Would YOU buy a Norinco M14 if the price doubles?

[nntw]

A lot of folks on this board seem to keep the Norinco receiver for their custom builds.... and replace the rest of the parts.

There continue to be rumours that the M305S/Norinco M14, whatever you want to call it will be going up in price because they've used up their stock of 'old' receivers.

With a lot more M14 options coming into Canada lately, be it Springfields at ALMOST resonable prices, Smith or LRB receivers, James River Armory "Rockola" receivers or built up M14F's (both via irunguns), would it still make sense to buy a Norinco for $1000 just for the receiver?

 

[dimeN]

NO !
i don't think they'll mark them up much... if they do, they'll get stuck with product that won't sell ...
its still cheep chinese labour making these things, if they bump up the quality to springfield level, that maybe different

 

[Iceblood]

The short answer is no.

 

[nntw]

NO !
i don't think they'll mark them up much... if they do, they'll get stuck with product that won't sell ...
its still cheep chinese labour making these things, if they bump up the quality to springfield level, that maybe different

yeah.... i wouldn't think it would make sense either, particularly if nothing else changes.

most of the complaints i read about the rifle DON'T involve the receiver- it's the barrels, op rods, etc. and i don't know if those are of recent manufacture or have also been sitting around for a while. i would assume these are recent manufacture, since speculation about price increase is focused on the receivers having been used up.

prices on things like Norinco's 1911's seem to be staying down so it's hard to believe there's going to be some dramatic price change.

 

[gunguy23]

I think the new m305's will be of higher quality and be worth the extra 250 bucks. There is still a big price difference between spending $700 for the norinco and $1700 for a springfield.

 

[nntw]

I think the new m305's will be of higher quality and be worth the extra 250 bucks. There is still a big price difference between spending $700 for the norinco and $1700 for a springfield.

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/foru...Supply-in-canada?highlight=m14+price+increase

found the thread after I began this one.

it seems to suggest the price difference will ONLY be for the newly manufactured receiver. and NOT to expect any quality improvements.

it would be a riot to go to an M14 quality clinic, regardless of which rifle i was bringing.

still, would have to factor in the cost of the clinic, time away from home, materials, your own time, etc. wonder how quickly that $1000 delta (between the theoretical 'new' norinco price and an entry level m1a) would disappear.

not to mention at the end of it you still have, well, for good or bad, a norinco.

 

[Turkinator]

If the price doubles Id rather buy a mini14

 

[mkrnel]

I am sure the price will go up, that is what the dealers are being told too.

Another cause for the price increase is the falling Canadian dollar, all these imported guns are bought with US dollars or Euro's. Same goes with the ones you would be bring in from the states, as our dollar drops against the USD all imported stuff will go up in price.

 

[dimeN]

I thought about that... just change out the ####ty thin mini14 barrel for a nice match barrel and i bet it would be sweet !

the norc receivers are good, even the fellas on the m14 forum like them and pay a crazy price for them ! however, a big price increase will mean that these things won't fly off the shelf, especially with the price of svt's and sks's are dropping

If the price doubles Id rather buy a mini14

 

[xcr800]

If it came out of the box with functional sights, proper indexing , proper headspacing, functional bolt hold open,tight op rod guide, and smooth mag release and less tool marks I would probably go $700.In other words quality control.I ve been lucky with the four 305s I have had. Rear sight and crooked ft sight being the only real issues .They are fun to tinker with and mod, but it would be a must for me to see the quality issues corrected in order to justify a price increase.

 

[nntw]

If it came out of the box with functional sights, proper indexing , proper headspacing, functional bolt hold open,tight op rod guide, and smooth mag release and less tool marks I would probably go $700.In other words quality control.I ve been lucky with the four 305s I have had. Rear sight and crooked ft sight being the only real issues .They are fun to tinker with and mod, but it would be a must for me to see the quality issues corrected in order to justify a price increase.

yeah, this is the kind of feeling i have.

here in Canada, there seems to be a certain level of investment and infrastructure based on the m14 platform being an inexpensive (notice I didn't say cheap) platform to build on.

but if the price goes up, wonder if all bets are off. could that mess up a lot of small businesses that manufacture or import accesssories or provide services?

norinco's also churning out inexpensive AR variants... maybe that's where they see the future? from the manufacturing viewpoint, they don't have those forged steel receivers to worry about....and they seem trouble free out of the box for the consumer.....

 

[H2O MAN]

With a lot more M14 options coming into Canada lately, be it Springfields at ALMOST resonable prices, Smith or LRB receivers, James River Armory "Rockola" receivers or built up M14F's (both via irunguns), would it still make sense to buy a Norinco for $1000 just for the receiver?

Yes.

Paying $1000.00 for a fully functional rifle built on a forged receiver is still a better deal than buying a stripped receiver, not matter who made it.

 

[nntw]

Yes.

Paying $1000.00 for a fully functional rifle built on a forged receiver is still a better deal than buying a stripped receiver.

um... so you'd describe a typical norinco M14 as a 'fully functional rifle' out of the box?


edit- not meaning to turn this into a norinco bashing thread- but i'm not sure the m14 meets my idea of a 'fully functional rifle' as delivered.... guess i worry too much about the tweaking that seems to be required.

 

[Hitzy]

As long as someone does some serious QC inspections on these rifles somewhere along the supply chain that would justify the price increase. If I was guaranteed proper headspace, properly indexed barrel, properly fit bolt, straight gas system/sights/flash hider, fiberglass or hardwood stock, then $750 isn't so crazy. They way they are now.....not a chance.

 

[nntw]

this might make a good poll, huh? might be useful to CanAm and Marstar, among others....

 

[Mark-II]

Nope. Only thing that sold me on one was getting it on sale for $400. I've put approx $200 into tools and essential parts since then just to make it the way it ought to have come from the factory - straight front sight/flash hider and tight gas cylinder lock.

If they can't fix those glaring issues and this is just a cost of production increase, then forget it.

 

[Mister Donut]

No, probably not. I'd just savour the one I have and reminicse about the good old days when they were still sub $500

 

[Odd Shot]

When I was originally looking at M14's, I was all set to purchase a Springfield M1A (yeah, I bought into the hype). But all you Nutters convinced me to buy an M305 instead.

Seeing the abysmal quality when I received the M305, I initially regretted my purchase. With a lot of reassurance, and Tac. Teacher's M305 clinic, I came to really appreciate the rifle and went on to buy a second M305.
Now with the money I saved from not buying an M1A (and then some), I bought all sorts of modifications and truly love these rifles.

That being said, I would most definitely NOT buy a new Norinco for $700 or more UNLESS all the QC issues had been rectified.

specifically:
- barrel index
- loose op rod guide
- gas cylinder lock requiring shimming
- front sights and flash suppressors where dovetails and angles are not sitting level or plumb
- rear sights that loosen or do not function (both of my rifles were fine though)
- generally poor fit and finish (machine marks, etc)
- and the flash suppressors should NOT be welded to the barrel.

 

[M14.CA]

John from Marstar (the largest importer of M305s in Canada) estimates a retail price of $599 in this thread. The shipment is due to arrive any day.

 

[nntw]

John from Marstar (the largest importer of M305s in Canada) estimates a retail price of $599 in this thread. The shipment is due to arrive any day.

his comments are dated October.... $'s changed a lot since then, but it will be interesting to see what his new stock comes in at. am sure John will try to keep to his word...