Which M-14 to get?

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esrevnoc

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Gang, I am new to the forumand have read a lot of posts about the .223 versus .308 fight. I am leaning to the .308 because I can justify it to the wife because of deer hunting useage (Less bitching is better).

I have found 2 rifles at different local gun stores. One is a Polytech M-14 at$750 that looks in good shape and nice & tight. The other is a Springfield M1-A1 in a poly stock at $1150 in very good shape,also tight with little sign of being fired much at all.


Which one would you get and why?

I have an SKS for those tighter woods and want a longer range deer gun/heavier capability rifle :

I am hooked up with handguns for now....9MM, 45 ACP, and my wifes .38along with a couple long and handgun .22 plinkers.

I would appreciate any input you can give.
 
Buy the Polytech if you want a project gun. Word is the Receivers are very good, and you could shoot it and decide if you wish to upgrade. I believe the bolts on the Polytech guns were soft, and may crack at the roller. That's only what I've heard, I've seen several fellows with stock Polytechs and no problems.

You'll probably be happy with either, if it were me I'd go for the Polytech. Of the two, anyhow.
 
The Poly is an excellent rifle,forged receiver,forged one-piece op rod,excellent chrome lined barrel etc.But it does have some issues,some minor some not.Minor issues include,gas lock thread is not the same as G.I.,Gas system not chrome lined,rear sights are a crap shoot some are fine some are not and a short connector lock pin(not an issue unless installing in a G.I. stock.The only major issue is that headspace tends to be long and some bolts are soft which can become dangerous.Most people err on the side of caution and have a G.I. bolt fitted.http://warbirdscustomguns.com/Rifle%20Shop%20services.htmHas lot's of experience with the Chinese M14's. I would the check headspace,if it's ok then record it and recheck every couple of hundred rounds or if there are signs of excessive headspace.When/if it becomes unacceptable then have a G.I. bolt fitted.A Springfield Armory has a lifetime warranty (life of gun not original owner) and they are very good at taking care of their customers.And if it's an older Springfield it will probably have at least some G.I. parts which are a bonus.At 750 for the Poly if you have to do a G.I. bolt swap on the Poly then your'e cost will be very near the cost of the Springfield but with no warranty.I have a Poly and several Springfields and while they all are great i'd suggest the Springfield.But if you could find a Poly for around 600 i'd suggest the Poly.
 
The poly might need some work--check the headspace before you buy and see where you stand. The SA Inc comes with a guarantee. Tough call... I'd give them both a thorough look.

Ty
 
Not five minutes ago, I posted on another M1A (NOT M1-A1, btw) thread here on THR. I'll repeat the website....

www.M-14forum.com

has SCADS of info about the Polytech rifles. Essentially, they recommend keeping ONLY the receiver, and using it as the basis for decent rifle. In your case right now, I'd pony up the extra bucks and buy the Springfield rifle, no question. I bought a current-production M1A just last September, and it is an absolute jewel.
 
Thanks

Thanks to all the present replies and any future replies. You guys have given me food for thought and some GREAT links for me to follow up on and read to get my final thoughts together before whipping out the check book.......

One of the gun stores has a new SOCOM II but at $1700 it is a bit pricey....
 
You get up into that $1500-1700 prince range you might start looking at Fulton's work.

That's next on my list, a Fulton built M14.
 
A friend has a Poly. He's never been able to make it stay zeroed.
To me the ones I've handled just don't feel right.

I'd offer a bit less on the Springfield and see what they say. Some are occasionally offered at $900-$1,000.

I bought a match shooter's second rifle many years ago. It has a fiberglass stock, National Match sights, and has had a bit of target work done.
It is my most consistantly accurate rifle.
I used it in matches for several years and it is still as accurate as when I bought it.
 
I bought my first recently. A SA M1A 'standard'.

It is absolutely fantastic.

I paid $1000 for it and felt like I got a great deal, there was very little wear anywhere on the rifle.

Next, I want a scout/squad 18" model and eventually a really nice 'match' grade rifle built on a forged receiver.

They are FINE rifles that are designed very specifically to hit hard basically anything you can see.

Bummer that the ammoman is out of M14 mags...that was an excellent source wile it lasted.


I'll bet Christmas remorse and tax bills might have the effect of offering some nice rifles up to the second hand market...keep your eyes open.
 
I would go with the SA. Fewer issues and you are much more likely to get where you want to be, which is shooting a good rifle (instead of acquiring a "project").

Unless you really need a much shorter, handier rifle while jumping in and out of your APC and clearing buildings, the standard rifle configuration works just fine. I have handled the SOCOM wundergun and don't feel like I'm missing anything.

And FWIW I have probably gotten more enjoyment out of my M1A than any other rifle I own, with the possible exception of my M1 Garand project rifle.
 
Good Gun BAD Country

I've owned A Polytech for A little more than A year "2000+ rounds" and did have a problem with the connector lock pin being short when I installed a G.I. fiiberglass stock but that has been my only problem other than the CHICOM part of the deal.If you got the money buy American! Every little bit helps and you will rarely go wrong.
 
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