POTD: National Match M1A
Published: October 31st, 2014
dwavinchi sent us a photo of his Springfield Armory National Match M1A with a Sage EBR (Enhanced Battle Rifle) chassis / stock system installed and scoped with a Leupold 3-9x. The resulting rifle is not very dissimilar to the Mk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle (and variants) used by all five branches of the US military.
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I had built a similar setup using an M1A a pal sold me. Its boat anchor-like handling outweighed (literally) the coolness factor. Got rid of it and put the money towards a SCAR17S and never regretted it!
Okay, here is the thing. Many are going to get feelings hurt, but this is the truth.
The M14 EBR looks sexy as hell. Ill agree. You have the classic features of the M14 given a modernized, new age practicality with rails and heat gaps.
The fact is that the desirability of this configured rifle as a fighting rifle (technically DMR, but whatever), decreases significantly when one actually has to carry and use it. Its a PITA to keep maintained and running properly. It is front heavy (especially with a PEQ15 and bipod, and heavy period. Last, but not least, you pretty much have to buy your own tools to properly clean and grease it.
Just "wiping it down" wont do.