M14 vs. M305

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IMR4320

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Hi everyone,
I'm looking into getting an M14 but have noticed there is a lot of Norinco made M305's. I've also noticed Norc's are much cheaper than domestic, there's gotta be a reason.
I'm looking for some specific information how to approach the Norc. my preference would be American or Canadian made but there may not be all that many of them. What should I watch for, what to stay away from. Any specific issues, problems ? Any brand better than others ?
Thanks for any information.
 
I had an m305 the barrel on it was over timed which threw the entire action out of alignment. It worked but it was a total piece of crap as far as quality is concerned. The new 800$ ones might be better but I'm not sure.
 
Kelly Timoffee said:
How do the off shore models respond to upgrades?

Can their function and accuracy be improved on?
Click to expand...

They respond well to upgrades, and can be great shooters for a heck of a lot less than $2000! That said I don't think many would argue that they're better than the US high end (SEI, LRB etc), just cheaper.
 
If you read the STICKIES on this forum, and can take in an M14 clinic put on by 45ACPKING, or Tactical Teacher/Hungry/Barney you will learn lots, and the resulting gun will be a reliable , good functioning, accurate rifle to have fun with. All I have left that I could really do to my shorty is a barrel and bolt upgrade to tighten up the head-space which is currently .1638, but don't really see the need too. If I do my part, the gun shoots really really well. I have been looking at the Loaded, and match M1A's made by SAI and the offerings by LRB, and James River but they are a hell of a lot more money..... I liked my first M305 enough that I jumped and grabbed a 22'' when Marstar had them last fall. Have almost finished tweaking that one up, once my USGI fiberglass stock arrives and I fix it up, and add my PB/USGI rear sight and USGI front sight I will be laughing. Shot well last all with the out of spec front flashider/and canted front sight, can't wait too see what it will do when I have it all done. Enjoy the learning adventure and have fun!! :)
 
An M-14 is prohibited. 12(2) or 12(3). Too evil for you to have. The closest you can get is either an M305 or an M1A. Both are M-14 style rifles. The M305 is made by slave labour in China. That's why they're relatively cheap. Quality is iffy. An M305 is not an M1A either. 'M1A' is a Springfield Armory(SIC) Inc. trade mark. It has nothing whatever to do with M-14's or the U.S. government. Like JonMtl says, you want to spend $400 to $500ish or 2 grand plus?
 
There are a bunch of threads here describing what the M305 is, and is not, compared to an M1A 4x its price. Suffice to say that if you are willing to spend a little money and do a little work on the Chinese rifle, you'll save a lot of money and gain a lot of satisfaction in doing so...
 
Type 305 Norinco has a forged receiver, forged bolt, forged operating rod and hard chromed barrel. The original M14 had all the previous except for a forged operating rod which was only made for those manufactured by TRW. The M1A manufactured by Springfield has a investment cast receiver made by Alpha Casting in Quebec and a forged bolt and fabricated operating rod and also I believe a hard chrome barrel (The ones I had made in 1978 where a bit different, however they have always had investment cast receivers). In general the Springfield M1A has better quality control and lifetime warranty and is a good product. The only M1A that is not restricted in Canada is the 22" barrel one where as Type 305 has been available with both 22" and 18.5" barrels. The forged receiver is considered by some as more desirable also the Norinco receivers are dimensionally correct compared to original M14's. I believe that both are good rifles, especially the type 305 because of the cost.
 
The M305 is a tinkerer's gun. The fit and finish is on the rough side. Even guys who love them call them "a diamond in the rough".

But for $500 it's a great cheap rifle to start on. You'll need/want to spend $200-$300 more and $50 for one of the M14 Clinics around. But it is well worth it.when you consider a basic M1A from Springfield Armory goes for about $1800 here.

I knew none of this when I bought my first one, and was very disappointed when I opened the box and cycled the stuck action.

I've since spent literally hours reading the Main Battle Rifle forum, viewed several youtube videos, got some input from some very knowledgeable people, and attended one of Barney's (aka: Tactical Teacher, aka Hungry) M14 Clinics.

I eventually came to love my ugly duckling rifle and actually bought another one which I also fixed up.

Some things I've done:
replaced the flash suppressor for Springfield Armory's (better quality, appearance, and properly angled) -- $100
replaced the front sight (with Springfield Armory's National Match) -- $35 or $50
replaced the rear sight assembly (from SPCAMNO here on this Forum. The ones he sourced have much better fit/finish and are able to hold their adjustments without shaking loose) -- $100
replaced the Operating Rod Return Spring Guide Rod -- aka: OpRod Guide (with the fluted round one from M14.ca instead of the original flat guide) for better consistency -- $50 after shipping
shimmed the gas cylinder so that the gas lock was properly tight at the 6:00 position (shims obtained from Barney)
properly indexed the barrel on the receiver (not possible for me without the help of Barney's work bench, barrel vice and 4' long breaker bar)
tighened the OpRod Guide on the barrel by peening the boss on the barrel to allow for a tight fit of the OpRod Guide (done at Tactical Teacher's M14 Clinic)
bought a Flash Suppressor Castle Nut removal wrench (I could NOT get the nut off without it) -- $25
thoroughly cleaned and greased the rifle properly
shot 100 rounds through it (the M305's need to be broken in by shooting them)
sanded down the sharp edges on the stock and the OpRod handle

I also bought an M14.ca Blackfeather RS aluminium stock ($640), a mil spec buffer tube for it ($25), an AR15 pistol grip and Magpul AFG (forgot how much I paid for them from Brownell's) and a Mission First Tactical butt stock ($160); also got an ARMS18 scope mount and ARMS22 QD rings

Very happy with my project now

1st rifle:
8638312043_7d25a10faf_o.jpg



2nd Rifle (kept it retro-ish):
11381376025_5161aa9eba_c.jpg
 
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Also, I've read that the M14 platform (and particularly the M305) is a decent shooter, but not tack drivers.
I guess YMMV
 
Some chinese rifles are stamped M305, some are stamped M14s. Most are stamped .308Win, but in reality have 7.62X51NATO chambers. Some of the newest imports are finally reflection their chambers with the 762X51 stampings. Apparently all were made in the same factory, but different exportation names of PolyTech M305 or Norinco M14s or even Norinco M305 and stamped for different importers over the years. Some dealers have their own stampings like Dominion Arms. Dominion arms(Canada Ammo in above banners) imported a Springfield Armouries SOCOM look alike, with an 18.5" barrel and a reversible flash hider to give the visual impression of a 16" restricted barrel look. Some of their full length 22" barreled rifles were sold with the receiver also stamped SOCOM?????. So in reality there is a dozen ways to Sunday these rifle's have been designated over the years.

A few years ago some were saying the ones stamped Polytech had better finish than Norinco. Why I'm not sure. My 2009 Norinco M14 is finished fine for a battle rifle.


Mine Chinese rifle is stamped M14. It is a great rifle for 400 dollars.
 
I bought my NIB Norinco M-14S / M305 over ten years ago....I still own it. Amazing M14 rifle....NEVER had a jam, misfire, anything. Actually Very accurate at 100/200 yards, and looks bad@$$ in it's synthetic CADPAT stock thanks SkullBoy lol

Paid $499 I think? Ten years ago. Worth every penny.

BUT....if I had money to burn, I would get a Springfield Armory M1A Loaded Walnut with stainless match barrel/front sight/trigger group. A loaded stainless walnut is ###y as hell.
 
I have two M305s and couldn't be happier with them. Replace the spring guide and grease them up properly and they work fine. Some of the barrels arent properly indexed but this has been a problem with the springfield ones too.

It's also worth noting that the Springfield m1as ARE NOT U.S. MADE. Parts for them are made all around the world and just assembled in the U.S.
 
alphawolf29 said:
I have two M305s and couldn't be happier with them. Replace the spring guide and grease them up properly and they work fine. Some of the barrels arent properly indexed but this has been a problem with the springfield ones too.

It's also worth noting that the Springfield m1as ARE NOT U.S. MADE. Parts for them are made all around the world and just assembled in the U.S.
Click to expand...

...*cough,...*cough.....X2.
 
alphawolf29 said:
I have two M305s and couldn't be happier with them. Replace the spring guide and grease them up properly and they work fine. Some of the barrels arent properly indexed but this has been a problem with the springfield ones too.

It's also worth noting that the Springfield m1as ARE NOT U.S. MADE. Parts for them are made all around the world and just assembled in the U.S.
Click to expand...




Sorry................I thought I heard someone kick the bucket over.

OP..If you like to know how stuff works etc,get a Norc.
There are some truly incredible nightmares out there, but the same can be said of the top end breeds as well.
A little patience and you will have a Norc that shoots as well as a top end model. Most problems are really only poor assembly and cosmetic.
I exclude Match and NM variants because they are in a class of their own anyway.

Knowing what I know I would snap up any pre 09 that came my way and pre 07 would be better.
The new ones , at the new prices........meh... I wouldn't bother.
Just my 5c
 
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