Vietnam fetishism aside, there is nothing the M-14 can do that the M1 cannot. Unlike a real M-14 (which are all prohibited) you can still find an M-1 in original calibers of 30-06 or 7.62. With the M-14, you are generally limited to Norinco M305s (which offer good value for money, but can leave you wanting for quality) or commercial variations of the M-14 which are mostly overpriced.
The M1 is in its original brilliant state and the M-14 is the bastard child that should have been still born; owing its’ life to stubborn American pride when they should have adopted the FAL.
M1 = a simple internal magazine with enblocks that can be easily topped up (if you possess the know how), carry 8 or less rounds (if you hunt and are limited to rounds in the rifle), and does this in a fairly sleek design.
M-14 = limitations to either bulky 5/20 round mags that are clunky in the bush or 5/5 mags that suck getting out of the gun with mag changes. Or you can surpass the 8 round internal mag of the M1 by using enfield AIA mags that friction fit into the mag well for two whole added rounds (whoopty do).
M1 = a brilliant internal magazine and gas system that were designed in conjunction with one another.
M-14 = red headed step child that it’s creators smashed together borrowing heavily off the M1 because its designers were too lazy and or stupid to compete with or adopt the FAL.
M1 = chambered in 30-06 or 7.62, and can run on a variety of bullet weights with the right powder. Still, after close to 70 years since its intro, ammo is still being produced for it in commercial form.
M-14 = poor little girl was chambered in 7.62 when all she wanted was 5.56.
M1 = A true military surplus rifle who’s value has steadily climbed much like the rest of the military surplus market. Value will likely to be retained now and into the future. You can invest with a good chance that value will increase.
M-14 = your prohibited H&R will continue to sit in your safe until either you cut it up into a ‘#### n’ click’ or your loved ones send it in to be melted down for hubcaps. If you own a rediculously overpriced commercial version, you can take it out of the safe now again and rub it down with a diaper or shoot it, but if you shoot it, know that you’ll be bumping your EE ad forever if you ever decide to sell it for any amount of money you originally paid for it. If you go with a Norinco, happy days! Shoot it until it’s bolt decides to separate which could be sooner rather than later.
The M-14 is a great rifle, don’t get me wrong, but I luv the M-1...
Ahh, who am I kidding.
I own both and love both.
There are enough differences between them that there is good reason to own both.
If you are stuck on only owning one, or make excuses to draw disparity between them I feel genuinely sorry for you.
