M1A vs M14

Weren't those surplussed modified GI receivers tho?
In my mind I figured SAI started producing the commercial cast M1A at the dawn of the 80's.
I am not as up on my history as I am on the hands on technical ;)

Edit to add: yup I was wrong, sai was early 70's , see, I don't know everything hahaha :)
 
Last edited:
Weren't those surplussed modified GI receivers tho?
In my mind I figured SAI started producing the commercial cast M1A at the dawn of the 80's.
I am not as up on my history as I am on the hands on technical ;)

Edit to add: yup I was wrong, sai was early 70's , see, I don't know everything hahaha :)

maybe not, but between us and hungry or whatever handle he goes by these days- etc-if memory serves ballance's rifles were made in texas - you'd have to ck with lee ( different)- there ain't much we don't know about 14s.
i'm STILL waiting on harper to de-prohibit my babies
 
Last edited:
After some consideration, between a Norinco, a Springfield, Rockola...

I may entertain the idea of a complete parts-build, like my Garand. On that topic, does anyone have any recommendations for companies that make recievers or reciever/barrel combinations? I know Rockola does... but do any others, and, what are peoples opinions?
 
If I was in the market such as you are.... And a standard norinco to tune up wasn't to your desires.... My personal choice would be an LRB product, either built by LRB or here on my bench.
I see LRB as top of the heap for a built at factory rifle in my hands on experience, but will give the nod to norinco for near perfect receivers when it comes to actually taking a pile of random parts and assembling/fitting up a complete rifle.
In my earlier post I detailed the parts to source and swap onto a norinco receiver/bolt combo. It's the best hands on advice yer gonna get on that subject here in canada. The rifle I'll be takin home this weekend after some custom work in the ol beaver mill , is a norinco bolt/receiver/oprod and everything else replaced.
Short chamber Krieger 18.5" chromoly medium contour
finished reamed to match headspace with Clymer PT reamer and gauges
Brownells sourced SAI gas cylinder assembly TIG unitized
Norinco trigger housing with M1Garand guts
S&J NM spring guide rod and spring
SAI flash hider
USGI M14 rear sight , SAI NM front.
Boyds walnut stock and handgaurd

My cost 1380.00 or there abouts after selling the take off norinco parts and doing all my own machine work and labour.
So add yer gunsmithing fees of 350 to 500 (or whatever Tac Ord charges)

It's not as expensive as some folks want to believe.
 
Last edited:
There is a nice LRB in the EE right now for just under $2500....

Which if I had the funds I would snap up! The cost for that rifle from LRB is 2400 plus exchange, import fees, duty and shipping..... Probably come in around $3500....
 
You have to go through an importer.

If you go down this road, have them build the custom rifle you want and have an importer bring it in. I believe tomochan did this
 
I have an older SAI Super Match, JRA and LRB. I like them all. Price being a consideration I think I would go with the JRA. Nice GI parts count and finished as close to GI as possible. It looks right and feels right. LRB is very nice for sure.
 
I have a SAI loaded in a USGI stock, and 2 Norincos that have been upgraded....considerably. Reason is I love to play with these rifles. That said if I had not just bought a bunch of project rifles the LRB from Tomochan (hope I spelt that right) would not be available now, don't think you can build one cheaper than that. Have had some problems with my SAI loaded, shoots great and has not failed me but am not really pleased with the quality for the price.
Rodney
 
Might just part with one of my 3 remaining M14 type rifles, a super tuned norinco/krieger hybrid.
Been gettin the hankerin for a bigger boat and don't really need 3 M14 rifles LOL
Love my LRB that I built and that one stays with me to the grave ;)
 
Might just part with one of my 3 remaining M14 type rifles, a super tuned norinco/krieger hybrid.
Been gettin the hankerin for a bigger boat and don't really need 3 M14 rifles LOL
Love my LRB that I built and that one stays with me to the grave ;)
I've sold off a few of my custom built M14s, I'm now left with two and a new car :cool:
 
Might just part with one of my 3 remaining M14 type rifles, a super tuned norinco/krieger hybrid.
Been gettin the hankerin for a bigger boat and don't really need 3 M14 rifles LOL
Love my LRB that I built and that one stays with me to the grave ;)

Ya the addiction goes on! Just picked up a kreiger medium 22" barrel yesterday from Casey. Now just need to decide which rifle it goes on!
Rodney
 
Well, I figure... I can always build another M14 down the road
Building a boat , well not so much haha! The boat I'm tryin to buy back is one I completly rebuilt from a bare hull... Then sold when I moved and downsized a few years back. Silly me.
I just put the rifle in the EE :evil:
 
You are aware that there is no connection between the company named Sprigfield Armory and the original US Government Springfield Armory where the M14 was developed

Indeed. The Springfield Armory closed up in 1968. Springfield Armory, Inc. was founded in 1974 to ride the original company's coattails.
 
All the razzing I've given Springfield owners over the years, in fun of course we both enjoy the same platform type, but I would never have imagined so many things on one Springfield rifle,..really.

This is just a warning to you guys that are looking for a Springfield, only buy new if it comes with a warranty from the dealer, mine was an exception in that the price was only slightly discounted from new and most likely Epps put this lemon back into the new/used pile since they knew what was wrong with it and didn't want to deal with it. Springfield has no service centre in Canada and probably never will, just beware when you put down 2 k for an anchor. Just my 2 bits.
 
This is just a warning to you guys that are looking for a Springfield, only buy new if it comes with a warranty from the dealer, mine was an exception in that the price was only slightly discounted from new and most likely Epps put this lemon back into the new/used pile since they knew what was wrong with it and didn't want to deal with it. Springfield has no service centre in Canada and probably never will, just beware when you put down 2 k for an anchor. Just my 2 bits.

I remember you (and others) suggested I try and open a warranty shop up here (LRB too).
I did email springfield with some pics of my shop, tools and references from dozens n dozens of happy rifle build customers..... But never got a reply LOL
Too late now, I'm back to design/engineering and custom stainless steel fab and getting paid too good to go back to smithin.
 
Back
Top Bottom