springfield m1a's

I think most guys that promote buying a chinese m14 over a springer are for the most part, not trying to start debate ..... but in thier own way are trying to be helpful with advice on bang for the buck.
I think any and all versions of the platform are excellent rifles. From experience handling and building/tweaking/repairing these rifles, from LRB, springfield and norinco/poly, I'll tell you this.... I have seen quality control issues relating to assembly and parts fitting on all versions and have seen non serviceable parts on both springfields and chinese.

If a friend were to ask me , hey thomas can you build me the best m14/M1A type rifle you can and money is not an option. I would start with either an LRB receiver or a chinese receiver, add a krieger or mcgowen barrel, a USGI gas assembly and trigger group and flash hider (or equiv) and i just might keep the chinese bolt and oprod and would probably replace the front and rear sights and of course dress her in a nice stock, a mint walnut G.I. or perhaps a boyds laminate..... or maybe one of my custom stocks.

would it be better than a springfield.......... who knows..... only the targets can tell you that.
Springfield offers warranty service unavaillable to a chinese based rifle that is a mix of parts no matter how much bling you add, and is one reason they are an attractive version. Resale value also seems to hold up pretty good on the springers as well.

Would I own one...... maybe if someone gave it to me as a gift hehehehe
but hey, help the man out and find him a springer dealer...... the debate over springfield vs norinco was dead many many threads ago :D :D
 
Proof in the Pudding

The other day a friend came by to go to the range. He has an M1A (bought about two years ago) and brought it out to go the range (winter - nice and quiet).

Y'know really, there was very little difference between the two in appearance, except his had that nice wood stock as opposed to my synthetic. Both had rough edges and machine marks, in terms of machining, but his was purdier and shinier than mine. His had the real flash hider, while mine has the "old style" - non see-through type. (I actually preferred mine after hunting with it and realizing that it was a wonderful "cover" for the barrel in that debris won't get into the barrel). Other than that, not much else. At that point we did not strip the guns down.

We had an afternoon to kill so it was off to the range. That was when I noticed a difference. His groupings were more erratic than mine and not as tight. As well, his tended to mangle case heads more than mine. We were using factory and my loads. I noticed a little greyish colour between the gas lock thingy and suggested that we go back to my place and check it out. Sure enuff, one shim was required (and who says Hungry can't teach!). His op rod guide was just like the chinese one I took out of mine (when new) except had some shiny spots, so gave him mine. We greased up the both of them and headed back out.

Back at the range, lo and behold, it was difficult to tell (other than the shooter) the difference between the two. His rifles groupings tightened up (except for the flinch flyers).

Folks, as the Doc says, there really, really is not much difference, except for the cost and some cosmetics. I ain't trading mine and he was kinda ticked that he paid close to $1,900 for his. On the flipside, he also was kind to point out that if he sold it, his would be way more valuable than mine.

That was that, we watched a hockey game and discussed how his Avalanche could outdo my Jeep anyday. :D
 
William's Arms

cccan said:
springfield m1a's

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any dealers in canada have m1a's in stock?
Click to expand...

I got mine from William's Arms in Port Perry Ontario. Of course, that was quite a while back.
 
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