M305 date?
- Thread starter D3vin
- Start date
BattleRife
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- of No Fixed Address
It's not really that straightforward. Depending on which batch the rifle came out of the date might be incorporated into the serial number, or it might be part of the import markings, or it might be a standalone marking on the gun, or it might not be there at all.
It's my belief that the reputation of the 2007 guns for quality is due primarily to how easy it is to recognize a 2007 rifle, rather than the actual quality level, which in reality was unchanged from the late 90's to 2010 or so. But guns made before 2007 have no date markings that anyone can recognize without studying the details.
It's my belief that the reputation of the 2007 guns for quality is due primarily to how easy it is to recognize a 2007 rifle, rather than the actual quality level, which in reality was unchanged from the late 90's to 2010 or so. But guns made before 2007 have no date markings that anyone can recognize without studying the details.
china ceased manufacture of Forged receivers in the 90's
all rifles imported with Forged receivers are assembled from the parts made in the early 90's and prior.
the import date of the rifle is just that, an import date, which has zero to do with the date of manufacture or assembly.
In the past we have consulted with Lee Emerson (cgn member 'different') on dating m14 receivers and the numbers under the stock line on the left side of the receiver are the numbers used.
all rifles imported with Forged receivers are assembled from the parts made in the early 90's and prior.
the import date of the rifle is just that, an import date, which has zero to do with the date of manufacture or assembly.
In the past we have consulted with Lee Emerson (cgn member 'different') on dating m14 receivers and the numbers under the stock line on the left side of the receiver are the numbers used.
I have a few questions and I hope that you can provide some guidance for almost everybody I talk to have nothing good to say about the Norinco M305! I simply want a rifle, not a Carbine! A rifle that is simple to maintain, goes bang each time I pull the trigger, put down a sizable animal if my family is in danger. The 4" group you talked about is at 100 yard? That is good enough for me. I have no intention to make any modification on the rifle, basically shoot out of the box. With all that I had just mentioned would the Norinco M305 fit the bill? Also any reliability issues? I am in love with the Springfield rifle, but I can't afford spending 2 months rent on a toy! So let me know what you think. I will appreciate your feed back! Thanks again.
My advice to you is to buy a decent bolt action rifle for the needs you describe. Lots of options out there for under 1000.00
These rifles, even the "good ones" , do in most cases require some massaging and what we consider minor tweaks and upgrades to be what I would consider reliable enough to be trusted when it comes time to protect or feed the family.
If your heart is set on an m14 type rifle for your needs, I would get in contact with m14medic and purchase thru him or look for a reputable CGN member with a solid trader rating in the EE with an older (pre 2009) rifle with the massaging and tweaks already done.
Thank you for your input!
I read online that the quality, fitting, feeding, extracting, bolt breaking, and other issues with the Norinco M305(M14) are all current problematic issues and that the quality and accuracy of the above rifle is no longer like the same version that was produced back in 2007.
If that really is true and I still want to grab a M305, what type of test would I need to put the rifle through to see if there are in fact issues with the unit I have?
How many rounds would I need to shoot with the rifle to come to a conclusion that the unit I have is sound and reliable? Would I need to conduct rapid fire(5 rd burst) to force an issue? Or to shoot off a 100 rounds while benched to see if the rounds are all landing within a general area, 4-6 inch group? How many rounds do I need to put through the rifle in order to determine if there are in fact issues with feeding, extracting, bolt issues?
I would appreciate it greatly if you can provide some shooting wisdom for I have little to none on these issues.
I read online that the quality, fitting, feeding, extracting, bolt breaking, and other issues with the Norinco M305(M14) are all current problematic issues and that the quality and accuracy of the above rifle is no longer like the same version that was produced back in 2007.
If that really is true and I still want to grab a M305, what type of test would I need to put the rifle through to see if there are in fact issues with the unit I have?
How many rounds would I need to shoot with the rifle to come to a conclusion that the unit I have is sound and reliable? Would I need to conduct rapid fire(5 rd burst) to force an issue? Or to shoot off a 100 rounds while benched to see if the rounds are all landing within a general area, 4-6 inch group? How many rounds do I need to put through the rifle in order to determine if there are in fact issues with feeding, extracting, bolt issues?
I would appreciate it greatly if you can provide some shooting wisdom for I have little to none on these issues.
Depends if it's got the MIM bolt (cast). If it's a MIM, I wouldn't trust it to last. Cast receiver is getting some complaints too. Shouldn't be as bad an issue as the cast bolt, however.
The rifles are hastily built. They all risk having minor errors with them. Most of them are fixable by your gun smith. Just recently in these forums you can find a post by a guy who had an improperly cut barrel. These guns are not quality assured before being shipped to the customer. For example, on mine the gas port plug was loose. Another example is the safety bridge being machined out of spec (which can result in slamfires and worse).
You shouldn't have too much trouble finding a used one with a forged receiver and forged bolt. Either that, or buy the Israeli parts kit from wolverine and have a gun smith swap the parts for USGI. USGI parts are considered the gold standard.
walleyed99
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- I'm not telling, Sask
Honestly, most gunsmiths don't know Sh!t about these rifles. If you want quality work done, do it yourself, and if you don't have the tools or the knowledge, send it to either Casey at Tac ord, M14 medic, or see if Barney/Tactical teacher is close enough to help you out. There's lots of other m14 tweak WRs around that have some knowledge to help some, but only a few I would want to touch my rifle
As 45ACPKING and many other M14 experts/aficionados will tell you, a simple bolt gun (just about any, eg Rem 700, Savage 10FP, etc) will be more accurate out of the box, cheaper to tune, etc.
The M14 is fun without a doubt, but it can be an endless money pit to tinker to build a rifle.
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
That would be my go-to resource too.
