Cost of building up, upgrading & tuning M305?

[Reaper of the apocalypse]

I'm considering getting an M305, but as per, I'll have to go the route of upgrading to USGI parts, wood stock, all that tuning stuff, etc. & also I'd like to go to one of tactical teachers clinics on the rifle.

So not including optics, how much should I expect to spend on upgrading an M305 and making it run nice?

 

[yomomma]

$$$$1k$$$$

 

[Claven2]

If you go all usgi, a parts kit will be $1000+ and then any labor you don't do for yourself.

If you want a match grade barrel, factor in another $500 for the barrel plus install.

Given costs, you may want to look at Fulton, LRB and Sai pre-made rifles. It may be more cost effective, particularly if you would be paying someone to build the gun.

 

[Pop]

What do you want the rifle to be? If you want it to be a reliable semi-auto facsimile of the classic battle rifle, or a field-grade hunting rifle, you're going to spend a lot less than if you're chasing bench accuracy down the rabbit hole.

My son wanted the first option, so we started with a good Norc receiver, barrel, bolt, op-rod, gas lock, castle nut, and trigger group housing, a Sadlak op-rod spring guide, and a TreelineM14 chrome op-rod spring, then built the rest out of a mix of NOS and low-wear USGI parts. We lucked out that the bolt headspaced at 1.636, which suited his goal of maximum reliability and ammo digestibility. This was a year or two before the Israeli M-14 parts kits hit the market, and rifle and parts were about $1500 total (including a proper sling and a set of 5 Checkmate 5/20 mags). I kept the take-off parts for spares (after throwing out the rear sight) but selling them could generate a little net return. That's not counting the investment I'd already made in m-14 tooling and gauges, but going to one of Hungry's clinics should obviate the need for that.

The other, excellent, option is to get hold of M14Medic http://m14medic.ca/ and see what build options he has available right now. You'll wind up with an absolutely top-tier rifle equal to the best on the market, whichever build philosophy you want to follow.

 

[45ACPKING]

I'm considering getting an M305, but as per, I'll have to go the route of upgrading to USGI parts, wood stock, all that tuning stuff, etc. & also I'd like to go to one of tactical teachers clinics on the rifle.

So not including optics, how much should I expect to spend on upgrading an M305 and making it run nice?

before you buy a thing or follow "any" internet advice from the keyboard m14 tweakers.... on how and what do with your rifle...... go to one of tactical teachers clinics. You'll thank me later trust me.

 

[Claven2]

before you buy a thing or follow "any" internet advice from the keyboard m14 tweakers.... on how and what do with your rifle...... go to one of tactical teachers clinics. You'll thank me later trust me.

This is great advice.

The first question is whether you want to spend money on the m305 at all, or if you can do what you need to do with some clinic tweaks to the stock rifle.

 

[Claven2]

Ps:

Depending how good a shooter you are, if you need optics, for some people a quality scope mount and glass gets them the results they think they will get by going hog wild with a NM build.

 

[Hutchy]

You dont need to do a whole lot to it. You can easily tun the trigger to be quite pleasant without replacing anything.

I got a usgi wooden stock for mine $140 plus some extras came with it
A wolff full spring kit with extra power recoil spring $25 usd
A schuster adjustable gas plug $60 usd
S&J hardware op rod spring guide $52 Cad
Lapped the bolt and shimmed the gas system. $10 for lapping compound and i had shims

Theres a lot you can do for basically free.