M14 a good choice for 1st gun?

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Iron Sighted

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So here's the deal, for the last month I've been obsessing over getting a M305B from Marstar(provided that there are enough on the incoming shipment for me to get one as I haven't placed my pre-order yet) as my first ever gun. However, I just read one of the sticky posts in the Main Battle Rifle forum here, and it sounds like it is a bit of a crap shoot as to whether or not these Chinese M14's are good to go out of the box, seems some are perfect and others may require a lot of work due to head space issues(need to get someone to explain this to me one day), barrel indexing being off,etc. . I wouldn't mind if the gun required a little massaging as long as I can do the work myself, but I wouldn't be happy if I had to drop another $500 to get it shooting accurately. Also I don't have any real access to machine tools or the know how to operate them if I did receive one that needed some love to operate properly. As my first gun I'd really like to be able to unpack it, disassemble/clean it, and go take it to the range(or woods) and have some fun with it, it'd be really depressing to have to send it away for weeks(or perhaps months depending on how backlogged the gunsmith is) to have it worked over and be stuck with nothing to shoot in the interim. Don't get me wrong, Ive already got it in my head to go to one of M14Doctors clinics when one nearby presents itself after I get the rifle, but I want to ensure that I can go out and shoot as soon as I make the purchase. So...what do all you experienced M14 owners think, is it a good choice for a first gun? I suppose that I could buy a SKS as well and a crate of ammo(plan to get one at some point anyway)as a contingency plan if the M14 isn't a shooter out of the crate, but that would take up all my money that would be needed to upgrade the M14 if needed. How many of you needed to get work done on your M14's after purchase before being able to shoot them(if any at all)? Thanks in advance for any responses and potential decision making help.
 
Buy two rifles

For a first gun, I suggest a .22LR. A .22LR is cheap to shoot, it has no recoil to complicate your learning, and you will never outgrow a .22LR.

You could do a lot worse that buying a Ruger 10/22 and a Norinco/Polytech M-14S.
 
I'm still waiting for my M14 from Marstar, so I cant comment on the quality of the rifle. But based purely on ammunition pricing, I would recommend a rifle in .22lr or as you mentioned an SKS in 7.62x39 to start with. Having a rifle chambered in an affordable cartridge will allow you to shoot much more frequently, and this factor combined with the relatively mild recoil produced by the previously mentioned rounds will allow you to develop proper shooting techniques. If you hold off on the M14 for now, and work on your technique, you should be able to fire the rifle proficiently when you finally do purchase one.
 
Yes, a .22LR had also crossed my mind, have been looking hard at the Savage BTVS, could probably swing that, a cheaper scope and the SKS and crate of surplus 7.62x39. Just don't want the supply of M14's to run dry on me, while I save my pennies again if I do go .22Lr and SKS. Realistically you both are probably right about starting with the .22 and SKS to develop proper technique, I just want to buy an M14 so bad LOL. Not a bad compromise though I guess, I'm positive that I'll love shooting a BTVS and the SKS will provide enough bang to carry me through until I save up enough again to buy a M14. Thanks for your insight guys.
 
Definatly agree with getting a 22 first. I wouldn't worry about the supply running out. There seems to be at least one on the ee every day. I bought my m14 3 weeks ago, and while I love it, I love it too much. The ammo costs about a buck per round to shoot. I bought mine for the quality of the shooting not the volume. Went to the range on the weekend with 40 rounds at 40 bucks. I had a blast. Then I put a coulple hundred rounds down range with my buddys sks. Ammo for that is like 180 for 1200 rounds. Probly gonna buy one next week. Keep me entertained between m14 mags
 
If you can afford the ammo, there is no denying the M305's are a hoot! I have owned a couple and they are fun for sure. They are not extremely accurate, and they do have a fair amount of recoil, which can lead to bad shooting habits, but they are great entertainment.

If you would like to become a better marksman, then I would invest in a .22 and *practice*. Later you can move up to a bolt-actioned rifle that is designed for something other than hunting, as these guns tend to be light and heat up fast. A varmint rifle or a "tacticool" rifle would be a better choice for target shooting.
 
My first purchase was a Savage Mark II BTVS. I highly recommend it. My second purchase was the Poly M305. For me, it's just a long term project. It's not cheap, so be prepared.
 
Iron Sighted said:
Yes, a .22LR had also crossed my mind, have been looking hard at the Savage BTVS
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Hey Iron,
I agree on the .22 but it doesn't follow to buy a bolt action if you want to shoot semi i.e. M14. I suggest a Ruger 10/22. They are fabulous guns with the best part being their 10 shot semi-auto rotary mags. And I wouldn't be in a rush to buy an M14 either. I bought two new last year for $525 and now they can be had for 100 bucks less.
 
.22 for sure. my 10-22 now looks like an ar 15. Since i made this, i am keeping her. I have an M14 plus others, Guess what my next gun will be... yep... a Cooey .22!
 
Just my 2 Cents

For what it is worth, a .22 is ok, but due to limited range, I found that I quickly grew out of mine. My .22 is gathering dust, alas poor thing, because in later years I used it to properly teach my youngins' how to shoot.

For a first rifle, why not look into the .223 stuff. I have a new mini-14 ranch and love it. I also have a .223 tack shooter (Remy Varmint, with Hogue stock) for gophers. That is a hoot and there is next to nothing for recoil. The downside is the cost of bullets if you don't load. There are lots of surplus stuff around, but I have found that it is not to consistent. The mini-14 is way more forgiving in that department and really seems to love the 55 gr stuff. Also is a hoot to shoot!

My some just bought a Tikka T3 Lite for gophers in the .223. The .22 has been relegated to the cabinet as a result.

I just recently acquired my M305 and love it too. For backpacking, it might be a little heavy. Again, unless into loading, it is pretty pricey for ammo.
 
zxcvbn said:
Hey Iron,
I agree on the .22 but it doesn't follow to buy a bolt action if you want to shoot semi i.e. M14. I suggest a Ruger 10/22. They are fabulous guns with the best part being their 10 shot semi-auto rotary mags. And I wouldn't be in a rush to buy an M14 either. I bought two new last year for $525 and now they can be had for 100 bucks less.
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I plan to get a 10/22 down the road, I know many people love them, but the BTVS seems like one of the best target style/most accurate shooters for the money straight out of the box, and I find the bolt action quite appealing(will buy a bolt of some sort in larger caliber down the road for sure as well). If I also buy the SKS then I'll have a semi-auto platform to get used to shooting as well, for when I do purchase a M14 later on.

As to the other comments re: cost of regularly shooting the .308 rounds, I'd also really like to get in to reloading at some point and I'm thinking that whenever I buy a M14, I'll likely buy a single stage reloading kit around the same time, not necessary yet though if I'm only going to have a .22lr and 7.62x39 to start. Thanks again for the insight folks, keep it coming if you have anything else to add, plenty of time for me to flip flop back and forth on what to buy as my PAL/RPAL courses are not scheduled till the last week of Aug.:(
 
if memory serves, we have a member in pemberton- a GOOD ONE that knows the ins and outs more than most- you should get in touch with him, or he needs to pipe up and id himself
 
ukie_10 said:
have you considered buying a red rifle :p :D fun and cheap to shoot!
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More than considered, I WILL be buying a SKS(likely one of my first two guns). Not for everyone, but I personally love the look of the laminate stock Russian SKS, kinda neat to be able to own a piece of the cold war, I'm hoping to be able to get an unissued one.
 
Ruger 10/22 is the greatest first gun ever. Followed by the SKS. Get all the noise making out of your system then up grade to something that is a bit more accurate and expensive. An M-14 is great if you can afford the ammo. I find most new shooters like quantity over quality (OK and some old shooters too :) ) Anything you can afford to shoot so you don't miss range days because of cash problems.
 
You should be concerned about cost of ammunition, I just sold lots of rounds surplus 7.62x51 for 80 cents/round and could have sold more, meaning that there is not much available.

I have a M14-305 for sale, just check my profile, better price than ### and I shot 1 inch groups standing from 50 yards (and I am a bad shooter), no surprises here.
 
I disagree on starting out with the .22 they have much in common with fat chicks and mopeds.


Get the M14 you are wanting and never look back.
 
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