SA M1A vs. DSA FAL -

[californiasushi]

m1a's and m14's are the same thing, although technically a m14 is the military version with a selector switch. m1a is the name springfield armory trademarked for their version of the civilian m14's. that means other companies have to call their rifles m14's. a lot of people think fulton armory m14's are overpriced because the receivers don't turn out that well. people generally are very happy with both older and newer springfield receivers along with lrb receivers. however, lrb receivers are expensive in themselves, let alone parts and getting the rifle built. springfield m1a's are the way to go in terms of quality and price.

 

[silverlance]

hey y'all

I just got an offer for a new in cosmo norinco m14 for $950. I figure that I might be able to talk him down to $950 shipped if i offer to pay him cash.

what do you folks think?

yah, it's a chicom gun, but according to warbirds they're not bad recievers - just need some work if i ever want it to work with usgi bolts.

 

[californiasushi]

way too expensive

 

[ScottsGT]

WAY, way too much!! I passed on one locally for under $600 Get a Springfield 9222. Fully loaded, carbon steel barrel, walnut stock. I bought one used (Only 40 rds) a few years back for $1200 with a leather sling and one 20 rd. mag. I love the way it handles, looks and shoots. Damn.... Now I've got to take her out on a date here soon since you got me thinking about her again.

Here's one for $1484:
http://www.gunandsport.com/products/rifles/rifle_index.html

 

[dmckean44]

If you add in a replacement GI bolt you're already higher than the cost of a new springfield.

 

[24kshooter]

Buy a Remington LTR in 308 and some good glass. Then you can work on shooting skills that will transfer over when you can move to the real world and can own a semiauto. If you just gotta have a semi - get a M1 Garrand.

 

[ScottsGT]

Buy a Remington LTR in 308 and some good glass. Then you can work on shooting skills that will transfer over when you can move to the real world and can own a semiauto. If you just gotta have a semi - get a M1 Garrand.

Gotta agree on one thing he says. Since I bought my Garand, the M1A stays at home more often.

 

[Coronach]

The difference between an M1A and an M14 are-

Well, okay, let's step back a bit.

The difference between an M1A and a real M14 is that the real-deal M14 is a military rifle, having either select-fire (full auto) capability, or once having select-fire capability (since disabled). This makes it a NFA weapon, subject to applicable laws and controls, and costing in the ballpark of the down payment on a nice house. They're spendy.

Anything you are looking to buy is probably going to be a civilian copy of the M14. Springfield Armory, already having shown the marketing savvy to trademark the Springfield name (despite having no relationship whatsoever to the defunct US armory), further demonstrated marketing sense by trademarking the name "M1A" (thus trading on the easily recognizable M1 moniker). An M1A is just SA's M14 copy.

Fulton Armory and many others also make their own M14 copies, each with their own name. The main differences are cost, quality of the receiver (forged vs cast), quality of the parts used (USGI vs non-USGI), quality of the barrel and quality of assembly. M14 afficionados can and will argue at great length about which is better, and which is more cost-effective, etc.

Myself? I have a Springfield Armoury National Match, and it shoots better than I do. Others gripe about inferior non-USGI parts, but either mine is an older SA (and theoretically equipped with a higher percentage of high-quality parts) or I'm just lucky. Nothing has broken yet.

Mike

 

[hso]

Spend a little time looking at these sites.

Makers -

Armscorp USA
Fulton Armory
Smith Enterprise, Inc.
Entreprise Arms
Springfield Armory, Inc.


Forums -

http://www.m-14forum.com/

http://battlerifles.ambackforum.com/viewforum.php?f=108&sid=3b1477d15270bfed7e3cf1e52e96317f

http://www.surplusrifle.com/m14m1a/index.asp

http://www.warrifles.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=1

 

[chopinbloc]

WAY, way too much!! I passed on one locally for under $600

really? was that before or after the chinese import ban? since the ban, i've only seen two polytech m-14s and both were close to $800. that was also a couple years ago. a new one in cosmo is well worth the $900 asking price in my book. many folks feel that polytechs are superior to SA plus, since they are no longer imported, they are eminently collectable. heck, even norinco ammo is highly sought after.

if you ever intend to mount a scope then you should probably go with any manufacturer BUT springfield. if not, then whatever suits you.

 

[ScottsGT]

It was back in December. Dick's pawn Shop in Myrtle Beach, and belonged to the owner. It was indirectly posted here on THR. That's how I found out about it. Cannot remember the exact price, but if my memory serves me correctly, it was dirt cheap, around or less than the $600 mark.

Ahaa! I found the post, and it was only $325, then he raised his price to $500 after talking with a member of THR:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=169965&highlight=polytech+M14

 

[chopinbloc]

i am jack's complete and utter amazement. i'm guessing that since you passed on it you never got to see the condition.

 

[silverlance]

yup

I don't think 900 is exactly way too expensive - when you consider my options, the chinese ban, and its acceptability in terms of quality by every respectable smith i know.

On the other hand, it's not exactly a bargain, either.

It helps greatly knowing how much these folks got the guns for - although 900 may be a "reasonable" price, I'm not willing to help someone profit that much off of a gun.

the $1200 from impactguns looks good. but i'd really like to avoid SA.

I'll go check out those makers that someone mentioned. More later.

 

[ScottsGT]

I wouldn't be too quick to shy away from Springfield Armory. They make a really nice M1A. True, ocassionally a few slip through the cracks that have to go back for corrections, (I've read about sights not being correct and POI is with windage cranked over to one side of the rear sights.) Unless you're looking for a high end competition rifle, which BTW will cost way more than the budget allows, Springfield is probably the only game in town at or around $1800. Besides, they have one hell of a good warranty.
Not sure what all the Fulton, LRB and others cost. I've been afraid to re$$$earch it