Well, I'd be hard presed to defend one or the other as the best. I kept the FAL and sold the 14 for several reasons. the FAL has a better supply of mags and other parts at reasonable prices, I like the integrated bipod of the FAL, and the ergonomics just feel better to me. I think the M14 has somewhat better accuracy potential, and it is much more adaptable to bayonet use (which probably isn't much of a military factor any more and is of virtually no civilian value). Either of them are rugged and reliable, I've never had a problem with either.