My own M14 build!

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Kevin32

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Hey all, I'm doing an M14 build. Initially, I had not planned to. I bought an M305 on sale and it turns out it's got the MIM bolt. Next thing I know I'm buying a reloading set for .308 and an IDF USGI kit.
I'm looking primarily to replace the bolt on it. I'll be doing hand loads and the MIM bolt needs replacing at a minimum. I may at a later point replace the barrel when I can afford to send it across country. My main worry is, if I have a gunsmith fit the USGI bolt to my current Chinese barrel and index it, could swapping to a USGI barrel at a later point be a problem? What's the opinions here on USGI lightweight barrels and gas systems vs Norinco barrels and gas systems?

Thanks, Kev.
 
fit a good bolt in, check head space, USGI rear sight. see how she shoots. if under 2 moa, stop there and enjoy the rifle. only change what needs changing. one item at a time. the rifle will tell you what she needs. some IDF parts are very good, some are worn out. some kits have the best parts replaced, and resold.
 
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just having some fun said:
Wrong ... M14 USGI Barrels are chrome lined

M1a Barrels / aftermarket barrels are NOT chrome lined and anything that are short chamber and need to be reamed to final headspace are NOT chrome lined.
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OK, fair enough, I dug a little deeper...there is some disagreement online on this subject. Nonetheless, I'd prefer to have a 2007 Nork chrome lined barrel than a worn out '60's USGI barrel. YMMV.
 
yes most usgi barrels are chrome lined.
I think some of the NM usgi barrels might not be but most usgi barrels we come across from trw, hr, Winchester and SA and SAK(saco Lowell) are chrome lined as per the usgi barrel drawing.

advice to the OP..... unless your norinco barrel has something wrong with it or it shoots terribly , there is no reason to change it for a usgi barrel.
Sure, some usgi barrels are still in great shape and shoot very well but you won't know till you try and unless you have a few barrels to choose from you are stuck with whatever barrel might come with the parts kit.
If accuracy is your goal I would get all the components together with a quality , new barrel or just replace the bolt and call it a day
 
You have the rifle and a USGI bolt from the Israeli kit on hand? Were you able to assemble your rifle with the US bolt? Is fitting required? Can you hand cycle the action? Do the lugs make contact? Headspace?
What is the ex-Israeli barrel like?
 
Fordtrucks said:
ive been told that the bolt may need grinding or laser welding on the lugs if using a norinco barrel and a gi bolt. the reciever dimensions are slightly off of a gi m14
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y'know if I had a nickel for every time somebody told a newbie about grinding or welding the lugs and NOT LISTENING to the GOOD ADVICE given by those who know which way the m14/m305 farts( there's about 4 or 5 on this board- sorry if I missed someone) i'd be a VERY RICH MAN- about the only point I haven't seen made is the use of 7.62 gauges vs 308 Winchester gauges to set headspace- these guys that advocate grinding or welding terrify the heck out of me and I've been around a while
 
seems to me that the grinding/welding thing was advocated by clint out of FULTON ARMOURY who had his own best interests at heart as he was selling m14s et al at one time- he was consequently PROVED WRONG by different and those who know better
 
the real story was that clint couldn't compete with the norinco price point , so he did everything he could to put a bad taste in people's mouths re the 305-turned out he was fos
 
Bolt did not fully seat when attempting to simply drop it in. Went halfway down the lug. Headspace swallowed a .308 nogo.
I've sent it to a local gunsmith. I'm thinking twice about the barrel swap. It's going to be a lot of extra work for potentially worse accuracy.

What worries me is if I get the bolt fitted with the Norinco barrel, will I later be able to swap for the USGI barrel? And vice versa?
The Norc barrel and gas system etc. seem of so much inferior quality, exposed threads, I'd hate to be stuck with it. Not to mention it's way off index.
Receiver is stamped m305 7.62 on left hand, p series serial number. If anyone's got experience with those receivers. I'll also wait see what the gunsmith says when he assesses it.

The Israelis did use them as sniper rifles - you'd hope they'd be accurate.
 
t-star said:
y'know if I had a nickel for every time somebody told a newbie about grinding or welding the lugs and NOT LISTENING to the GOOD ADVICE given by those who know which way the m14/m305 farts( there's about 4 or 5 on this board- sorry if I missed someone) i'd be a VERY RICH MAN- about the only point I haven't seen made is the use of 7.62 gauges vs 308 Winchester gauges to set headspace- these guys that advocate grinding or welding terrify the heck out of me and I've been around a while
Click to expand...

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