Another one trying to pick m14 bbl length... help me out

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axxxel

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Hi!

I might be getting an m14 type rifle within a week or so. I'm very excited about this since it's a real dream for me to own one, but I'm really torn on which bbl length to go with.

The two rifles I am looking at are chinese (recently built, I'm not affected by the import ban as I'm not in the US) rifles with 22" or 18,5" barrels. The rifles both have fake flash hiders (don't ask me why) and neither of them comes with a scope mount.

I.e. the ONLY difference between the two rifles are the barrel lengths.

What barrel length is the best? How much of a weight difference is there? ca 0.4 pounds? Is the 18,5" barrel noticably louder? (I'll be using ear protection) What kind of mv loss are we talking?

The application in question is rangetoy/hunting rifle.

Neither of the rifles is particularily handy, and most of the wieght difference seems to be coming from the stock type, not the barrel length, but cirka 40 inches is noticably less bulky than cirka 44 inches...

I'm gonna call the shopkeeper tomorrow with my decision, help me out :eek:
 
If you intend to possibly use the gun for home defense, or "homeland defense" I would probably go with the 18.5" rifle. If you intend to use it purely as a target rifle then I would choose the full size 22" version. Others will probably disagree. If hunting is a serious consideration, the 18.5" will be lighter to carry in the field. No clear answer as you can see :D
 
I don't think the weight difference will be enough to be noticeable. If you'll be using iron sights then the longer barrel will give you a longer sight radius, while the shorter barrel will give you a little better maneuverability in heavy brush. I would go for the 22" barrel without hesitation. Unless you plan to spend an awful lot of time in heavy brush then I don't see any significant advantage to the shorter barrel.
 
IMO, The M1 is all about reaching out there, pushing iron sights as far as you can. So I vote for the longer barrel. That's the way M1's should be, big heavy battle rifles, not short assault rifles.

Shortening the barrel to make it better at indoor or urban defense ranges deosn't make alot of sense to me. A 14.5-16" Ar15 is far better suited to those roles.
 
Nice problem to have!!

Barring any way for you to try the two out on a range, handle them both and choose the one that feels right for you. Then go and shoot a lot. Another, probably best case scenario is to buy them both!
 
The extra weight of the barrel, which is fairly thin/light at the end, is hardly noticeable. The extra length IS noticeable but that's completely your call.

MV loss is likely to be between 50-100 fps, heavily dependent on the exact ammo used. It could even be less than that.

SAI manufactured rifles have a reputation for the 18" models being equal or better for accuracy when compared to the 22" GI profile models. I have no idea if that would hold true with a Chinese made rifle.
 
out of curiosity will it be a Norinco or Polytech? Have they improved any in quality or materials?
 
If it doesn't have a 22" barrel, it isn't an M-14 in my book.
The shorty's just don't look right to me.

The other thing is, an 18.5" .308 is VERY LOUD, even with good hearing protection!

rc
 
That just goes to show ya, everyone's got a different opinion. I can definitely notice the weight difference, and the 18 incher is much more handy and easier to maneuver. I don't even find a 16" SOCOM to be any more loud than a 22" barrel. It's the concussion wave from the blast going off closer to the shooter that is more noticeable.

Your mileage will surely vary...
 
I've owned rifles with all three barrel lengths. I no longer have the Bush rifle or SOCOM.

As was mentioned, the difference in weight is minimal, and the difference in length, while somewhat handier, is more of a loss than a gain.
 
i have worked with both models, the barrel on the springfield is far more accurate than the chinese knock off, the chinese version works well, but its more in the ak level of accuracy than the springfield version. not bad for the price though
 
It's a Norinco, and according to the canadians over at www.canadiangunnutz.com (sorta like thehighroad, eh) the rifles are waaay better made today than when they started showing up.

It's hell for citizens of most countries to get a firearm exported from the US because of your insane rules and fees. The chinese are getting the international m14 market because of this. The guy at the shop told me that the has sold quite a few of these to different IPSC riflemen/dynamic rifle shooters.

Right now I'm leaning towards the 22" model, but keep the opinions coming, I didn't get to call today and I'll be changing my mind back and forth all weekend...

Edit: The 22" model is in the lead because although I'm using ear protection I sometimes fire my rifle near hunting buddies who are too cool for that stuff, my dad and the dogs included. I also might be able to use some of those extra fps for a straighter trajectory with 150-grainers if I get the rifle to shoot well enough to serve as me roe deer gun.

If I won't get it to hold 1.5-2.5 MOA with a bipod then I don't know if I can trust it for the longer ranges and smaller targets that roe deer stalking demands and then I'll use this gun for wild boar in thick brush areas...
 
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