I've been wanting one for a long time, but I've always had my reservations. They're heavy, not known for accuracy, and expensive (The ones I want anyway). But damn are they sexy. Probably top 3 best looking guns ever.

Why do you own yours?

ive always loved the lines of the M14. Old school styling with a dash of modern age. I used to really dig just a plain GI m14, but when i finally got enough money to buy my own M1A, my taste changed a little. I actually used to hate the sage stocked m14s but then i qualified on one in the Army and fell in love with it after i learned that it helps with accuracy. Pretty heavy in that setup, but still lighter then a SAW. By modern standards the M14 isn't very accurate for a semi-auto 308, but for a time it was all that was out there. As a dedicated sniper rifle, the M14 does come up short, but as a DMR it is more then adequate rifle.

I always compare the M14 to old school muscle cars of the 60s and 70s. Great in their prime, but by modern standards not very good, but yet people constantly upgrading them to bring them up to par with more modern designs.

The first time I shot my friends M1A I knew one would be mine someday. Took a little time but I saved my penny's and finally bought one.

I own mine because I love my M1 Garand and M1 Tanker.

+1 Good old fashioned steel and walnut

I have owned 3 at various times. I loved all of them and still love the design. I sold mine when they were going for stupid prices and built FNs. I do not regret my actions. I prefer the FN to the M14. But, if I found one for a smokin' deal, I would buy it. In my opinion, the G I issue M14 is the best looking battle rifle ever made. They are much fun to shoot and I don't mind the weight. All of mine had G 1 barrels and would put 5 rounds into a 2 inch circle at 100 yards. I can't see anything smaller than 2 MOA, so a 2 MOA rifle is just fine for me.

A. Because I can
B. Because I want to
C. Because I like it


What's not to love?

That's a nice collection of badassery.

Greater accuracy in one isn't cheap by any means. In most cases I've seen, thousands of dollars are dropped on a rifle and it may or may not shoot to the standards of other gas guns. (The GAP 10 comes to mind.)

I think I may just buy a Garand and call it a day.

Because it is a proven battle rifle
Because 308 turns cover into concealment right rickytick
Because...

I don't see the accuracy issue being any different than any other weapon system. If you want a real accurate bolt gun, you need to do some things to it. Most sporters aren't sub MOA shooters. Same with AR's. My loaded is on Par if not a hair better, than my recce that is free floated, heavy barreled and cost 1K for the upper and harris bipod. WOA barrel, WOA Upper receiver and WOA bolt. DD free float rail. You might get a USGI non free floated upper to shoot as good as it, but it's more of a rarity. It can happen, but the built ones are going to be more consistent. I did have a pencil barreled A1 Upper that was shooting 1.5 MOA consistently with a cheap 4x scope on the handle. I should've never got rid of that one. Duh.

Anyways, IMHO, M1A's are the same. You could get a standard that shoots real well with the right ammo. But it's more likely to be a good shooter if you have a better barrel, and trigger group. A good mount. Etc. Etc. If you've never messed with one, how can you come to the conclusion that they're not as accurate?

Actually, I don't really disagree with you. I think we were getting two things confused. For the MOST part, a standard M1A is going to be a little more expensive than a standard AR. Depending a little bit on manufactures. I guess that's kind of a loaded statement though. Colt's can be pretty pricey. So in some ways, I agree. Yeah, I have less into my Recce than I did my Loaded. But not by TONS. The loaded cost around 1600 or so. The recce with the lower would be closer to 1300. This is not including optics and mounts. Actually the price on the M1A included the Springy mount. And I think that was about 100 worth or so. So, 1500 to 1300. I would say they are both very comparable in accuracy. But the M1A fires a bigger bullet. Which constitutes a bigger action and more metal, I would guess.

Your example is a bolt gun. In which I can see when you're talking strictly a dollar to accuracy, yeah, I think you done good. And you could probably get a savage or something that will outshoot an M1A for much less money. But they are not autoloaders. How much does a good, accurate AR in .308 cost?

You are probably right, an M1A might be more expensive in the autoloaders when talking dollar to accuracy ratio. But I don't know if it's like crazy more expensive. On top of that, the M1A does has it's benefits. I'm not sure they outweigh a good AR in .308. In fact most of the "professionals" would probably choose one of them over an accurized M14. But those Smith Enterprises Crazy horse ones are pretty frickin sweet. And I think they do a good job.

I wasn't trying to get into a bickering match either. Sorry about that. It's just one of those things. I'm not sure you can get an M1A to be crazy accurate, like you said. But I think they can do a pretty fair job.

No, I don't handload. That would just make my groups probably a little better for any weapon I've tested accuracy in.

This is indicative of what I was getting, shooting prone from bags, with a 2x7 leupy Vx-1 in the crappy mount and manufactured ammo:












As you can see, I'm sure your bolt gun is WAY more accurate. And I'm no great shooter. But I was please. Most of those groups are Sub 2MOA, and my glass and mount aren't that good.

Here's more groups I've done:




Yeah, that's 5 shots

those squares are 1"


I'm not sure why I only did 4 here. I made a mistake. Ugh.

The M14 is the rifle for me because it's higly reliable, accurate and it looks mighty fine! I shoot NRA High Power with a non bedded LRB with Kreiger barrel 1/12 twist and will hold the 10 ring all day if I do my part at 600 yards. The rifle has the best iron sights of any battle rifle made.

This same rifle holds the 10 ring with SA surplus on the 200 and 300 yard line if I do my par. I save my reloads, SMK 168's for 600 yards....I do not feel out gunned by anybody! My other M14's are almost as accurate, and are ready for just about anything I need them for.

This being said, to each his own!

Good video, I shot in a couple of two and three gun matches last year, but we didn't have our divisions separated. I shot an LRB M14 and a Springfield Range Officer 1911 in one match, came in third against the mouse guns and 9mm pistols. Came in second in the second match! No pros here though, all amateurs!