M14 Forum banner

New LRB Tanker (second M1A)

1K views 19 replies 15 participants last post by  rcabat 
#1 ·
Got this out of jail over the weekend, but have not fired it yet. Stock is refurbished, and looks to be in good condition, albeit with my untrained eyes.

It's my second M1A. The other is (now a couple years old, with around 1000 rounds through it) a Springfield Scout Squad (synthetic stock). It shoots true, and has endeared me to the M14. After some research around quality issues (extractor broke) and a good amount of lurking on forums like this, I saw there was more out there besides SAI for M1A's. The gunshop guys I talked to knew their way around M14's, listened to what I wanted instead of 'selling' to me, and helped me order my own LRB.

Will it be better than my SAI? Will it become my new favorite rifle? Depends. I know comparisons have been brought up in other threads, but I'll only know when I shoot it and take care of it like I have done with my other one. The thought of a forged receiver and the extra work that went into hand building it both appealed to me. I reckon it'd be pointless to compare it financially, since it's essentially double the cost of my SAI. As others have mentioned, the extra hardiness might prove valuable in a SHTF situation. All I know is I forgot how the action cycling felt when I first got the SAI vs. how buttery smooth it feels now. I reckon I'll have to put some lead through this new guy before he feels like that.

At the end of the day, I bought it while I had the funds, and before CA attacks the 'other semi-autos' next. Anyone else on here feel sad more California gun owners did not show up for Veto? I spent 7 weekends straight collectin' petitions, makin' the wife and kids sad, only to watch us fall short and all the laws go through anyway, with Prop 63 comin' real soon.

Now that I think about it, this rifle bookends the whole effort, so it'll always serve as a reminder to not get complacent and that CA is ground-zero for the fight. I had bought this rifle back when the Veto effort was getting started. I was talking to the LGS owner about the whole thing, and while I was in there got interested in one of their LRB's (not-for-sale) on the shelf. While it was being forged, I was with the other (far too few) volunteers, talkin' to people about their rights being attacked. After the effort was over, the rifle arrived at the LGS. After the paperwork, 10-day wait, it's finally in the safe (bottom picture, accompanied by its SAI counterpart and its lil' Mini brother - not that I'm comparin' or startin' any flame wars with that one) :)

By the way, no grease or takedown yet. Haven't had time. Pictures reflect it as-shipped, apart from minor handling while at the LGS to inspect it.

-schrader
 
See less See more
#2 ·
Nice! I just ordered one of the M25 tankers from them. You got a nice stock there too. Make sure and post a range report when you get her out and running.
 
#4 ·
Actually you have an SAI and now you have an LRB M14SA rifle. It will be quite smooth as you rec'd it, but to make it even smoother suggest the Sadlak op rod spring guide and the Tubbs spring kit for both op rod and trigger group, even smoother. Having done that on my LRB NM build the action is like working on ball bearings, real pleasure to shoot.
 
#13 ·
welcome from the So CA desert and sad about the petitions; I did my best as well
 
#18 ·
Not-so-official range report

Took this to Los Altos R&G this weekend as a meetup with the Veto group. I mainly wanted to function-fire test it, as it was (a) windy (b) was a bit short on time and had to test a few other guns before I left and (c) I prefer to zero and paper target / group test at Sunnyvale where I have a decent spotter scope, can move the post in 25 yard increments, and when done can shoot steel :). I only put about 25-30 rounds through it. I made sure to take down, inspect and grease before firing it.

We went to the 'plinker' section (I believe it's ~40 yards). I was with another guy that brought his Garand. I should have got a picture of the two service rifles together, but alas, I'm not a millenial so didn't think to whip out my phone to do that.

It shot a bit high, but otherwise, was on-target (plastic bottles mostly) out of the box. I had a mag of '80 Hirtenberger. I then traded with the Garand guy, since he'd never shot a M14, and I'd not shot a Garand. We both surmised there was very little difference in kick between them, at least how ours were configured.

There were a few others who'd never shot a M14, so threw in some '75 Hirt. (3 at a time) and let them have fun. It was good to witness the reactions on several first-time M14 shooters' faces. One guy shot at a detergent bottle and it soared into the air and kept going (maybe the wind caught it?). It cleared the hill which was at least 20-30 yards high, never to be seen again. It was a moment of pride to be sure.

I think a few M14/M1A fans were made that day. The guy's wife, who was shooting her 20 GA said 'wow this thing kicks less than that does', as she nailed a small aluminum can.

"Yes ma'am".
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top