Howdy folks, thanks for having me! I am new here.
My dad carried an M14 for a while in Vietnam (before the changeout to the M16 happened) and he recently passed away. Been thinking about getting a transferrable M14 machinegun for years and surprising him the next time I visited and we went to his local shooting range but that is money I just didn't have so I was never able to make it happen, and now, it never can happen.
Regardless, as a way to honor my dad in my own way, (we loved shooting and hunting together) I am going to proceed with this project. As transferrable machinegun values have risen, and continue to rise due to ever increasing demand and ever decreasing supply, more than ever I remain unable to afford an M14.
BUT, I recently was able to locate, for a very fair price thankfully, a Smith Enterprises fully transferrable M14 receiver that was forged and registered prior to the May 19, 1986 machinegun ban. It was never built up and is still "new" having sat in a safe for decades. Now with some financial juggling and borrowing from Peter to pay Paul so I speak, I can scrape the money together for the receiver now and then work on building it up as time goes by and as I can find/afford the parts/help that will be required.
So bottom line, I have always been interested in the M14 but honestly, don't know much about them so I will be coming to you guys often for advice and guidance as this project proceeds. I expect to have the transfer of the receiver to me done by about this time next year so I have lots of time to do research and scrounge the parts needed to attempt to recreate, as close as possible, the M14 that was issued to my dad.
Not sure if this is a build that I can handle or whether I need/should have an expert M14 smith handle some or all if it. I will post photos and updates here as this project proceeds, and eventually, video of it with the Fun Switch engaged in my range out back.
In going through my Dad's stuff and getting his house ready to sell, I was able to find two photos of him with his M14. In one photo he is holding it and the other, it is hanging above his cot. A build as close as possible to what is represented in the photos is the goal.
Thanks in advance for all your help and advice!
Chris
My dad carried an M14 for a while in Vietnam (before the changeout to the M16 happened) and he recently passed away. Been thinking about getting a transferrable M14 machinegun for years and surprising him the next time I visited and we went to his local shooting range but that is money I just didn't have so I was never able to make it happen, and now, it never can happen.
Regardless, as a way to honor my dad in my own way, (we loved shooting and hunting together) I am going to proceed with this project. As transferrable machinegun values have risen, and continue to rise due to ever increasing demand and ever decreasing supply, more than ever I remain unable to afford an M14.
BUT, I recently was able to locate, for a very fair price thankfully, a Smith Enterprises fully transferrable M14 receiver that was forged and registered prior to the May 19, 1986 machinegun ban. It was never built up and is still "new" having sat in a safe for decades. Now with some financial juggling and borrowing from Peter to pay Paul so I speak, I can scrape the money together for the receiver now and then work on building it up as time goes by and as I can find/afford the parts/help that will be required.
So bottom line, I have always been interested in the M14 but honestly, don't know much about them so I will be coming to you guys often for advice and guidance as this project proceeds. I expect to have the transfer of the receiver to me done by about this time next year so I have lots of time to do research and scrounge the parts needed to attempt to recreate, as close as possible, the M14 that was issued to my dad.
Not sure if this is a build that I can handle or whether I need/should have an expert M14 smith handle some or all if it. I will post photos and updates here as this project proceeds, and eventually, video of it with the Fun Switch engaged in my range out back.
In going through my Dad's stuff and getting his house ready to sell, I was able to find two photos of him with his M14. In one photo he is holding it and the other, it is hanging above his cot. A build as close as possible to what is represented in the photos is the goal.
Thanks in advance for all your help and advice!
Chris