Update!!!
Shipped my m305 back to the retailer, they offered an exchange/replacement and paid the shipping. Will see what comes back....
I'm gonna call em China rifles, cuz there made in china.
China
Just curious for you guys in the "know", what are the good years of these norinco m14's, and do they have a date of manufacture in the serial # anywhere? Tks
What is a MIM bolt?
I have a few questions and I hope that you can provide some guidance for almost everybody I talk to have nothing good to say about the Norinco M305! I simply want a rifle, not a Carbine! A rifle that is simple to maintain, goes bang each time I pull the trigger, put down a sizable animal if my family is in danger. The 4" group you talked about is at 100 yard? That is good enough for me. I have no intention to make any modification on the rifle, basically shoot out of the box. With all that I had just mentioned would the Norinco M305 fit the bill? Also any reliability issues? I am in love with the Springfield rifle, but I can't afford spending 2 months rent on a toy! So let me know what you think. I will appreciate your feed back! Thanks again.
Hi Bob. Welcome to the forum. I happen to have had one of the older m305's that is a really good example. Over the years I have managed to develop it into a reliable and accurate shooter. I have knocked down a number of moose and deer with it out to 400+ yards. I was hoping this newer one would be similar as i wanred a second for my son but sadly no. For the most part the reciever was not bad, no obvious burrs and left overs from casting, the action was reasonably smooth with no hang ups, the bolt lugs even tho it was an MIM bolt had even contact etc. I was planning to replace the bolt shoot it and shoot it lots. The barrel on the other hand was a mess. I am interested to see what comes back for a replacement. Hopefully i can still salvage something i can use for a good truck/bush gun. Like others have suggested look for an older model, i have seen a few out there for less money than new and you would be way further ahead to pay a little more than new to get one with at least a forged bolt and who know what other upgrades. Best of luck and keep reading, theres so much info here from some very knowledgeable builders and shooters.I have a few questions and I hope that you can provide some guidance for almost everybody I talk to have nothing good to say about the Norinco M305! I simply want a rifle, not a Carbine! A rifle that is simple to maintain, goes bang each time I pull the trigger, put down a sizable animal if my family is in danger. The 4" group you talked about is at 100 yard? That is good enough for me. I have no intention to make any modification on the rifle, basically shoot out of the box. With all that I had just mentioned would the Norinco M305 fit the bill? Also any reliability issues? I am in love with the Springfield rifle, but I can't afford spending 2 months rent on a toy! So let me know what you think. I will appreciate your feed back! Thanks again.