That is a tough call on what to do. Lots of factors to consider in order to make a decision. I'm gonna take a seat on the sidelines and see how this goes. Thanks for sharing the pictures, it does look very nice.

 

I’d shoot it, but that is just me. I don’t see using something as destroying it, and don’t quite get what would be collectible about it. Do what feels right for you, it’s your rifle.

 

Shoot it. It bothers me when people collect newly built/NOS guns. Those were built to perform. Until it became relics, no reason to shoot it. I am sure a few rounds will not destroy the value if it was built right.

 

Nice looking rifle.

I’d shoot the s#!* out of it if it was mine, you only live once.

 

That would be a forged receiver no?

 

Cast or bar stock, I believe. Not sure though.

Tony.

 

It’s a commercial copy of an M14 and thus not an antique or a collectible USGI weapon. In contrast, if it were an original 1960-1964 USGI, mint condition, class III legally transferrable M14 worth maybe $40k+, I’d be hesitant to fire it. Commercial copy? Just use it. It won’t lose much if any value. My 2cts since you asked.

Here’s the kind if rifle that needs to stay unfired:

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How many of those M14 1960s rifles do you have?

Just asking.

REN

 

The Smith Enterprise had than mid 1980s till early 1990s were cast and bar stock receivers that were the best receivers at that time frame. The early receivers were marked with Mesa AZ. The new batch were made bar stock later 2010s were good or ? The new batch are are marked Tempe AZ with serial number of 200 and up

 

That is not quite true as I have serial 199 from that batch, oh and 299 and 399.

REN

 

how much did ya give for it?

 

No safe queens! I don't believe in vehicles being restored and turned into trailer queens either. Your just saving it for the next guy, might end up at a loss in the end anyway. Live a little

 

Shoot it, just take good care of it. Cleaning and lube.

 

If you have other shooters, keep the gun in the safe and consider it a long term investment. I never understood the shortsighted perspective of shooting a nicer high end gun, just to shoot it. If you bought it to shoot matches, ok, shoot it, otherwise it's an investment that will go up in price of ypu leave it alone.

 

Shoot the dang thing. Care or it. It really doesn’t have a lot of collector value

 

A lot of good advice given here and I’m leaning to shooting it. I am not familiar enough with Ron’s guns but I would expect a gun with serial number in the 200s is a pretty rare gun. Again I’m ignorant but won’t be forever.

now it being stripped down, cleaned and lubed. The barrel was surprisingly filthy for a gun that appears unfired. I would guess an oiled barrel left in a safe for 40 years would look something like this one did.

I do appreciate all the comments and hope they continue. I could use a lot of background on the Smith M14

 

It looks like their last production run to me? And that wasn’t all the long ago….

 

It not from their last production run, I have three from the last run of SEI receivers and the heel stamp is completely different from the op’s photo.

REN

 

I agree with Phil.I don't believe it was from the run of receivers from the 80's.
I have 3 early ones from that era and the Font is totally different. What I do know is i have serial number 004 from the last batch they made not that long ago and the Font is identical to this rifle the OP posted.
It's your gun but I don't think firing it is gonna make a bit of difference at this point.

 

The world out there doesn't care about M1A/M14 clone rifles ** , so that rifle being unfired and ending up sold out of your estate proves you lost enjoying the rifle on the range. Save it for who.... go shoot it and enjoy it. It will be here long after you are gone and hopefully live another life at the range.

** Sad note to the times we live , shooters adverse to recoil, got to have optics to shoot and maybe shoot all the way to 50 yds.

 

I have 3 early ones from that era and the Font is totally different. What I do know is i have serial number 004 from the last batch they made not that long ago and the Font is identical to this rifle the OP posted

To that point, here’s a Smith Enterprise receiver built into a match rifle in June 1991. Note the font on the heel. This rifle is collectible due to it being built at PWS for the late Pat Rogers, who was on the USMC shooting team back in the early 1990s. I agree the OP rifle was likely made in the late batch from the 201Xs.

 

I give ya tree fiddy, a carton of Newports, some classic Fruit Striped gum, and three broken lawn tractors for it...

 

the OP better act now! That fruit stripe gum won’t last.

 

Oh man, what a beauty. I love the look of the old Smiths on fiberglass. If I had five other M14's, I agree with you, I wouldn;'t shoot it. If it was my only one, I'd shoot it all day long. Guess what - its gonna shoot just like all you other M14s. Just my opinion. Beautiful rifle great purchase, congrats!!!

 

She might be cherry now but not when the next guy gets his hands all over her. He’ll paw and maul and have his way with her. Whatcha donna do? Call ghostbusters? Go choot er! Live and have fun!

 

That receiver looks like one from the early 2010s they did. I have one in the 01xx serial range from that run. I shoot mine, I want to enjoy it. I'd shoot your rifle too if I were you.

 

A lot of great info. Since it’s stripped down I could list the components for your knowledge banks and 1911 fans.

It does have a milled received evidenced by the crisp cuts elevation sight cuts.

• NM barrel (looks unfired yet there was a lot of gunk in the barrel that looked like old oily dust.
• NM Sights (Rear hooded 595 and front NM labled
• TRW Bolt, Op Rod, Trigger
• Sadlak spring guide.
• SE Rings 30mm
• US Property marked Scope Mount.

The confusing clue for being a newer build was the barrel condition. This gunk to a lot of time to make it in the barrel. The rest of the gun is in mint and unfired condition. Is there any rhyme or reason to their serial number process. It would seem that a 250 serial number comes before 103,xxx.

Thanks for taking time to share your knowledge of this interesting rifle.

 

On the right side of the receiver, is it stamped Tempe AZ or Mesa AZ?

 

Tempe

 

Having a rifle you won't shoot is like having an attractive wife you won't sleep with. You're just saving it for the next guy

 

Comparing a rifle to your wife is ridiculous.

REN

 

How many of those M14 1960s rifles do you have?

Just asking.

I don't own any original M14s...the closest I came was a parts kit from a complete 1962 NM rifle that was de-activated before I found it. The receiver is now 4 pieces of scrap metal, so that doesn't count. All my SAI M1As are just civilian copies (replicas) and I like them all, but they ain't 1960s era USGI M14s. I can't afford a real class III transferrable USGI M14, those are reserved for wealthy collectors.