LRRPF52 Wrote:As far as ergos go, the Garand safety is a terrible design, and the M14 faithfully continues the abortion forward into the modern era where it plagues shooters still. Mag changes suck as well...One more (hopefully final) time: I never said the M14 design is better in most respects than the AR!
I could go on about all the problems with that system, and how those problems simply don't exist with the AR.
I agree the AR safety, mag release and mag well are superior ergonomically, as is weapon weight, and never said otherwise.
However, in regard to overall fit, feel, balance and handling -- as well as charging handle configuration and location -- I still very much prefer the M14A1 over the AR, which I think sucks in those areas. That's my opinion, formed as a result of my experience in owning and shooting the two types. When I bought my AR's, I expected to like them in every way, so it was a surprise when I found that I actually disliked almost everything about them.
One small note: Not that it's terribly important, but I never felt "plagued" by the Garand safety, if only because...
[video=youtube;bTalnzcO0xk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTalnzcO0xk[/video]