How’s the Norinco M305?

Thanks yea so even manually actuating the bolt stop still won't catch the bolt I was thinking maybe a 308 models bolt stop will holder back?

Yeah, as previously stated the x39 does not hold back on empty. My 308 does, as they are meant to do. I have come across one 308 that had some issues with its bolt catch though, so while it's not a guaranteed problem free feature, it should be.
The x39 model they essentially just added very crude fittings in the mag well to hold the shorter AK mags in the correct position. You'll notice you also don't have the stripper clip guide since it doesn't line up with the mag, they just pulled it.

To the topic in general, the quality control on these Chinese rifles is all over the place, but getting a decent rifle is in my opinion the likely outcome. I hand picked mine out of 3. Two had over indexed barrels, so I went to the properly indexed barrel first. Well, I couldn't get the trigger group out. None of us could. So to the other two then, one had its handguard all chewed up and discoloured, it was ugly. Real ugly. Bought the third cause I was impatient. It turned out to be an overall decent rifle. I mostly just plink with it though. The rear sight assembly is garbage. Difficult to adjust.
So I wouldn't buy one sight unseen, say, off a website online, unless they will deal with exchanges, and inspect your rifle for overall fit and function before firing imo.
 
Thanks yea so even manually actuating the bolt stop still won't catch the bolt I was thinking maybe a 308 models bolt stop will holder back?

No, the x39 model has no bolt hold open because it uses AK magazines which do not support BHO. Leave it alone and do a little more research next time before buying a gun if certain features are important to you.
You bought a cheap plinker that looks like an M14, if you have plans to accurize it and turn it into something else I would sell it and buy one in 308 so you can at least have access to aftermarket and US built parts. With the x39 model as far as I know you're limited to maybe changing the stock and some very basic do it yourself mods.

Spend your money on ammo, it's not a rifle worth sinking money into.

Just my opinion, you're free to do what you want but if you have big plans I think you'll be disappointed.
 
My intensions are just to plink around, my goal is paper at 100yrds, I not concerned with the bolt holding open after the last shot but I would and am planning on finding a way to hold it back with magazine out of the rifle during "cease fire". Marstar has a video on YouTube of a 30rd x39 yugo mag holing the bolt back on last shot, but I want to hold it back with "no mag" in
 
I bought one a while ago from the EE. I've actually passed previously on the M305/M14 rifles as I'm more of an AR10 guy. Plus I've had friends warn me that the M14 is a money pit. Anyways I found this one and I had just done up my mini 14 target in an archangel stock, so the M305 with the JSE stock made a nice set. This one comes with some nice add ons. The price was pretty good considering what it would have cost me to piece it all together. Still haven't shot it yet though. So hopefully there isn't a reason it was such a good deal.

Sorry about the crappy iphone photos.

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Mini14 target model in FDE archangel stock. The JSE is a lot nicer but I still like the archangel a lot better than the regular stocks that came with the mini 14.

0mBwRuz.jpg
 
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My intensions are just to plink around, my goal is paper at 100yrds, I not concerned with the bolt holding open after the last shot but I would and am planning on finding a way to hold it back with magazine out of the rifle during "cease fire". Marstar has a video on YouTube of a 30rd x39 yugo mag holing the bolt back on last shot, but I want to hold it back with "no mag" in

I would consider just making or purchasing a beefy chamber flag. You can find or make a flag that would hold the bolt back a good inch or more. It would be readily apparent that the bolt is back and the chamber empty.
 
I just got an M305 second hand. It fun. I like it. I have to do some tinkering though. It's not perfect but it is accurate. I'm using the iron sights and plan to leave it that way. My first 100 yard 5 round group was 4". 4 of those rounds made a 2.5" group. My second 100 yard 5 round group was 3". 4 of those went inside 2.5" and 3 of those overlapped. I'm quite happy with that. Especially since the front post appears to be 8" wide at 100 yards.
It is a heavy beast of a rifle but the recoil is pleasantly mild.
 
I bought one a while ago from the EE. I've actually passed previously on the M305/M14 rifles as I'm more of an AR10 guy. Plus I've had friends warn me that the M14 is a money pit. Anyways I found this one and I had just done up my mini 14 target in an archangel stock, so the M305 with the JSE stock made a nice set. This one comes with some nice add ons. The price was pretty good considering what it would have cost me to piece it all together. Still haven't shot it yet though. So hopefully there isn't a reason it was such a good deal.

Sorry about the crappy iphone photos.

4HvijRs.jpg


n8Bpzam.jpg


Mini14 target model in FDE archangel stock. The JSE is a lot nicer but I still like the archangel a lot better than the regular stocks that came with the mini 14.

0mBwRuz.jpg

Now all you need is to install a navy gas lock and get rid of the goofy birdcage - they ruin the lines of the shorty M14. Maybe install an SEI vortex to go wit the gas lock sights - they it will look "operator".
 
I've only just recently purchased a used m305. havent quite figured out how the beast thinks yet. only getting like 4-5inch groups at 120yards. fun to shoot, expensive to feed, not overly accurate.
 
I've only just recently purchased a used m305. havent quite figured out how the beast thinks yet. only getting like 4-5inch groups at 120yards. fun to shoot, expensive to feed, not overly accurate.

Could be any number of factors affecting your results. Making any semi-auto more accurate requires an understanding of the variables, not the least of which is the ammo you are using and its accuracy potential through ANY rifle.

A bone stock M305 with a plastic stock is a 4 or 5 MOA rifle with surplus ammo, so I'd say you are about par for the course. You can readily tighten those groups with inexpensive mods if you know how, and you can tighten them even further by playing the upgrade game if you have the desire and the deep pockets required to get there.
 
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