I got word somewhere via the blogs that the Civilian Marksmanship Program was selling a parts kit for M14s. Everything but the receiver, bolt, and barrel. Perfect! Spares, and actual US Gummint Issue, for my M1A. Then I got to their eStore and... $600! Well. That's more money than I'd thought they'd be.
I actually have a few spare parts, picked up from Fulton Armory when I got the rifle itself from them. A bag of springs and pins sights parts. I try to do that on primary weapons. Get the spare parts before I need them in case I break something 20 years from now and the parts are too dear to purchase for love or money then. I keep them in my gunsmithing box. The parts are kept in a ziplock storage bag that is well marked for each model of boomstick. I can grab a bag of tiny 1911 springs and pins or a bad of Garand springs and pins, etc.
The only thing I really lack is a spare bolt for the M1A, but those are pretty hard to find themselves. I may have to pass on the $600 in used parts that don't even include a bolt, USGI cachet or no.
I've seen the parts. "Used" doesn't begin to cover it. Some are downright ragged. Not exactly one of CMP's better offerings. Keep an eye to Gunbroker.
ReplyDeleteYeah, MAYBE if it came with a bolt and spare barrel.
ReplyDeleteI bought a trigger group and an op-rod from CMP a decade ago when they were $45 each or somesuch. Six hundred for a parts kit WITH a barrel and complete bolt would be tempting.
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