Closest thing to an M14?

[the 22 junkie]

Does anything know of the closest thing to an M14 that wouldn't cost me an arm and a leg? (A $1500 M1A is not an option for me) I've seen a few Norinco's, how are the quality on those? The ideal price rannge would be from $400-800.

 

[ball3006]

An M1 Garand....

would fall in your price range. It is what the M14 evolved from.......chris3

 

[Aguila Blanca]

Do you mean who has an M1A for the best price, or are you willing to settle for something that's "close" but not actually an M14/M1A?

How about a Ruger Mini-30? It's a very similar design and it's the same caliber bullet, just shoots 7.62x39 instead of 7.62x51.

 

[the 22 junkie]

I already have a Mini-14, I like it a lot for hog disposal, but the noise is horrendous on it. I've considered the Mini-30, but something deep down inside me just hates having the same gun in different calibers, unless its a .22 version.
For some reason I'm just infatuated with the M14, so, I guess you could say an M1A/Norinco for the best price.

Or maybe something like this:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?item=47084589

 

[Limeyfellow]

You live in Tx so its unlikely you ever be able to get a Norinco M14 style rifle legally and the few that are around you have to be careful to have the hardness of the bolt checked. On the good side they are easily under a grand cheaper than anyone else producing them.

You are unlikely to find a US legal m14 style rifle for the price you are willing to pay because they have virtually all got the same price.

 

[Thefabulousfink]

You could buy a M14 receiver and parts then have them put together by a gunsmith. If you shop around really good, you just might squeeze under your $800 price limit. If you want performance, it will cost more but you could buy a better barrel, stock, and other parts to have you rifle built with. You can stretch the cost out over a longer period, and get a good rifle for cheeper than a Fulton or Sprinfield match grade.

Just a thought, although don't try and build it youself because all the tools will blow your budget out of the water.:banghead: I am working on getting the stuff together to build a FAL and I have to stretch every penny out of each paycheck, but I is a labour of love not money.

 

[hso]

Woops! Double Post

 

[nbkky71]

Polytech made M14 clones as well. I think that a Norinco or a Polytech will be your best bet, given your monetary limitations.

Thefabulousfink has the right idea. Accumulate the required parts over time so you're stretching the cost out. However, it will be a challenge to accumulate all the parts and have a reputable gunsmith assemble them for under $800. I'd estimate closer to $1000 myself.

 

[hso]

Let's change gears.

Why do you want an M14? You can't get one for $400 or $500 or $600 unless a miracle happens. The Norincos and Polytechs are the only ones that you might reasonably be expected to find for under $900 and the Norincos need some expensive gunsmithing (another $150) to bring them up to snuff. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=43743102

So why an M14 ?

 

[MechAg94]

Someone else can tell you about Saiga rifles in .308. That might be an alternative. I don't own one, but have heard they have decent accuracy.

Also, I stopped by Collector's Firearms in Houston a few weeks ago and they had a PolyTech M14 on one rack rack (opposite side from all the shotguns near the SKS's and AK's). I think the sticker price was $750. I have no idea if it is still there. That shop is on the other side of town from me.

 

[50 Freak]

Why do you want an M14? You can't get one for $400 or $500 or $600 unless a miracle happens. The Norincos and Polytechs are the only ones that you might reasonably be expected to find for under $900 and the Norincos need some expensive gunsmithing (another $150) to bring them up to snuff. So why an M14 ?

Guess the hand of God came my way a couple of months ago. Cause I bought a slightly used Poly M14 for $400. I felt so bad for getting such a great deal, I gave the seller some "beer money". He was an old marine and selling the rifle to visit his old unit from Korea. First round of beers was on me.

 

[colt.45]

personally, i will never buy a norico or polytech m-1a. look around gunshows and be the first one there. you just might find a deal.

 

[220_Swift]

I would say take that $800 you would spend right now on one, and stash it away. Then, save up the rest and buy a good one. You can get into a Springfield Armory Standard for $1100, which is only $300 more. That is the only way you will truely be happy with your purchase in the long run.JMHO

 

[cpermd]

Spend $30 on a USGI field headspace guage.
When you find a Chicom M14 check the headspace.
If it is OK and in your price range get it.
You will be happy with it.
Sometimes the bolt geometry and hardness is off a bit and it will have to be replaced. That is why you check the headspace after each shooting trip.
None of mine have ever closed on a Field gauge.
They have forged receivers and oprods,stainless gas cylinders and chromeplated barrels.
They are a bargain.
CP

 

[hso]

$400!!!

Good golly were the fates leaning in your favor! I hope you gave him enough money for beer for his entire unit.

cpermd has it nailed.

The Polytechs are potentially better rifles than the Springfields because the recievers are forged on surplused US machinery (yep, we gave it to the Taiwanese and they sold it to the PRC) while the Springfields are cast receivers. I say "potentially" only because there's nothing particularly wrong about a good cast receiver. With a GI bolt headspaced to the M14S Polytech reciever you've got yourself the closest thing to an original GI M14 you can purchase.

 

[50 Freak]

$400!!!

Good golly were the fates leaning in your favor! I hope you gave him enough money for beer for his entire unit.

Sure did, told them the first round was on me.

Found a GI bolt for $130 and with a little Ghetto Gunsmithing. Dropped that into my $400 Poly. Am happy as politician in hooker land.

 

[50 Freak]

personally, i will never buy a norico or polytech m-1a. look around gunshows and be the first one there. you just might find a deal.

Norincos and Polys don't make M1As only Springfield makes M1As. Norincos and Polys may M14s. And their receivers are considered some of the best by even the M14 gurus.

Their barrels are even chrome lined whereas Springfield's are not. Their oprods are one piece (like the originals) whereas I believe the Springfields are two piece.

Other than changing the bolt and maybe the hammer, you pretty much have a damn good copy of the original semi M14s.

Oh, and their stocks are not as pretty as some of the US manufactors, but a battle rifle is just that. Ugly and made for lugging around in the worst conditions. Not sitting in a safe somewhere.

 

[Lancer]

In 1988 I passed up a used $500 M1A. Have been kicking myself ever since...:banghead:

 

[dmckean44]

How about LRB Arms? How do they compare with the Polytechs?

 

[50 Freak]

Probably better but you'll be paying $900 bucks just for a receiver.

 

[BadWolf]

The Polytechs are potentially better rifles than the Springfields because the recievers are forged on surplused US machinery (yep, we gave it to the Taiwanese and they sold it to the PRC)

From what I read and understood, we sold our m14 tooling to Taiwan, and the PRC m14's were reverse engineered from US rifles taken during the vietnam conflict. Considering the fact that Taiwan and PRC have always been militarily and governmentally at odds, it seems highly unlikely that Taiwan would sell weapon tooling to them.

Also from what I've read, they Polytech (and norinco) receiver's are indeed high quality forged stuff...made of very strong metal. I can't find the links right now, but I remember the story of PRC's m14's is pretty interesting...something about initally making rifles to arm Philippine rebels so that it would look like they were using american supplied arms, etc.

I'm sure someone over at battlerifles.com or m14forum.com can dig up the info.

 

[Bwana John]

The chi-com M-14 can be a can of worms.
I second the idea to get a M-1 Garand.

 

[bgold]

I would look at getting a Poly or Norinco, as long as it's headspaced correctly, you should have no problems. Buy GI replacement parts as time goes on, and I would probably eventually put a GI bolt in it as well. By that time, you will have the closest thing to a real deal M14 as possible, outside of a LRB that cost twice as much.

Go for it! And if you find one for $400 and aren't so sure, I'll buy it!

 

[30Cal]

You could buy a M14 receiver and parts then have them put together by a gunsmith. If you shop around really good, you just might squeeze under your $800 price limit.

You'd have to get a screamin deal on every single part. Three years ago, you could probably have built a rifle for that kind of money, but not today. It'll cost you almost $2k to build a standard grade rifle these days.

Best bet is to find a used rifle.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Third vote for an M1 Garand for CMP, around $350 or so

If your budget is where your budget is, I'd say do what I did:

1) Buy a Rack-Grade M1 Garand from CMP. I think they're running $350 or so now, plus $20 shipping and $20 to join the Garand Collector's Assoc (mandatory)

2) Get a case of surplus 30-06 and shoot that through it, feel the rifle out.

3) If you like the rifle, but don't like the availability of 30-06 ammo, or think a new barrel is in order, get it rebarelled in .308 (maybe $250 for parts and labor?)

Your end result will be pretty darn similar to an M14, just with a fixed 8-round mag, will be true old-school American craftsmanship, and will cost you less than $700 even if you trick it out a little.

-MV