m305 good, avoid, ymmv?

Ardent said:
Like anything in life, you get what you pay for. If you decide to buy one I would shop for one from a few years ago, the blow ups and nasty failures seem to be concentrated in the current stuff. They are cheap, and can be good guns, at the same time they have the highest blow up rate of any gun discussed on this forum. You'll have to make your own call, I've sworn them off.
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I'm the kind of guy that thinks when you buy something new it should work out of the box, because, well, it's new! So I'm gonna stay clear of this one, probably gonna go for a fnar then.

Thanks everyone for your opinions.
 
patrickosuave said:
I humbly suggest if you buy one, purchase it from a retailer that offers a warranty.
Better yet, if you have a good relationship with a local retailer. Verify barrel properly indexed and headspace within tolerance before purchase.
Does not seem like too much to ask for a NEW rifle, considering the issues some folks have had.
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is there a retailer that does this?
 
For the price can't really go wrong the machineing isn't as nice things mght be off but they go bang and work fine. The gas system had to be adjusted on mine as well as taking it apart and putting it back together of all the parts (rear sight was messed up fell apart) It works fine now I just added a new guide rod then said for the money why add anything else it works fine. The Guide rod just made it allot smoother (the action)

It all depends on what you want I have a M1 Grand it's allot nicer hands down but for the price can't really complain to much.... They both shoot the same ammo so...
 
I bought my Nor. M305 as a project gun i know that going into it, the one i got was in pretty good shape, my Op Rod is only "slightly" bent, my Op Rod guide was very loose when i bought it, i took it to the range and pounded 200 rounds through it without a single problem. i havn't fired it since and once i get home from sea (work 4 weeks on 4 weeks off) it is being stripped down and repaired, going to get the loose guide fixed first and foremost, not planning on replacing the op rod just yet but i have ordered new spring, m14.ca spring guide, M14.ca CASM mount, 2.5-10x scope. and when they are available I will be getting a m14.ca muzzle brake. Next step will be to shim and unitize the gas.

I havn't had any issues with firing but still plan on getting the barrel indexed, seen to many warning threads on here not to get that done... i love projects, therefore i love this gun!
 
Cody1771 said:
I bought my Nor. M305 as a project gun i know that going into it, the one i got was in pretty good shape, my Op Rod is only "slightly" bent, my Op Rod guide was very loose when i bought it, i took it to the range and pounded 200 rounds through it without a single problem. i havn't fired it since and once i get home from sea (work 4 weeks on 4 weeks off) it is being stripped down and repaired, going to get the loose guide fixed first and foremost, not planning on replacing the op rod just yet but i have ordered new spring, m14.ca spring guide, M14.ca CASM mount, 2.5-10x scope. and when they are available I will be getting a m14.ca muzzle brake. Next step will be to shim and unitize the gas.

I havn't had any issues with firing but still plan on getting the barrel indexed, seen to many warning threads on here not to get that done... i love projects, therefore i love this gun!
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Exactly in the same boat here.

I bought the M305 knowing FULL WELL it could have issues right out of the box.

I wanted it because i wanted a proven semi-auto in .308 with good aftermarket parts, support and options for years to come.
 
I won't buy another.... 2 lemons was enough for me

The first one became parts, the second one I did this

2013-05-11+12.18.16.jpg

made me feel better to turf the problem barrel.
new one is in the mail due to arive next week... along with my LRB M25 :D

Cost of the second rifle so far...
rifle $450
boydes Stock $150
Stock hardware $15
Trigger parts (trigger failed) $55
op rod guide $10
Bits and piece gas lock FSM $85
shims $15
USGI gas piston $12
Muzzle break system to replace bird cage I had to cut off (beating it with a hammer did nothing I broke the bayo lug off, I had to cut it off and grind the spot welded part off) $500
Rear site to replace defunct norc one $90
sadalak op rod spring guide $40
USGI op rod spring that actually fit the rod $10
New barrel $250
New bolt $300
new bird cage for barrel $35 (break system was custom threaded to the barrel)
new gas lock to fit barrel $8


total cost of Norc drum roll..... $2025 plus taxes, shipping and inport fees, burt fingers, mental anguish, and countless hours

So if anyone is looking for a done up norc, i will be selling mine once it is rebarreled and tuned.
 
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LordEvilPepper said:
I won't buy another.... 2 lemons was enough for me

The first one became parts, the second one I did this

2013-05-11+12.18.16.jpg

made me feel better to turf the problem barrel.
new one is in the mail due to arive next week... along with my LRB M25 :D

Cost of the second rifle so far...
rifle $450
boydes Stock $150
Stock hardware $15
Trigger parts (trigger failed) $55
op rod guide $10
Bits and piece gas lock FSM $85
shims $15
USGI gas piston $12
Muzzle break system to replace bird cage I had to cut off (beating it with a hammer did nothing I broke the bayo lug off, I had to cut it off and grind the spot welded part off) $500
Rear site to replace defunct norc one $90
sadalak op rod spring guide $40
USGI op rod spring that actually fit the rod $10
New barrel $250
New bolt $300
new bird cage for barrel $35 (break system was custom threaded to the barrel)
new gas lock to fit barrel $8


total cost of Norc drum roll..... $2025 plus taxes, shipping and inport fees, burt fingers, mental anguish, and countless hours

So if anyone is looking for a done up norc, i will be selling mine once it is rebarreled and tuned.
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Wow.......that's some shopping list, I think ya covered everything, should be sweet.
Out of serious interest, what years were your Lemons ?

And of course you have to show pics when the build is done :)
 
I'll be doing a gun test in a week or so , I have now two M305's , long barrel , one 2009 and one NIB 2012 and a 2007 on the way .

I will do a comparison with pic's if all goes as planed .

:ar15:cou:

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bth_2Xm305004_zpsdb73eb5a.jpg
 
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Way over 2500 rounds through my 'Norcinstine' M14 (yes M14), its sitting pretty in a JAE stock with all the bells and whissles, and to date(its a couple of years old)... nothing but love love love! Freaking BAng on at 100-700m so far, haven't had it out past that yet!: however....there's over $4000 into my kit! Won't ever sell it, No need to buy another. (But want a Tavor!)U
Lost...again said:
Wow.......that's some shopping list, I think ya covered everything, should be sweet.
Out of serious interest, what years were your Lemons ?

And of course you have to show pics when the build is done :)
Click to expand...
 
Once bitten twice shy. It's one thing to buy a rifle that "needs work" to be accurate, reliable, and pretty, and quite another to buy a rifle that could be dangerous to the operator. I have decided to try and fix mine (large hole in bolt) rather than sell it; only because I would not want to pass this lemon onto anyone else.
 
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