At some point in the near future when I have a little extra cash, I’d like to buy a semi-automatic rifle. I’m torn between an SKS and an AK-47 or 74. Since they don’t sell Soviet rifles at Dick’s Sporting Goods, I’ll have to get it on GunBroker and have it sent to a gun dealer nearby. I was just watching Full Metal Jacket and out of curiosity searched to see if there were any M14 rifles on GunBroker of the sort that the Marines in that film drill with.
To my surprise, there were only three or four of them, in contrast to the many dozens of AKs and SKSs.
I saw a couple pages of them, with even more if you’re looking for a new one instead of vintage (Springfield M1A ~ M14)
Oh crap, never mind. I did two M1 searches. :smack:
Wasn’t the M14 a selective-fire? So you’d pretty much be limited to the semi-auto civilian version. There aren’t many M16’s for sale, but there’s a gajillion AR15’s out there.
I think the civilian version is called the M1A made by Springfield. There are a bunch on Gun Broker. A real M-14 is select fire, so you’d need a permit and a bunch of money. (Same with a real AK-47, even though every thing gets called an AK-47 these days)
I’m sure those are nice rifles, but, damn, those are spendy. Considering an SKS cost under $200 and you can outfit it with a bunch of modern kit if that’s your bag for another 100 or two and a Yugo AK goes for $500 (A really really nice US made AK from Arsenal I think tops out at $900) $1500 seems pretty high for a semi-auto shooter.
I love… LOVE the SKS. I’ve owned a few over the years, and one of my few regrets is having to sell them when I was married the first time. They are a fun, reliable and durable weapon.
That being said, now that I live in a place where I can get one, I will be picking up the AK as soon as I can convince the wife that I’m not a nutjob. The SKS is rather dated, these days, and if you’re planning on gearing up with a “tactical” look or upgrades, the AK is a better bet.
The cost of the M14 is probably why you don’t see as many of them being resold. Someone who buys one is not as apt to just get rid of it no a whim.
I’d much rather have an M1A than an AK or SKS or even an AR. There’s a huge AR vs AK debate, but the M1/M1A is in different category altogether. Worth every penny, by gum!