M14 vs M16 for accurate field rifle?

[shakespeare]

I have been considering getting a full size rifle to use on purely field games. As I usually am in a leadership position on my team, I have been happy running my KWA M4, as the extra mobility proves useful when I need to run around. However, I have been thinking that a full size rifle might provide a better option for defensive operations, where a lot of movement is not necessary.
I have narrowed my options down to an M14 or an M16, as NATO weapons fit my loadout better.
For an M16, I would most likely choose a KWA M16, as I have had nothing but good experiences with KWA rifles and pistols. I would most likely add a tightbore, and possibly a low power scope or red dot.
For an M14, would a G&G or CA be preferable? They are similarly priced, so that would not be a problem. However, new magazines would be pricey.
Which of these options is better?

[Toan]

pick up an sr12, i have one. did some air seal work and did a semi auto only mod and it shoots ~470 fps with .2s and ~450 with .25s and has decent grouping with the stock barrel shooting with .25s and it uses m4 mags which you already have which definitely saves money down the road. also you cant forget that its a kwa which your already use to, so you can expect the same performance out of the gearbox that your m4 provides.

[pseudoanimosity]

If you already have an M4, and magazines to go with it, I would just add on a barrel extension, and throw in a M16, or AK length 6.01 tight bore if you wanted to increase range. If you already have a setup that works, and that you're familiar with, why change?

[Archangel 06]

Really, unless you're SUPER picky, the only difference between the M16 and M14 (full length) is an inch or two on the barrel. From there, it comes down to aesthetics and how much you want to customize your rifle. M16 can have all the "goodies" put on its rail system, and mags/pouches are smaller and more readily available.

Personally, I bought an M14 just because I wanted something that conveyed a little bit more "oomph", which makes it a popular alternative to for our SF guys to their M4s.

Just remember, airsoft is about aesthetics. Pick what you like holding and think looks downright sexy.

[[HARPER]]

i have both a m16 and m14, but they are both echo1 so for that part i cant answer by maker.

m16 thoughts: you say you enjoy being a squad leader. Well if so then there is a chance you would be sent out in a field that is a mixture of thick brush and clear woods. This is were the m16 would have its advantage for range and pure rapid fire. The gun is also light in most models. Its accuracy is not as high as a m14, but it does the job no matter what kind of situation.

M14 thoughts: The M14 i will say right now is my favorite gun. This is because of its great accuracy and normally solid body(which gives it some weight). The down side to that is if you are interested in changing parts it will give you trouble. The gun has good accuracy even out of the box with its longer barrel. Another down side is that you cant whip it around quickly. Two popular ways of going with the M14 is the DMR or a Assult rifle with rapid fire capability. If you go with a DMR model then most will be set around single shots like a sniper. If your more of a shoot'em up kind of guy then i believe going with the Assault M14 (which will give you plenty of trigger time) is a better choice. Just understand that if you get into a thick forest area then you will be out matched by quick mobile soldiers, but if your going for defence then you should be able to shoot them with great accuracy before they can even get a clear shot.

These guns to me is like the M1, a reliable weapon that can take on any challenge if in the hands of a good soldier.


Understand that i am only going by my own experience with the guns.
(if any spelling problems then im sorry. iv been typing alot)

[ogrejager]

I've been happy with both my KWA M16 and SR12. For you, I think the pivotal point would be magazines. As others have mentioned, the versatility in buying mags that fit both your new replica and your M4 would be nice. In my experience (limited, but I pay attention, you know?), you're not going to see a noticeable, distinct difference in range or accuracy between the M16 and M14 airsoft guns, even after tweaking (if both are tweaked equally, I mean).

There might also be something to be said for staying with one platform when it comes to speed drills--reloading, safety location, sight acquisition, and so forth.

[Miracle]

I would vote for an M16 also, simply because you'll run the same mags as your M4. Money wise: new gun < new gun, new mags, new pouches.

Anything 2GX is golden. SR25 would be fun too, but that would put you in the same position as a new M14.

[MillerSA15]

I have a few different gun platforms and take it from me, the extra hassle of new mags and pouches and all that really sucks, go with the M16. Then all you have to do is grab the gun you want to use and run, plus then you have a backup should anything happen.

[shakespeare]

I will probably go for the M16 depending on if I get a summer job and would have extra cash for magazines, in which case I might get the M14 for the BA factor.
Thanks guys!

[Zack]

As has been said, you already have all the reflexes built for an M4, an M16 is such a negligble difference that it mostly won't matter in airsoft, with one exception: watch your barrel, or you'll be smacking it on things and ploughing it into the dirt.

As far as sights: a good CCO is your best bet. Get one with under 3 MOA, and you can reliable hit a man target at 300m, which is more than enough for airsoft. Just learn to use it right, ie only turn it up to where you can barely see the dot so you don't wash it out, learn to use both eyes to overlay the dot, zero it in right, etc.

[wurger]

Zack hit the main difference between an M4 and an M16, that extra 4" will likely get in your way a some point, without providing a significant range increase.

If you want to upgrade, look at the KWA SR-10. I got one two weeks ago, dropped in an Edgi 6.01 IB (expensive, admittedly) and am getting consistent torso hits at 175'. And so far it isn't picky about mags. It will feed with both MAG and G&P mids. My Gen 1 KWA M16 won't play nice with either.

The SR-10 uses a 425mm inner barrel, midway between a standard 363mm in most M4's, and the M16 509mm. It's doubtful you'll see much of an accuracy increase between 425mm and 509mm.

If you go with a SR-10, open it up and clean the bucking in warm soapy water. Mine shot like crap out of the box, but cleaning the oil residue from the bucking made everything better.

[ogrejager]

It's doubtful you'll see much of an accuracy increase between 425mm and 509mm.

For the record, this is an opinion. Without actual, emperical data it is barely better than nothing. You've never actually compared groupings at any registered distance on paper targets, have you? Further, you're talking about a gun you've had for only 2 weeks. How's the spring's velocity settled in after 15,000 bbs?

I can just as easily say, "You'll see an accuracy increase between the two."

No, I don't have data, either. I'm working on building the data set. The problem is finding the right mix of guns, barrels, and time.

[wurger]

Experience:

KWA M16, upgraded with 509mm 6.03 tightbore inner barrel (don't remember the mfg) and KWA Gen2 bucking. Primary for almost 12 months. Sorry, but didn't count the BB's. Settled at 395 fps with .2 G&G bio's.

Recent primary, Classic Army PMC-X. Only internal upgrade a Madbull 363mm 6.03 inner barrel. Again, didn't count BB's. Primary for the last 12 months. Settled at 385 fps with .2 bio's.

Newest gun, KWA SR-10. Upgraded with 425mm Edgi 6.01 mm tight bore. Current average FPS is 410. Probably 200 BB's at most.

Target: Large stump, actually laser measured at 175' from my back patio. 10" knot from broken branch directly facing my house.

Sighting hardware:

M16: Aimpoint Comp ML2
CA: Clone ACOG
SR-10: Aimpoint Comp ML2

Aimpoints zero'd at 75', ACOG clone zero'd at 125'

BB's: M16/CA: Madbull .25, SR-10: KSC .25

Any of the guns will hit the knot on the first shot about 70% of the time. I can hit the knot every time with the second shot if the first shot misses.

So, in MY EXPERIENCE, there is little REAL WORLD advantage in moving from an M4 length inner barrel to an M16 length inner barrel.

I may have owned the SR-10 for only two weeks, but it is shooting on par with guns I have fielded many times, so I think I can make a judgment based on experience.

[ogrejager]

I will accept that. That's pretty good, other than the "about 70%." That's crucial, really--is it 65 and 75, for example? You've got 2 of the guns I've wanted to compare groupings on--a full and mid length KWA's. I would be really interested in paper targets at 100 feet to look at groupings.

Also, did you compare stock barrels before the TBB upgrades?

Sorry, I'm an ex-competitive shooter, so when people start talking accuracy and groupings, I can get particular. Especially since you've got several the variables I'm most interested with in your possession.

[RBeran]

I like M4/M16's. I run a CA M4 with an M16 length Madbull 6.03 TBB mated to a Madbull hopup, a CA hi-torque motor, and a Leapers 3-9 illuminated rifle scope. I have a 210 foot range with a 4-6 inch spread shooting .25's.

M14's...we have owned a CA Match, Echo 1 Socom, CA EBR, and just sold a G&G M14 match with a walnut stock. The G&G was by far the superior M14 in my not so humble opinion. The external fit and finish is better than the CA, and the internals are better. We put a tight bore in, and the G&G was shooting around 215-220 with about the same accuracy as my M4.

My son Chris (CBeran), ran his KWA SR10 for a long time with a Madbull TBB, and an ACOG...his range was at the 200 ft mark with about a 6in spread.

It's more about dialing your rifle in, than what rifle you have. I have seen guys with standard M4's outperform the dude next me with a DMR. Go figure. The advice from those posts above are well placed: get what you like, buy a reputable brand, and work your setup.