Connector lock pin won't stay locked when inserting a magazine

blackice

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Hi,

I bought a new Norinco M305 about 2 months ago and just installed a Sage EBR stock with a Sadlak mount and a scope. I went to the range today and had some problems.

When I insert the magazine, the front of the magazine pushes on the operating rod spring guide just a bit, and if I'm holding the rifle tilted slightly to the right then the connector lock pin disengages. At one point, I put the rifle on the table and the operating rod guide popped out since it wasn't held in place by the pin.

Has anybody else had this problem before?

I also have a problem where the rifle won't cycle properly; it ejects the round fine but won't chamber the next one in the magazine. I noticed a bit of play on the gas cylinder so I turned the gas cylinder lock another 360 degrees so it's real tight now (tightened it with my hands, so it shouldn't be too tight I think). I did that when I got back home so I don't know if that will fix it.
 
you will need to contact brownells and order an M1A connector pin, it is longer than the chinese one.
it's in the stickies but, for those new to installing a usgi spec stock such as Sage, Jae or Troy, you need the longer connector pin or the problem Blackice is having will happen in your rifle as well. Be way better for average Joe if the sage stock dealers also had some forsight to include this pin when selling the stocks to a chinese rifle market ;)

if you were able to rotate the gas lock a further full turn, it was loose from the get go. tightening should solve the problem but it's hard to say. try it and see.
when you installed the sage did you replace the gas assembly band with the small washer that sage sends with thier stocks?
 
Thanks a lot for the information, I didn't know there was a difference in length for the pin.

Regarding the gas assembly band, I did put the washer that came with the stock.
 
Alternately, I glue-gunned a piece of plastic from a margarine lid to the connector area to build a dam and filled it with JB Weld. After it was dry, I peeled off the glued-on bit of plastic and used a sharp chisel to level the top of the JB weld, much like on a USGI fibreglass stock. My Troy now accepts the Chinese pin, no problem.

This is much cheaper and easier than ordering M1A parts, and if I ever want to reverse it, some penetrating oil and a blow with a plastic mallet will remove the JB Weld.
 
M1a connector pin won't fit norinco rifle! Diameter is bigger...you will have to make a norinco size pin..That's what I did.
 
m1a pins will work.. you just have to turn it down a little. I took the finish off with sandpaper and it fit perfect.

yup. grasp the pin from the oposite end away from the retaining pin hole. grasp only about 3/32 and tighten your drill. use some 120 grit aluminum oxide paper and spin away on moderate speed.... don't burn your fingers as it will heat up if you spin to fast. trial fit every once and a bit until you achive a "just barely" fit.... then get out the emery cloth and valve grind compund here is optional used with the emery and spin her baby smooth.
reblue if desired.
a 15 minute job easy.
i prefer not to risk using epoxies and glues in an aluminum chassis..... maybe devcon high heat but you run the risk of it becoming unbonded during a firing session, causing nothing but grief. some may have no troubles..... but doing it right..... is getting the proper pin when installing a chinese rifle or M1A to an aluminum stock with G.I. cut outs.
 
I just finished replacing the connector lock with a new one from Brownells. I did what you said with a drill, and it fits just fine now. Can't wait to take it out to the range next weekend.
 
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