Is it easier/cheaper and what will be the price difference and quality difference to get a used polytech, springfield, or norinco m14/m1a and then get a new stock and barrel (i want a mcmillian family stock and a krieger stainless barrel) and get everything replaced with usgi parts. or just get a full custom build SEI (smith enterprise) with a lrb reciever, usgi parts, and a mcmillian stock and kreiger barrel? can mcmillian stocks be pillar or have a bedding block installed?
Cheapest/ easiest way to get a nice m14 build rifle...
- Thread starter sprice
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There is nothing cheap about the M14.
IMHO, the best value in the M14 world is a ChiCom M14 with a USGI bolt conversion performed by Warbird or SEI.
There is no need to replace the original barrel, op rod, gas system or trigger group.
Replace the sights, muzzle device, op rod guide spring and Chu wood stock.
NOTE: Some of the original rear sights are good to go.
If you have the money to invest and want the best, I highly recommend a full blown Crazy Horse by SEI on a ChiCom receiver.
IMHO, the best value in the M14 world is a ChiCom M14 with a USGI bolt conversion performed by Warbird or SEI.
There is no need to replace the original barrel, op rod, gas system or trigger group.
Replace the sights, muzzle device, op rod guide spring and Chu wood stock.
NOTE: Some of the original rear sights are good to go.
If you have the money to invest and want the best, I highly recommend a full blown Crazy Horse by SEI on a ChiCom receiver.
Prices recently quoted to me by a reputable armorer in the chicom bolt conversion trade:
Labor to convert to USGI bolt $125.
Refinish barreled receiver $75.
New TRW stripped bolt $200.
$400 + shipping & insurance to & from which can be saved if you have an excellent choice nearby. I'm lucky enough to have Roland Beaver a five minute drive away but he's getting old & I couldn't get in touch with him in my time frame so I had to ship mine off.
Then you have the initial purchase cost of the chicom rifle; I would shop around locally until I found one between $700-$800 used in good condition; anything more is overpriced in my recent experience (depending on where you live of course). They can be purchased online but then you have the FFL transfer fees & shipping to add into the mix which is almost always more expensive than local taxes.
So somewhere in the neighborhood of $1,100 & up is what you can expect to give for a chicom M14 with a USGI bolt conversion.
Labor to convert to USGI bolt $125.
Refinish barreled receiver $75.
New TRW stripped bolt $200.
$400 + shipping & insurance to & from which can be saved if you have an excellent choice nearby. I'm lucky enough to have Roland Beaver a five minute drive away but he's getting old & I couldn't get in touch with him in my time frame so I had to ship mine off.
Then you have the initial purchase cost of the chicom rifle; I would shop around locally until I found one between $700-$800 used in good condition; anything more is overpriced in my recent experience (depending on where you live of course). They can be purchased online but then you have the FFL transfer fees & shipping to add into the mix which is almost always more expensive than local taxes.
So somewhere in the neighborhood of $1,100 & up is what you can expect to give for a chicom M14 with a USGI bolt conversion.
Origional parts from the old Full Auto M14's are getting hard to come by:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=369733
Springfield Arms makes a good M1A for atound 1500 on up.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=369733
Springfield Arms makes a good M1A for atound 1500 on up.
USGI bolt conversion without replacing the original barrel:
Warbird posted this on his forum
Labor to convert to USGI bolt $125.
Refinish barreled receiver $75.
New TRW stripped bolt $200. (if I have any left).
I know Smith Enterprise, Inc. charges a bit more, but I don't have a breakdown of what is included.
Also, I don't think either of these M14 builders have USGI bolts.
Ebay, GunBroker, forums like this one and gun shows are some of your options.
The price for a full custom build depends on who is building it, what parts are used and who supplies the parts.
Two links that will help you.
Warbirds Rifle Shop Services
SEI's M14 parts & accessories
The prices H2O man listed there are from the builder I quoted; Tim Strait @ Warbirds (not directed at H2O man, he's aware) but that's the same price Roland Beaver quoted my friend for the same work who contacted him a week or so before I tried unsuccessfully. But to be fair, I only tried a few times & it was only a couple days after labor day.
So I assume that's somewhat indicative of the cost for a reputable smith. I'm aware some will be lower & some higher but these are the only two I know for certain do exceptional work.
So I assume that's somewhat indicative of the cost for a reputable smith. I'm aware some will be lower & some higher but these are the only two I know for certain do exceptional work.
Price is a factor, but be aware that there are just two M14 gunsmiths with the talent, tools and experience
required to perform a USGI bolt conversion on a ChiCom M14 without replacing the original chrome lined barrel.
The two M14 gunsmiths are Warbird and SEI.
required to perform a USGI bolt conversion on a ChiCom M14 without replacing the original chrome lined barrel.
The two M14 gunsmiths are Warbird and SEI.
Tim says these guys are good & I've seen Roland Beavers work so I'm not sure I agree that there are only two.
Gus Fisher
Art Lapinio
Roland Beavers
Mark & Ron @ SEI
Tim & Roland are the only two who's work I've seen so they're the only two I can recommend from first hand knowledge. Of all the people I know who own M14's or M1A's none have an SEI. A couple have Fultons & I wasn't impressed.
Gus Fisher
Art Lapinio
Roland Beavers
Mark & Ron @ SEI
Tim & Roland are the only two who's work I've seen so they're the only two I can recommend from first hand knowledge. Of all the people I know who own M14's or M1A's none have an SEI. A couple have Fultons & I wasn't impressed.
The others that you listed are good, but there are just two M14 gunsmiths with the talent, tools and experience
required to perform a USGI bolt conversion on a ChiCom M14 without replacing the original chrome lined barrel.
I also agree with your feelings about Fulton, some of their work is very good, but way, way over priced.
required to perform a USGI bolt conversion on a ChiCom M14 without replacing the original chrome lined barrel.
I also agree with your feelings about Fulton, some of their work is very good, but way, way over priced.
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