If money was no issue, what would you say the best m14 available in canada would be? It seems like the main two to chose from are a Springfield or an LRB. LRB's are considerably more expensive, so my question is - is it worth the extra money to go the LRB route?
Springfield or LRB M14?
- Thread starter gord1986
- Start date
m14medic.ca
Expried Business Member
- Location
- Regina SK Canada
I consider the M1A to be on par with the Chinese offerings, albeit with a better finish. Finish goes a long way for some!
Every Springfield I've had across my bench needed a bit of work.... Indexing, bolt roller clearance and oprod guide tweaking.... To hit the high points.
I have no experience with the LRB offerings, but from what you read on the American gun boards, they are generally regarded as way better than SAI. JRA (Bula Forge) Rock-ola is also well regarded down south.
John
Every Springfield I've had across my bench needed a bit of work.... Indexing, bolt roller clearance and oprod guide tweaking.... To hit the high points.
I have no experience with the LRB offerings, but from what you read on the American gun boards, they are generally regarded as way better than SAI. JRA (Bula Forge) Rock-ola is also well regarded down south.
John
From what i have read on 'Murican forums i'd never own a springfield.
It's either Norc with lots of USGI or LRB, no in between!
Never had any experience with springfields, but wouldn't be inclined to pay for one.
I'd be real curious to handle a SA national match see how tight they got it, or not
It's either Norc with lots of USGI or LRB, no in between!
Never had any experience with springfields, but wouldn't be inclined to pay for one.
I'd be real curious to handle a SA national match see how tight they got it, or not
300Spartans
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Canada of course
Coming from someone with your expertise in these rifle types, that's a tremendous endorsement for the Poly.
LordEvilPepper
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Under a rusty barge in BC
LRB arms.....
Ive held tuned up norcs and springfields... and after handling and shooting a LRB they are rough....
everything glides like butter on a LRB, they are tac drivers out of the box as they are put together properly by some very dedicated employees who actually give a #### and tuned up before they leave the factory.
You don't tell LRB when you need your gun built by... they tell you when it's finished; no shortcuts, no BS. They have built their company around offering a supior product in a flooded market and what you get is perfection.
IF something arrives wrong on your gun and you call them you can almost hear them bristle on the other side of the phone and they are just as made about it as you are and get it fixed right away.
When an exporter ruined mine... and took over 1.5 years to be bothered to get it to me. Once LRB found out they were sending emails within 20 minutes to get #### sorted out, In the end they blacklisted the exporter.
Ive held tuned up norcs and springfields... and after handling and shooting a LRB they are rough....
everything glides like butter on a LRB, they are tac drivers out of the box as they are put together properly by some very dedicated employees who actually give a #### and tuned up before they leave the factory.
You don't tell LRB when you need your gun built by... they tell you when it's finished; no shortcuts, no BS. They have built their company around offering a supior product in a flooded market and what you get is perfection.
IF something arrives wrong on your gun and you call them you can almost hear them bristle on the other side of the phone and they are just as made about it as you are and get it fixed right away.
When an exporter ruined mine... and took over 1.5 years to be bothered to get it to me. Once LRB found out they were sending emails within 20 minutes to get #### sorted out, In the end they blacklisted the exporter.
These are exactly the words I've used to describe my Poly Tech M14s that were built for me by Smith Enterprise.
Quality parts, expert attention to detail, and verification before it leaves the shop makes a huge difference.
The aesthetic appearance of some Chinese receivers can be 'rough', but they can still be excellent rifles.
I have some poly tech 14's that were good right out of the box. Didn't do much to them. I have lots of matching usgi
m14 parts to build rifles. Not many people bringing in receivers to do it with. Still on the future project list. Matching up
m1 garand rifles will have to do
m14 parts to build rifles. Not many people bringing in receivers to do it with. Still on the future project list. Matching up
m1 garand rifles will have to do
John, it's refreshing to hear your experience with Springfield on the bench mirrors my own. I have a taken a crap load of VERY undeserved heat over the past decade trying to get that message out. By many respected members here even.
LRB sure makes a fine rifle, if money is no object, certainly LRB would probably be the pinnacle.
I also own two, well, one that I build on an LRB receiver with Krieger barrel/GI parts and another receiver yet to be built on.
I've built rifles on 23 LRB receivers now , 4 needed a bit of cleaning up at the left bolt lug recess , 2 needed the upper ceiling of the heel polished out and .00015 shaved off the surface to allow for proper bolt clearance (early ones... 2007? 2008?). Otherwise, pure joy to build on. I've also repaired 3 LRB built rifles for rough bolt travel and left lug pocket burrs, indexing and a non removeable oprod (soft tab - replaced with usgi)
In reflection, one must ask ones self, why do I want that >Insert Top Name Brand M14/M1A Here< ? Does the price tag really get you something a well tuned norinco or springfield won't get you? other than nostalgia, prestige, internet props and I suppose resale value.... The targets don't give a shyte about how much the rifle cost that just smacked it with a bullet.
So here's the rub.... what do you want that rifle for?
If I was a competition shooter, where scores and weapon reliability are essential.... money wouldn't be an object inside my budget.
If I was a police or military marksman.... again, where reliability comes into play..... the LRB (or the smith enterprise) are the obvious choices and the shooter isn't paying for the rifle anyways.
For the rest of us.... these high end rifles are a rabbit hole , I've seen it over and over. Guy buys LRB or gets one built. Raves about it for a few weeks online then the conversation fades away. Year later.... say buddy, how's that LRB doing? .... Oh man, I sold it, tranny blew, dog died, girlfriend left me with just my ginch and we all have our reasons LOL
hell I went halfers with a buddy on a 15,000.00 semi auto 50cal ..... he lasted about 100 rounds and sold his 1/2 to another buddy of ours. It's a total waste of money but way more fun than a 5800.00 full blown top end LRB M25 in a 700.00 custom stock hahaha
most of us will do just fine with a well tuned and groomed M305 and that's pretty much the ballz of it.
TacticalTeacher
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Georgian Bay, ON
^^ That's the best ever!!! I love it! Saves me a ton of typing but also edumakates me, too! Thanks for the insight!! I loved the part about (loved many parts) the well tuned and groomed M305....
That said, Thomas corrupted me into the LRB world. It was great for a while! I hardly shot it. Not fair to the LRB fun. A friend wanted it and I was back into the Norc world. No doubt the LRB is a pile of fun.
A Rabbit Hole... that's the best description by far. Save yer money folks! Buy what works for you and your game / budget / ego/ mission / anti-piracy contract in the Gulf of Durka Durka / fascination / enjoyment / hobbying/ tinkering/ tweaking! It's all good!
Cheers,
Barney
That said, Thomas corrupted me into the LRB world. It was great for a while! I hardly shot it. Not fair to the LRB fun. A friend wanted it and I was back into the Norc world. No doubt the LRB is a pile of fun.
A Rabbit Hole... that's the best description by far. Save yer money folks! Buy what works for you and your game / budget / ego/ mission / anti-piracy contract in the Gulf of Durka Durka / fascination / enjoyment / hobbying/ tinkering/ tweaking! It's all good!
Cheers,
Barney
m14medic.ca
Expried Business Member
- Location
- Regina SK Canada
If I may, I'll give you my $.02.
At the very least IMHO, for a well rounded "shooter" you will want a barrel that is indexed correctly, an op-rod guide that is glued or epoxied in place, a good recoil spring and decent sights/scope set-up.
For myself, I add to the above with an op-rod guide rod, unitized gas system, US FH (USGI or commercial NM) and a USGI fiberglass stock....
It works out to about $600 in parts in addition to the rifle.
John
Here's the long and short of it for me ...
Wish I never got into the M14 world. Wayyyyyyyyyy too much money into it for what you get.
I have a Springfield Scout and a Norc, both modded to the point of stupid money for what you get. They have more Smith Enterprise parts than SAI or Norinco.
The Springfield has much better machining and finish, no argument there. Amazingly the M305s is more to GI spec though. This not so in-spec aspect of the SAI can be a PITA.
I've handled many of the other offerings.
So my bottom line in the M14 world is this ....
Stick with the Norc and try to keep the spending realistic ... or.... get a Smith Enterprise and sell the farm. !
Low-end .... top-end imo.
Or better yet, stay out of the M14 game. You can get much better semi auto .308 for a fair bit less money (albeit probably restricted).
Oh, and back to your question. LRB are great rifles too. I just give up on the format for the most part.
If I could do it all over again with the 14 I wouldn't. That's my experience and out come. Anyone wanna buy a couple way over priced used 14's ? Didn't think so, so they will remain as backups incase the Chinese invade.
Wish I never got into the M14 world. Wayyyyyyyyyy too much money into it for what you get.
I have a Springfield Scout and a Norc, both modded to the point of stupid money for what you get. They have more Smith Enterprise parts than SAI or Norinco.
The Springfield has much better machining and finish, no argument there. Amazingly the M305s is more to GI spec though. This not so in-spec aspect of the SAI can be a PITA.
I've handled many of the other offerings.
So my bottom line in the M14 world is this ....
Stick with the Norc and try to keep the spending realistic ... or.... get a Smith Enterprise and sell the farm. !
Low-end .... top-end imo.
Or better yet, stay out of the M14 game. You can get much better semi auto .308 for a fair bit less money (albeit probably restricted).
Oh, and back to your question. LRB are great rifles too. I just give up on the format for the most part.
If I could do it all over again with the 14 I wouldn't. That's my experience and out come. Anyone wanna buy a couple way over priced used 14's ? Didn't think so, so they will remain as backups incase the Chinese invade.
