M1A or Norinco M305

What's wrong with farm girl? ;)

hillar10.jpg

Now that is one in-spec receiver!
 
That sure got us off the spring vs norc debate LOL
I'm thinkin it would cheaper and less hassle to do the barrel work... Less maintenance too LOL
But then again..... ;)
 
My wife, a gorgeous farm girl herself, took one look at that picture and called bull####. "No rubber boot tan lines." :p
 
No problems getting M1A prices for norinco/usgi hybrids either. At least not for the rifles I've built anyhow.
I realize not everyone can build a rifle and get top dollar but correctly fitted usgi parts certainly add value to "any" receiver they are built on.
Not being arguementative either. This is one of the more reasonable and humurous M1A vs M305 threads I've read lately tho ;)
 
Farm girls? And that's why I live in a rural area! Some of those farm girls let me on their property during calving season to look after the 'yotes with my LRB! :p

Rebarrel? Remember that you still have to factor the cost of the Krieger or Criterion installation into your budget. What are you hoping to get out of the project? What platform do you love fondling while watching "Full Metal Jacket?"

Which rifle do you grab when Gunnery Sgt yells, "You joined my Marine Corps to suck ####, didn't you Private Pyle?" :)

Each of us has different tastes and budget and fondle factor. Pursue the platform that works for you! :cool:

Cheers,
Barney
 
I have not, not directly but I have been informed as such in my email enquiries , as I do own an LRB. I've received the same info you have from several reliable sources.
Hopefully these companies can find outfits with deep enough pockets to open warranty/distribution in canada.
I might even apply for a job on the m14 tools again if someone where to start such a shop hehehehe

I have spoken to him on a few occasions and he asked me to share none of what he's said. Things might work out pretty well for us up here.
 
My enquiry to LRB was sent in after a very well know texan M14 custom shop passed on some info to me.
My enquiry went like this.

Hi I have an LRBM25 rifle that was built by a canadian shop with my parts and a bare receiver imported through ######XX . What if any warranty covers my receiver and how would one go about this. Note: there's nothing wrong with it, just curious for hopefully not needed warranty.

The reply was that there is no process in place or canadian distributor at this time for warranties. Also that they could net be responsible for honoring the warranty if the rifle wasn't built at LRB.

This was a couple years ago, perhaps 3.

I've heard several stories now from a few different folks about how Lou has jumped thru hoops to rectify issues with some of their stuff over the years. As my favorite M14 "brand" I'd sure like to see LRB's fingers stretchin into Canada with a local distributor.
 
And just to be fair so that it doesn't appear that we are making up stuff LOL you know, the norc fanboy hates all non norc m14"s myth hahaha

Here is a cut and paste of the final message in a faulty springfield rifle that showed up at my Last m14 clinic. This mess ended up driving this poor cgn"er to leave the platform altogether. I won't identify him , he can tell his story if he wants.

Cut n paste from my inbox, only edited to remove name.
--------------------
Hey Thomas,

Thanks for all the support, nothing happened with Springfield, they still don't have a service center. Sold it for parts, along with the rest of the M1A/ m305 stuff. Moving back to what I know, AR and Bolt action. You should contact them and see if there is an oportunity for you to get some tech work. Looks like they could use some assistance, at least for Western Canada.

Respectfully,
"Fellow CGN'r"
 
Medium yes, heavy no.

I would also go with a Norinco plus Krieger barrel. The Norinco receiver is generally good quality and most will shoot with a Springfield Standard. The medium barrels can make a big difference in consistency be it a Springfield or Norinco. Just my $0.02.
They both have their own share of problems. Spend 2000 bucks on a springfield or 600 on a Norinco. Springfield has a lifetime warranty Norinco has none after firing it. I would buy two Norincos.
 
Just to let everyone know. I got off the phone with Wanstalls. They sold me a Super Match and reassured me that if I were to in counter any issues that they would cover it . I know there are rifles out there that were not purchased from Wanstalls but at least they are stepping up
 
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So are the older M1a Springfield better than the new ones quality wise?
and how about an LRB? In my understanding they are the "ultimate m14".

Yes the LRB are great. They are machined perfectly and they are forged, just like the M14.... Just like the Norinco. ya... Norinco.
What I'm saying is that it terms of supporting the barrel, the Nork receiver may be as good as the LRB. (Not counting the Chinese metallurgical wild card, which could not be under rated..) It doesn't look half as nice and certainly lack the audience appeal, but mechanically it'll do the job. It the rest of the gun that's junk.

Looking at the dollars, if you buy a Nork for the receiver, you are close to the cost of an LRB action, so you might as well get that... If you want all the good stuff on it eventually anyway, why start with a Nork. If you just want a cheap blaster that you don't have to care for, the standard Nork is great... But expect to perform a certain level of aftermarket gunsmithing on it.
 
The rifle I just sold in the ee yesterday had it's factory barrel, albeit cut and recrowned at dlask , on a norinco receiver with a match chamber....
I shot at least 1 , 5 shot 1" group with iron sights at 85M with 2 witnesses and pics I posted in ee and the picture thread. Off the shelf federal power shok 150gr.

So the lesson I learned is that at least some norinco barrels are worth keeping ;)
 
Yes the LRB are great. They are machined perfectly and they are forged, just like the M14.... Just like the Norinco. ya... Norinco.
What I'm saying is that it terms of supporting the barrel, the Nork receiver may be as good as the LRB. (Not counting the Chinese metallurgical wild card, which could not be under rated..) It doesn't look half as nice and certainly lack the audience appeal, but mechanically it'll do the job. It the rest of the gun that's junk.

Looking at the dollars, if you buy a Nork for the receiver, you are close to the cost of an LRB action, so you might as well get that... If you want all the good stuff on it eventually anyway, why start with a Nork. If you just want a cheap blaster that you don't have to care for, the standard Nork is great... But expect to perform a certain level of aftermarket gunsmithing on it.

If you could buy an LRB receiver here it would be more than the cost of two Norinco. In fact they are almost $800 USD stateside and the ones sold here $1500.
 
Well...difficult decision.

I like the idea of having the non-Chinese version, a real Springfield. No matter how I upgrade my norc I will always have that yeah but...and the price of a Krieger barrel, gunsmithing and new bolt and gas system maybe to do what? increase the accuracy of semi auto? But I also feel that the Springfield is overpriced...so like I said difficult.

I would probably just leave the norc as is, maybe add a boyds stock, spring guide and chrome spring and have fun with it as is. But that's just me...


The "Springfield" is not a real Springfield. The real Springfield Armory was a government run arsenal in Massachusetts. The pseudo Springfield Armoury are a bunch of dopes who assumed the name "Springfield Armory" as an alias. The commercial Springfield M1A is a piece of cheap garbage. It is cast and not forged and in all respects it is a poor quality replica of the real thing.

On the other hand, the Norinco M305 at least has a forged receiver. It may not be nicely finished, but it can be rebuilt into a good rifle.

But the Springfield is a waste of time and effort. I held one in my hands about a month ago and I was disgusted. I had to wash my hands with disinfectant.
 
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