eelj wrote: Sun Feb 02, 2020 3:14 pm
So lurker, 4 page thread that started last July, can you answer your own question posted in the OP, are they any good? Do you have any regrets?
yes, the polytech is good. there are some inherent merits to the poly, first, it starts out a comparatively cheap m14. forged rcvr, oprod and chromed bore, so in some senses better than the run-of-the mill american m14 clone.
but don't get too enthusiastic, there are issues too, some of that money you saved you will spend fixing it up. maybe the rear sight. shimming the gas system, replacing the op-rod spring and spring guide. some people replace the chinese wood, mine came to me with USGI. if you want, a real flash hider w/ lug. headspace was ok on mine but check it, bolts run 200 and up.
i like my thermold magazines, but a bit fiddly. stick with USGI or checkmates.
i'm still not entirely comfortable with it, and i think i can wring more accuracy from it. thinking of rounding up a GI-style cheekpiece, sarco listed them cheap but sold out before i could look.
it shoots 7.62 NATO, not .308, so WM won't stock it.
it's a big rifle, clunky even, worse still if you want to mount a scope. i understand why we ditched it as general issue.
i've a bit under $1,100 in mine, scope, accessories, repairs and all. you can
almost get a basic used M1A for that.
YT's AR10 is likely a better, lighter, easier-handling, softer shooting, more accurate rifle out of the box. but there's no history to an AR10.
in summary, the m14 (all of them, chinese or not) is a niche piece. if that's what you want, get the polytech, because an M1A isn't a real m14 either. you'll spend the rest on ammo or goodies. plan to keep it, i don't know that you can expect to get your money back out.
i'm retired. what's your excuse?