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8/1/2013 10:58:16 AM EDT
I have decided my next purchase will be a M1A / M14 rifle. After doing some research i have come across these companies as 3 major producers

Springfield
LRB
Fulton Armory

SA by far has the lowest prices of the 3 , but does that mean that quality is sacrificed to a great extent. Reviews are mostly good sprinkled in with your normal horror stories of terrible customer service and yadda yadda yadda. But i have heard those stories about every firearms company.

One intelligent fact i gathered from the review rants was the fact that SA uses cast receivers vs forged.

My question is will the average shooter like myself who will most likely ring some steel from time to time and maybe pop a few deer with the rifle ever notice the difference? If so, will i notice it almost 2000 dollars worth? The FA and LRB rifles are 3k + by the time it gets into my hands.

I am not asking this question because i am a cheap ass that doesn’t want to pay for a quality rifle my bolt guns are chandlers from IBA with Night Force optics so i am not afraid to open the wallet if that is what is required.
8/1/2013 11:18:43 AM EDT
[#1]
Smith Enterprise is a major M14 armorer/builder that should also be on your list.

Cast vs forged is less important than the barrel and the quality of parts used to assemble the rifle.
USGI and SEI parts are the higher quality parts available today.
8/1/2013 4:19:31 PM EDT
[#2]
I just finished my LRB M25. I did it for right around 2K. I ordered my own parts and sent them to LRB for them to assemble on a M25 Barreled Action # 1. You just have to gather your parts over time slowly for a good deal. I got mine awhile ago from Mike at Windy City before CMP dried up and prices were less.
8/2/2013 11:00:56 AM EDT
[#3]
I have a SA rebuilt by FA to NM specs and using USGI parts.

IMHOP nothing wrong with a SA loadded.  under 4,000 rounds a year I dont think you will ever notice a difference.
8/3/2013 5:26:08 PM EDT
[#4]
IMHO...LRB is the way to go, forged receiver, little pricey, they are very nice.

I do not own one, but this would be the way I would go, unless I got an outstanding deal on another mfg.
8/3/2013 5:38:46 PM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
My question is will the average shooter like myself who will most likely ring some steel from time to time and maybe pop a few deer with the rifle ever notice the difference? If so, will i notice it almost 2000 dollars worth? The FA and LRB rifles are 3k + by the time it gets into my hands.
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I have two LRBs built by Ted Brown (http://www.tedbrownrifles.com/), but honestly can't tell you they are worth the premium over a Springfield Armory Inc. M1A for your purposes.  Check out http://m14forum.com/.
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