Norinco M14 as a first rifle?

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tin

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Hello CGN, just want to get your thoughts. I am sitting here patiently working my way through the PAL process and looking forward to being able to purchase a rifle by, I don't know, spring? If I'm lucky? Meanwhile I have been lurking here and trying to figure out how to get started. So frustrating having to wait!

I was thinking about what to get first when I finally can, and thinking maybe Norinco M14. It's inexpensive, and being able to take it apart and put it back together might be a fun and a good way to learn a few things.

My only worry is it's a .308 and I wonder if I should start out with something smaller. I will mostly be shooting it at ranges, and I will be a relatively new shooter (did some shooting many years ago but not a lot).

What are your thoughts?

Great forum. Looking forward to being able to participate more one day.
 
before the current trend of the mouse-gun came along , EVERYBODY trained with a 308/7.62 x51- and i mean everybody- and if you're bigger than 5'6 and 150 pounds( even if you're not) you CAN HANDLE IT- the ONLY downside is the expense of the ammo, and that goes for any center fire rifle over 22 caliber- in other words, your m14 should be your SECOND rifle, after a good reliable 22 that you've learned safe handling , trigger control, and immediate action( how to clear misfires, etc)
 
Start with a 22 learn to shoot then get the m14s if you wish to hunt . Most of the time I use a 22 for targets and cans.

Just my 2 cents
 
Yeah I don't agree with the whole .22lr thing, go for the M14 (If those are your two choices) The M14 is cheap and reliable, plus 308 ammo is coming down in price these days. As I'm currently finding out the M14 is quite the man toy, lots to learn and tinker with. For the most part all repairs and mods can be done yourself (no gunsmithing fees) Upgrade parts are readily available and there's alot of history to learn on the rifle to keep you occupied while your not at the range. The M14 is one of your countries service rifles, and as such (along with the AR-15) you should familiarize yourself with it.


Can you do any of that with a lame ass .22lr? no.
 
Yeah I don't agree with the whole .22lr thing, go for the M14 (If those are your two choices) The M14 is cheap and reliable, plus 308 ammo is coming down in price these days. As I'm currently finding out the M14 is quite the man toy, lots to learn and tinker with. For the most part all repairs and mods can be done yourself (no gunsmithing fees) Upgrade parts are readily available and there's alot of history to learn on the rifle to keep you occupied while your not at the range. The M14 is one of your countries service rifles, and as such (along with the AR-15) you should familiarize yourself with it.


Can you do any of that with a lame ass .22lr? no.
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I too agree with 50calshooter and go for the Norinco M14 and have fun tinkering with it ... although I do have a sweet 22lr that I tinkered with that is badazz 50calshooter ;) :p

Otokiak
Rankin Inlet, NU
CANADA

p.s. welcome to the ADDICTION! :D
 
If you have the money,grab an m14,the 22 will get boring in a hurry,when people get into handguns they start on a 22 and that don't last long and they're looking for something else.....
 
First I got an M14s, then I figured it out... and then picked up a 10/22, so I could save money on practice.

I don't think I'm alone on this. And .22 is a fun game calibre!!
 
The first gun I fired was a .22. The first one I owned was a Ljungman.(lucky to still have all my fingers!!!)

As pointed out, it's good cheap fun with a .22. Great for practice, quiet etc...I love 'em.

Fundamentally, it shouldn't matter if you have an M14 or a Cooey75, basic usage and, handling are the same for all of 'em.

You may run the risk of "acquire-itis"....many here have it. It starts with "is ###### a good first gun?" but moves very quickly to "I need another 10-gun safe"! No known cure either!
 
While I love my M14s...just bought a shorty to go with my 2007....a .22 is No1, then I would get an SKS. The reason? 7.62x39 is cheap and fun to shoot. If you do have the cash and WANT an M14, get the CanAm shorty and ammo deal.
 
If you can afford the ammo, get the M1A.

Getting through 100 rounds a Sat doesn't take long.
Factory 308 is around $1 a shot, so $100 per week x 4 = $400/month
Reloads around .50c a shot, so $50 per week x 4 = $200/month

If you can afford it, do it. If you can't, then don't.
It really is the ONLY deciding factor for you.

The next leg down in cost would be .223. An AR or Mini 14, ammo would be around 1/2 price as above.
 
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tin said:
Hello CGN, just want to get your thoughts. I am sitting here patiently working my way through the PAL process and looking forward to being able to purchase a rifle by, I don't know, spring? If I'm lucky? Meanwhile I have been lurking here and trying to figure out how to get started. So frustrating having to wait!

I was thinking about what to get first when I finally can, and thinking maybe Norinco M14. It's inexpensive, and being able to take it apart and put it back together might be a fun and a good way to learn a few things.

My only worry is it's a .308 and I wonder if I should start out with something smaller. I will mostly be shooting it at ranges, and I will be a relatively new shooter (did some shooting many years ago but not a lot).

What are your thoughts?

Great forum. Looking forward to being able to participate more one day.
Click to expand...

I would say do not get this as your first rifle. Get some kind of bolt action, detachable mag rifle in 223 or 308. You'll also want some kind of 22lr bolt gun.

The problem with these m305/m14b's is that it takes a lot of research, time, money, and tools to get them the way you want.

If you're just looking for an iron sight 308 semi-auto rifle, then yea pick one up. If you have sniper ninja aspirations like me, get a savage 308 rifle and put a scope on it.

notm01-front.jpg
 
I went with an m14 as my first rifle... got bored of it, but its a fun shooter... the worst part was the price of the ammo... a semi shooting 308 empties your pockets a lot faster than you think...the m14 dosent make your shoulder hurt like a bolt 308... so the ammo cost will be a factor... i got rid of mine since then, and i dont miss it.. its a good reliable rifle to start with, its cheap, ammo is readily available everywhere, and you can take it hunting... then again, its not that accurate of a rifle anyways...but as a starter you will like it
 
If you plan on hunting, I probably would'nt choose a M14 unless you hunt with a atv because its heavy to carry. If you only plan on target shooting, then a M14 is a great first centerfire choice. The heavy weight makes the recoil mild. A sks is a good choice also because ammo is really cheap.
 
I would stick with a iron sighted bolt action .22 for a first rifle. Learn to shoot well before you blow a few hundred bucks per month wasting centerfire rounds.

P
 
I went exactly this route, and while I love my M305/M14 dearly, because of the cost to shoot it's not a great first rifle.

For your first gun you want something you can take out and shoot 100+ rounds in a sitting without feeling guilt. Can't really do that with .308 unless you have above average income. .22's are fun and a great way to get the basics down. They are also cheaper to buy, and you can use cheaper optics on them because you don't have to worry about damage or shifting zeroes from the recoil.
 
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