M14 "Variants" "Legality"

Regular readers will excuse me, but newer M14 fans might not know that Springfield Armory closed in 1968. From Wiki:
In 1974, the Springfield Armory name was licensed to Robert Reese, to form Springfield Armory, Inc., a company that manufactures semi-automatic versions of the M14 rifle and M1911 pistol. The company is not located in or near Springfield, Massachusetts and has no direct association with the original Springfield Armory.
 
Nate.308 said:
Already done! It’s just a little disconcerting to read about M305 lemons and the first one I get is a lemon! doesn’t make me confident in the brand......I usually shoot US or Austrian made guns!
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Nate -- I understand and sympathize with your dismay. Would it help if I told you I have 3 M305s rifles and all were safe, fully functional and reasonably accurate right out of the box? While it's true they all needed a bit of tweaking to improve fit and I added sights and guide rods [because I could, not because they were absolutely necessary] to raise their basic functionality, I was quite satisfied with the result.

If you prefer to spend 4 times the price of an M305 on a basic Springfield M1A that probably won't need any work, that would be your best option...and there are more expensive options too. Personally, I've taken a lot of pleasure in getting a very affordable rifle, mediocre in some ways but basically sound, then attending a couple of clinics [thanks to TacticalTeacher!] and doing some research and really getting to know the gun and doing a bit of work to make it a decent shooter. Ya pays your money and ya makes your choice.
 
Hitzy said:
How about holding the op-rod handle closed while you touch off a round? I think that is a better indicator of what kind of forces are at work there.....

Marstar has been sold out of M305's for months? Did you just notice this now OP?
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Yeah, that would be a better indicator.
 
Nate.308 said:
There was a horrific casting flaw in the gas cylinder. And it really looks like the tech attempted to hide the flaw
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What was the flaw?

I know its a casting flaw, but in what respect?

I have a Nor 305. its a great project gun. There is a healthy aftermarket for "M14" style guns in Canada.

for app. $400.00 you cant go wrong.
 
When it first arrived there was a little scuff I used a small knife and just pealed the cylinder back. It almost looks corroded?? I wouldn't want to be near this thing if it was fired! All I'm saying is Houdini was killed by a punch to the stomach, better not to take chances!!

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Nate.308, that issue should be made right by the seller imho...

Having seen the pic & re-read your original post, I will say that the gun you bought should have arrived with no flaws such as the one your pic shows.

That being said, minor tweeking is needed on most of the chinese M14 rifles...

In my case I tweeked/added...
Stainless match guide rod
Garand rear sights
USGI fiberglass stock
Dlask op rod, so I could fit the...
Sparrowhawk M14 dummy selector
Hungry (Tactical Teacher) M14 clinic where...
I added an 8 thou shim to the gas system and
Replaced the pin on the op rod guide on the barrel
Easy as pie and fun!

And, I know I am probably forgetting something... In essence, these tweeks are pretty easy to do & I am very happy with my chinese M14.
Cheers
Jay
 
The only variants of the M1A that are evil are the SA Inc. marketing rifles with barrels under 18.5". None of which are even remotely M-14's. No such thing as an M-14 Carbine.
There are hordes of M1A copies built Stateside. None on a real M-14 receiver though. The ATF decided long ago(and it was picked up by the Socialist F**ks) that "once an MG, always an MG" and promptly confiscated any and all semi-auto rifles built on an m-14 receiver. Don't think there was any compensation either.
The hole in the gas tube is a manufacturing defect. Covered by Marstar's warrantee. Assuming you bought it from them.
 
I have received my replacement and she looks healthy, Marstar should be credited for their customer service!!! I would have totaly missed the defect if I hadn't been on CNG! thanks guys!!Alls well thats ends well they say!

Nate
 
Springfield Armory inc actually manufactured 125 select fire M1As pre 1986 ban. They believe there is less than 50 USGI m14s in civilian hands in the US. I assume none in Canada. True M14s are a variant of the M1A at this point lol
 
There was a substantial quantity of USGI M-14s imported into Canada from Israel. At the time, they were sold as non-restricted. Subsequently were reclassified as CAs, and are now 12-3 prohibs. Many have been broken for parts, the parts being assembled on non-restricted receivers. A good receiver, plus a USGI parts kit = a really fine rifle, probably about the best M-14 type rifle that can be had.
 
tiriaq said:
There was a substantial quantity of USGI M-14s imported into Canada from Israel. At the time, they were sold as non-restricted. Subsequently were reclassified as CAs, and are now 12-3 prohibs. Many have been broken for parts, the parts being assembled on non-restricted receivers. A good receiver, plus a USGI parts kit = a really fine rifle, probably about the best M-14 type rifle that can be had.
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Interesting!. I can still vaguely remember when converted autos weren't a big deal.

King Sol was selling FN's, for example, at a pittance, obviously before the 12.x nonsense.

Considering the limited uses of 12.xs, etc, not sure if I'm sorry or glad I didn't buy one.
 
tiriaq said:
There was a substantial quantity of USGI M-14s imported into Canada from Israel. At the time, they were sold as non-restricted. Subsequently were reclassified as CAs, and are now 12-3 prohibs. Many have been broken for parts, the parts being assembled on non-restricted receivers. A good receiver, plus a USGI parts kit = a really fine rifle, probably about the best M-14 type rifle that can be had.
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It would be a wonderful thing if this could be done with the FAL...
 
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