A question about the M14

[MN Tonester]

My son was trying to tell me the M14 was a heavyweight rifle (well over 10 lbs.). What little I have heard about this rifle is that it was one of the best ever issued to the military. Is this true? and what did it weigh? Are they available as surplus and are they actually worth looking into as a big game rifle? thanks for any enlightenment.

[Skinny Shooter]

MN Tonester, M14 rifles are not available from surplus that I know of.
If you do a search on Google you'll find much info about the M14. http://www.google.com/search?as_q=&num=10&hl=en&btnG=Google+Search&as_epq=m14&as_oq=&as_eq=&lr=&as_ft=i&as_filetype=&as_qdr=all&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&as_occt=any&as_dt=i&as_sitesearch=&as_rights=&safe=images
Here is info on the semi-auto version made by Springfield Armory which is the M1A. http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-rifles-m1a-stan.shtml
Weight 9lbs.
Here is a link on the semi-auto Chinese copy of the M14: http://www.fulton-armory.com/M14S_Eval.htm

The M1A would make a great deer and bear rifle as it is chambered in 308Win. It'd be great shooting groundhogs too. :D
Some folks will get a bit excited though when they hear about someone using a semi-auto for hunting though. :D
Your son may have been thinking about the basic ammo load as being heavier than the the M16 which it would be.
It does have some classic lines to it.

[BILLY D.]

mn

the weight depends on how they were cofigured, but normaly they weigh around 8+ #s. given the choice between the m-16 and the m-14 i'd take the 14 everytime.

one consideration for hunting is the mag capacity. i don't know whether your state allows high cap. mags. in my home state you are limited to 5 cartridges in the firearm. check your state game laws.

as far as hunting with a semi auto, people have been doing it for years. remington makes a great semi auto, but it does take some maintenance to keep it running. the m-14 takes less care, it was made for battle field conditions and it works. you can drag it through a slough and it will fire. i know.

as far as the optimal hunting firearm i think there are better choices. as far as accuracy and dependability are concerned i wouldn't hesitate to utilize one.

just my 2¢ worth.

[DON WALKUP]

i'm with billy d ...

you can also scope or red-dot sight an m-14 (the m1A in civlian designation) if you wish.

here in the republik of kaliphornia you must be careful about what accessories etc you select for your rifle, though as our state legislature is extremly paranoid and have passed laws that prohibit the use of an upper handguard and compensator etc together.

and yes, i'd select the m-14 over the m-16 any day, too...

[Dan Morris]

Can't remember the weight of a 14.......ones I carried were good with the exception of the ones made by TRW. Roller bearing kept stripping off....very inconvienent! Between the 14 and the 16, I'd take the 14 any day! Ya gotta remember, this was in the days before spray n pray.LOL
Dan

[BILLY D.]

springfield armory says the m-14 weighs 8.9 pounds. better hit the weight bench before the season starts. :D

[Adam Helmer]

MN Tonester,

The M14 is my favorite military rifle; I had two Match M14s issued to me for one year each when on the NH state high power rifle team and I took them to Camp Perry.

I used a Match M1 Garand to shoot my way onto the NH state team the first time. The Garand is heavier than an issue M14. The M1A is a near "clone" of the M14 and about all that is available to civillians. I would take an M14 over the Matel 16 anyday of the week.

For hunting, an M1A would be a gun I am familiar with and have confidence in. You may need a 5-round magazine to comply with the game laws. Here in PA, semi-auto rifles for deer are verboten. Hope this helps.

Adam