So I picked up another 18.5" M305 yesterday (if we could get buying Norc M14s classified as an addiction, would clinics start handing clean ones out for free??).
I gave it a once-over in the store (mostly to check indexing, make sure it wasn't a welded receiver, look for obvious signs of "Friday afternoon quality control") and it looked fine. In fact, it looked really good. My other two are 2011 builds and this is a 2012. The parkerizing is a solid, even black, the flash hider looks good, the sights seem to click and move positively (for now) and everything's straight. The op-rod was well-fitted and lined up perfectly with the piston, and even with the stock spring and spring guide the action felt surprisingly smooth.
What really struck me though, was the trigger group. The pull was a steady first stage followed by a crisp 5-6lb break, and the safety flicked on and off with a touch. That last part wowed me, I could even work it silently if I was careful. Definitely no long hours of finger-f**king needed
I guess I just posted this to say that the quality of these rifles still seems to be improving by leaps and bounds. If you've been disappointed in the past, it might be worth taking another look.
*edit* I picked it up at North Pro in Saskatoon for $449. Great little store. They've still got a couple left I think.
I gave it a once-over in the store (mostly to check indexing, make sure it wasn't a welded receiver, look for obvious signs of "Friday afternoon quality control") and it looked fine. In fact, it looked really good. My other two are 2011 builds and this is a 2012. The parkerizing is a solid, even black, the flash hider looks good, the sights seem to click and move positively (for now) and everything's straight. The op-rod was well-fitted and lined up perfectly with the piston, and even with the stock spring and spring guide the action felt surprisingly smooth.
What really struck me though, was the trigger group. The pull was a steady first stage followed by a crisp 5-6lb break, and the safety flicked on and off with a touch. That last part wowed me, I could even work it silently if I was careful. Definitely no long hours of finger-f**king needed
I guess I just posted this to say that the quality of these rifles still seems to be improving by leaps and bounds. If you've been disappointed in the past, it might be worth taking another look.
*edit* I picked it up at North Pro in Saskatoon for $449. Great little store. They've still got a couple left I think.
