Poll: Best 7.62x51 Battle Rifle - You Can Only Have One - Poll

[H2O MAN]

How many can be replaced with kitchen table gun smithing? Barrel, for example?

The barrel is the last part you worry about on an M14, the most common failure is the extractor and you can replace it in the field.

 

[H2O MAN]

I am aware that there's only one set of specs for the M14/M1A but also there seems to be only one current manufacturer for whole M1A rifles....

There is only one company that can produce & sell M1As, that's Springfield Armory Inc.
There are a few companies producing & selling complete semi-auto M14s, and even more producing mill spec parts for the M14.

These two M14s were built by Smith Enterprise on forged Poly Tech receivers using USGI parts and SEI barrels.

 

[Boboclown]

One could get a James River Armory M14 for not much more. It'll have a forged receiver and more U.S parts than the M1A.

 

[Hal OPeridol]

Beretta BM-59. Best of the Garand with a little Italian sexiness thrown. Here's mine: