I'd agree that the CMP is the best deal going. I purchased one of the CAI rifles and was a mistake, I couldn't wait to get one from the CMP. The CAI required a bit of work but I got it straight and is reliable. List of stuff: elev. knob, spring cover, tighten sight base, extractor/spring, correct gas cylinder lock, peen gas cylinder splines to tighten up and the barrel is slightly out of time but very little front sight windage was required to get no wind zero. Not to mention blasting media in all the wrong places and no sight indexing marks. It has about 500-600 rounds through it now and it shoots ok(3" at 100 yds.). The only thing that concerns me know is the receiver quality, so I'm going to get a receiver from the CMP and use the CAI as a paperweight. If you want a parts kit for $500, thats what you'll get, I won't make the same mistake twice. Check out Fulton on the CAI test, it's right on, as a CAI sucker/owner I agree 100%.
Southla1, you might want to recheck what the Fulton site has to say about the Chinese M14 receiver as it's the bolt that are a POS and the receiver is actually very hard. I had a Polytech rebuilt buy them, it has served me well and maintains headspace with the Winchester barrel and TRW bolt. Now on the other hand if I were to do that all over again(funny I wasn't thinking about it when I purchased the CAI)I would go Springfield all the way and Springfield will take care of you, at least much better than the PRC did me. Good luck.
Brian
