Marstar's M14 review and insight
- Thread starter VooDooMan
- Start date
Do it ~
A few did just that when Chinese M14s were selling for under $400.00 here in the states.
These NIB ChiCom M14s sell for over $1K today... that's a pretty big profit.
Heh...Maybe I''ll just leave mine in the cosmo and boxed up in original packaging and then sell it in a few years for a big profit when theres none to be had
A few did just that when Chinese M14s were selling for under $400.00 here in the states.
These NIB ChiCom M14s sell for over $1K today... that's a pretty big profit.
The supply is finite. The well is going to run dry. People will be wistfully saying, "Do you remember when you could buy one of these rifles for only...."
FWIW, I have only one - bought second hand, and I've only invested in "Hungry" style upgrades. Well, there's a TRW bolt, but it sort of fell into my hands in a trade, and I wasn't going to turn it down. But, warts and all, at $400 plus delivery and taxes, there aren't really any better buys out there, if you are interested in this sort of rifle.
FWIW, I have only one - bought second hand, and I've only invested in "Hungry" style upgrades. Well, there's a TRW bolt, but it sort of fell into my hands in a trade, and I wasn't going to turn it down. But, warts and all, at $400 plus delivery and taxes, there aren't really any better buys out there, if you are interested in this sort of rifle.
i posted my full review in the "m14s are in " thread, but figured i'd cut and paste it here as well :
BUT first..... I want to say.... I am not posting this with any bias, this is just simple observation of rifles from 3 different dealers, 2 i purchased from and one is marstars which is voodoomans new rifle.
first ones came in october, purchased from dark for 50 bucks more than marstars 399.00 ... NO DATE STAMP on right side receiver, barrel correctly indexed, gas system did not require shimming, but op rod guide was a bit loose..easily remedied. I dropped in a trw bolt.... lapped it lightly for a few minutes..... bang on .308.... i think, the stock norc bolt measured at around 9 thou over 7.62go....
purchased a new rifle from Armurerie Du Lac Enr. for 420.00(p.m. weimajack)
paid last friday, here today. Rifle is identical in every way to the marstar rifle. I am guessing but could be wrong..... that these rifles may have originated with marstar.(as now confirmed by johnone.... the rifle i got from quebec DID in fact originate from marstars current inventory)
So... upon inspection..... op rod guide very loose, barrel over indexed by say 4 degrees, and gas system very loose. Bolt timing and general travel seemed good/normal and it appreared both right and left hand bolt lugs were engaging equally. We were not able to check headspace at this time.
BOTH the quebec supplied rifle and the marstar rifle had "2007" stamped on the right side of the receiver. My quebec supplied rifle's serial number is , if i remember correctly, 30 digits higher in number than voodooman's marstar rifle..... hmmmmmm
The two rifles exhibited the same level of quality control, with the same "undesirable" issues. HOWEVER... these issues are common and easily remedied to some degree.
My new rifle from the quebec dealer has the nicest and hardest chinese wood stock I have ever seen..... I was just gonna sell it when the rifle arrived but this stock is a keeper
my advice, it probably doesn't matter where you get your new m14s.... I pleased with the one that arrived regardless of the norc quality control issues exhibited. All in all, the m14s i bought from Al Simmons shop in hamilton last year, over the phone from b.c. and the rifle i got from Dark in october, were both excellent and the best i've seen. The 2 guns i've seen so far with the 2007 date stamp..... both need my home gunsmith attention. But i like tinkerin so..... I'd buy another from either marstar or weimajack or any other dealer offering them for similar pricing.... get em were and when you can... while you still can..
there's lot's of support here on cgn for workin out the kinks
But yes, for 400.00 plus tax and shipping.... ya can't go wrong.
ALL the issues we ran in to with these rifles are easy enough to remedy IF you have the tools at your disposal. I'm not going to complain... cuz i new what i was buying and "expected" to get a rifle that would require a "tune up" right outta the box. However, I do echo VooDooMan's sentiments that a certain company's so called quality control..... and rigorous inspections..... does not guarantee you a issue free rifle.
BUT first..... I want to say.... I am not posting this with any bias, this is just simple observation of rifles from 3 different dealers, 2 i purchased from and one is marstars which is voodoomans new rifle.
first ones came in october, purchased from dark for 50 bucks more than marstars 399.00 ... NO DATE STAMP on right side receiver, barrel correctly indexed, gas system did not require shimming, but op rod guide was a bit loose..easily remedied. I dropped in a trw bolt.... lapped it lightly for a few minutes..... bang on .308.... i think, the stock norc bolt measured at around 9 thou over 7.62go....
purchased a new rifle from Armurerie Du Lac Enr. for 420.00(p.m. weimajack)
paid last friday, here today. Rifle is identical in every way to the marstar rifle. I am guessing but could be wrong..... that these rifles may have originated with marstar.(as now confirmed by johnone.... the rifle i got from quebec DID in fact originate from marstars current inventory)
So... upon inspection..... op rod guide very loose, barrel over indexed by say 4 degrees, and gas system very loose. Bolt timing and general travel seemed good/normal and it appreared both right and left hand bolt lugs were engaging equally. We were not able to check headspace at this time.
BOTH the quebec supplied rifle and the marstar rifle had "2007" stamped on the right side of the receiver. My quebec supplied rifle's serial number is , if i remember correctly, 30 digits higher in number than voodooman's marstar rifle..... hmmmmmm
The two rifles exhibited the same level of quality control, with the same "undesirable" issues. HOWEVER... these issues are common and easily remedied to some degree.
My new rifle from the quebec dealer has the nicest and hardest chinese wood stock I have ever seen..... I was just gonna sell it when the rifle arrived but this stock is a keeper
my advice, it probably doesn't matter where you get your new m14s.... I pleased with the one that arrived regardless of the norc quality control issues exhibited. All in all, the m14s i bought from Al Simmons shop in hamilton last year, over the phone from b.c. and the rifle i got from Dark in october, were both excellent and the best i've seen. The 2 guns i've seen so far with the 2007 date stamp..... both need my home gunsmith attention. But i like tinkerin so..... I'd buy another from either marstar or weimajack or any other dealer offering them for similar pricing.... get em were and when you can... while you still can..
there's lot's of support here on cgn for workin out the kinks
But yes, for 400.00 plus tax and shipping.... ya can't go wrong.
ALL the issues we ran in to with these rifles are easy enough to remedy IF you have the tools at your disposal. I'm not going to complain... cuz i new what i was buying and "expected" to get a rifle that would require a "tune up" right outta the box. However, I do echo VooDooMan's sentiments that a certain company's so called quality control..... and rigorous inspections..... does not guarantee you a issue free rifle.
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Well, I'm still waiting on my marstar unit so I can't say really which is the best. I have a Dark 305 and I'm very happy with the quality and its ability to shoot well out of the box. Everything was tight and there was no issue with cosmolene. Headspace proved to be on the large size,but hasn't been an issue. So I might be a little disappointed when the new one shows up. But as .45 said, that's part of the game. Luckily we have a few knowledgeable fellows out this way to help iron out the kinks and get her back on the road to recovery
Various. New roll pin. Small roll pin driven inside larger roll pin. Logitudinally knurl barrel, tap guide into place onto knurled area. Use a locking product.
Mentionned it it the other thread - I don't know how a rifle can be inspected - for barrel index, headspace - for example - when it is covering inside and out with preservative. Really makes me wonder about the inspection sheet.
Mentionned it it the other thread - I don't know how a rifle can be inspected - for barrel index, headspace - for example - when it is covering inside and out with preservative. Really makes me wonder about the inspection sheet.
This is not impressive at all. Giving serious thought to canceling my order with Marstar. I knew this would be a "project" but it now seems to be exceeding that expectation. Now I have to add a $110.00 + action wrench from Brownell's to the list of things to replace?
AF
AF
Artie, don't be scared off. My is 1 1/2 yrs old. Absolute best $400 you can spend. Just cleaned it up and started shooting. It'll go under 2" for five with open sights at 100 yds. What more could you possibly ask. This is with Lake City ammo. As for the buy 2, I foolishly got rid a a Springfield Garand that I bought for $199 many years ago. My 305 is here for ever.
I drive out the original op rod guide pin, slide op rod guide towards muzzle end so it's outta the way. I use a center punch to make punch lines running in line with the bore, all the way around the area the oprod guide sits on. You only need to ding it, not punch it hard.
Once done with that, try sliding the op rod guide to it's position.... it should meet resistance. coat the area with red loctite, then tap the guide back to its position, align it with the bore.... and tap your pin back in.
Now, this is where you can time your oprod to meet center with your Gas Piston.... and this is done by adjusting the oprod guide from side to side , to align the op rod with the piston.... oprod should be fully installed for this final process. once you have her all lined up and are satisfied with your work.... do not cycle the action.... leave her to sit for a day so your loctite does it's job.
NOW.... if your barrel is not properly indexed....... you should have that addressed before taking steps to tighten the oprod guide and before timing it with the gas piston ..... or you may end up with a oprod that is under a twisting tension.... and that's no good.
any of that make sense?
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Thanks 45, makes sense to me, just like peening a spindle for an automotive wheel bearing, don't know why I didn't think of that (blame it on old age)
I ordered a Brownells barrel vise and receiver wrench last night, I will be indexing the assembly when these tools arrive. Again due to old age, I forgot to get a go, nogo gauge to check head spacing. Do I need 308 or 7.62 Nato?
I ordered a Brownells barrel vise and receiver wrench last night, I will be indexing the assembly when these tools arrive. Again due to old age, I forgot to get a go, nogo gauge to check head spacing. Do I need 308 or 7.62 Nato?
