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Posted: 2/11/2011 1:14:05 PM EDT
I'm a mostly an AR type shooter so I don't know much about the M14 platform and was wondering if you guys could help me out. I'm really entertaining the thought of a semi-auto .308, and I'm looking at getting one due to cost. Ideally I want to get either an LMT MWS or a Larue OBR, except both of those rifles are $2-3k and I can't really justify that price on a single rifle right now (as a poor college student  ). I've read this forum from time to time and it seems LRB and Fulton make good rifles, except those are also in the same price range. Hence I decided to look at Springfield Armory.
I'm currently interested in the SA M1A Loaded, except I've read on the forums previously (and even on that topic just recently that's floating around) that SA's QC has gone down quite a bit and their rifles sometimes have major problems. What are people's experiences here? Is the Loaded a good rifle? I just plan on using irons and understand that the M14 is generally a battle, not match rifle, but what sort of accuracy can I expect out of it with match ammo? 2MOA? Are the rifles produced by LRB and Fulton actually worth that much more? Should I even bother getting an M14 if I'm just getting the Loaded, or should I just save up and get an AR? Thanks. |
| I have a loaded m1a and I love it!Springfield Armorys lifetime warranty is the best!!!! I dont think LRB,- 7.62have lifetime warranties.The m1a loaded you get a match trigger group- match barrel and sights! Out of the box mine was very accurate!I paid$1500 for mine!!!LRB $1500 buys you a barreled reciever.So add another$800 to SA to get a good scope and you'll a great rifle!!!!Yes LRB has a forged reciever and SA is cast.SA will shoot just as good as the high dollar set-ups sometimes better!!!!I have a 1911 a1 SA 10yrs opld never had a problem.You cant go wrong with SPRINGFIELD ARMORY!!!!Oh i have another SAm1a 12 yrs old no problems either. That one is wood stocked my new one is synthetic stock.If you live near lakewood go to Shore Shot they have the best price on m1as. |
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ASB45,
The problems with the M1A from SAI are well documented. It's usually an extractor problem, but you can buy a USGI extractor to fix the issue. The NM rifles shoot well, but they're no precision rifle for sure. You will enjoy it regardless of if you go with LRB or SAI. Just make sure you can lay your hands on that SAI first. You pay for more than a forged receiver when you go the LRB route. You get a gun built off of almost all USGI parts and the forged receiver. That includes a chrome lined bore, something the SAI guns lack also. There isn't a person on this forum that will disagree that LRB makes a better M1A with the exception of Jimi. Springfield needs that awesome warranty service of theirs for a damn good reason. |
| I had a loaded M1A and it was a nice rifle. NM air gauged barrel, NM non-hooded sights, wood stock, NM flash hider, NM trigger group. The only difference between my old rifle and a full blown NM rifle was glass bedding, NM recoil spring guide, unitized gas cylinder and a hooded rear sight. Shot better than I can. |
| if you want a match rifle dont get chrome lined.Match barrels arent chrome lined..If price doesnt matter get LRB rec! I have a complete TRW kit waiting for LRB rec! wait time is 4 months.I love my loaded rifle !!!!!I i have another SA m1a made in 99 no problems. lots of GI parts.My new one is atack driver very accurate !!New SA rifles are the best in there price range. |
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Quoted:
ASB45, The problems with the M1A from SAI are well documented. It's usually an extractor problem, but you can buy a USGI extractor to fix the issue. The NM rifles shoot well, but they're no precision rifle for sure. You will enjoy it regardless of if you go with LRB or SAI. Just make sure you can lay your hands on that SAI first. You pay for more than a forged receiver when you go the LRB route. You get a gun built off of almost all USGI parts and the forged receiver. That includes a chrome lined bore, something the SAI guns lack also. There isn't a person on this forum that will disagree that LRB makes a better M1A with the exception of Jimi. Springfield needs that awesome warranty service of theirs for a damn good reason. I never said LRB wasnt good!I said for the money SA was better .YOU MUST NOT SHOOT IN MATCHES.MATCH BARRELS AREN T CHROMELINED!!! |
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A former Member here, Lobsterman, had an LRB (pre-2006) that had some issues that I witnessed first-hand.
He hasn't posted in a long time, so I dunno the resolution of the issue. Those that say LRB rifles were trouble-free are mistaken. Mebbe now, not then. Since the OP is used to the AR platform, my suggestion is to save up for a new ArmaLite. They have overcome their earlier troubles, and are good, accurate, reliable, and versatile units. I would avoid clones, which seem to have more than their share of issues. I would also avoid earlier ArmaLites, and their mags, unless there was a ironclad try-out period. Earlier units, unless modded by the factory, may have issues. Mebbe ask your buddies to shoot their various firearms, alwaus keeping in mind that their rifle is not a representative sample as far as accuracy and reliability goes. Or mebbe post a note at your local target range, giving your phone #, asking folks to try out their rifles, as long as you provide the ammo, or at least pay them for theirs? Might get some responses, and mebbe make a new friend. Try out as many as possible, but remember one critical fact. It is the skill of the user that makes the REAL difference. A good shooter with a fair rifle will do much better than a fair shooter with a good rifle. Go to an Appleseed. |
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