M1A vs M14

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Frost Cracked

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*Ventures in tentatively from the milsurps section*

Hey guys/girls.

I was considering in the next year to pick up a M1A rifle. Though after talking to some people the opinion seems to be that a Norinco M14, when tricked out, tends to be a better rifle, than a stock M1A.

So I'm hoping I might get the straight dope from you folks. Is this true? If so, how much more, would I be looking on spending, rather than just say, buying a M1A which I thought, was of higher quality.

Thanks
 
Frost Cracked said:
*Ventures in tentatively from the milsurps section*

Hey guys/girls.

I was considering in the next year to pick up a M1A rifle. Though after talking to some people the opinion seems to be that a Norinco M14, when tricked out, tends to be a better rifle, than a stock M1A.

So I'm hoping I might get the straight dope from you folks. Is this true? If so, how much more, would I be looking on spending, rather than just say, buying a M1A which I thought, was of higher quality.

Thanks
Click to expand...

I have a Springfield and was on the fence for a long time which model to buy. I went with the Springfield M1A Loaded. I'm not disappointed with the purchase at all. As far as mods go, as long as you stick with a standard barrel you can get ALL the cool mods from m14.ca. Because I went with NM and SS medium barrel I'm limited as far as mods go...which I wish I knew when I purchased the rifle cause I did want to heavily mod it...but I have a Tavor for that now. Springfield Standards sell for 1800$ + Norinco m305's you can find at some Canadian Tire stores for 600$ I got my Loaded M1A from irunguns.ca and it was 2300$ Shipped. You pay for the quality that's all I can say !
 
I will tell you, from a builder's perspective, the answer to your question is yes. BUT LOL
There's always a but.
Not many shops to send it to for the build --> Tac Ord is the only one us "gurus" can recommend.
Best to find a decent norinco receiver/bolt/oprod , trigger and source good parts for the rest
Example
Prechambered .308 Criterion barrel don't get a 7.62 chamber it's 5thou deeper unless yer installing a tighter bolt
OR short chamber krieger barrel and ream chamber to suit your bolt/receiver.
Springfield or GI gas cylinder assembly
Muzzle device of choice
SAI front sight
Garand or GI rear
Replace trigger pins, hammer, spring, plunger and tube as well as trigger post/sear assembly
M1A oprod spring and a NM spring guide rod.
Get a nice walnut stock n handgaurd and yer off to the range to do some damage to the bulls.

So yes, for the price of a rack grade M1A, you can certainly build a very nice and far above rack grade rifle on a norinco platform. I have done it now, more times that I can count LOL
 
the question is " do you want to work on the rifle or do you want to shoot?" on the other hand if you get a half decent rinco right out of the box, it's a moot point-
no one is forcing you to make all those mods and chances are the m1a could have similar problems at 3x the price- you DO NOT get what you pay for- imo, Springfield having the field to themselves for so long, are arrogant in pricing their rifles- ie way too much- now that we are starting to see receivers and barrels from other manufacturers , no doubt they'll continue to be the bunch of elitist arrogant people they are ., - remember, that there's an import ban on these guns down there- that, along with their name , makes springfield the only game in town in some peoples' eyes- the REAL solution came in but was prohibited back in92-93 in c-68
 
45ACPKING said:
So yes, for the price of a rack grade M1A, you can certainly build a very nice and far above rack grade rifle on a norinco platform. I have done it now, more times that I can count LOL
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I would have to agree, but at what expense to change everything, and what's it worth when it's been completed? Great project for the diy type individual tho, but I suspect if u add gunsmithing into the equation, there won't be the cost savings expected.
 
9:01AM is the middle of the night for us big kids, boy. You are correct in your glib, forum rule violating way. An M-14 is a prohibited firearm. An M1A is a sporting rifle that looks like an M-14. An M305 is a copy of a copy.
You want to spend about 2 grand for a rifle that needs no up grading? Or about $500 for one that does?
 
Frost Cracked said:
*Ventures in tentatively from the milsurps section*

Hey guys/girls.

I was considering in the next year to pick up a M1A rifle... after talking to some people the opinion
seems to be that a Norinco M14, when tricked out, tends to be a better rifle, than a stock M1A.

Is this true?

Thanks
Click to expand...

My hands on experience confirms that it is TRUE.

My M1A required 4 warranty repairs before I parted it out.

The 5 M14s custom built for me on Norinco & Poly Tech receivers by Smith Enterprise have been free of problems, they run like sewing machines.

If I purchased a new M1A today, I would begin replacing reproduction parts with USGI parts, and/or parts made by SEI, Norinco & Poly Tech.
 
sunray said:
9:01AM is the middle of the night for us big kids, boy. You are correct in your glib, forum rule violating way. An M-14 is a prohibited firearm. An M1A is a sporting rifle that looks like an M-14. An M305 is a copy of a copy.
You want to spend about 2 grand for a rifle that needs no up grading? Or about $500 for one that does?
Click to expand...

Well now we're picking fly sh!t from pepper aren't we. Saying that, my norc "m305" is actually stamped m14 on the receiver.
 
H2O MAN said:
My hands on experience confirms that it is TRUE.

My M1A required 4 warranty repairs before I parted it out.

The 5 M14s custom built for me on Norinco & Poly Tech receivers by Smith Enterprise have been free of problems, they run like sewing machines.

If I purchased a new M1A today, I would begin replacing reproduction parts with USGI parts, and/or parts made by SEI, Norinco & Poly Tech.
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And that's coming from an experienced U.S. shooter/m14 nut, who has far greater access to the M14/M1A goodies and rifles than we do up here.
That in itself speaks volumes
 
Well I am no expert to chime in, but I always wanted the Springfield.... Just because of the history, the name and in my mind quality. But to spend 2,000 on it, I thought against it.

So I bought the norinco.

I have shot both, and I like both. I would say the springfield is nicer (but I think thats is because I knew which was which so was influenced by that)

Now the other side of the story, I decided to put money into my norinco. Archangel stock, troy industries battle rail, bipod, and scope +a few other goodies.... now it is up to 2,000! was not planing to do that but I did. Yeah things happen like that!

For accuracy of my norinco, I can constantly shoot a toonie at 100 yards (sometime takes a few). But I do love it,
[URL=http://s1382.photobucket.com/user/stevecliffordclifford10/media/norinco_zpsd23eb370.jpg.html][/URL]
 
much in the same way as lolex watch, flidigaire, - ie with a set of punches you can put anything you on there as far as history is concerned, there ISN'T any- when you buy springfield armory, you're buying NAME ONLY- the real Springfield armory shut down in the late 60's early 70's - this a PRIVATE concern trying to trade on that honourable name and reputation- in other words charlatans- mof they were so scared as to get the potus to place a trade embargo so they could be the only game in town- they were scared stiff the Chinese would flood the market with m14 style rifles at 500 a piece instead of THEIR 2000 dollar rifle-
 
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Unless you know you will be a diehard M1A fan the cheap m305 lets you get into the market, try it out and after a case of two decide if that is really the platform for you.

After several hundred rounds my m305 is a safe queen. Only bring it out when friends want to try out the oldies.
 
Thank you for the very detailed information so far. It's given me a bit to think about... To make a great rifle out of a Norinco it seems I'd be in for a lot of upgrading and parts sourcing. To get a Springfield doesn't seem to guarantee I'll get a super-great rifle either, however.

That and a lot of the parts for upgrades and stuff, like the Rockola are in the states... so getting it up here involves fees and paperwork. Having built 3 Lee Enfields and a M1 Garand (not bragging or anything, just saying I've built a couple rifles so I know what it's like), I may want to just buy the springfield, and save the time and additional costs with having to build, and smith a Norc up to high end quality....
 
Frost Cracked said:
Thank you for the very detailed information so far. It's given me a bit to think about... To make a great rifle out of a Norinco it seems I'd be in for a lot of upgrading and parts sourcing. To get a Springfield doesn't seem to guarantee I'll get a super-great rifle either, however.

That and a lot of the parts for upgrades and stuff, like the Rockola are in the states... so getting it up here involves fees and paperwork. Having built 3 Lee Enfields and a M1 Garand (not bragging or anything, just saying I've built a couple rifles so I know what it's like), I may want to just buy the springfield, and save the time and additional costs with having to build, and smith a Norc up to high end quality....
Click to expand...

Wanstall's has JRA Rockolas in stock here

But if you do wind up going for a Springfield just make sure you inspect it first...

 
45ACPKING said:
If you've managed to build a garand, you will have little trouble building yourself a nice M14 type rifle.
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Thank you for the confidence.

I've looked around, at the idea of a parts build, and see several companies make M14/M1A recievers... Aside from James River, does anyone have any information on the quality of other companies such as Fulton, or LRB, or such?

Thank you again for the information so far.
 
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