I want to buy a 305... Im worried about the bolt. Also not sure what Barrel length.

[Pariegh]

To put some fears to rest, it is almost certainly an older (semi-only) Century Arms. Nothing looks out of place on the rifle. Stock is Chinese wood not birch, although the lighting in that photo makes it look much lighter than it is in reality, look up pictures of other older CA import rifles and you will see the hole in the stock for the selector is either still just a hole, or is filled with wood and "repaired". Also looking at pictures online, it appears that any of the early CA rifles have the "extra" bit of machining when compared to the newer M305's, so even the op-rod is quite likely an original Chinese part.

This rifle was registered non-restricted under the former long gun registry and nobody came to confiscate it, so don't worry to much.

 

[Claven2]

To put some fears to rest, it is almost certainly an older (semi-only) Century Arms. Nothing looks out of place on the rifle. Stock is Chinese wood not birch, although the lighting in that photo makes it look much lighter than it is in reality, look up pictures of other older CA import rifles and you will see the hole in the stock for the selector is either still just a hole, or is filled with wood and "repaired". Also looking at pictures online, it appears that any of the early CA rifles have the "extra" bit of machining when compared to the newer M305's, so even the op-rod is quite likely an original Chinese part.

This rifle was registered non-restricted under the former long gun registry and nobody came to confiscate it, so don't worry to much.

I don't think anyone is worried, they just wanted to make sure you knew what you had and to help determine if it's an issue or not.

It's true that VERY old Lever Arms imports had GI style op rods, though most I saw had either very dark purplish-stained stocks or copies of USGI fibreglass. The fibreglass stocks had the F/A cutouts for connector parts, but I can't recall if the early chinese wood stocks did or not. I haven't seen one like that in close to 20 years.

 

[Mangun]

Dont worry be happy Just bought one cleaned the grease off it regreased to the range ran like a champ left with a smile if it breaks in the future I’ ll have a story to tell & fix it

 

[Gillen1]

Read this thread and help yourself decide: https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1299837-m305-shortie-vrs-full-length

 

[rci2950]

Don't know if anyone mentioned it and i am not reading 5 pages of comments to find out but make sure you take a look at the front sight. If it is way over to one side in the dove tail or near the middle. I was going to buy one about a year ago. I wanted the long barrel one like the original. Anyway Every single one in the store had the front sight hard over to one side. With zero room for adjustment. Not sure if this was a bad lot or what, But that would annoy me to the point of hating the rifle. I never bought one and don't intend on it now. I would rather save up the money and get a real one. I have seen a number on the EE over the past few months. Your going to pay double or triple what the Norinco cost but you will really have something then and I think you will be a lot happier with it. Don't shout me down for it. Its my opinion.

 

[HirvGotti]

Don't know if anyone mentioned it and i am not reading 5 pages of comments to find out but make sure you take a look at the front sight. If it is way over to one side in the dove tail or near the middle. I was going to buy one about a year ago. I wanted the long barrel one like the original. Anyway Every single one in the store had the front sight hard over to one side. With zero room for adjustment. Not sure if this was a bad lot or what, But that would annoy me to the point of hating the rifle. I never bought one and don't intend on it now. I would rather save up the money and get a real one. I have seen a number on the EE over the past few months. Your going to pay double or triple what the Norinco cost but you will really have something then and I think you will be a lot happier with it. Don't shout me down for it. Its my opinion.

For me part of the charm is it being a crude Chinese rifle that works. I love my type 81 for that very reason. If my 305 that is due to arrive on Monday performs like my 81, then I will be a happy guy.