any pics of 20" m14's?

[Davy Crockett]

I on the fence about shortening my M305. I'd like it shorter but I'm not sure if I like the looks of the ones cut to 18.5. I thought mid way to 20" might be the way to go but I haven't had much luck searching for pictures. Has anyone got a 20" chop that could post a pic?

 

[Lazerus2000]

I've made a couple of 20" M-14 shorties. In fact, I've tried 20", 19", 18 3/4", and 18.5". The improvement in handling with a 20" over a stock 22" barrel with the flash hider removed, seems to me not to be worth the effort.

18.5" is of course the legal minimum, but with the chance of the bore liner chrome flaking, you can get a bit less than you originally aimed for. So now, I use 18 3/4" for my initial cut, and crown in a teensy bit from there. This works well for me with or without a flash hider.

Look at the pics in the Battle Rifle sticky about folding stocks - it also has info on cutting the barrel.

PS: who care what it looks like ...
the balance and speed of handling, with a GI stock or with a folder, is SO much better with a 18 3/4" barrel.

 

[Davy Crockett]

thanks Lazerus, that makes sense




p.s.: I'm not ashamed, I do care what it looks like


........and by the looks what's in the gallery so do a lot of M14 owners, there's some awfully nice stuff in there that I'm sure wasn't done for purely practical reasons.

 

[pitdogboy]

No shame...Ugly guns are just that. Good tip about the chrome. Thanks!

 

[Airborn_69]

 

[Davy Crockett]

Thanks Airborn

I like it. Nice camo too. Which front sight is that btw?

 

[Airborn_69]

Thanks Airborn

I like it. Nice camo too. Which front sight is that btw?

It's actually a filed down Norc front sight but has a Smith Enterprise Coast guard style brake to cut the recoil a bit.