What makes M1A/M14 so expensive?

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Like I said, there was an article written by an Army officer who outlined how M14s could be sold through the CMP to civilians.

I understand that if a machine gun is registered with the ATF per the National Firearms Act that it can never be taken off the registry, but that's hardly comparable to taking a Military automatic rifle and permanently converting it to semi-automatic before any civilians ever own it. I don't have the article with me now and I cannot find it online.
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According to the ATF it is exactly comparable. Or, rather, is not a case of the rifle "having been on" any list. It is a matter of it having been a firearm capable of full auto fire, and now you're attempting to either add it to the list for sale to civvies (which is not possible since the list is closed) or attempting to make it semi-auto and sell it to civvies (which is not possible because of the "once a machinegun, always a machinegun" rule). The only ways to do this are:

1. Repeal the 1934 law regulating machine guns
2. Repeal the 1986 law closing the registry
3. Rescind the "once a machinegun..." rule.

Any tinkering the Army might do may well make it semi-auto only, but it still won't make it legal to sell.

Mike
 
According to the ATF it is exactly comparable. Or, rather, is not a case of the rifle "having been on" any list. It is a matter of it having been a firearm capable of full auto fire, and now you're attempting to either add it to the list for sale to civvies (which is not possible since the list is closed) or attempting to make it semi-auto and sell it to civvies (which is not possible because of the "once a machinegun, always a machinegun" rule). The only ways to do this are:

1. Repeal the 1934 law regulating machine guns
2. Repeal the 1986 law closing the registry
3. Rescind the "once a machinegun..." rule.

Any tinkering the Army might do may well make it semi-auto only, but it still won't make it legal to sell.

Mike
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What it comes down to is whether or not the President wants to sell M14s to civilians, since he controls the ATF. And we all know how Clinton felt about that.

Now say someone really pro-gun was elected, M14s with their selector lugs cut off could be sold through the CMP without violating the NFA of 1934 or the FOPA of 1986.

Neither of those two laws actually says "once an mg, always an mg," correct?
 
OK most that could be said has been said already, but this thread is suffering from too few photos.

its_here.sized.jpg


100 yard group off a sandbag, iron sights, no break in....

100_yards.jpg


In summary, it's worth it... to me. Your milage may vary.... :)
 
No, no, no. What am I? Gay?
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I thought the M14/M1A was a classy lady?

It has nothing to do with luck. The DPMS basic model 308 is $900 before tax all day every day, until DPMS ups their rates. If you are not in Co then I will ship it to your FFL (price includes shipping)
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I work for a dealer; I know cost on it. However, most people do not have an FFL, and you're generally not going to find that rifle on a store shelf at that price. While we could debate the influence of internet sales on traditional brick-and-mortar gunshops, my point is that it's completely unreasonable to expect to find it for that price in an average shop. $1200 is MSRP, and most stores will be selling it in that vicinity.
 
Sven OK most that could be said has been said already, but this thread is suffering from too few photos.
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Good point Sven.

EBRs020407%20003.jpg


PJwithMK14SEI.jpg
 
What it comes down to is whether or not the President wants to sell M14s to civilians, since he controls the ATF. And we all know how Clinton felt about that.

Now say someone really pro-gun was elected, M14s with their selector lugs cut off could be sold through the CMP without violating the NFA of 1934 or the FOPA of 1986.

Neither of those two laws actually says "once an mg, always an mg," correct?
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IIRC, it is an executive order or ATF "ruling". So yes, the President probably could do it at the stroke of a pen. However, it has nothing to do with what the Army or anyone else in .mil can do. The legislature could do it as well with a bill.

Mike
 
Well I believe Congress stopped the destruction of M14s and created the CMP at the same time, correct?
 
I understand the "Once a MG always a MG" deal. Couldn't the government just parted out the rifles, destroyed the receivers and selectors and then give the parts to the CMP. The CMP could have purchased SA receivers, reassembled legal rifles and then sold them to the public. That would have been better than to have sent them to the breakers. Stupid Clinton! I hope Hilary doesn't make it into office because we most likely will see the same type of thing again.

My local gunshop had an excellent Chicom M1A that sold for $600. I just missed it by a few hours otherwise that baby would have been mine. I always wanted a M1A but could never afford one and with the cost of ammo nowadays, I most likely will not own one anytime soon.
 
Mac Attack Couldn't the government just parted out the rifles, destroyed the receivers and selectors and then give the parts to the CMP.
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I would not encourage the destruction of any additional USGI M14s.

Let the private sector supply the parts needed to keep the USGI M14s
and civilian owned M14 type rifles running indefinitely.
 
Of course they could have Mac Attack. But the president, who controls the military and the ATF was very much against civilian ownership of firearms, especially military-style weapons.
 
It always seems that weapons used or in use (similar pattern weapons, not exact) by our military always seem to be very expensive when they are made in the USA. 1911s, Thompsons, Springfield 1903, AR-15s, M14, Garand, etc... Always seem to be much more than what seems equitable (dont give me that fit and finish junk :)) A well constructed firearms should not cost 3 times its materials cost). A garand is a fine weapon, dont get me wrong, but Im not going to shell out 1000+ dollars for a decent one. Import ban weapons? My polytech M1A1 does wonderful, especially when I bought a USGI bolt for it. 500+150 bolt= 650. It is as accurate as the American made equivalent, but for lots less. I think that everyone should have access to these wonderful weapons, not just those who are rich or retired (took it with them after "the war"). Any thoughts/flames :).
 
m1a1 cost

I have a Springfield m1a s/s national this is one of my favorite to shoot this gun is like the door on a 70s caddy built like a tank worth every penny great gun Springfield is great when you have a problem if you get one keep in mind what the gun was designed for and you wont be disappointed.
 
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