I am just waiting to pick up two H&R M14s hopefully this week. I have an M305 that I brought out of storage its been there for about 5 or 6 years the only thing on it is a serial number. I wouldn't screw with the M14 leave it on the rack and buy an M305.
Are the original M14 parts that much better than the Chinese M14s?
they are dimensionally correct to the design and compatable to the excellent quality and for the most part dimensionally correct chinese receiver.
the PLUS side of a USGI rifle parts kit swapped to a chinese receiver is probably appreciated a little more by mach shooters who desire a military spec .308 chamber ...... which is generally what you get with every swap over i have done for myself, friends and clients. Some barrel parts ie gas lock sights, some popular muzzle devices are only availlable for the usgi standard threads.... also a plus in having the usgi barrel, opens up the field and choices a bit. And the m14 rear sights are a night and day difference in function and longevity of that function
Will it make a better rifle on the bench or in the field than a slightly tuned up chinese rifle......... maybe, maybe not.
personally i like the nostalgia of it and the parts are much nicer in finish. For those who cherish it in it's USGI form as a 12(3) , keeping them as collectors is great, and instant envy from all of us non 12(3) folks hehehe. But a growing number of guys who bought them back in the early 90's ,who miss shooting thier rifle, have taken the road to a full usgi parts to chinese receiver rifle andhave been very happy in doing so.
I'm always on the hunt for at least one more reasonably priced 12(3) m14 in parts, to put away for when i eventually get an LRB receiver imported. That would be a rifle worthy of going across the line to visit powmia56 with
, but sadly, those opportunities have not been coming along much these days for me
