SmokyBaer

With a 16 pound recoil spring I bet that shokbuff does take a beating ever now and then.  I have one government model that I run a 16 pound spring on.  I really love how you can feel every movement of the firing cycle but I don't run the +P loads thru it.  Makes for a real snap on that light spring.  18s work for the others.  Oh, a 20 on the Commander. Perhaps I should try to lighten up on that one and see what she feels like with an 18.    My Perfect 1911? 1. These fat hands and a high grip drive a beavertail safety as the "must-have" on my perfect 1911.  2. A sweet 3.5-4 lb. trigger is also a major must for me.  The C&S trigger packs are drop-in and have all given great service.  3. Mags... only Wilson, Baer and McCormick.  The others are maybes.    Only took 35 years and a bunch of stupid tax to get those figured out.

  If they do, I will be in for one.  My current CMT lower is perfect.  Just got my Rock River 458 SOCOM upper and have the small parts coming in by the end of the week.  Another CMT lower with a TGO logo would be spot on for the backordered Wilson 458 due around Christmas this year.  Let's get this going!!

  Agreed on that point.  Cut and dry is perhaps a bit of a stretch.  However, my FALs and SARs were nothing to brag about.  My 91 was a brass eater and didn't shoot a lot better than the FAL so it didn't find a place in the herd either.  My M14 passion evolved from a bit of homework because I agree the M1As and M14s for the most part are not MOA outta the box.  In fact, the only semi auto I have ever pulled off the shelf and shot MOA is my ugly FNAR.   For the M14, a few cheap tweaks like shimming the gas cylinder to adjust you bolt timing ($15), clearancing the handguard and stock rubs (free), installing a Sadlak spring guide ($35), a good trigger job ($65-80) then a bit of JB Weld to spot bed your action for increased ferrul draw ($5) and you've created yourself a damn fine, repeatably accurate yet rugged rifle to be proud of.  In my opinion, that's the reason the M14 platform is still around after 57 years.    As for reliability, my LRB is the ultimate factory smooth action but the Fulton and Springers have all functioned flawlessly.  With over 30 years of my own personal testing of different M1A, M14 and M25 actions, I believe the cast versus forged argument is hogwash marketing.  Thousands of rounds downrange have shown me even the cast Springfields will last a civilian shooter a lifetime.  Only reliability issue I have hit is running heavy bullets which may goof the op rod.  Use 175s or less and she will run like a top.    Grease what slides and oil what rotates and you have a winner.  :up:

Just a quick Wiki check bounced a link of modern day M14 deployments to the Navy Seals. Down at the bottom of the page, you will see what all configs each division has requested. 

  You may want to check that.  My understanding is there's not enough to go around to every branch.

For me without doubt, the M1A/M14/M25 is the best choice for accuracy, reliability, sights, ergonomics and options.  These days, you can modernize your M14 with military EBR chassis' or target stocks or bed a lightweight USGI birch or fiber and get outstanding results.  Once set up, you cannot beat a man who knows his M14 in and out.  That's why the military has not shelved it yet.  They just keep finding ways to make it better than the new commercial contenders that come and go.  My favorite M14 has a laminated and bedded E2 pistol grip stock from LAW483.com which has made the rifle I built into a custom shooter that fits me, as it should be.  To throw in a plug, that stock guy is a perfectionist and one-on-one consumer driven like all vendors should be.  Bottom line is...  if you want the best, forget the budget and look at what our Special Forces are using to preserve and protect our freedom.   http://sageebr.com/2010/10/09/httpsageebrcom20101009usmc-m39-emr-in-okinawaaspx.aspx        

No matter what the rifle is chambered for, if it don't have magic in your hands, you are better off waiting on the cash in my opinion. 

i'm running a VXR 4-12 and really like it.  Clear optics and keeps the zero on an M1A which is notorious for beating up scopes.  I'm looking at buying for another rifle and that may be a VXR also but may be a 2-7 for bush huntin.

  This is what i was going to suggest.   Probly 100 mile round trip from Nashvegas tho.

Maybe I am off BUT... I'd bet if the truth was transparent, you would see several of those politician's family members and friends on the receiving end of the "Feinstein15" sales.  Why else would they be so motivated to outlaw some designs and not others when safety has always been within the shooter not what he/she is holding.  Looks like a strong motive to me.  Like I said, that would be my bet.  I'd rather be wrong however there is a reason for them to be so preferably ignorant of the facts.  What else is there?? :shrug:

Know what you mean on the DPMS.  I really tried to like the AR10 platform and pawed over every one I could find, even shot a few different models from nice folks i'd met at the range.  The weight just seems off for me.  I don't know maybe i'm just a sucker for the balance of an M14.  Oh well, you can also look at the FNAR or it's less expensive Winchester brother, the SXAR.  My FNAR has performed quite well right outta the box, stood the test of time and is still in the starting line up.  Think i'm gonna take it hunting this year and let it fill the freezer. 

  Mee too.  Over the years, I have shot many different 308/7.62 platforms and without doubt my choice is the same as the current military... M14/M1A!!  The Sage EBR chassis has successfully resurrected the M14 from the archives and modernized it to handle any and all accessories you can imagine.  Yep, it's a bit heavy which is a blessing with full power loads.  Very accurate combination that requires no bedding whatsoever to shoot MOA.    For me, the AR10 type 308s are just as heavy if not more so or feels like it fer sure..  

You can easily build a nice M14 setup for $5k.  The trick is getting to know what your rifle needs.  The M14 platform has a lot to learn about for you to maintain it's top performance.  I love mine and yes, there are many bolt actions that will out shoot my gas gun BUT they ain't the same.  There is magic and confidence when your M1A/M14 is dialed in.  As stated above, the M14forum.com is the place to learn.  Tons of info.  Can get plenty of help before you make an expensive choice.

Mine is the heavy fluted 20" and yes it is way accurate and does not "feel" heavy as compared to my other full size 308s.  Outta the box it has grouped MOA and has done well with several brands of ammo.  It runs very clean and does not beg for a lot of maintenance to run right.  Looking at a teardown does give caution because of the little parts.  Spray, brush, spray, oil then wipe.  Works great.   Yep, the mags ain't cheap.  MidwayUSA has a special every now and then for $49-54 each and that's when you get those.  The 5 rounders are scarce.  I have not found one yet after 2 years of looking.   Side note: my SOCOM is a 16", handles great but it's LOUD.  I have not gone with any other length shorter than 18 since because of that.   Good luck finding the right deal on an FNAR.  You will like!

[quote name='xRUSTYx' timestamp='1351194462' post='833589'] I'm a big eotech fan ... can't go wrong with a 512. eotech's work, and work well. you should have zero issues [/quote] Agreed... I have two 512s and a 555. Never an issue and rock solid accurate. Here's a 512 mounted on my SOCOM... [img]http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o95/hobunchastuf/My%20Gun%20Pics/SOCOM%20II/ScoutFolder08.jpg[/img]

My recommendation is a semi-auto 308 also. I've been a 308 fan for a LONG time and recoil is very manageable even in the lighter weights like the Browning BAR Hunters that are so accurate. The FNARs are also based somewhat on that action. Mine shot 1" groups at a hunderd right outta the box, no tweaks, just shoot and grin. Primarily use 150 grain bullets which shoot fairly flat and, as desired, with way less recoil than the 180s dish out. A budget was never mentioned but inside 200 yards a Springfield Armory Scout or SOCOM would really fit the bill. As i remember, Irie, you got hubby a very nice 1911 so turnabout is only fair play... Go for the Scout!!

Went saturday and did the very same. Better show than i expected. Will do it again next time around. .

Yep, here's the coupon link: http://rkshows.com/coupon.htm I hope this one is better than the last two local shows i been to. They do have the table count up to 850 so there will something to look at. I'm ruined since doing the Louisville show this past spring. Wowza! Good Point.

Awe man. Looking back, he was very much part of the success of that show. So was Epstein who was only 50 when he passed not long ago. They just dont seem to be able to pull together funny comedies with that kind of magic anymore.

It is real hard to please a woman to begin with and really hard to fit a pistol to somebody else's preferred grip. That said, if she likes the feel of the compact .45s, my suggestion is to get the one she likes and reduce recoil with a main spring reduction and only run 185s in it. In fact, my Para Carry didn't require a spring change. It loves'em but then I like the +P 185 HPs from Georgia Arms. You'd still be amazed at the difference in recoil when compared to the 230s. They would still have more pow than a 9mil out of a short barrel. Just my .... DaddyO is right on about the 45 recoil over the 9mm. Way diffrent feel. Have your wife shoot one and not listen to the fear. Also, to tame the recoil of short grips, get the pinky extension mags and for me the magwell extension to match. Made a world of difference to how the pistol felt. Makes more roll instead of a snap. Hard to describe. Anyways, odds are you might go broke trying all the different options out there. The earlier suggestion to try different configurations is a solid one. Here's the combo that works for me... Compact frame, pinky extension and a S&A magwell extension.

The show is a little smaller than i expected but for a hunting/expo and gun show it was okay. Very friendly vendors but it hadn't got hot yet. Never been in the Calsonic arena before. That's a cool building. I like going all around the top circle to each table instead of one end to the other like at other shows. Went down into the arena dirt and checked out those vendors too. If you go down there, check out Flower's Deer Processing. We used him this past season for a couple deer and I'm am very satisfied with the product they put out. We had him do us the "Snack-sticks". Highly recommend the Pepperjack treatment. I got jalepenos in mine too but that for the faint of heart. Anyways, grab one of his cards for this coming season. Won't go wrong. The guy to the far right when you first go in had some good pieces. I almost bit on the CMMG .308 but i had to keep remembering the goal is to reduce what i have not bring more home. Daaang. Tempature gonna get hot. If you not by one of the doors, there aint a breeze. Left about 11:30. Take your time if you go cause it'll be a quick one.

Getting ready to head out. Decided not to peddle my SOCOM folder. Instead the Standard is going up on the block. I'll be the big guy with a purple LSU hat doing the "have a look" with a single six too. Hope you right about the temp. Wifey going too. Any sweat, my tail gets yanked. We'll see.

I'm gonna chance it. Have an M1A to peddle and maybe a Ruger .22 that needs a new home. Like you're saying tho, gotta get there early before the sweat bath.

That's what counts. Excellent news.

Looks like Baers have gone up a tad too... http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_765/products_id/411536704/Les+Baer+Premier+II+.45+ACP