiver list goes like this (not including USGI because you can't get them):

1) SEI Forged (collectors items mucho $$$)
2) LRB (I do believe they have got things sorted out now, regardless best that you can buy of the current manufacturers in US)
3) Polytech
4) Norinco
5) SEI Cast (collectors items also big $)
6) SAI (2nd best of current manufacturers in US)
7) The rest, Armscorp, Federal Ordinance, Fulton

Regardless they are all good and the only 2 currently manufactured and available in the US are LRB and SAI. LRBs are nice and pricey and the hiccup they had (if it ever happened I have no first hand experience) I believe is over. SAI rifles have a lifetime warranty which is good because their QC can leave people a bit peeved. See the post in the accessories section where the guy's SAI receiver is so far out of whack you can see the ARMS scope mount is crooked. They will fix it though and pay for shipping both ways.

Edit: Just to add by putting SAI 6th I'm not knocking them. I have a new SAI with no USGI parts (besides the extractor and stock) and I love it.

 

[natescout]

I could second that receiver list , 1+ lipadj46

 

[Dienekes]

Bought my SA standard/walnut/loaded for about 1150 around 1998. Had it bedded a few years later. It now wears an SEI ACOG-adapted mount and 3X compact ACOG. Additional weight incurred with the mount and optic is only one pound, which is pretty good, considering. Still porks it up to 13.5 pounds loaded which is "enough".

If guns were women, I'd be a dedicated polygamist.

Fortunately guns are cheaper.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I could second that receiver list , 1+ lipadj46

Agreed, good job on the list. SAI can be so hit or miss, some are very close to mil-spec and others are.....well they just are.

 

[H2O MAN]

I rate them in this order:

1) Any SEI receiver
2) Poly Tech & Norinco
3) LRB
4) All others

 

[lipadj46]

I rate them in this order:

1) Any SEI receiver
2) Poly Tech & Norinco
3) LRB
4) All others

Yeah that works too. I separated out SAI because of the lifetime warranty and because a nice in spec SAI receiver is as good as any other M14 clone for accuracy and reliability.