Feeling unsure about my new Norinco M14S... advice?

Teppo87

Teppo87

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Hi all.
So I took the leap and ordered a brand new Norinco M14. I just picked it up today and I have to say I'm a little unsure about it. It has some very sharp and rough edges, particulary the cocking handle which you could easily cut yourself with. Also, in some areas like the rear sights the metal looks almost pitted and on the right side of it, it looks like some welding has been done on it. But most annoying was the magazine catch, which I could not get to engage for the first few hours of cleaning and handling the rifle. After cycling the bolt many times, disassembling and reassembling the rifle, that problem no longer seems to persist. Is this the standard for a Norinco M14? Is this just a matter of a brand new factory rifle going through a break in period or have I bought a poor example of a Norinco rifle? I've been told that some of Norinco's earlier rifles were of poor quality but that today they have really improved in terms of manufacturing quality. My rifle is marked 2011. I haven't fired it yet and I am wondering whether or not I should return it and see if they send me a nicer specimen. Has anyone else had these issues? Any advice would be most appreciated.
 
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I have 2 Norinco M14S I have bought in the last couple of years. One from Marstar and one from Epps. Both were good in fit and finish, though not excellent. For the price, I cannot complain. Norincos have gotten better over the years. I think yours may be an exception to the rule. I'd contact the place where you bought it, and talk with them. They may agree that all is not well.
 
Post some pictures for us. These old pigs won't win a beauty contest out of the box, but once you shoot it I bet you forget about her fat arse and wrinkles! :D
 
awww; i know a candidate for painting the rocks in front of the barracks;it's a BATTLE RIFLE -handle it like you mean it- that means putting it on your hip, and ROTATING THAT MAG IN THERE WITH A PURPOSE; DON'T RIDE THE BOLT FORWARD, BUT IT SHOULD SLAM- you guys should look at the GARAND training films sometime- THAT'S how you handle an m-14.if you have to, put a GLOVE on the hand that works the charging lever/tab/bolt so you don't cut yourself
 
collector67 said:
No Norinco has the fit and finish of the original manufacturer's firearms, but they are functional and reliable.
Click to expand...

you never saw the last of the ones that left springfield, did you- now those are just about one step above the norcs- they just barely passed the ig
 
If you aren't happy with the gun, then it will always be on your mind. In the end the gun will just sit in the safe and you will move on to something else. Better to send it back and hope for better luck on the replacement. The sharp edges are not surprising, but your description of the rear sight gives me the impression that you could do better.
 
Appreciate the comments, folks. More and more I'm starting to warm up to it, despite its blemishes. I think I will take it to the range and test it out before going any further. Still, I am concerned about the rear sight. If that little welding job on the rear sight was to cover up a crack or something, I think I'd be better to send it back for another rifle. Other than that, it does feel pretty solid.
 
For $ 400, it's a great platform / receiver that comes along with a pile of parts that shoot! Catch a clinic of you can or network here with some more experienced Norc M14 addicts and you will realize that these are the best deals going in a semi-auto boomstick!

Got any pics you can post of these concerns?

Ask away any questions you have! We got yer back!

Cheers,
Barney
 
Just got a new one with synthetic stock from marstar. Had a few of the same issues(except for the pitting) Just take some sandpaper to the sharp edges of the stock and grow calouses to protect your hand from cutting on the cocking handle....or, if you, like me do not ''work'' for a living then just dremel it:)

Find out how to lubricate it correctly then proceed to cycle it to death.

You are now ready for the firing phase:sniper:: You will no longer have any doubts:cool:

Enjoy
 
Hm...

My Norc M305 is a 2009 marked receiver, and I've had exactly zero problems with it. It shot well, the sights were tight-nothing loose, and the rifle worked well.

I DID send it off to M14Doctor for his shorty package, but only because I wanted a shorter semi-auto .308 for scouting and hunting in thick brush.

I'd send some photos of the issues you have with it to whoever you bought it from and see what happens. I don't think that pitting and weld(ing) on the sights is something that should be found on a brand new rifle.

Oh yeah, post the photos here while you're at it. Hungry, M14Doctor, and other gurus will be able to tell you what's what.
 
Just take a file to the cocking handle, I think they're all a little sharp. Replace the rear sight if you dont like it. M14 Doctor replaced mine with a USGI. Make a heck of a difference.
 
I sanded/lightly filed those edges on my Norky's #### handle, all good now...

Rear sight aperture was a bit off centre, so I JB-Welded/glued an appropriate sized washer in place; now I can't tell...

Yeah all that pitting-lookin' stuff I believe is a side effect of the casting method that's used; sure doesn't look like the originals... Yours sounds pretty standard.

For $400, I'm certainly pleased, and if I do my part I can put five within three inches, prone, at a hundred yards with those gruesome sights... shoot it, you'll like it.

(what Hungry said)
 
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Speaking of sanding the edges of the stock... My (school teacher) girly hands found the edges of the black plastic Norc stock a little on the sharp side so I did some sanding and rasping of the edges. No worries there! Smooth finish now.

I might take some Krylon in Tan and give it a couple of coats!

About the edges of that op rod handle, feel free to take a fine file to it and then touch it up with some Birchwood Casey Cold Blue afterwards. Not a tough problem to solve.

Hope this helps! Oh yeah, and come out to one of my clinics (hopefully a 2 day version) and then the serious learning begins! :D

Cheers mates!
Barney
 
One of my op rod handles had a sharp edge also - a few strokes with the file, and Bob's your uncle. As one poster said, this is a Battle Rifle, and is one of the last great battle rifles. Making "it" your battle rifle is part of the M14 experience, ie. swapping out the sights, testing, tuning, adding mods...

Not to mention, at $400 is the deal of the decade. According to some journals, more than $100 million was spent developing the original big boy toy into the awesome shooter it is - so enjoy and have fun!
 
Pfffttt... file... I went right after that cocking handle with the dremel! I can't stop rubbing my fingers along it now. But why stop there? My mag wouldn't lock in place either. Upon close inspection, I noticed the the rear lug was slightly crooked, the bottom corner slightly too low to catch, so I took the dremel to that too! Straightened the edge until it fit like a dream. The best part of buying a $400 gun is that I can do all of that without stressing out. If I ruin it, I buy another, and end up with a $800 rifle with 99% spare parts including a stock that I can trial paint over and over again!

I almost want to screw something up now :(
 
It's all been said by many here so I'll just limit my comment to the "welding" (?) On the sights.
Never seen that in 100's of rifles that have passed thru my hands.... We need pics :D
 
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