Two Wednesdays ago I placed an order for an LRB M14SA, a semi-auto variant of the M14 battle rifle. Actually it's a barreled action, basically a complete rifle minus the handguard, the stock and the trigger group. I'm going to be building it up as a replica of the Mk14 Mod 0 that the Navy SEALs use by mounting it in a Sage EBR chassis, so I don't need the stock or handguard. Doing it this way will save me a good chunk of change.
LRB is one of only two manufacturers who build their M14 style rifles as close to USGI specs as possible by using drop forged receivers and bolts, the other being James River Armory with their Rock-Ola branded M14F. Both Fulton Armory and Springfield Armory use investment casting for their receivers and bolts, which is weaker than forged units and have to be machined thicker, and Smith Enterprises use a solid block of billet steel, which is stronger than cast units but still has to be machined thicker than forged receivers. LRB and James River Armory/Rock-Ola are the only two M14 style rifles made in the US that are dimensionally correct to USGI specs.
LRB also uses as many surplus M14 parts as possible, and those parts that aren't USGI surplus are built exactly to USGI specs. They use the best barrels possible. I've ordered mine with an 18.5" medium contour barrel with a 1:10" twist ratio made by Criterion, exactly like the ones made for the Navy SEALs rifles.
When I placed my order with LRB they told me it would take about two to three weeks to build, but they actually sent me an email Friday telling me it was ready. They've been absolutely wonderful to work with.
One of my best friends who told me about them when I said I wanted an M14 (he owns one himself, but his is a standard USGI style rifle with wood stock and a 22" barrel). He told me how dedicated they are to building the absolute highest quality rifle they possibly can. On every batch of receivers and bolts they get they randomly send out ten units to an independent source who will run a gamut of tests, including x-raying them, to make sure they are forged correctly and machined to proper specs. If even one unit out of each batch fails they will send the whole batch back to be scrapped and recycled. That is how fanatical they are about their quality. So I know that I'm getting the absolute highest quality and built to spec rifle that money can buy.
I'm going to be sending them two parts that need to be installed to be able to mount the action into the Sage chassis today, and then they can ship it to me. I could probably put the parts on myself, but I don't want to run the risk of cocking up one of my dream rifles. Most of my money from my July paychecks will be going to buy the trigger group, magazines and Sage chassis. I'll be taking the Sage EBR chassis to a local company to be CeraKoted, a type of very hard and durable ceramic finish specifically designed for firearms, either grey like the Navy SEALs Mk14 rifles, or Burnt Bronze which is kind of a goldish tan that has a slight metallic finish. I'll probably go with the Burnt Bronze because it makes sense since I live in a state with lots of desert and mountains. When I'm done with everything it will look similar to these rifles, but with different optics.
Burnt Bronze:
Navy SEALs Grey:
What do you fine folks like the look of better; the Burnt Bronze/tan, or the Navy SEALs Grey? I'd like your feedback.
