M14s and M1As

Status
Not open for further replies.
This thread reads to me like an analog of the "fake synthetic" group III discussions in the oil subforums.

Is PAO/POE theoretically better? Sure.

Does group IIi get the job done for 99% of users? Yes.

Do we have objective evidence to compare and contrast the similar and inferior traits of one versus the other? Yes.

Do we see the economic benefit of using a lower cost product to do the same job with similar design margin as a more expensive blend? Yes.

The reason redline and amsoil exist is to play off of the human nature need of having th best so as to it compromise on some quality that is comfortable to retain. Yes 1% or so of the driving population could benefit from those products. If it requires the rest of the crowd feeling good about buying and using it to keep them in business.

So is the situation with these receivers.

Id love to buy an LRB M14A with USGI parts. But would I ever shoot to failure a simple M1A? Not likely. And if I did, could I get replacement parts? Sure.

Like the group III argument leading to some feeling like they're paying premium money for inferior product, some here seem to think they're paying premium money for an inferior Springfield M1A. I get that. It's like the comfort some derive desiring PAO for a highway commuter car that sees no severe use. But they don't realize that the "premium price" being paid for group III is actually a deal compared to the cost of a bona fide PAO lube.

Cost structure is relative. If a junk part is put in lieu of a quality one and the junk part fails, it's a real argument. If you pay for Amsoil and get group I/II blend, it's an issue. But if you're getting 25k rounds, it's no different than getting 5 quarts of GTL on rollback for $22 and getting 250k miles out of your engine.

Prices were stabilized and longevity was met. The beauty of the free market is that anyone so inclined can readily go and buy an LRB instead of a SA, pay $2700 minimum, and have the peace of mind they desire that a $1300 SA couldn't provide to them.

My 82 Mercedes had forged wheels; I wonder if Daimler still used them?
 
Originally Posted By: bsmithwins


Finding the blown M1A took less than 5 minutes on google

BSW


You can find blown up anything on google. Your example does not mean that it is common, or happens with any more frequency than receivers made using any other processes and/or parts.

That being said, M1A's regardless of how or when they are made, were not and are not made to fire a variety of commercial ammunition. They were designed around the standard M80 (147 grain) ball ammunition.

Most M1A's will chug along happily with anything you feed them but excessive bolt thrust (again, regardless of how your receiver is made) can be a problem with heavier weight, higher velocity, high performance ammunition. It is an issue with the DESIGN not the manufacturing. If you really want a super strong, robust rifle design that can safely fire any in-spec ammunition, get yourself a modern bolt action. Which bolt action design is strongest is a whole separate dog fight for another time.
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
My 82 Mercedes had forged wheels; I wonder if Daimler still used them?




Look at 1:16.
 
All I know is that we need Palmetto State Armory to get into M14s. We'll have forged receiver guns on daily deal for $699.
 
S/A cast M1As are low end. Fine for a range toy . some people have pride in ownership of something nice.some people just want something. For example I have shot a Wilson Combat 1911 extensively and an Low end Springfield 1911 . Both 1911s but the Wilson Combat 1911 the fit and finish ,the accuracy and the trigger pull and feel is just plain is well awesome to shoot.
 
Originally Posted By: WyrTwister
I am not saying cast is as strong as forged . I am saying , apparently , a cast SA receiver is good enough .

I am not interested beyond that .


Here we might have hit pay dirt. I am interested beyond that. I have a Springfield M14 as well as a '03 Springfield, and a 1911 Colt made in the early 20s. I inherited these items from my father, who spent decades in the USMC infantry, was a DI, etc. Part of their appeal goes far beyond their value as tools (although that is significant) and even their connection to my long gone old man, who was a heck of a guy. It's the authenticity. A Cobra kit car with a plastic body can be an awesome ride. I'm sure it could easily be made to be the functional equal, or even superior in any quantifiable way to the original. But is it as appealing? For some, maybe. And that's okay. For others certainly not. I think for obvious reasons. I have less than zero interest in a Norinco 1911. Maybe you own one and love it, and I see nothing wrong with that.
Sometime in the late 70s investment cast lugs began to appear on bicycles. They were great. They cost a lot more than the old fashioned lugs which required fussy fitting and a lot of hand finishing. They are probably technically superior. Now, not too many years later, steel bicycles are as dead as the dodo bird. Old steel bikes with hand fit, often feathered or hand adorned lugs (e.g. Hetchins) fetch a premium. There's a point where craft flirts with art. Some could care less. Others care a lot. There is no wrong answer.
 
Originally Posted By: billt460
Originally Posted By: bsmithwins
Finding the blown M1A took less than 5 minutes on google BSW


This took less than 2 minutes. Your point is what?







Looks like the ammo was loaded such that the gas port pressure was excessive . Outside the weapon's design limits . The rearward velocity of the op rod & bolt is more than the spring can handle and the rear of the receiver is battered .

This does not mean the chamber pressure is more than the weapon can handle . Such is not a kaboom . Far as I can tell from the photo , the bolt and nothing forward of the bolt failed .

The M-14 ( and M1A ) was not designed to shoot commercial .308 Win ammo . It was designed to shoot 7.62 NATO . Can it be done ? Yes . Some times it turns bad .

This is an operator fault / error . Not a weapon fault .
 
Originally Posted By: billt460
Originally Posted By: bsmithwins
Finding the blown M1A took less than 5 minutes on google BSW


This took less than 2 minutes. Your point is what?







Completly different failure types. Broken our receiver rear on the Garand from battering isn't surprising when the rifle is fired with commercial ammo that's outside the military spec for .30-06. Broken bolt lugs and cracked receiver on the M1A should not be normal.

BSW
 
Originally Posted By: hatt
Yes. Cheapened. They didn't start casting receivers to make a better part. They were saving money.


When the M14 was adopted, but biggest headache that TRW and H&R had was the receiver. The 8620 forged billet (same steel used in the M1 Garand) was a B*tch to machine the way the specs called for it (especially with the select fire component in the rear of the receiver). It may have looked like a Garand receiver on the outside, but internally, it was a whole 'nuther beast.

Is forging better than casting? Ask Ruger . . .
 
Originally Posted By: billt460
It's like arguing that heavy wall copper plumbing pipe is "better" than thin wall...... When you have rubber and plastic hoses connecting your washing machine, dishwasher, and RO system. It doesn't matter.


LMAO ... I love that analogy
thumbsup2.gif
 
Originally Posted By: HouseTiger
Originally Posted By: hatt
Yes. Cheapened. They didn't start casting receivers to make a better part. They were saving money.


When the M14 was adopted, but biggest headache that TRW and H&R had was the receiver. The 8620 forged billet (same steel used in the M1 Garand) was a B*tch to machine the way the specs called for it (especially with the select fire component in the rear of the receiver). It may have looked like a Garand receiver on the outside, but internally, it was a whole 'nuther beast.

Is forging better than casting? Ask Ruger . . .
Ask Ruger what? Why I currently only own one Ruger product?
 
Originally Posted By: CT8
S/A cast M1As are low end. Fine for a range toy.


LMAO!

And how many of you receiver snobs with forged receivers are really every going to use your over priced M1A in any sort of serious scenario, let alone a real fight or combat.

Give me a break.
lol.gif
 
Originally Posted By: hatt
Originally Posted By: HouseTiger

Is forging better than casting? Ask Ruger . . .
Ask Ruger what? Why I currently only own one Ruger product?


It's a rhetorical question.
 
Originally Posted By: bsmithwins
.... Broken bolt lugs and cracked receiver on the M1A should not be normal. BSW


They are not, as you say, "normal". And keep in mind, not all bolts on Springfield M1-A's are investment cast. In fact if you read post #39 on the third page of the thread you linked to, the serial # of that broken bolt shows it was NOT a cast bolt. But rather machined from billet. Hence the "B" in the serial #.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom