Springfield M14 Reliability and Price

[ak47nevada]

Beautiful rifle Peter!

Thanks for the posts everybody. I'm definately going to put the M1A on top of my list when I get some money in after September.

 

[Onmilo]

I have been shooting the BUSH rifle since 1990 and the National Match since 1995.
Both now have USGI and Match conditioned parts and both function flawlessly and typical of M14 type rifles both require constant tweaking to keep them that way.
I think the best Springfield Inc rifles are barrelled receivers that the shooter hand builds to his specification.
The factory rifles are decent base shooters but this rifle design deserves better than standard factory assembly with the bottom line in mind.
M1A/M14 rifles are serious rifles for serious shooters, if you aren't willing to work with a rifle don't bother buying any M14 type from any maker, they aren't the gun for you.

 

[Dienekes]

My M1A is up to 1700 rounds now, no complaints. It would have a lot more rounds through it but I like my Garand too. Reliability is excellent--unlike some other highly rated guns I regret owning.

I use only USGI mags. a friend of mine bought a Brand X 30 rounder and hated it.

As for cost, people throw away a lot more than that on vehicles that depreciate while you watch. I get a lot more pleasure out of my M1A than I would out of a fancy overstuffed pickup.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

One other thing to consider, these are lifetime investments. They do not really wear out, and I doubt any of us will shoot one enough to break it. I look at my rifles and I only shoot them about 200 rnds a year, If I am lucky I will get 50 more years here, and so I will only be up to 10,000 rnds.

Besides they are just a lot of fun to shoot.

 

[444]

"I doubt any of us will shoot one enough to break it."

 

[varoadking]

I look at my rifles and I only shoot them about 200 rnds a year

Hell, that's a slow weekend for me...

 

[vanfunk]

I have a Springfield Armory M1A standard that was made in about '89. It came equipped with all USGI parts excepting the receiver, and has proven to be an accurate, reliable rifle. I fire only surplus NATO ammo and have never had a malfunction. Ejection consistency is amazing - it just keeps on chugging those cases into a 9" circle, fie feet from the shooter, right at 2:00 o'clock. The SAK '69 chrome lined barrel is capable of all the accuracy I can muster with open sights, about 2.5" at 100 yards (though I'm sure the gun could do much better). I bought this one just last year, on consignment for $900. It had seen very little use before I got it.

If I were looking for another one, I'd keep my eye peeled for an older, slightly used SA M1A in the 40XXX-80XXX serial number range. These were made when the supply of USGI parts was plentiful, and these rifles routinely come with most or all parts (sans receiver, of course) of USGI manufacture. I have no concerns whatsoever about the durability of the SA cast receiver. The LRB Arms forged receiver may be better in absolute terms, but the SA receiver is plenty strong enough, IMO. I'd think a shooter would wear out several GI chrome lined barrels before causing any meaningful wear to the receiver.

HTH,
vanfunk

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Sorry 444, I worded it poorly. I should have said, I doubt any of us will shoot one enough to wear it out.