[BillySteph]

I purchased a M1A/M14 manufactured in Dec 2009/Jan 2010. I am still very, very new to all this. But I saw two items sell this morning that made me wonder why not build one. It was a Winchester receiver with a matching barrel dated 1963 bolt and few extras, and the other item that sold was a very nice stock with a couple of cartouches and of course had the cut out for the selector switch (I would throw a dummy selector in there). I figure between this board and a couple of fellas I have chatted with and other researching. I will be able to find all parts and get one together, using as many USGI parts as I can. I love my first purchase but I wished I would have found an earlier one but that’s ok. Not sure why I was so unsure about building one. How many have you guys assembled one? Thanks, Billy

 

[nf1e]

What is printed on the side of this Winchester receiver under the op rod track?

 

[BillySteph]

I don’t see a pic showing that. The barrel has the typical PW * stamps along with other various stamps plus a light struck Genesco Illinois. It’s on the CMP board, I would post link but that maybe a no, no here. It sold right after it was posted.

 

[mlin]

That one sold on CMP forum was a SAI M1A commercial receiver with Winchester barrel.

 

[Random Guy]

A real Winchester M14 receiver that was a legal, fully transferable item for a select-fire rifle would be 10x or 15x more money than what that semi-auto only commercial SAI M1A sold for with a WRA barrel on the CMP forum. FYI: There are only a few dozen legal/ transferable early 1960s era M14s machine guns and they bring big money when sold. (Most seem to be H&R M14 rifles, but there might be a few WRAs owned by advanced collectors).

 

[smoothy8500]

About a year or two ago I saw on gunbroker one of the bula James River builds with the replacement GI heel. Maybe that is where the Winchester heel stamped is coming from.

 

[anthonypd]

To the OP, you’ll find plenty here who are masters of putting these things together. Just know that these don’t click together like legos or ARs. It can be tricky.

 

[nf1e]

About a year or two ago I saw on gunbroker one of the bula James River builds with the replacement GI heel. Maybe that is where the Winchester heel stamped is coming from.

I managed to pick up a few of those when JRA was doing them. Made wonderful additions to the herd. Same rifles may show up in different poses, but you get the idea. Whatta Hobby!

 

[BillySteph]

Yep, the receiver is SAI, I just had Winchester on the brain when I saw the Win barrel.

 

[BillySteph]

So the best route is to find a parts kit and a reputable builder? Or just find an earlier, pre-89 setup already gtg?I just want one as close to Vietnam era M14 with as many USGI parts as I can get on it. What I have now is 244867, that puts me with one manufactured Jan. 2010. About 35+ years newer than I really wanted, but it’s mine now so I am keeping it but nothing wrong with a second one, or third, lol.

 

[anthonypd]

So the best route is to find a parts kit and a reputable builder? Or just find an earlier, pre-89 setup already gtg?I just want one as close to Vietnam era M14 with as many USGI parts as I can get on it. What I have now is 244867, that puts me with one manufactured Jan. 2010. About 35+ years newer than I really wanted, but it’s mine now so I am keeping it but nothing wrong with a second one, or third, lol.

Start with sourcing a receiver. They can be even harder to find than good GI parts.

 

[BillySteph]

I have a couple of Winchester Grarands. This M14/M1A set up with a Winchester roll mark and barrel would be my holy grail! Beautiful stuff!

I managed to pick up a few of those when JRA was doing them. Made wonderful additions to the herd. Same rifles may show up in different poses, but you get the idea. Whatta Hobby!



View attachment 511231 View attachment 511232 View attachment 511233 View attachment 511234 View attachment 511235 View attachment 511236 View attachment 511237

 

[conditionone]

You could get an off the shelf rifle and gradually replace all the parts with GI. That’s the way I did it. You also keep a functional rifle if you do it like that.

 

[Random Guy]

I just want one as close to Vietnam era M14 with as many USGI parts as I can get on it.

My advice since you are asking, is the following:
1. Buy the nicest walnut or birch USGI M14 stock that fits your budget (with M14 selector cutout and buttplate).
2. Buy the nicest USGI handguard that you can find (brown or the slotted version if you like that look).
3. Buy a faux M14 selector kit from Forceman (to fill in the 'hole' on the M14 stock and make it look like an M14).
4. Buy a nice vintage green web sling as finishing touch.

With those 4 parts alone, you will transfer your rifle into something that looks just like an M14. I would not bother replacing other parts with USGI parts until I had changed the furniture, added the faux selector lock and a web sling. You might discover that those 4 parts are enough. The fake M14 selector lock is a chore to install, but that one item really makes it look like an M14. The stock is the most expensive part if you really want a very nice vintage USGI M14 stock, but the others parts are quite affordable. My 2cts.

Note: This swapping of “aesthetic only”parts will also keep your SAI M1A’s lifetime warranty in place. I’d keep the original plastic stock and hand-guard - just in case you ever need to ship it back for a repair under their warranty.

Fwiw, this is a 1981 SAI M1A that I bought around Christmas. The only USGI parts were the 1) stock, 2) handguard, 3) rear sights (M1 Garand lock-bar sights), 4) hammer, 5) trigger, and 6) vintage web sling. Just adding a faux M14 selector lock to this rifle - and it will then look almost exactly like a Vietnam era M14. Those are the 4 key aesthetic pieces. So that's something to keep in mind...

 

[mlin]

My advice since you are asking, is the following:
1. Buy the nicest walnut or birch USGI M14 stock that fits your budget (with M14 selector cutout and buttplate).
2. Buy the nicest USGI handguard that you can find (brown or the slotted version if you like that look).
3. Buy a faux M14 selector kit from Forceman (to fill in the 'hole' on the M14 stock and make it look like an M14).
4. Buy a nice vintage green web sling as finishing touch.

With those 4 parts alone, you will transfer your rifle into something that looks just like an M14. I would not bother replacing other parts with USGI parts until I had changed the furniture, added the faux selector lock and a web sling. You might discover that those 4 parts are enough. The fake M14 selector lock is a chore to install, but that one item really makes it look like an M14. The stock is the most expensive part if you really want a very nice vintage USGI M14 stock, but the others parts are quite affordable. My 2cts.

Note: This swapping of “aesthetic only”parts will also keep your SAI M1A’s lifetime warranty in place. I’d keep the original plastic stock and hand-guard - just in case you ever need to ship it back for a repair under their warranty.

Fwiw, this is a 1981 SAI M1A that I bought around Christmas. The only USGI parts were the 1) stock, 2) handguard, 3) rear sights (M1 Garand lock-bar sights), 4) hammer, 5) trigger, and 6) vintage web sling. Just adding a faux M14 selector lock to this rifle - and it will then look almost exactly like a Vietnam era M14. Those are the 4 key aesthetic pieces. So that's something to keep in mind...
View attachment 511341

Excellent advise for novice for M14 style rifle. It is actually apply to all guns. Shoot the new gun first and decide what you wanted after familiar with the platform. Often time you will find newly made commercial M14 / M1A parts maybe at better quality than the worn out USGI parts. New USGI parts are getting expensive these days, not everyone have need for that other than saying it's USGI surplus. my 2 cents.

 

[BillySteph]

That’s what I thought about doing with the one I have. The only thing I have done so far is get two USGI Borg-Warner 20 rounders. USGI Flash Suppressor with bayonet lug. I will take Random Guys list and basically do all aesthetics and go from there. Thanks! Billy


EDIT: I have 16 more posts before I can see the buy and sell, 😆

You could get an off the shelf rifle and gradually replace all the parts with GI. That’s the way I did it. You also keep a functional rifle if you do it like that.