M14 Madness

Well, Doc M brought up some good points. But in all I still really like my 858. The M305 is great too. Like I said they both have weaknesses and strengths.

They are different rifles for different scenarios.

Now saying an SKS is better than an 858, now that is a stretch. I agree the beaverpuke stocks are ugly, but they are strong and light.
 
.45Barracuda said:
Wow. DocM. All of this BS info and you dont even OWN a 858?

I am speechless...
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Well stay speechless - but I've shot no less than 6 of them owned by friends and associates at my club, and it's BECAUSE of this (and discussions with them on what they felt were shortfalls) that I don't own one.

CZ-858's aren't "vaporware" to me - and I actively pursued trigger time with everyone I knew who had one, to put the rifle through its paces when I thought I might buy one. Well, after much trigger time - I'm talking a half case of 7.62x39 I split with a buddy, when I didn't own any x39 guns at the time (but put it all through loaners, in trade for time on some of my pistols) - I decided the 858 wasn't for me right now.

On the other hand, after two afternoons with a friend's M14s I was sold. After shooting a few SKS, I put them on the "damn right, soon" list.

It's not BS made up info, it's first hand observations based on the 858's I PERSONALLY handled. As with anything, YMMV. My view works for me, and if it doesn't work for you that's why you have your OWN viewpoint to rely on! :D

-M
 
Also, I'm not knocking 858 owners - if you love yours, then that's what's important! Maybe I saw 6 that were poorly manufactured? 6 that were not up to snuff? Maybe the owners didn't take as good care of them as they should?

Here's my view on things - what works for me isn't necessarily going to work for someone else, and what works for someone else isn't necessarily going to work for me.

The thing is though - and I saw this put so eloquently as a quote in someone's sig line here on CGN - what we shoot doesn't matter; the fact that we shoot makes us kin.

So, my non-purchase of an 858 means there are one or two more out there for you guys who like 'em to purchase! And a few more cases of ammo too - so you guys enjoy yours, and I'll enjoy mine, and if we're ever on the same range we can exchange a thumbs-up from a few benches away! :50cal:

-M
 
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.45Barracuda said:
Poorly manufactured? Compared to a Norinco? You must have fever today...
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YMMV = your mileage may vary.

I just noticed a lot of rattle and general "tsk tsk" areas in the 858's I handled personally. Doesn't mean they're junk at all - in fact, it probably means they'll run better in a sandbox or even in the mud. But I just didn't particularly like them compared to tighter-fit SKS models I saw, or the Norc M14s I handled which was solid as a rock on lockup.

Don't take it personally, my friend! And this is an excellent chance for you to stick up for why you think the 858 is superior to what I've described - I'd love to hear from others with more experience than I have! Maybe you'll make me a convert... ? I'm always open to new information - what I've said above is just my personal opinion, and none of our opinions should be taken as hard fact!

-M
 
The only reason the M14 is as popular is because the FN FAL was illegally prohibited.

Of the post-war battle rifles there are many superior rifles: AR-10 (the real ones), FAL, G3, CETME, SIG 510.

I have no doubt that every second Canadian would have a FAL at home if they were available.
 
I was thinking the same thing a while ago that the "main battle rifle" forums were mostly about the M-14, with most of the other threads relating to the FAL or misplaced threads about milsurp rifles.

We should rename it "The M-14 Discussion" with a text below reading "M-14 and other Post WWII battle rifle discussion" or something.
 
nestle said:
The only reason the M14 is as popular is because the FN FAL was illegally prohibited.

Of the post-war battle rifles there are many superior rifles: AR-10 (the real ones), FAL, G3, CETME, SIG 510.

I have no doubt that every second Canadian would have a FAL at home if they were available.
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I cannot disagree with a single thing said here. I'd sell my M14s in a heartbeat if I could just have a FAL. What a great platform.

-M
 
The FN C1 was what first motivated me to get my FAC/PAL. I saw an FN FAL at what used to be SIR years ago. Was sort of expensive, but I had really wanted it. I remember after I got my licence, I went to look at it again and then I noticed that it was classified Prohibited. f:P:2:

Well, that shot my hopes to s**t right there. Especially when I remember asking an older Sgt who'd been in when they were still using the C1s, if I could get prohibited. He said no, but he had it because he was "grandfathered". I thought it was silly that I couldn't get an overall prohibited rating on my licence considering my government career in the military.

So, instead, I bought an SKS...
 
The Main Battle Rifle forum is now about the M41A
Pulse-Rifle-m41A.jpg


[youtube]T_dlAmBkr10[/youtube]

Hicks: I wanna introduce you to a personal friend of mine.
prman01.jpg
 
MagnumPeanut said:
The Main Battle Rifle forum is now about the M41A
Pulse-Rifle-m41A.jpg


[youtube]T_dlAmBkr10[/youtube]

Hicks: I wanna introduce you to a personal friend of mine.
prman01.jpg
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Awesome! Totally off topic, but awesome!

Ya, I would trade in all my firearms, computers, consoles, and car just to have a "real" M41 Pulse Rifle. A caseless cartridge, dual weapon, electonically controlled action, with HIGH capacity magazines. Beautiful! Truly should be the template for the next combat rifle issued to soldiers. Everything being developed now is just a remake and attempted improvement of already existing technology. Take your pick. It's really all up to preference now, as there isn't much difference between many firearms, as any contemporary firearm can kill just as well as another (under certain circumstances and conditions, of course, yadda yadda).

H&K was ahead of it's time when they developed the G11 (4.7mm caseless). Due to cost to produce the material and parts, it was impractical as a standard issue rifle at the time. Alas, several decades have passed and many new discoveries in technology have been developed. I say the Germans or Americans (with the ACR 5.56mm caseless) should pick up the R&D where they left off and create the new generation of military firearms. Would be bloody brilliant. For civilians, it would eventually come to everyone, and reloading would be a fun and interesting new procedure. No more dealing with hundreds of dirty casings.

Just food for thought. I've always been a great admirer of all rifles, past and post-modern, but nothing could ever grab my interest more than a revolutionary yet practical rifle concept.
 
Doc M said:
I cannot disagree with a single thing said here. I'd sell my M14s in a heartbeat if I could just have a FAL. What a great platform.
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I always wanted to shoot an FN, eventually (in '93 or '94) I got one. A British L1A1, the price was $179.95 (!), and this was in the days of high capacity magazines. Don't remember if it was Restricted or non-Restricted at the time.

It was a fun rifle for sure, but if I had to choose between it and the M14, I would choose the M14. And for any target shooting, I'd have an even stronger preference for the M14.
 
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