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Old August 18, 2014, 01:02 PM   #26
RX-79G
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Where are the small parts coming from? My understanding was that the older M1A rifles were 95% GI parts built on Springfield's receiver. Over time, those parts became scarce, and the current guns use a lot of cast parts that don't work or hold up as well.

If the good parts dried up for SA a decade ago, where are these other companies getting quality parts?
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Old August 18, 2014, 01:11 PM   #27
SR420
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RX-79G

If the good parts dried up for SA a decade ago, where are these other companies getting quality parts?
SAI wasn't able to corner the market on GI parts back then, the other companies purchased what they could when they were available.

When it comes to M14 pattern rifles, the M1A outsells all of the others combined 3:1

In other words, of the 400K M14 pattern rifles in the US, 300K are M1As.


.

Last edited by SR420; August 18, 2014 at 01:27 PM.
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Old August 18, 2014, 09:56 PM   #28
RX-79G
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So are the better companies also making their own small parts, or have they held onto that many GI parts for the last 20+ years?
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Old August 18, 2014, 10:18 PM   #29
James K
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FWIW, the name issue as I understand it. BATFE says a rifle marked "M14" is a machinegun IF it is also marked as made by the government Springfield Armory or one of the original contractors (Winchester, H&R or TRW). So it is the total marking, not just the "M14" part. So any of those other companies can make an "M14" and mark it that way, since they were not makers of the M14 machinegun.

Apparently Springfield Armory had a problem; they insisted they weren't the original Springfield Armory, and BATFE said the name could be confusing, so they compromised on M1A. If H&R or TRW or Winchester wanted to make a semi-auto "M14", they would also have to call it something else.

Again FWIW, the Army at one time planned to modify M14's to a semi-auto configuration, with the FA parts welded, and release them for sale to NRA members through the DCM. Some M14's were actually modified and marked M14NM. Approval for the sale had been cleared by the President (an NRA Life Member), the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Treasury. An announcement was to be made in the American Rifleman in the January 1964 issue. We all know what happened on November 22, 1963, and the new president ordered plans for the sale to be scrapped, along with future sales of M1903A4 sniper rifles with scope sights. The M1903A4's were later sold, but the scopes were broken up and the lenses given to schools for "educational purposes."

Jim
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Old August 18, 2014, 10:34 PM   #30
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RX-79G So are the better companies also making their own small parts, or have they held onto that many GI parts for the last 20+ years?
Yes, some private companies have produced op rods, sights, bolts, complete gas systems, and an assortment of small parts that are as good or better than GI.
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Old August 19, 2014, 09:25 AM   #31
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Most of the commercial parts are coming from wayne machine and tool in taiwan these days. Some companies like Bula and LRB are making bolts.

warriors in need....that's funny. and the crazy horse and/or rebuilt rifles by sei for the military is not in the hundreds....or much above hundred... last time I heard anyway.... Next thing you know, these 'warriors in need' will be wanting to put the vortex on the mini-gun barrels so the enemy can't see those flashes as well either.

the funniest thing is excellent customer service from sei.... have you actually read what happened to many, many guys yet?...I don't think they are making it up, I have seen the proof and emails and paid and dated receipts from the vendor. I don't consider what they did to people, loyal past customers included, like myself, as good customer service, let alone excellent. just my opinion.
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Old August 19, 2014, 09:29 AM   #32
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It's funny that you find facts funny, thankfully you are in the minority. Just my opinion.
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