Opinion of the U.S. M-14 vs our FN C1 Rifle

Obtunded said:
Never could figure out how an M14 can be a non-restricted gun, yet the FN is prohib. WTF??

A true m14 is prohibited because it was manufactured as select fire. It's M1a and other semi only M14 knock offs are sporting rifles.

I was reading in a full auto magazine a while back that the going price for a true ATF registered M14 in the US civilian full auto market was $15.000.00 US:eek: Before ##### Campbell's law, you could get one up here for $1000.00cdn. Ah the good old days:(

Sticker
 
Sticker said:
A true m14 is prohibited because it was manufactured as select fire. It's M1a and other semi only M14 knock offs are sporting rifles.

I was reading in a full auto magazine a while back that the going price for a true ATF registered M14 in the US civilian full auto market was $15.000.00 US:eek: Before ##### Campbell's law, you could get one up here for $1000.00cdn. Ah the good old days:(

Sticker

Actually - closer to $325 - Klondyke Arms in Edmonton had them (Israeli issue) and ex-Sudan issue AR-10's for $365....:mad:
 
I just got a M-14 a few months ago, partly because it struck me as being somewhat similar to the FNC1.

Operationally, I also can't see why one is prohibited vs non-restricted. The similarities are there- same calibre, semi-auto, similar range, etc.

I have to question whether the lawmakers really know what they are doing.

Anyways, I too would prefer the FNC1. The gas system is easy to clean and operate, I like that I can keep my right hand on the grip, and operate the action with my left, it was pretty easy to field strip, sights were dead simple to use, and I could fix a bayonet to it. :D

I remember first time at the range during basic... best I could do was 4", 6 shot group at 100 yards. The FNC1s we had were kinda beat up, and I think the best shot of the platoon only did a 3" group. Oh well, at least we passed.

I'm growing to like the M-14, but I remember back when I was in the reserves, how we talked about seeing if we could purchase a FNC1, simply because we were trained on it, and knew how to maintain it. It's a real shame to see them destroyed. :(

Obtunded said:
Going back to the subject of the original post...

FN-C1. In fact, Serial Number 8L1404, the first rifle to which I was assigned in Basic training. I really wonder what happened to this rifle...probably a Hyundai bumper strut now.

M-14 has a very high look-cool factor, but The FNC1 has far too much of a nostalgic attachment for me.

Never could figure out how an M14 can be a non-restricted gun, yet the FN is prohib. WTF??
 
"It's a real shame to see them destroyed."

Yes, they are a part of our history just like the Lee Enfields.

I really do not like the M14/M305 rifles even though they are similar to the FN-FAL's in functionality. The FN-FAL is a classic battle rifle from our Canadian past with historical interest that should be allowed some respect even as restricted for the range or even unrestricted.

The fact that it is prohibited to licensed firearms owners is just beyond belief.

I suppose that "licensed" and government authorized firearms owners are not responsible enough to own such a rifle, even just to go to the range.

License the owner not the rifle.

:confused: :canadaFlag:
 
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DaveGP said:
Actually - closer to $325 - Klondyke Arms in Edmonton had them (Israeli issue) and ex-Sudan issue AR-10's for $365....:mad:

Allan Lever used to sell a 'collectors pack' of M14's - one from each manufacturer I think it was about $1200. He should have called them Investors Packs, think about the parts value of 4 complete M14's. Lets see, 4 USGI Plastic stocks- 4 Bolt assemblies (complete)- 4 USGI op rods- 4 complete trigger groups - it doesn't take long before there's real money involved. By the way, this is a really old thread, too bad we don't have an old man with a walking stick smilie.
 
dlau said:
I'm growing to like the M-14, but I remember back when I was in the reserves, how we talked about seeing if we could purchase a FNC1, simply because we were trained on it, and knew how to maintain it.
Heh. Back in the 80s, I knew one fellow who bought an FN just so that he could practice rifle drill at home. I wonder if he still has it?
 
Sticker said:
A true m14 is prohibited because it was manufactured as select fire. It's M1a and other semi only M14 knock offs are sporting rifles.

I was reading in a full auto magazine a while back that the going price for a true ATF registered M14 in the US civilian full auto market was $15.000.00 US:eek: Before ##### Campbell's law, you could get one up here for $1000.00cdn. Ah the good old days:(

Sticker
you're right on the pricing, first go-around for the isreali surplus was around 3-400 dollars- however, the M14 did NOT leave the factory as a SELECT FIRE-there was a kit with an alternate SELECTOR lock and spring involved, and this is ONE OF THE BONES OF CONTENTION that DAVE TOMLINSON is fighting right now, being that the m14 ACTUALLY LEFT THE FACTORY AS A SEMI-AUTO- moreover, when the isreali arms were shipped to canada, they had the roller bearing ground off and the selector shaft welded so that the trigger hooks could not engage the connector assembly- however , since THE US GOVernMENT defines it as a SELECT FIRE ( full auto) , our government does the same- the decision as to whether or not to give the troops full auto capability was made at BATTALION level and the kit is installed at armourer level- not in the field- incidentally, our beloved fnc1 could also be made to rat-a -tat by nefarious means
 
I recall with the FNC1 spending a lot of time with steel wool removing carbon fouling. Accuracy wise it was OK but I'd say for mself the M14 seems to shoot better. Perhaps the longer sight radius helped. Always figured the C1's flip up aperature was a little flimsy.
 
I have shot both a bit but not enough to consider my self an expert

but I would hazard to say IMO that The its easery to make the M-14 more accurate because you can get more after market parts for it.,,,I may be wrong...but which is better or more accuate out of the box hard call
 
I used the FNC1A1 for about 15 year when I was in. I now own a Norc M305, and as far as shooting pleasure goes, I'll take my Norc any day over the FN. The FN always kicked like a pig IMHO. I was never in Cbt, but if I had my choice, I think I'd still take the M305, I like the sights better, and I think it would be easier to keep clean in the field. My 2 cents worth..
 
Sgt Striker said:
I used the FNC1A1 for about 15 year when I was in. I now own a Norc M305, and as far as shooting pleasure goes, I'll take my Norc any day over the FN. The FN always kicked like a pig IMHO. I was never in Cbt, but if I had my choice, I think I'd still take the M305, I like the sights better, and I think it would be easier to keep clean in the field. My 2 cents worth..

really !!! you the first ex-cdn mil i have heard that do not like the FNc1 even tho we know what you said is true. well, i got to get me one of those m305 and see for myself. calling marstar, riiiing.
 
If I recall correctly, weight wise the FNC1s were fairly hefty, especially with a full 20 round magazine. I'm glad I wore webbing to help a bit with the recoil, but on days that I didn't, I came away with a pretty sore shoulder.

I think my M-14 with USGI stock is pretty close in weight, but I feel like I could shoot it all day.

One pet peeve about the FNC1 was how the rear sight would flip down from the recoil, and I kept forgetting about the adjustable gas setting when it jammed. :redface:
 
I never liked how the back sight was on one piece of the rifle and the front was on another held together by a pivot point on the FN. The M14 and M1A's had a better sight base. I liked the FN more than the M14 over all though.
 
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