Seeking advice on that first handgun or next weapon purchase? Ask AW!

[HeyJoe]

Thanks for the info. Just how much would a custom job set one back, roughly?

Price of the receiver is biggest cost driver. If you check out links provided above, those prices represent the range of low to high (~$1.5 - $5K+) depending on what you're after and how exotic or rare certain pieces might be. I'll pass you Andy's number you want to ask his advice and get his pricing.

 

[H60Gunner]

M1A/M-14s are sweet shootin' classics IMO. When I checked into my first HS squadron we had 12 or so of them with two being full auto. Yes they were cumbersome getting in and out of the helo but in some circumstances a little extra punch is needed.

Unfortunately my Ord. O cared little about weps and when we switched to the M-16A2 shorty carbine, he had all of the M-14s shipped back to Crane. I took them out one last time to Camp Pen. for a shoot, then shed a tear as we escorted them to shipping..... I really wanted to keep at least 4 of them around for variety. I wonder who has them now?

 

[gaijin6423]

I'll venture a guess that at least one or two wound up at USNA. ...As de-milled drill rifles. (I know, I know. It's appalling.) But Crane sent USNA about 5000-5500 M14s in 2003. They had to go through the USMC Rifle Team armory at Quantico first, in order to have a plasma cutter run over various components to make them inoperable. A disgusting travesty if you ask me.

 

[Flash]

I'll venture a guess that at least one or two wound up at USNA. ...As de-milled drill rifles. (I know, I know. It's appalling.) But Crane sent USNA about 5000-5500 M14s in 2003. They had to go through the USMC Rifle Team armory at Quantico first, in order to have a plasma cutter run over various components to make them inoperable. A disgusting travesty if you ask me.

I think the only thing missing from the Citadel's M14 drill rifles was the firing pin. Accountability of them was a big deal when I was there.

 

[sodajones]

I've been collecting parts for my M14 build for the last 10 months. I only buy USGI parts with the exception of the Sadlak NM 14 op rod spring guide which I would argue is the only aftermarket part that brings any improvement to the M14. So far, I've spent about $1300-1400 and I don't have the receiver yet. You could go much cheaper than I and buy the new cast parts or you can go for original, unused, forged surplus parts.

Another thing to consider is what receiver you want to use. Your options are basically down to cast receivers (Armscorp, Springfield Armory Inc) or Forged receivers (LRB Arms).

Springfield and Armscorp made/make good cast receivers, but because they are cast, they may be thicker and out of "spec" in order to compensate for less strength. LRB forged receivers are as close to the original as you can get and are the creme of the crop when it comes to M14 receivers. You'll pay for the difference though: ~$500 cast or ~$1,000 forged.

Go with a springfield M1a if you're just looking to have fun occasionally.

Go to m14tfl.com to answer all your m14 questions.

 

[Bevo16]

Thanks for the info. Just how much would a custom job set one back, roughly?

Don't you live in DC? These kinds of guns are still illegal there, right?

 

[HeyJoe]

Another thing to consider is what receiver you want to use. Your options are basically down to cast receivers (Armscorp, Springfield Armory Inc) or Forged receivers (LRB Arms).

Springfield and Armscorp made/make good cast receivers, but because they are cast, they may be thicker and out of "spec" in order to compensate for less strength. LRB forged receivers are as close to the original as you can get and are the creme of the crop when it comes to M14 receivers. You'll pay for the difference though: ~$500 cast or ~$1,000 forged.

You forgot one of finest M14 Receivers ever made. Follow link to Smith Enterprise or check gun shows or other on-line resale sites. They're out there. Some went to Israel and are now back.

 

[sodajones]

You forgot one of finest M14 Receivers ever made. Follow link to Smith Enterprise or check gun shows or other on-line resale sites. They're out there. Some went to Israel and are now back.

Joe, I know what you're referring to but your link is to the LRB Arms receiver that Smith now sells because Smith no longer produces receivers.

LRB M14SA Semiautomatic Receiver
This is the finest commercial receiver currently available. After an extensive period of collaborative work over the past few years between Smith Enterprise, Inc. and LRB, the superlative LRB M14SA receiver is now better than ever. Forged and machined from 8620 steel.

Available only as part of complete rifle build. Contact us for details. FFL Required.

Yes, Smith made great receivers, but they are more of a collectors item these days and I would argue that the LRB is as good or better and does not cost as much due to collector inflation. I believe the Smith was cast like the others instead of forged.

 

[HeyJoe]

Joe, I know what you're referring to but your link is to the LRB Arms receiver that Smith now sells because Smith no longer produces receivers.

Yes, Smith made great receivers, but they are more of a collectors item these days and I would argue that the LRB is as good or better and does not cost as much due to collector inflation. I believe the Smith was cast like the others instead of forged.

I found mine in 2005 in a matter of days. There out there. They just don't last long on the market and it is forged. Concur that if you're going new build, then the LRB is best evolution, I'd stay away from the cast receivers especially from other side of the Pacific Rim.

 

[DangerousDan]

Well, the other guys have already said most of it; but to recap:

In your present Rock River Arms AR-15:
You've got something that's a USGI clone w/ history behind it ...

That's why I'd opt for the M1A in a nutshell ... you've got one that's functional and a go-to rifle in your current R/R AR ... now go for one that's functional -- and "go-to" -- AND a beautiful, aesthetic melding of wood & steel in the classic American military firearms tradition ... an M1A.

Heres me shooting my dads M1A.

My Post Deployment Wish List

Rifles (If the Assault weapons ban dosen't come back while I'm deployed) Most of the ones I want to collect are "Traditional Battle arms"
AR-15 (traditional)
AR-15 (m4 configuration with flat top)
AK-47
(Mauser, Mosign Nagant, Enfield, SKS not sure yet)

Pistols
M1911
Sig 226 Navy
Beretta 92 FS
Walther PPK
(Glock not sure)

Tactical Shotgun

 

[Flash]

Don't you live in DC? These kinds of guns are still illegal there, right?

I live in Virginia, evil guns are still allowed here.

 

[phrogpilot73]

I think the only thing missing from the Citadel's M14 drill rifles was the firing pin. Accountability of them was a big deal when I was there.

The M1 Garands we used to drill with at USNA had the bolt face welded (so a firing pin couldn't come out), and a disgusting 2 inch gash in the barrel, just forward of the chamber. I wept when I saw how destroyed it truly was.

Don't you live in DC? These kinds of guns are still illegal there, right?

As he said, he lives in VA. He WORKS in DC... Nancy Pelosi has to get her evil black rifle to hold up on the floor of the House SOMEHOW...

Funny, the M1A/M14's not on my list of future guns. I've got an Uzi Eagle .40 S&W pistol, and I get to shoot PSW's Springfield XD40 anytime I want. I'm waiting on the backlog to clear at CMP for my M1 Garand to arrive. Next one is going to be a Springfield 1903...

 

[sodajones]

My goal is to finish my M14 build, get an M1 from the CMP, 1903 with leaf sight (pre a3), and a semi-auto closed bolt B.A.R. from Ohio Ordinance. The wood/steel combo turns me on.

 

[The Chief]

I live in Virginia, ....

Sorry, thought you lived in Maryland, ergo gave you addresses of Maryland FFL dealers.

Fulton does some great work, their M14(A*)'s go for $2,500 to $3,500 (and up of course).

Understand Fulton is underwater with orders flowing in at an unprecedented rate. They even closed their "walk in" doors because of demand. CMP is same situation, they cannot even keep up with their emails.

*Almost

 

[FlyinRock]

BEVO
Kiss your wife, and protect her. She is much like mine and, "what can we buy to protect our family" is her reaction.
AK-47 if you want to protect your house and those in it. Idiot proof as proven in countless encounters worldwide by people who think a water buffalo is high tech.
If you are looking at a battle rifle, the AK-47 still gets high marks. If you are going to be a sniper, you are looking at high tech and specialized training and equipment. If you plan to get into firefights on a close and personal level, make sure your will is up to date and have something you can rely on.
"Looks great, feels great, is proven in battle". So what good is it if you are not part of a rifle squad? That seems to be the major flaw in the discussion about defense and guns, both long and short. Are you going to be part of a defense unit solo, or with others?
When I was much younger, I went thru literally hundreds of guns thinking I was ready for whatever came down the pike. Now, much older, with bullet wounds/scars, I am less cocky (not much though) and realize when its time to back off and take another look.
My personal armory consists of several 1911A1, a Remington 700ADL 30/06 in a fibreglas stock that will reach out to 700 yds and nail a 10" plate, shot after shot, a Remington 870 12Ga, and a Mossburg 20Ga pump.
Also have some wicked blades that can seperate a torso in the event I can't reach one of the guns. Then, of course, a compound bow that I can use to great effect to at least 40 yards with 6" accuracy. And, not to forget the kitchen knives or the combat knives that are disbursed about the house.
Did I mention, I am a pacifist with the training and ability to enforce my rights to be a pacifist?
Semper fi
Rocky