M305 MIM Identification

Royal1664

Royal1664

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Hi all,

I've been doing a bunch of reading on how to identify a MIM bolt on the Norinco M305. I've seen the pictures talking about the casting marks etc. I'm currently looking to buy one from a seller, he says he purchased it new in mid 2016.

Since I'm not able to look at it in person I'm hoping that someone with a detective eye might be able to figure out from these photos whether it's a forged or MIM bolt. I can't see the marks personally but I might be missing something.

Thanks for your help!!

https://ibb.co/34QCr9s
https://ibb.co/wpGJX2k
https://ibb.co/x2HP4X7
https://ibb.co/B4p13Q6
https://ibb.co/3s7LJn2
https://ibb.co/2W4Hcjq
https://ibb.co/q0hj3Sm
https://ibb.co/fD9Y7vG
 
It doesn't have the 5 or 10 round marks on the underside, so it appears to be just like my forged ones. I held one in my hand and compared it to your images, and I would say its forged. Mine has numbers that were hand etched with an electric pencil. Yours appears to have some automated numbering on the underside.
 
While you can't see the entire bolt in his pics, the MIM bolts have circles to either side of the serial number. The one you are looking to buy does not appear to have the telltale MIM injection circles...

Make sure you look up where to lube the rifle, last pic is missing lube...

MIM bolts that have failed, pic from the PSA thread.
FBA25015-E6FF-47D4-B8AB-5C5808C2A98B.jpg
 

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Grizzlypeg said:
Is it just an illusion, or is the hole for the extractor "stem" larger than usual on those bolts? On mine it seems smaller.
Click to expand...

I'm going to say illusion. the standard extractors fit both MIM and forged bolts. The MIM bolts are a little smaller themselves than a forged bolt, so maybe it makes the hole look larger - dunno.
 
It looks from the pictures above, like the edge of the hole goes past the centre line of the bolt. On mine, there is no way that is the case. Maybe the extractor is clocked to a different position? Or, the lower surface of the cast bolts is narrower.
 
So, good news. I ended up getting the rifle, it's definitely not a MIM bolt and is in very good condition. My guess is maybe 30 rounds through it max. According to the stamp it's a 2013 model.

I spent a bit of time learning how to strip it and in the process noticed some wear on the bolt and receiver (I'll attach some pictures). I'm wondering if this is normal and happens due to how the bolt rotates and rides backwards when the action is moved.

I assume a big factor is that the rifle is dry as a bone. I've got some oil and grease in the mail and when it arrives I'll sort that problem out.

https://ibb.co/xFQzvhY
https://ibb.co/JppRn1Z
https://ibb.co/dJp98N6
 
Royal1664 said:
So, good news. I ended up getting the rifle, it's definitely not a MIM bolt and is in very good condition. My guess is maybe 30 rounds through it max. According to the stamp it's a 2013 model.

I spent a bit of time learning how to strip it and in the process noticed some wear on the bolt and receiver (I'll attach some pictures). I'm wondering if this is normal and happens due to how the bolt rotates and rides backwards when the action is moved.

I assume a big factor is that the rifle is dry as a bone. I've got some oil and grease in the mail and when it arrives I'll sort that problem out.

https://ibb.co/xFQzvhY
https://ibb.co/JppRn1Z
https://ibb.co/dJp98N6
Click to expand...
Looks like mine
 
Royal1664 said:
So, good news. I ended up getting the rifle, it's definitely not a MIM bolt and is in very good condition. My guess is maybe 30 rounds through it max. According to the stamp it's a 2013 model.

I spent a bit of time learning how to strip it and in the process noticed some wear on the bolt and receiver (I'll attach some pictures). I'm wondering if this is normal and happens due to how the bolt rotates and rides backwards when the action is moved.

I assume a big factor is that the rifle is dry as a bone. I've got some oil and grease in the mail and when it arrives I'll sort that problem out.

https://ibb.co/xFQzvhY
https://ibb.co/JppRn1Z
https://ibb.co/dJp98N6
Click to expand...

The bur on the bolt and receiver are normal. If you can be careful, dress the burr off of the bolt and receiver with a small diamond file or stone. Just remove the bur, do not go any further. Do not file on the bolt or receiver lug faces at all.
On any M14 type rifle, you will want to confirm headspace and receiver/bolt lug contact. I suspect on many of these rifles with bolt lug failures, headspace was excessive and bolt/receiver lug contact was not even between the left and right bolt lugs. Checking headspace takes special gauges and is generally for the advanced hobbyist or gunsmith. Checking bolt lug contact is a bit easier.

If you can bring the rifle to someone real knowledgeable with the M14 platform for inspection it would be a good thing to do.
Use good moly grease to lube the rifle, it is cheap and works well. Do not use too much or your face will be wearing it, a little lube goes a long way.
 
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