Fun with the M1A/M14/M305 platform

Odd Shot

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I don't understand why, but I really, REALLY enjoy shooting, handling, and tinkering with my M305 (I have 3), moreso than any other rifle or handgun that I have.
Looking into my ammo stores, I just realized that I've gone through over 800 rounds of Norinco bulk in 2 years. I've never shot a rifle (larger than a .22) that much before.

I can't quite put my finger on an explanation for it. I just find it really fun and cool.

Any thoughts?

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They're such cool rifles, it's a wonder that more Canadians aren't buying and shooting them. I am sure that someday, in a distant Liberal future, we'll look back on these happy years.
 
I'm on the same boat, I bought my first used Norinco M305 from a member here, the price was right and though I would give it a try.

I brought mine out last week, shoot some crappy Winchester 150 gr white box from Canadian tire, surprisingly it does 3 inch grouping at 100 meter, way better than my Tavor before upgrade.

I'm finally hook, save some money to get LRB M25 this Christmas, or I might buy James River Armory Rock-O-La M14F now. Can't decide yet.
 
Every time I buy one of these things...and I've had several...I look at the weight, the accuracy, the ergos, the overall general goofy rattliness of it and all the threads discussing blow-ups and gas-system-shimming and replacement oprods and aftermarket spring guides and off-kilter front sights and headspacing issues and...and...and I wonder what made me spend my hard-earned money on it. Then I sell it.

I just picked up another one yesterday! :) This one's my first short version, so I'm sure things will be different this time around. :)
 
Got my first a "shorty" and picked some upgraded pieces too.... Tractor simple, easy to mess with and fun learning without alot of cash outlay. Blackfeather stock that has been haunting me may change the the last statement a little tho!

D.K.
 
There has been nothing inexpensive about my relationship with this platform. The only rifle I own more expensive than any of my M14's (excluding optics) is a TRG42. I own more M14's than anything else and shoot them more often than anything else. It was a short lived transition rifle with some inherent issues. Still given it's 308, unrestricted and just plain cool there is nothing else I have more fun with. It requires a few special tools (more of a convenience) and assembly/disassembly is relatively complex but once you know it working on it becomes a pastime in itself.
 
Nice pair!

I come from a muscle car tinkering background, and I preferred torque over top end.
Much like a big V8, the M14 can be blueprinted & balanced without harming reliability.

Using the two pictured on the left, I was able to shoot about 4000 rounds in a about 24 months.

Good times :dancingbanana:

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They're such cool rifles, it's a wonder that more Canadians aren't buying and shooting them.

Can't speak for others, but for me personally it's due to the price of ammo. As a poor college student I can't really afford to throw $1 rounds down-range every month. Otherwise I would have picked up an M305 long ago...
 
They are a serious investment, my NM's M1A (2) has set me up just south of 4500.00 but it's all good now that we have that supremely cool Hirtenbeger HP ammo availabe, i made an healthy order but the way my M1A's are feeding them i might go for another major order before we ran out of those awsome surplus... JP.:dancingbanana:
 
They are a serious investment, my NM's M1A (2) has set me up just south of 4500.00 but it's all good now that we have that supremely cool Hirtenbeger HP ammo availabe, i made an healthy order but the way my M1A's are feeding them i might go for another major order before we ran out of those awsome surplus... JP.:dancingbanana:

Judging by the messages I have received, not everyone is as happy with the hirtenberger as you are hehehe many just aren't bothering to post it.

So what's the diff between a nornico.... Lrb and a Springfield ... Please would some one private message me on the difference between the three.!!!!!

that is a tough question to get an answer too on any m14 forum LOL
norinco is the cheapest and most aren't perfect BUT , they are the rifle that this very forum was built on. loads of fun especially for those who like to grab tools and accessories and build up their rifle the way they want it. The norinco rifle has built the Canadian M14 culture and brought along the others with it such as the m1a and lrb ect
LRB has strived to produced the best hammer forged, dimensionally sound receivers on the market and have earned every bit of their reputation.
which M14 type rifle is the best? I don't think there is an answer because wether it's norinco, LRB, Smith enterprise, JRA , springfield inc ect ect ..... the best m14 out there is one you can shoot the best and it does so reliably and accurately. I've got norincos that do that and shoot just as well as a higher end rifle right beside it.
there is prestige and resale value in the high end stuff....... this is what my "full circle" with the platform has led me to concede ;)
 
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Judging by the messages I have received, not everyone is as happy with the hirtenberger as you are hehehe many just aren't bothering to post it.

Best ammo so far, at one point, i was thinking of selling one of my NM but now that i have found the Nirvana ammo, no way that i am selling one, something is sure, if i was disatisfied with the ammo i would post it, now if one is not bothering... JP.
 
Best ammo so far, at one point, i was thinking of selling one of my NM but now that i have found the Nirvana ammo, no way that i am selling one, something is sure, if i was disatisfied with the ammo i would post it, now if one is not bothering... JP.

glad it's working for "your" rifles. I read the forums lot's of guys are happy with it for sure ;) some aren't and that's just par for the course really.
When I get down to lowermainland I'll be trying some of the latest import (that hasn't worked well for the purchaser in his M305) in my M25 and see how it fares.
 
glad it's working for "your" rifles. I read the forums lot's of guys are happy with it for sure ;) some aren't and that's just par for the course really.
When I get down to lowermainland I'll be trying some of the latest import (that hasn't worked well for the purchaser in his M305) in my M25 and see how it fares.

I am sure your M25 will craved on them, and notice how low is the percieved recoil is, in my book that is a sign that the action is not getting a slap, accuracy should be even better, not to say stellar in your top shelf M1A... JP.
 
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