Are Nork "M-14"s getting better?

Boomer454

Boomer454

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
102   0   0
Location
Southern Alberta
I almost bought on of these rifles from Marstar about 7 years ago, but didn't because I heard that the reliability, fit and finish were terrible!
In recent times I have started hearing good thins about them. Are these stories from guys who got lucky and got a good one? Or is Norinco really getting better?
I would love to get an original or even one of the new Springfields, but just don't have that kind of cash at the moment...

Anyone have thoughts to share on the newer norcs?
 
I found the ''newer'' one to have more blue, better overall cosmetic finish on the reciever & remainder.

Same performance as the older model & close to if not better than the Springfield Armory standard M1A.
 
Do keep in mind that our neighbors down south consider the stripped Norinco receivers to be worth the 400$...
 
It may be too bad that you decided not to buy 7 years ago, based on rumour, rather than personal inspection. These rifles are assembled in batches, from existing parts. The parts being used 7 years ago were the same parts being used now. There are sometimes variations, the flashider slots not being milled completely through, for example - this was because of the US Assault Weapon Ban - so that tells you when the parts were made. Similarly, the flashiders are tack welded on, for the same reason. It would be interesting if rifles were to arrive with newly manufactured parts; this would suggest that the parts are back in production. There was one rather different batch, blued, with the scope mounting lug ground off. It has been reported that Marstar is taking names for the next shipment; if you want one, give them a call.
As seems to be the case with Norinco products, there are sometimes quality control issues. Barrel indexing, rear sights that don't hold zero, have been mentionned. The factory stocks are soft, and are often replaced.
 
I purchased one 2 months ago and I've put 250 rounds through it so far and am very satisfied with the way it functions/shoots. The stock is kind of crappy though so I'm redoing it into a synthetic look alike. (There are threads posted on stock refinishing) I will be doing some minor upgrades as time and money permits in the future just not sure what they will be yet.
 
M-14 Or M-305

My M 305 is older and only has a serial number on it and nothing else. No manufacturer or anything like that, completely clean.

It has a bayonet lug and the crap stock but I put a walnut one from the Winchester M-14 I sold years ago. Looks good except for the hole for the selector.
 
Quote from Johnone ...
" ... Marstar did apply a very strick new QC criteria a few years ago,"
OK fine .....
BUT,
when I got my brand new Norinco M-305 from Marstar last year, it came with an inspection sheet, with all the check marks in the right place. The MARSTAR inspection sheet did NOT show:

1.] that the front sight on my brand new rifle was about 7 degrees too far to the left = Over tightened = required barrel reindexing.

2.] did not show that the headspace was .010 thou greater than 7.62 NATO GO .... which is .010" greater than SAMMI specs for .308 Win NO GO on NEW .308 Win rifles.

3.] did not show that the rear sight would not hold windage adjusments.

These deficincies are common to many of the Norc M-14 type rifles [ to be fair, this list and more applies to MOST of the other suppliers, not just Marstar ].

I know that $399 is a fantastic price for a stripped forged M-14 reciever, let alone a complete rifle. And I know from experience that a few dollars in parts and labor can make these $ 399 rifles into superb firearms.

HOWEVER,
in my personal opinion, the guy who put all the check marks on my Norinco M-305 inspection report probably never even looked at the firearm.

Are the Norinco M-305 rifles in the new lot going to address these common deficiencies??
Is Marstar going to buy new glasses for the guy who fills in the QC checklist?
Tune in next episode to find out!!

I would gladly send Marstar $399 PLUS shipping if they send me Norinco M-305 rifle that is guaranteed to have the barrel indexed correctly, a rear sight that works, and proper 7.62 NATO headspace.
[;{)
LAZ 1

PS: Let's keep the above rant in perspective ... The Marstar M-305 rifles are still the best value on the battle rifle today, and like I said, a few more $$, and a bit of gunsmiting, and the M-305s make up into SUPERB rifles.
 
both of mine ,which i bought at different times, are great rifles on their own,with a little tweeking.one i ended up making my own barrel clamp and wrench and reindexed it,the other is scoped and only slightly out anyways so i didn't bother.the issue with the rear sight doesn't trouble me as i zero in at 200 and aim off for conditions.the rear sight is torqued down suffitiantly so it doesn't move. the casting on both receivers is very different when compared to each other ,one has a rough looking surface while the one i bought most recently is far better.
 
The receivers aren't cast. Finishing methods certainly could vary, these rifles being set up in batches.
 
Nah, for the $ 399, you get a highly tweakable rifle that will go shoulder to shoulder and above any M4 doorkicker carbine. You will get a semi-auto truck rifle or milsurp boomstick that will sort out any of the 4 legged threats (or 2 legged threats for that matter).

And you can also fondle said boomstick while watching movies like "Blackhawk Down" or "Full Metal Jacket".

These $ 399 boomsticks are the foundation for building a SOCOM, SOPMOD, CHOPMOD, M25 DMR, M21 Wannabe rifles. Personally, I'm an M21 wannabe owner.

Sure there are some fixes that are in order, as tiriaq mentioned and so did Lazerus2003 :evil: But, that's half the fun. Come to my clinics !!

Barney
 
Calum, if you think $400.00 is to much for the rifle, buy the equivalent model from springfield armory. I think thet are around $1500.00? and have a reciever so out of spec you have to shim the scope mount. You will get a cast reciever instead of forged, and most of the other parts are MIM'ed, instead of fordged. Also your barrel will not be chrome lined.

You will however get a better stock than the Norky comes with. The m-305 is an INCREDIBLE deal. LISTEN TO HUNGRY!! They will not last forever.
Hopefully, someone imports a bunch of 7.62 surplus ball ammo. There isn't much around, and I have read reports of no supply even in the US.
 
If the only things you ever shoot at are at less than 100m and you masturbate over tac gear, then you won't like the M305. :)

Otherwise, you should definitely have one!
 
Mine I got back in October has a grey parked finish on it. I only took it out once so far. It worked very well, and was accurate. I put on a usgi syntheitc stock, rear site, marstar oprod,recoil buffer. I havent tried it since I put that stuff on though.
 
Is the barrel in these chrome lined? Are there issues with rust?

I really want to pick up an M14 .. but my friend just bought a Norc SKS and it's rusting after one use ... sure he probably didn't clean it properly .. but is this a high maintenance rifle??

Thanks!

rob
 
Lazerus2000 said:
Let's keep the above rant in perspective ... The Marstar M-305 rifles are still the best value on the battle rifle today, and like I said, a few more $$, and a bit of gunsmiting, and the M-305s make up into SUPERB rifles.
Click to expand...

+1 and you are lucky to have them available at such a low price.
We Yanks must spend more to get rifles that were imported long ago.
Many of us spend a few more $$$ to transform them into SUPERB rifles.

All of my Nork M14s have been made better by Ron Smith at SEI
AK47 reliability and Sub MOA accuracy :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom