Civilian M14 variants

[Slater]

Reading various forums over the years, it seems that I've seen more comments about problematic M14 civvie variants (Springfield and otherwise) than AR's. Does this gun tend to generate more issues than the AR family or is it just Interweb preception?

[markm]

Every springfield turd I've seen has had something fall off of it. Complete Garbage with the old Springfield Armory name. The guys I know who've had them no longer own them.

[Alpha-17]

I picked up a Springfield Armory M1A last year and it runs like a top. No issues thus far, and its become one of my favorite guns to shoot. Honestly surprised by how much I like it.

I suspect there likely is some truth to SA having quality control issues, but I've had several of their guns with no issues before. This is like the "1911s always jamming" meme (mix of truth, BS, and ignorance about running older platforms, made worse by internet hive mind mentality.)

[ABNAK]

You can buy a PSA AR, or you can buy a Colt/LMT/BCM. You can buy a "regular" SA M1A, or you can buy an LRB or SA with mods.

My SA has had the bolt changed to a Bula forged one and the barrel is a chrome lined (which SA isn't) Criterion barrel all assembled and headspaced by Jon Wolfe. Yeah, not what you'd expect to have to do (didn't *need* to, just wanted to) for a factory-built rifle but the M14 series is not awash in stuff like the AR is. Jon even engraved the headspace underneath the handguard over the rear part of the barrel.

I'd love to have a real-deal M14, but we all know that ain't happening. It wouldn't be my "grab-and-go" rifle but it is in the toolbox if needed. To be quite frank, I have fired an M14 on FA and it is far better off fired semi. Plus I have always thought they were cool. YMMV.

[SteyrAUG]

I'd love to have a real-deal M14, but we all know that ain't happening. It wouldn't be my "grab-and-go" rifle but it is in the toolbox if needed. To be quite frank, I have fired an M14 on FA and it is far better off fired semi. Plus I have always thought they were cool. YMMV.

It will always be one of the "big three" along with the FN FAL and HK G3.

Ironically in terms of recoil, my experience is:

HK G3 is the most manageable in full auto, followed by the metric FAL and then the M14 (even with a fold down forward grip).

But in semi auto, the reverse seems to be true with the M1A having the least felt recoil, followed by the HK91 and the FAL (depending how you like your gas setup).

I think in full auto, the G3 roller bolt results in a smoother cycle with almost no individual recoil impulses where as gas piston rifles have an individual recoil impulse. But in semi auto that roller bolt doesn't really provide any advantage over gas piston rifles and the lighter HK91 and FAL tend to punch a little harder.

[shooter45]

M1A's are not as friendly to customize and work on like the AR platform; entirely different beast. To accurize them it can take a lot of work and cost a substantial amount of money and they've fallen out of popularity. I've shot some of the older Springfield Armory's that were made with a lot of the previous available GI parts and they are incredibly accurate and durable for their purpose. Also had great luck with Fulton Armory. They are a very classic rifle and fit the needs for their time when they were used. Just not as user friendly as an AR system is for many today.

[constructor]

Every springfield turd I've seen has had something fall off of it. Complete Garbage with the old Springfield Armory name. The guys I know who've had them no longer own them.

Not the same company for sure. I don't know what genius thought it would be a good idea to clamp the forward rail around the barrel but it was a stupid FN idea.

[SteyrAUG]

A lot of it depend on when it was made and what parts were used.

Obviously a "forged" LRB receiver will be superior to a Springfield "cast" receiver. Barrels are barrels and USGI or high end barrels will be superior to other barrel options. And USGI parts will be superior to parts fabricated in IL or for IL.

I've seen Springfield's that have run problem free for decades and I've seen ones that choke...a lot. Many times the problem is bad magazines, sometimes they need to be corrected by known specialists such as Fulton Arms. Sometimes it only takes a few things to get them running reliably, sometimes it takes a lot.