m305 good, avoid, ymmv?

mikethebike

mikethebike

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Why do I see so many threads about m305s breaking down? And yet some other threads about their reliability and quality being decent?

I'm a bit confused as I thought about buying one of those a few months ago, and I'm revisiting the idea, but not so sure anymore.
 
I was curious about the M305's until I started reading threads on how to tune/rebuild/index/fix these rifles. Seems to me you are lucky if you get a good one out of the box. The QC seems to be hit & miss (pun intended). Maybe the experts will enlighten & educate.
 
Went through the same ordeal a while back, picked up a m305 and had a gun smith take a look at it. He made sure barrel was properly indexed and gas system was properly shimmed. I will check head spacing from time to time, just incase.....550 plus rounds down range so far without issue. Would I buy a Springfield or SEI if I could afford it........You bet! Not in the cards right now, I'll just keep plugging away on my Norinco until then. Get one, have it checked out if your concerned.
 
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My take on the subject...

These guns have their issues. For the most part they are not major issues.

If you want to buy a rifle and do not want to put another cent into it, this may not be the rifle for you.

Having said that, there are people out there who have cleaned and greased them and never had an issue.

For the most part there have been a few parts that need work/replacing; sights, oprod guide, oprod, cylinder,indexing. Again each gun varies.

My gun, my reason for buying.

I wanted a NR semi without spending $2-3 thousand dollars without mods.

Including a $600 Blackfeather, I have about $1600 into my complete setup.

My sights were stripped, common.
My cylinder was drilled off center, common.
My oprod was not true, common?

My upgrades.

New spring and spring guide
New cylinder, gas valve, gas plug
New oprod
Scope mount
Stock
Sling studs and sling.

Future upgrades

New bolt
Muzzle brake.

I love Natalie , she is all I ever dreamed of and more. No regret about buying it. Loved every moment I spent fidling with it. Didn't regret a penny I spent above and beyond the $450. The only gun that shares my bedroom.

Looking forward to finishing her and getting the next one.

THE BEST project platform ever.
 
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I wouldnt buy a new one but Id snatch a 2009 if I saw one.
All sorts of rounds thru mine and I still have all my eyes and pinkies :)
 
I like mine personally but to each their own. Its a great platform with lots of parts, accessories, upgrades ETC available. Also loads of support and knowledge out their about them. Finally $400-$450 for a new semi auto battle rifle, cant beat it IMHO.
 
All mine needed out of the box was to have the barrel indexed properly. Other than that it shot fine!

I have since added a few things but it didn't really need any of them:
-USGI stock
-SAI Flash hider w/ bayo lug
-Match grade spring guide
-Bedded it all with Devcon

Shoots about 1.5 to 2 inches @ 100 with my hand loads.

Love it!
 
I personally think that there are a heck of a lot of them out there, and they all need a few tweeks (indexing checked, new op rod sping guide, etc.). So with that much information out there, there is just that many opinions, reviews and tips on them.

'nuff said.
 
I humbly suggest if you buy one, purchase it from a retailer that offers a warranty.
Better yet, if you have a good relationship with a local retailer. Verify barrel properly indexed and headspace within tolerance before purchase.
Does not seem like too much to ask for a NEW rifle, considering the issues some folks have had.
 
Lost...again said:
I wouldnt buy a new one but Id snatch a 2009 if I saw one.
All sorts of rounds thru mine and I still have all my eyes and pinkies :)
Click to expand...

I've been a fanboy of Norinco M14s since I purchased my 2009 model and agree with Lost again. For the last 3 years I've read many of the complaints and wondered what all the fuss was about. Mine has chugged along for about 1200 rounds with nary a hiccup. Finish is excellent for a Battle Rifle, nice machining and perfect slightly green Parkerizing. Put on a USGI rear sight only because my aperture was a little off center it worked fine, and put on a NM flash hider. I can hear her ringing on every round, and she shoots Battle Rifle groups over irons consistently day in day out.

A few weeks ago I purchased an extra 5/20 mag from the new crop, with a much blacker finish and a rivet showing in the side. Well this evening on the range I had my first hiccup, and then another on a 5 round stripper clip, and then another, WTF!!!!!!!. Well turns out this GD new Mag is a POS. Doesn't seat properly, and you have to press hard to get 5 in, not like the other 2009 mags that have generous room for 5.

So I guess maybe like Lost again, .......I was spoiled with an excellent out of box experience with the 2009, and after this new 2013 mag issue, I can see a little of the frustration people may have to go through with the latest arrivals in this country.

Morale of the story,.. most issues are minor and can be corrected by DIY corrections. There is a great community support base here. Magazines are a critical piece of a rifles reliable functioning in general and in particular to any auto- loading firearm. This may be an issue with any new Nork if they are pinning the mags this way now.

Lost,.... I feel these 2009's may be a desirable year for used Norky's in the future on the EE. Like the 2009 year is considered the finest Bourdeaux wine in decades, so goes the 2009 vintage Commie M-14 rifles.:p:p:p Cheers everyone!
 
Don't buy it if you are not going to make it a project rifle. And the more ya spend, the better it gets. I love mine! Its mod'd out, only the barrel, bolt, receiver and trigger group are left org. With the glass and mount, case and extra clips there is over $4500 into my kit (however, I got a smoking deal on mine off of EE hear!:). I wouldn't worry about too many of the neg comments here. Watch what you buy. Hand pick the gun if you can. Look for fit and finish, straight bores (gas cyl and piston/rod), sights and flash hider. Once you have a good base to start with, away you go.

Did I tell ya that I love mine!!?? Oscar....he's mean and green, so far out to 500m in 6" groups off the hood of a truck with crappy mill-spec ammo, considering Im not the best shooter, Im happy and will be able to tighten it up and stretch it out further still! Round count on the gun is now well over 2200 rounds and no issues. Nothing but freaking fun to shoot. A heavy piece of kit though, but well worth every cent.

With any luck, it will soon have a new Tar-21 as a partner in the safe:)

mikethebike said:
Why do I see so many threads about m305s breaking down? And yet some other threads about their reliability and quality being decent?

I'm a bit confused as I thought about buying one of those a few months ago, and I'm revisiting the idea, but not so sure anymore.
Click to expand...
 
Can you afford a $2500-$4000 battle rifle? Then buy that one. It won't be 10X better, but it will be significantly better. If you are in the $500 range buy a Norinco. Not everyone can afford a loaded diesel to pull their travel trailer either. I opened my M14S, oiled and shot it several hundred rounds (occasional boresnake) with no issues. Granted it was probably an 2009/2010.
 
Mine musta been an anomaly. Mine is a 2009. The goofy thing about it is that it has a solid (no slots) flash hider - which is great when in the bush because nothing, and I mean nothing, gets near that barrel.

I took it to a Clinic and found that nothing was wrong with it. Even had to work at it to shim it. I tweaked it because I wanted to wring every bit of accuracy I could out of it. Stoopidly listened to the forum folks and got a new bolt - which was a pain to install, but worth it as the chamber is now tighter than most factory bolts and well within SAAMI specs for 308. Also replaced op-rod, springs and guide.

I am now looking for a new stock, as I put two holes in it for the cheek riser (which I never was enamored with) and removed permanently shortly after installing. The factory sights have not been an issue with mine and the barrel was properly indexed right from factory.

She's a beaut' :)
 
I purchased a new 2007 M14 from Marstar, did the Hungry clinic, put a new oprod guiderod, gas cylinder shim (8 thou), M1 Garand rear sights, a USGI fiberglass stock and a sparrowhawk dummy selector kit. I thoroughly enjoy the gun!

I can see how this is not the type of gun for someone who doesn't like to tinker... They are okay out of the box, but a couple tweaks & they are really good IMHO!

Cheers
Jay
P.S. Here is a close up of mine... HE HE, how to fill a hole... Use a dummy selector!!!
image691.jpg
 
Like anything in life, you get what you pay for. If you decide to buy one I would shop for one from a few years ago, the blow ups and nasty failures seem to be concentrated in the current stuff. They are cheap, and can be good guns, at the same time they have the highest blow up rate of any gun discussed on this forum. You'll have to make your own call, I've sworn them off.
 
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