Best batch of M14s over the years?

abalas

abalas

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I did a search and I could not find anything concrete. I realize there were several "batches" of M14 over the years. I've even owned 2007 Marstar batch that was pretty good, deplorably I had to sell it for one reason or another.

Which batch, in your opinion seems to be the best one in your experience? I mean which batch of M14s (either Norincos of Polytechs) had the least trouble with badly indexed barrels, soft bolts, badly locking bolts (that needed lapping), chambers that were too generous, crappy choo wood etc. My 2007 Marstar M14 had pretty bad index which needed a little work but was pretty good in another respect, oh yeah, it needed many shims to tighten up the gas system. I like the ones with black synthetic stock and bayo lug.
 
Same same same same ;)
Although I prefer 2007 and older as the parkerizing is much more durable.
The only PLUS I see with 2009 and newer rifles (over other years of import) is the slightly tighter headspace.
The plastic stock is not so bad either and a big improvement over previous offerings.
The thing to remember when askin, "which one is better ?" Check to see if it's been to the Doctor LOL (joking)
The thing to remember is that they have not been manufacturing these rifles in nearly and possibly more than 20 years. Although the 18.5" barrels themselves are probably much newer manufacture.

Then again, who really knows what goes on in them greasy chinese factories :)
 
Darned if I know. I don't have enough evidence nor have I had enough of them through my hands at the near 40 clinics I've done. So don't look to me for reliable information! Frankly, the best ones are the ones you tweak and then hold so dearly in your tree stand or ground blind or in your pickup truck or possibly on the firing line. There are many others like it, but your boomstick is YOURS and yours alone. :D

Just too many inconsistencies from what I've observed!

Hope this helps!

Cheers,
Barney
 
Hungry said:
Darned if I know. I don't have enough evidence nor have I had enough of them through my hands at the near 40 clinics I've done. So don't look to me for reliable information! Frankly, the best ones are the ones you tweak and then hold so dearly in your tree stand or ground blind or in your pickup truck or possibly on the firing line. There are many others like it, but your boomstick is YOURS and yours alone. :D

Just too many inconsistencies from what I've observed!

Hope this helps!

Cheers,
Barney
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Barney,

I must add however that your review of the first 2009 synthetic stocked imports motivated me to get one from that batch, and that it was by far the best of the ones I've owned or handled. Great sites, barrel indexing and finish. Aside from the contact between the front stock ferrule and barrel band which I'm sure I'll get down to fixing, it was the most trouble free of the bunch. Until then, I'll just take time between shots to minimize any potential for vertical stringing, and maybe add an improved op rod spring guide.
 
I didn't really want to start another thread for this, so sorry for highjacking yours, abalas... Seemed like the most appropriate one.

My recently purchased shorty from CanAmmo.

How common is stuff like this on Norc m14s? The bottom right side of my receiver has some heavy tooling marks and is very uneven. I know I shouldn't be a stickler for appearance when buying a Norc but I had big plans for this thing, and this bothers me a little. I just thought i'd ask and see how common it was. Thanks.

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djankle said:
I didn't really want to start another thread for this, so sorry for highjacking yours, abalas... Seemed like the most appropriate one.

My recently purchased shorty from CanAmmo.

How common is stuff like this on Norc m14s? The bottom right side of my receiver has some heavy tooling marks and is very uneven. I know I shouldn't be a stickler for appearance when buying a Norc but I had big plans for this thing, and this bothers me a little. I just thought i'd ask and see how common it was. Thanks.

photo5.jpg
[/IMG]
Click to expand...

A defect like that to the receiver's heel is a BIG DEAL. I wouldn't even fire that rifle.
Another one to send back for an exchange for sure.
Personally I have never seen a chinese rifle with such a deformation.
 
I had one like that with a lot of other issues, welding on the reicever, extremily loose op rod and reicever ledges not in spec. I was told by canam that is what you can expect to get so I got my money back.
 
My Norinco Shorty from Canam has less tooling marks inside the receiver and the finish is lighter in color.
The metal used for the op rod guide and gas cylinder look less porous and smoother finish than my other 2 Polytech 2009,s . But it needed a shim and the rear sight windage screw was really stiff but after disassembly and cleaning it worked ok.

Shorty on the right
receivers.jpg

Shortypic1e.jpg

Shortypic1c.jpg

Shortypic1.jpg
 
I'm willing to accept a few defects in the fit and finish with the norincos but if something is possibly unsafe to fire then I think I deserve an exchange.
 
Previous imports of the chinese rifles from Marstar and others, did not, in my experience and to the best of my knowledge, have all these welding and machining defects. It's kind of concerning to see so many of the new rifles with these undesireable deficiencies.
 
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