I bought in because the rifle has no equal!

XM25RENGI2

 

The quiz should not have been a one of choice but multiple reasons that did deeper.

For those of us like myself from the Vietnam era many of us have deep set memories of what we could do with the M1/M14 from our boot camp experience and/or time in the service. For example I own and shoot my AR-15 on occasion but to me it will always be a “Mattel toy” rifle. That is the way it was introduced to me and initial impressions die hard. The M14/M1A design on the other hand is the M1 on steroids for me.

Shooting capabilities is an all encompassing phase. You could have added a long list of check boxes. For some people reliability and dependability may be far more important reasons than accuracy.

A big reason for me for choosing the M14/M1A platform is adaptability to tailor it to my specific shooting needs. I am turning 72 this month. My eyes and shooting hand arthritis dictate how I can shoot. I no longer think of shooting much beyond 300 yards these days. So there I am at the range blasting away with my M1A Socom II and loving it. But that doesn’t mean I still don’t shoot my old M1A standard, I do. It still brings back the warm and fuzzy feelings of shooting in the ‘old’ days...

 

The quiz should not have been a one of choice but multiple reasons that did deeper.
...

Shooting capabilities is an all encompassing phase. You could have added a long list of check boxes. For some people reliability and dependability may be far more important reasons than accuracy.
...

Agreed, a poll could ask what was the main reason you bought the M14/M1a and it could have given "a long list of check boxes" to see what was the main reason people buy. It would be interesting to see which specific reason gained the most votes. Maybe that poll has been done--I didn't search.

However, my curiosity revolves around its U.S. military roots/history, and that being the main reason to buy. Maybe my poll should have stated more simply:

Would you have purchased the rifle if it had never been used by the U.S. military?
yes/no

And since I ask, it's only fair to share my answer:

No, I wouldn't have.

So we likely have different opinions regarding its capabilities: one might say its top characteristic is its accuracy (after getting it set-up "perfectly" for example); I might think its best positive is its range. But lots of rifles are accurate, have good range, can be set-up this and that way...but not all of them were used by the military. So the question remains:

Would you have purchased the rifle if it had never been used by the U.S. military?

Thank you for your comments.

 

^^^^ Yep.

 

I vote both reasons. It's the first weapon I qualified(expert)with in the service and the fact that it has a great reputation for hard hitting accuracy and dependability. Bought the Springfield model that most closely represents the one I used in uniform.

 

^^^^ Yep.

DI5

 

The M14 clone represents the best available for a self loading or semi auto if you will on the market today. It's not as accurate as a well built bolt rifle, but it's accurate enough to shoot very good scores if the trigger puller is on his game. The triggers and issue sight systems of the foreign offerings** all pale compared to the M14 as well as accuracy from my experience. I happen to prefer the std. length version over the shorter ones for me it represents and American rifle, others I consider carbines. The military past has some attraction but not the primary one for purchase. As much as I like the M14 my nice Remington '03 w/ Unertl scope is a classic American rifle, you could say I am a walnut and steel man.

** Have seen some try shooting matches with FAL's, HK's, etc. and the results were not very good and the Garand would kick their rears on a regular basis, again sight system and trigger.

 

Makes a bigger hole.

WLW

 

I bought one because I can't afford areal M14, and NRA High Power Matches . . . in the 1980's it had no equal.

 

My reasoning has several layers.

Utmost, it further completes the collection my father started before I was born. He collected shoulder weapons of the Allies from WWI onward. He always wanted one of these rifles. So, by exposure, so did I. I had to complete the lineage. He topped out in 1992 on a mint 1971 Colt SP1 slabside with only two mags shot down it's throat when he got it. He put a Bushmaster 37mm flare launcher on it. Goofy old man...

To me, it represents a weapon my brothers used before I signed up in 1979. I was issued an M16A1.

It was the last of it's kind to be issued; heavy steel and wood. Now it's lightweight polymers and aluminum alloys. Not wrong; just different.

It's loud report let's those on the receiving end know that something hefty is coming your way with a helluva punch.

I've heard/read about it's accuracy. I have since learned it's not a myth.


I never bought it for it's collectable value or resale value because I learned from my Mom when my Dad would claim how much a certain rifle was worth compared to purchase price. She would just say, "They aren't worth a dime !! You will NEVER sell one, so it will NEVER generate money !! Saying what it's worth means nothing unless you sell it !! They'll all go to him (me), and he'll never sell them. So to me, they are worthless.".

She's right. My wife already knows my nephew gets them all. He lived with my parents in his early years and took over weapon cleaning duty from me. He's earned them.

 

Neither.

From personal experience, I would not use US military acceptance as a reason to buy anything. RNGR2 From a nostalgia standpoint, it's general issue was extremely short-lived.

As for it's shooting capabilities, it is nothing to write home about in it's original as-issued version. It was designed for minute-of-man accuracy.

* * * * * * * * * *

My affection for the M14 lies in it's flaws. It is difficult to carry, shoot, operate and maintain. It requires training, dedication and skill. Simply put, it is a "rifleman's rifle." Long enough for proper use of a bayonet and sturdy enough for a butt stroke.

Any idiot can effectively carry, shoot and maintain an AR or AK. Just look around.

A person with an AK is automatically a "bad guy." One with an AR is the "lunatic or wanna-be." The one with the M14, however, is the "good guy." It commands respect, whether on guard, on the range or in the field.

 

A person with an AK is automatically a "bad guy." One with an AR is the "lunatic or wanna-be." The one with the M14, however, is the "good guy." It commands respect, whether on guard, on the range or in the field.

I don't know exactly how true any of this is... but it's fine by me!

 

Is it because I grew up in a museum and love the older things? Maybe
Is it because the 7.62x51 is a great round? Maybe
Is it because it it extremely modifiable? Maybe
Is it because it is a military rifle? Maybe
Maybe it's all of the above. Maybe it's how my brain is wired and how my life experiences shaped what I like.

Why do I like a certain sized woman with certain hair colors? Don't know. What I like doesn't match my mother, so that's out.

I think it just boils down to what should be option 3. The M14 just fits my personality.

 

It has the best lines of any rifle I have ever seen.
As soon as I saw it I had to have one. There is just something about that piston on the bottom of the barrel.

 

Complicated question with a simple answer.

In Canada the Chinese and US clones if the genuine M14 rifles are NOT RESTRICTED, and also are by far the LEAST EXPENISIVE SEMI AUTO FULL POWERED BATTLE RIFLE available.
This makes them the BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK for us Canucks.

 

The Canadians never banned the Chinese imports like we did. They will be cheaper for that reason alone. I picked up a pre-ban Norinco MAK-90 a couple of years ago. It was not cheap but a helluva lot better than anything around from Century Arms.

You guys are limited to 5 rounds mags for CF semi's but it is nice that they non-restrict them for you at least.

I digress. I got my M1A because I always wanted one but could never really afford one until last year. I liked the concept of the M14 as an upgrade Garand. I got the SAI loaded with the walnut stock because I wanted something as close to GI as reasonably affordable. I didn't know about Fulton Armory, etc at the time I bought it. Probably would have still got the SAI because of the price difference

Regards,
Badger

 

I have an interest in historical military rifles, mainly Mosins and Enfields at this point. No way I could afford a real M14, so the M1A is the closest I can come.

But I like its accuracy, too!

 

I've always been a fan of Garands and M14s, thought they were great rifles. That's why i bought one.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

Why did you buy a traditional M14 / M1a?

because i could not afford to feed a ge134 mini gun

 

Yes to both. It was also the first weapon I was issued when I joined the Marine Corps in OCS.

 

I like the historical background, and it was my initial point of interest, but eventually it was because it was incredibly well-rounded. You can find a whole lot of rifles that are superior in any one regard, but as a whole package, it excels. We're also lucky in that while there aren't nearly as many options as there are for AK or AR platforms, we still have a lot of support for a lot of different flavors optimized for a variety of purposes and/or preferences. I wouldn't mind if the stuff cpst less, so I could afford more of them, but... true of many good things.

 

I voted for "used by US military. The second reason also plays into my decision to purchase one. M14 type is a quality rifle that is fun to shoot, accurate, and uses a high power .308 cartridge. What's not to love?

 

I bought mine to make life more interesting for Elizabeth Warren and her friends

 

Because of the laws here in Cali. No funky grip or magazine lock needed for the "traditional" rifles.

Otherwise I would probably have some sort of AR10.

 

While in the Army, I trained with the M1. It didn't get any better than that. I was really into shooting at the time and could only read about the M14. As time went by, my desire to own one never ceased. When the time and finances were right; I bought an M1A. It's about as close to an M14 I'll ever get. I have fulfilled my desire.

 

I would have picked

"Cool as Hell"

 

The M14 is the rifle I was issued and carried for my entire three year enlistment from 1 May 67 till 30 April 70. Artillery was fortunate to have kept the M14 the longest.

It was and is a great battle rifle; reliable, powerful, and nearly soldier proof. I didn't have to worry about jamming, or a round getting stuck in the chamber from corrosion, or the gas system getting plugged up. My rifle always worked.

So for me I own one for nostalgia as much as anything. Still love shooting the old soldier.

Actually I like almost every rifle Springfield Armory ever made and have Two trapdoor Springfields, a Krag, a 1903 Springfield, and an M1 Garand.

 

It's made of wood and steel.

 

I bought mine as part of my US military center-fire battle rifle collection. Collection ranges from the .50-70 Trap Door Springfield to the M4.