Norinco M14, Chassis vs. Walnut - Parts compatibility

fatcatbestcat

fatcatbestcat

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A few weeks ago I looked at a new, old stock M305, synthetic stock, 20".
The guy gave me a good deal (it was a 2014 production, and had been sitting since it arrived), so I got it for $499, as opposed to $650.

Either way, I always do something with all my rifles, and this one, I feel, needs it.

I'm starting with the stock, and this leaves me two choices.

Choice 1: Boyds walnut stock (~150 before shipping, taxes or hardware)
Choice 2: Delta 14 (or comparable) chassis (~$300)

There's no real contest for the Delta 14...I already have a stock set for a mossberg, but I would prefer the walnut.

Now...I'd like to know if it's at all possible to utilize the parts from my current stock (liner, buttplate, all the small metal bits)...I really don't want to deal with finding a complete parts kit for the stock.

Suggestions?
 
fatcatbestcat said:
Now...I'd like to know if it's at all possible to utilize the parts from my current stock (liner, buttplate, all the small metal bits)...I really don't want to deal with finding a complete parts kit for the stock.

Suggestions?
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the answer is YES , you can swap all the stock metal from a chinese stock to the boyds. The only "but" I will include is that you may have to relieve some material on the stock under the buttplate where the buttplate hinge door mechanism sits. That feature on the back of a norinco buttplate is slightly more robust than it's USGI counterpart and may (or may not) contact the stock before the screws come tight. simple job with a dremel and router bit.
 
fatcatbestcat said:
Suggestions?
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USGI fibreglass? Hard to go wrong for all but the most accurate builds (i.e. match barrels, NM mods, etc.)

Honestly, I'm leery that you are comparing boyd's walnut to a chassis system - these are polar opposite choices, it makes me think you don't have a vision for what kind of rifle you want.

Chassis = bench gun.
Walnut (or fibreglass) = a gun you will actually walk around with.

Fibreglass will outshoot a plastic stock and likely most un-bedded wood stocks. They are reasonably rigid, light, and aren't sensitive to environmental changes. The military developed and changed over to them for good reasons.
 
If I recall correctly, there was a post on CGN that suggested also adding some material to the Boyds stock prevent the connector rod pin from coming out. Some people suggested JB Weld, I glued in a few layers of popsicle stick. I also had to remove some material along the top so that the receiver would sit into the stock properly. It's just a bit of fiddling. If you can search on here for the old post it would help you I think.

The only metal parts which I had to obtain for the Boyds stock was the front sling swivel I think, possibly the ferrule. But everything else worked fine after a bit of fitting. Like I said, I followed some tutorials on this forum :)
 
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+1 for USGI fibreglass. All the above benefits but also allows easy paint / DIY camp options (if that’s your thing).
 
JonMtl said:
If I recall correctly, there was a post on CGN that suggested also adding some material to the Boyds stock prevent the connector rod pin from coming out. Some people suggested JB Weld, I glued in a few layers of popsicle stick. I also had to remove some material along the top so that the receiver would sit into the stock properly. It's just a bit of fiddling. If you can search on here for the old post it would help you I think.
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All good points. IMHO, a Boyd's stock is NOT a drop-in fit for a Norinco. I tend to not do the popsicle stick mod, I just machine a new connector lock to USGI length. The Boyd's stocks often need some relief under the heel to properly clear the firing pin tail. They also need relieving under the operating rod guide shelf, aft of the receiver legs, as the Norinco receiver is machined differently here than US made receivers. I also usually end up fiddling around near the back of the trigger group to get that to fit well and not interfere with trigger function. I find Boyd's not to be overly consistent from stock to stock, and it varies what I need to do to get a proper fit with proper draw and nose tension.

It's amazing how many pics I see of Boyds stocks on basement Norinco builds where the heel isn't sitting flush to the stock because someone jammed the gun into the stock and didn't inlet for the shelf. Amazing. It's a wonder they get the trigger group to close at all, or that they can hit a barn twice in a row.
 
Where should I be looking for a USGI fiberglass one?

EDIT: If I can get one anywhere, it'd be preferable (but not necessary) to get a fiberglass handguard as well.
 
fatcatbestcat said:
Where should I be looking for a USGI fiberglass one?

EDIT: If I can get one anywhere, it'd be preferable (but not necessary) to get a fiberglass handguard as well.
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Most Norinco handguards are fibreglass, though some are painted black. The GI handguards are better and you can get one on the EE. There are several listed there as we speak. Same goes for USGI stocks. Easiest route would be to just guy one on the equipment exchange. A LOT of them were imported before the US government started halting their shipment here, so just go search the EE. If there aren't any there, just wait a week or two, one will turn up. Expect to pay around $200 for a nice one - but at that price it will come with all hardware installed and ready to drop your action in.

I don't have any stocks right now, but I've sold 3 nice GI fibreglass stocks in the last 6 months, all for $200 or less. I likely still have a handguard listed, but there are lots of sellers, not just me.
 
Claven2 said:
All good points. IMHO, a Boyd's stock is NOT a drop-in fit for a Norinco. I tend to not do the popsicle stick mod, I just machine a new connector lock to USGI length. The Boyd's stocks often need some relief under the heel to properly clear the firing pin tail. They also need relieving under the operating rod guide shelf, aft of the receiver legs, as the Norinco receiver is machined differently here than US made receivers. I also usually end up fiddling around near the back of the trigger group to get that to fit well and not interfere with trigger function. I find Boyd's not to be overly consistent from stock to stock, and it varies what I need to do to get a proper fit with proper draw and nose tension.

It's amazing how many pics I see of Boyds stocks on basement Norinco builds where the heel isn't sitting flush to the stock because someone jammed the gun into the stock and didn't inlet for the shelf. Amazing. It's a wonder they get the trigger group to close at all, or that they can hit a barn twice in a row.
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How does the Norinco action fit in to Sprinfield Armory stocks? I've been thinking of trying to order one from Brownells.
 
I just received a walnut [M14] stock for my M305 from Boyds. Some observations for what they may be worth:
- So far a good fit overall, but as Claven 2 has pointed out, I have needed to take a little material out from under the receiver along the right hand side aft of the stock liner. The factory bevel just needed needed to be extended back somewhat (comparing to the plastic Norinco stock, you should be able to see the difference).
- The Norinco stock liner transferred just fine.
- The Norinco ferrule is well crimped onto the plastic, not sure how I'd get it off without damaging it.
- The Norinco buttplate assembly doesn't fit at all - not even close. The Boyds stock is supposed to be compatible with USGI parts, so I guess the Norinco plate is way out of spec from USGI. To allow the Norico buttplate assembly to fit, I would have to remove about 1/8" around the entire perimeter of the inlet, and even then there would be an unacceptable ridge left between the outside radius of the buttplate and the buttstock itself (this is to say that in my case the Norinco buttplate is way too narrow for a proper fit).

Maybe your mileage will vary.

LD
 
As for the stock ferrule- just pry it off with a small screwdriver. I removed one that was epoxied onto a chu wood stock, and used it on a synthetic stock. No problems getting it off, it's thin metal and might need a bit of straightening out after, but it shouldn't be an issue.
 
Right... looking at other options, does anyone have an opinion on Springfield Armory synthetics? Are they fiberglass or just molded plastic?

Anyone have any opinions on the Choate folding stocks?
 
i have a springfield standard with the syntheitic... it's "okay" but i have agree with the others... g.i. fiberglass is best... as for the ch'''t folding stock... well having had one years ago, i would have to agree that they are.. hmm well, let's say, there are better choices, out there.
 
Hm...let's say I were to buy a springfield armory stock, walnut or synthetic or otherwise... would the action and trigger just drop in, or how much work wold be required for that?
 
i would e-mail the m-14 medic.... he has fitted a gi fiberglass stock to my norinco.( 2007 production.) from what i understand, the heel of the reciver "sits high" on a gi stock, so what he does is a "skim bed" i never tried a syntheitic m-1a stock on my norinco but it's the same "profile as a g.i. stock you can e-mail him at m-14 medic. good guy to learn from..
 
fatcatbestcat said:
Right... looking at other options, does anyone have an opinion on Springfield Armory synthetics? Are they fiberglass or just molded plastic?

Anyone have any opinions on the Choate folding stocks?
Click to expand...

SAI plastic stocks these days are just cheap injection molded plastic, not unlike a Norinco stock. Their older plastic stocks were just GI glass stocks with a plastic spray over them.

Don't put a choate on an M14 - it will make baby Jesus cry.
 
mussyhairhillbilly said:
i would e-mail the m-14 medic.... he has fitted a gi fiberglass stock to my norinco.( 2007 production.) from what i understand, the heel of the reciver "sits high" on a gi stock, so what he does is a "skim bed" i never tried a syntheitic m-1a stock on my norinco but it's the same "profile as a g.i. stock you can e-mail him at m-14 medic. good guy to learn from..
Click to expand...

That isn't typical. YOUR heel might have sit high, but most do not. The glass stocks are stable enough that bedding doesn't add much to their performance IMHO.

If anything, you want the front of the receiver to sit a little high to give better pressure at the nose, though I tend to just swap a few stocks around until I find one that tensions right ;)
 
gheesh..... do you guys need me to start making M14 stocks in composite again?
It's been a few years now but I could go back down that road very easily..... I kinda figured the demand was drying up for these rifles so haven't considered it really.
 
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