Help me build my ideal M-14

Z

Zorak

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I'd rather buy a domestic built-up rifle, but it goes without saying that a new Norinco M14 with a forged reciever for $400 is a good deal.

I was hoping to start with this as a base and build it up. No gunsmithing training or tools, but very mechanically skillful--I rebuild motorcycles, etc.

What does this gun need me to buy and do to make it a decent reliable shooter?

What custom parts should I get from the US? What modificiations are legal for import and install?

My goals are:

1) Reliable, tough, accurate, field servicable shooter
2) General hunting capability
3) Ability to use tough optics (reccomendations)
4) Possible addition of rails
5) Way of raising comb for using optics
6) Who makes the best 20 or 30 round mags in the US?

I also see some appealing accessories on the Marstar website that are reasonably priced, are any of these worth buying / installing?

I'd post the links but can't as I am new.

Tell me what to do and I'll do it.

thanks, Z
 
Zorak said:
6) Who makes the best 20 or 30 round mags in the US?
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I'll leave it to someone else to comment on the rest, but I wanted to mention one thing. You would be breaking the law to bring 20 or 30 round M-14 magazines to Canada, and you would be breaking American law to take your Norinco M14S to the USA. By all accounts I have read, the readily available pinned-to-five Norinco 20 rounders are as good as USGI military magazines.
 
Zorak said:
I'd rather buy a domestic built-up rifle, but it goes without saying that a new Norinco M14 with a forged reciever for $400 is a good deal.

I was hoping to start with this as a base and build it up. No gunsmithing training or tools, but very mechanically skillful--I rebuild motorcycles, etc.

What does this gun need me to buy and do to make it a decent reliable shooter?

What custom parts should I get from the US? What modificiations are legal for import and install?

My goals are:

1) Reliable, tough, accurate, field servicable shooter
2) General hunting capability
3) Ability to use tough optics (reccomendations)
4) Possible addition of rails
5) Way of raising comb for using optics
6) Who makes the best 20 or 30 round mags in the US?

I also see some appealing accessories on the Marstar website that are reasonably priced, are any of these worth buying / installing?

I'd post the links but can't as I am new.

Tell me what to do and I'll do it.

thanks, Z
Click to expand...

for the first 2, you need to do nothing, it's already there. If you want to mount a scope, get a Arms mount or a smith, expensive but by far the best.
For rails, well, restocking to something like a sage would be the way to go but a 1000 dollar stock on a 400 dollar rifle? You don't need it for hunting. A good machinist or a trip through brownells cataloge will run you up something to attach to your stock, even better find a USGI fiberglass and use it.
If you can get Rooster33's attention he makes a great riser for the stock, or hunt around in Brownellls cataloge again. USGI mags are best, but norcs are just as good, by from marstar already pinned. Get the stainless guide rod from Marstar, and if you want to shoot bullets heavier than 168 gr match throw in one of their buffers. Its still a bad idea (heavier bullets) but it will slow down the damage. Better yet stick to 150-160 grns that it was designed for.

Finally, go to the battle rifle forum where the M-14/M-305 stickys are and get the whole lowdown. Pay attention to anything skullboy and hungry have to say, they know.

Have fun!
 
cancer said:
You've definitely got this post in the wrong forum. You should've posted in the Main battle Rifle Forum. About the only thing they talk about in there is the M14.
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actually I did post this in the mian battle rifle forum, at least if the header on top is to be believed.
 
Disaster Monkey said:
I'll leave it to someone else to comment on the rest, but I wanted to mention one thing. You would be breaking the law to bring 20 or 30 round M-14 magazines to Canada, and you would be breaking American law to take your Norinco M14S to the USA. By all accounts I have read, the readily available pinned-to-five Norinco 20 rounders are as good as USGI military magazines.
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I believe you can take a Nornico into the US for service, not sale as it is an import ban.
 
Zorak said:
I believe you can take a Nornico into the US for service, not sale as it is an import ban.
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Incorrecto... it can not even cross the border. Guys who compete can't bring Norinco pistols (even if only the stripped frame is Norinco) into the States to compete, never mind to sell.
 
canucklehead said:
Incorrecto... it can not even cross the border. Guys who compete can't bring Norinco pistols (even if only the stripped frame is Norinco) into the States to compete, never mind to sell.
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Roger
 
Zorak said:
I'd rather buy a domestic built-up rifle, but it goes without saying that a new Norinco M14 with a forged reciever for $400 is a good deal.

I was hoping to start with this as a base and build it up. No gunsmithing training or tools, but very mechanically skillful--I rebuild motorcycles, etc.

What does this gun need me to buy and do to make it a decent reliable shooter?

What custom parts should I get from the US? What modificiations are legal for import and install?

My goals are:

1) Reliable, tough, accurate, field servicable shooter
that it is already. It strips quickity quick.

2) General hunting capability
You can hunt fine with IS and I recommend so unless you can get a decent mount and a good scope. The guns beats the #### outta scopes. Get a recoil buffer if you can off of rooster33. .308 is great.

You cant go over 168gr loads and under 124gr loads(I think on the latter); well atleast it isnt recommended on the gas system. Just turn off the gas system if you want too and you'll have a straight pull rifle.

Also, get a synthetic stock + a 5/5rounder for hunting. I have a 5/10er and I wish I had a 5/5er. Its a heavy rifle as it is, and putting a scope and mount on it makes it ALOT heavier. I took my scope and mount off and am using IS for my next hunt.

A good sling too!

 3) Ability to use tough optics (reccomendations)
4) Possible addition of rails
Expensive. Some people went the airsoft route and I think it is holding up good for them but I dont really know for sure anyways. The KAC rails sure are ###y though.


5) Way of raising comb for using optics
6) Who makes the best 20 or 30 round mags in the US?
Yer gonna have to go to marstar to get the 5/20 mags. The mag is blocked on the follower and is quite flimsy. It might be a worthwhile investment to get it uh, repinned, at a gunsmith if they seem loose :)

I also see some appealing accessories on the Marstar website that are reasonably priced, are any of these worth buying / installing?
I have a marstar mount and I regret buying it compared to a better mount.

I'd post the links but can't as I am new.

Tell me what to do and I'll do it.

thanks, Z
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i replied in the bold parts ahead.

stupid 3 letter blah blah blah
 
thanks gents, please keep em coming...is there any good way to mounta decent combat scope, such as an elcan? my eyes are not what they used to be...
 
Zorak said:
thanks gents, please keep em coming...is there any good way to mounta decent combat scope, such as an elcan? my eyes are not what they used to be...
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If your going to spring on a elcan, get a good base, and for the Norcs the only worthwhile choice is either an Arms mount through Wolverine (others may have them too, or look in optics and/or bits and pieces forum) or a Smith base in steel. Stay way far away from the aluminum ones.
 
Whoa whoa....who wants an Elcan?
The latest version is supposedly quite decent at holding zero and all but kinda expensive don't you think?....
 
Zorak said:
used it in the cf, works good. mil spec.
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Used by the CF and works well are two different issues. Though no official plans yet, I think the CF are looking into alternatives to the Elcan...
 
Zorak said:
used it in the cf, works good. mil spec.
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Er, not by what I've heard. Constant loss of zero and lack of durability are the gripes I hear. Ask Kevin B, he'll know if anyone does, and a few others hanging around here will be in a position to know as well.
 
Cocked&Locked said:
Er, not by what I've heard. Constant loss of zero and lack of durability are the gripes I hear. Ask Kevin B, he'll know if anyone does, and a few others hanging around here will be in a position to know as well.
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Let me rephrase: I used it in the CF, works good. No problems at all despite lots of use and many different applicaitons. There may be better but it is second nature to me. I am willing to look at other ideas.
 
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Cocked&Locked said:
Er, not by what I've heard. Constant loss of zero and lack of durability are the gripes I hear. Ask Kevin B, he'll know if anyone does, and a few others hanging around here will be in a position to know as well.
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The older mounts had significant problems but they have been upgraded with the C7A2 upgrades. The last 10 months in Afghanistan there have been no concerns expressed on the Elcan particularly concerning loss of zero or durablity. I watch the reports like a hawk. That being said, a number of people have mentioned they also like the Eotechs over the Elcan...while some mentioned they prefer the Elcan over the Eotech! Go figure...

Anyway, the scope is "doing the business" overseas......

Jeff
 
Hopefully it isn't too much longer before everyone gets the new sights. I had the joy of taking part in my first armd school PWT this year. 12 lanes=12 rifles already laid out.

I had to insist forcefully that I get a different rifle due to the fact the sight moved quite a bit up and down by shaking the rifle.

I passed the test with the replacement, but have shot much better with the old C8 I had at the regt.
 
Morpheus32 said:
The older mounts had significant problems but they have been upgraded with the C7A2 upgrades. The last 10 months in Afghanistan there have been no concerns expressed on the Elcan particularly concerning loss of zero or durablity. I watch the reports like a hawk. That being said, a number of people have mentioned they also like the Eotechs over the Elcan...while some mentioned they prefer the Elcan over the Eotech! Go figure...

Anyway, the scope is "doing the business" overseas......

Jeff
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That site saw hard use and worked fine, never filled with water, etc. Rubber was tough. It was simple. I never heard of one breaking or saw it happen. The elcan is an optical site with no batteries or do-dads. It has about 3.5* power, which was just right. I looked at the eotech site and to me it seems like a computer targeting sytem, not a scope. There appears to be no magnification. If there is a tough tactical style scope out there that offers magnfication of this order or greater, I am all ears.
 
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