M14 weight, looking for light weight options
- Thread starter Drewz
- Start date
Anyways........ I have gotten some good input from a few here that has really helped so thanks to those.
To the others the rifle is not the only thing I am packing in, if it was then I would not worry about the weight as much. I also carry a loaded pack with food, water, calls, skinning kit, flashlight, gloves rags and in cold weather extra clothing some times. So all together i can be hauling 40-60 pounds. Thinning out the weight of the gun and what I am carrying saves energy and trying to prevent getting a sweat on during cold weather hunts. The M14 I was carrying was in the Marstar AKM chassis with a larger optic on it and bi pod. I have parked that gun in favour of a lighter and more compact setup.
To the others the rifle is not the only thing I am packing in, if it was then I would not worry about the weight as much. I also carry a loaded pack with food, water, calls, skinning kit, flashlight, gloves rags and in cold weather extra clothing some times. So all together i can be hauling 40-60 pounds. Thinning out the weight of the gun and what I am carrying saves energy and trying to prevent getting a sweat on during cold weather hunts. The M14 I was carrying was in the Marstar AKM chassis with a larger optic on it and bi pod. I have parked that gun in favour of a lighter and more compact setup.
You obviously have little experience with nice bolt action rifles.
18.0" standard profile barreled action complete with SAGE op rod guide block, DC Vortex, trigger group and V2 EBR trigger shoe
Excellent H20 man!!! So roughly 2 lbs for the stock and 2 lbs for a scope and mount. A 10 lb gun looks doable easily. Thanks!!!
I also use a Garand for hunting, so for an M14 /305 I would consider changing the stock an BP (get some true weights of what the stocks are) I have hung synthetic stocks on the scale for other rifles and they are as much as a Walnut one. may be consider taking a GI walnut stock and skeletonizing the butt area where the cleaning kit etc goes. I have thought of doing this with a garand, but right now I have swapped out my gi garand stock for a italian paratrooper folding one, the Weight is the same, but slings much better, and shorter. I have also put it on a diet and shortened it down by 6 inches to minimum legal length, and also has "d" model style scope mount.
I can post pics, if there is interest.
G
I can post pics, if there is interest.
G
It's possible. A shorty in a USGI or Norinco stock, 5 round short magazine, rubber/epoxy filled buttpad and no cleaning kit will put you under 10lbs for sure. As for scope and mount, you might be slightly over 10lbs depending on your setup. But a good sling can make up for the extra weight and if you like using bipods, you can use the sling for some supported shooting. Like previously shown, you can carry the rifle "battle-ready" with military style 2-3point slings.
My current setup is a Shorty in a Norinco stock frankensteined with a Norinco 870 folder putting the weight at 9.0lbs. With 5 round long mag, sling, scope and mount it came in at 11.0lbs even. I'm pretty sure I can knock the weight down if I have a lighter scope, mount and mag. I preferred a folding stock for a smaller profile when packed, but I'm not sure if this is a concern for you since you said you've use a Garand before.
My current setup is a Shorty in a Norinco stock frankensteined with a Norinco 870 folder putting the weight at 9.0lbs. With 5 round long mag, sling, scope and mount it came in at 11.0lbs even. I'm pretty sure I can knock the weight down if I have a lighter scope, mount and mag. I preferred a folding stock for a smaller profile when packed, but I'm not sure if this is a concern for you since you said you've use a Garand before.
My 16.25" Blackfeather "RS" was 9 lbs. 4 oz. without the magazine and optic.
The 18/18.5" action would allow the user to use a lighter gas lock/muzzle device
than I had on the CQB-16, so the weight would remain around 9 lbs. in the "RS".
I would eliminate the irons, use a standard hand guard, the longer aluminum CASM with
your light weight optic in a set of light weight rings and add maybe add an of set MRDS.
You would probably want a lighter butt stock, my CTR had a heavy rubber recoil pad added.
The 18/18.5" action would allow the user to use a lighter gas lock/muzzle device
than I had on the CQB-16, so the weight would remain around 9 lbs. in the "RS".
I would eliminate the irons, use a standard hand guard, the longer aluminum CASM with
your light weight optic in a set of light weight rings and add maybe add an of set MRDS.
You would probably want a lighter butt stock, my CTR had a heavy rubber recoil pad added.
Last edited:
More info and pics would be great. I would prefer the wood stock if weight is a non issue capartively. Thanks!!!!
My 16.25" Blackfeather "RS" was 9 lbs. 4 oz. without the magazine and optic.
The 18/18.5" action would allow the user to use a lighter gas lock/muzzle device
than I had on the CQB-16, so the weight would remain around 9 lbs. in the "RS".
I would eliminate the irons, use a standard hand guard, the longer aluminum CASM with
your light weight optic in a set of light weight rings and add maybe add an of set MRDS.
You would probably want a lighter butt stock, my CTR had a heavy rubber recoil pad added.
Since ism hunting the irons would go for sure and I would until is eggs 18.5 inch shortie. 10 lbs is not an absolute must just a ball park to aim for. Thanks again!!
Thanks for the info. A folder would be nice but sturdiness and cheek weld would concern me on one. Thanks for the input and a few new ideas. I will be looking to pickup a short m14/305 next month and start working towards putting it on a mild diet, not going to go crazy since my pocket is a bit lighter after Christmas.
