civileng
Member
Fulton Armory, Springfield Armory, even Norinco are all high dollar rifles. WHat gives?
What makes M1A/M14 so expensive?
- Thread starter civileng
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highorder
Member
among other things, supply and demand. they seem to sell well.
civileng
Member
ive held one, not had the fortune to shoot one yet.
I would LOVE one but coming up with the money is easier said than done.
I would LOVE one but coming up with the money is easier said than done.
M14
A 50 year old platform that is currently serving the GWOT is a draw to some.
Knowing that it's the last American Main Battle Rifle has it's appeal to others.
All the new mile-spec parts, modern stocks and modern gun smithing techniques are exciting to many.
The best iron sights in the business also draws people to the M14 platform.
I could go on, but I'll just post a picture of my most sedate M14s.
A 50 year old platform that is currently serving the GWOT is a draw to some.
Knowing that it's the last American Main Battle Rifle has it's appeal to others.
All the new mile-spec parts, modern stocks and modern gun smithing techniques are exciting to many.
The best iron sights in the business also draws people to the M14 platform.
I could go on, but I'll just post a picture of my most sedate M14s.
civileng
Member
Those are nice. Now you should share.
I've been debating between a SA and an AR 15 for Christmas wish list.
IF I could get an M1a, any other brands that make a quality gun or SA about the best bargain?
I've been debating between a SA and an AR 15 for Christmas wish list.
IF I could get an M1a, any other brands that make a quality gun or SA about the best bargain?
kcmarine
Member
Why? Cause it looks bad ass. Seriously. No one is gonna say "Hey, aren't you Richard Simmons?" to you when you are lugging an M1A/ M14.
HM2PAC
Member
One of the things that makes it pricey is that it's Made in America.
American workers get many things that workers in other countries do not.
Health insurance, over-time, double-time, workers comp, PTO, vacations, sick days, unions, retirement packages, ......the list goes on and drives up prices.
American workers get many things that workers in other countries do not.
Health insurance, over-time, double-time, workers comp, PTO, vacations, sick days, unions, retirement packages, ......the list goes on and drives up prices.
Is this a problem for you otherwise?
Seriously, the reasons for the price are:
1. Supply/Demand. They're not making these things for the military anymore, so the makers don't get the economies of scale of the AR parts supply. When some company makes 5.4 bazillion widgets, reciever, lower, M16A4, that tends to drive the price down for everyone. And, since the M14 is a niche market (as compared to the AR or AK), the smaller number of makers can (and have to) make a little more per unit. If you're selling thousands of AR15s, you can have a lower profit per unit than you can if you're selling hundreds of M14s.
2. The design requires a lot of machining and detail work that other designs do not.
3. Most of the M14 clones have outstanding fit and finish.
4. In the case of Norinco and Polytech, the import ban has artificially increased the prices due to scarcity.
Mike
Is this a problem for you otherwise?
Seriously, the reasons for the price are:
1. Supply/Demand. They're not making these things for the military anymore, so the makers don't get the economies of scale of the AR parts supply. When some company makes 5.4 bazillion widgets, reciever, lower, M16A4, that tends to drive the price down for everyone. And, since the M14 is a niche market (as compared to the AR or AK), the smaller number of makers can (and have to) make a little more per unit. If you're selling thousands of AR15s, you can have a lower profit per unit than you can if you're selling hundreds of M14s.
2. The design requires a lot of machining and detail work that other designs do not.
3. Most of the M14 clones have outstanding fit and finish.
4. In the case of Norinco and Polytech, the import ban has artificially increased the prices due to scarcity.
Mike
Neo-Luddite
Member
One of the things that makes it pricey is that it's Made in America.
(with some help from Australia, right?)
Great rifle, cost is based on the desire of would-be buyer to have an m1a; really, the 'plain jane' SA m1a has not gone up in cost more than maybe 25% or so over the last 15 years. That isn't so bad. It SEEMS like more relative to the fact that the price of AR's has come down owing to more players in the market.
In short, they KNOW that at a relatively high price point you WILL still buy. You can't get an Armalite, Bushmaster, Oly, Rock River, (etc) M1a
(with some help from Australia, right?)
Great rifle, cost is based on the desire of would-be buyer to have an m1a; really, the 'plain jane' SA m1a has not gone up in cost more than maybe 25% or so over the last 15 years. That isn't so bad. It SEEMS like more relative to the fact that the price of AR's has come down owing to more players in the market.
In short, they KNOW that at a relatively high price point you WILL still buy. You can't get an Armalite, Bushmaster, Oly, Rock River, (etc) M1a
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highorder
Member
they do have great sights.
SpeedAKL
Member
The SA guns seem to be very well-built, for starters. Never fired one, but most people love shooting them and claim that they are very reliable while also being exceptionally accurate for a "battle rifle". The customizability (is that a word?) also adds to their appeal for many. It's not quite to AR levels yet in that regard, but there are plenty of options to make your gun unique. I'd buy one if I had the cash.
General Geoff
Member
My M1A is the only firearm in my possession that has never:
-misfired
-failed to fire
-failed to feed
-failed to eject
-broken any part
-left me without a smile on my face.
Well worth the price of entry, in my opinion. Some things are worth paying extra for.
-misfired
-failed to fire
-failed to feed
-failed to eject
-broken any part
-left me without a smile on my face.
Well worth the price of entry, in my opinion. Some things are worth paying extra for.
Matt-J2
Member
SpeedAKL said:
Yep, same here. There's one at the local Scheels, Socom 16 type I believe, for $1500. I handle it every time I go in there, I like it. Too expensive, though. Clearly I'm not the only one who thinks so, either, since it's been there for quite a long time.
metalmachine
Member
I picked up SA National Match, and a Socom 16. Great fit and finish. The National Match was very hard to find with a 6 month wait in So Cal. They are in pretty good demand here and don't sit around very long. The Socom 16 is easier to find. May need to get a scout for this year.
For a current Springfield Armory Inc. M1A that uses almost all investment cast parts and a Boyds Walnut stock the question is valid.
Demand must keep the price high because it isn't the wages Sping Ink pays their employees nor is it the high cost of building the rifle.
They could sell these newer models for the same retail as a mid level AR15, about $900.00
Now if you are to compare an early Springfield Armory cast receiver rifle or an LRB forged machined receiver rifle with all USGI parts and a USGI contract barrel to the Sping Ink cast blaster,,,,,here you will understand why some M1A type rifles are expensive and worth every penny.
Demand must keep the price high because it isn't the wages Sping Ink pays their employees nor is it the high cost of building the rifle.
They could sell these newer models for the same retail as a mid level AR15, about $900.00
Now if you are to compare an early Springfield Armory cast receiver rifle or an LRB forged machined receiver rifle with all USGI parts and a USGI contract barrel to the Sping Ink cast blaster,,,,,here you will understand why some M1A type rifles are expensive and worth every penny.
After almost two decades of ARs I sold them all and followed the most common advise given "get a Springfield M1A" -
I purchased a new Scout in 2001.
That was a big learning experience for me, I was one of the few and unlucky to get a problematic rifle - I won't go into the details, but SAI did get it running under warranty. That original Scout was parted out down to the receiver and sold off.
That 3 year learning experience taught me much and my quest to have an ultra reliable M14 lead me to Lee Emerson who in turn lead me to Ron Smith.
Today, all of my M14s are Chinese made Poly Tech or Norinco rifles. Four of them are custom Smith Enterprise builds - the others are original ChiComs.
The two rifles pictured above are the best M14 bargains I have. BUILD DETAILS
BTW, I pick up my new 6920 tomorrow
azhunter12
Member
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Because Springfield likes to make lots of money.
Vityaz
Member
I don't think that necessarily means they could drop the price that much.
kimberfan
Member
h2o man
what brand of stock is that tan one?
and how much do they go for?
what brand of stock is that tan one?
and how much do they go for?
Vityaz
Member
Looks like a modified USGI synthetic to me.
Ash
Member
The synthetic stock, at least on the one I had, was a modified USGI. The modification was terrible because the texture they use will chafe your face when firing.
Ash
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