M1A/M14 Advice

[Marine24]

In an effort to round out my standard issue US infantry weapon collection, I'm looking at purchasing a M1A rifle that is walnut stocked that is representative of the early Vietnam era. I have no plans to shoot the rifle in matches or plan to mount a scope on it.

I know Springfield Armory is one of that typically comes to mind, but have also heard about LRB and James River Armory/Classic Firearms as a source for Vietnam era M14s. Price point obviously steps up steeply with the James River and particularly so with the LRB. Fulton Armory is another one that I'm familiar with.

Reliability is my primary goal, since it will be a rifle that gets shot but closely behind that is the looks of the rifle being representative of the Vietnam war.

Any words of wisdom?

Are there any reliability issues with the SA M1A standard?

Any reason to step up to a James River Armory which is about 50% more or LRB with is over 2x the price of a SA?

[bczandm]

I have two Springfields and they run fine and seem plenty accurate. I hear great things about some of the other brands you mention, but my Springsfields have been great rifles for me.

[Marine24]

Thanks.

I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around spending the additional dollars.

Both talk about authentic Vietnam era reproductions but not sure what that means.

Original or refurbished USGI parts seems to be one characteristic they talk about.

LRB has a interesting looking Service Grade M14 that has the character you see in CMP Service grade M1 Garands.


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[Marine24]

Reviews I've read so far that are coming from folks that call it the way it is, seems generally favorable to the Springfield Armory Standard model. They call out that SA uses MIM parts, receiver is cast vs hammer forged and that the build isn't completely milspec. Seems the comments were targeted more towards current production models with older M1A (80s) being milspec.

Need to decide how much of a difference that makes to me.

[Marine24]

Comment from Classic Firearms:

These rifles are built to replicate the original military configuration of the M14, using new barrels and receivers but otherwise with original parts kits.
The Springfield M1A Standard is a completely newly manufactured firearm. The prices are comparable, with the nod to the Rockola but not by a lot. The Rockola's use of original parts also provides a physical connection with the original military rifles.

[bobbyfairbanks]

Stay away f I'm Springfield. I've destroyed 3 of them. Warranty is great but if you plan on using them they will break a lot and it's annoying that you have to ship the entire rifle back to Springfield. They use shit parts that are not machined well with inferior metal. I now have a LRB m25 and it's a great gun. I also recommend Fulton as a great shooter as well

[Marine24]

Good to know. Great customer service is a good thing, but not something I want to be too familiar with.

Anyone have experience with James River Armory M14s?

[Shooter45]

There's a great sale on the M14 forum. It's an all GI spec M1A built by Ted Brown. The rifle is stuffed full of GI parts along with a GI walnut stock. Low round count and shocked it's still available at the price.

"LRB marked Criterion medium weight chrome-lined barrel
TRW bolt and USGI bolt guts
USGI trigger group
SEI forged oprod
Sadlak spring guide
USGI gas system unitized by Hueygunner (screw and glue)
Sadlak piston
USGI flash suppressor NM reamed
.062 NM front sight
USGI rear sight
USGI hand guard
Balance of other small parts is USGI

Will also include two CMI 20rd mags (where legal). Ammo shown not included.

It's a shooter. Ted test fired this action and shot a 1" 5 round group at 100 yards with M118 special ball. That was unbedded in a USGI fiberglass stock.

I've put maybe 200-300 rounds through it at most. It's mostly sat in the safe and my other rifle gets the range time.

$2000 now $1900 now $1800 now $1700 shipped to your FFL

Let me know if you have any questions or would like any more detailed pics."

http://m14forum.com/px/357121-ted-brown-built-m1a.html

[Marine24]

You must be clairvoyant. I'm currently reading through the M14 Forum and saw that listing. I was actually reading Ted Brown's posts when the notification of your post came in.

Appreciate the tip.

[Shooter45]

Springfield Armory has a lifetime guarantee on their rifles. Yes, some things break, but generally I don't see it very often and they are few and far between. Now, the older M1A's with the GI parts in them are not known for this. Anything can wear out. About 2004 is when Springfield was running out of the GI surplus parts to fill M1A's with. The original M1A we bought was in the late 90's and everything is GI on it; it is running 15k rounds though it and everything is fine. The GI parts definitely bring a premium on the price now because of their limited amount. There are a few companies that are matching the GI quality but they are very pricey, LRB is one of them.
It just depends what you want to do with the rifle and what your price point is. Fulton Armory makes some excellent models as well and very accurate if you get the Peerless.