Norinco M305 quality question

rci2950

rci2950

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This has probably been asked a dozen times but is the quality getting any better with the Norinco M14 clones? Is there any problems with the bolts of the new ones? Any other potential early wear out issues of other parts? Looking at one in local gun shop (long barrel) that is new that has a centered front sight, Not one off to one side like i have been seeing. What else should i look for? It is fairly new stock. Not an older model. Is it a safe purchase?

Thanks in advance.
 
rci2950 said:
This has probably been asked a dozen times but is the quality getting any better with the Norinco M14 clones? Is there any problems with the bolts of the new ones? Any other potential early wear out issues of other parts? Looking at one in local gun shop (long barrel) that is new that has a centered front sight, Not one off to one side like i have been seeing. What else should i look for? It is fairly new stock. Not an older model. Is it a safe purchase?

Thanks in advance.
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https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...-forged-M14-receivers-are-officially-over-(-(

As I understand it quality level isn't rising as of late...

Look of MIM marks on the bolt
Loof for casting marks on the receiver ( I wouldn't like to be the one to be proving the new cast receivers unsafe)

With a forged receiver and bolt its an awesome rifle though some parts are not the best quality (like the stock). That being said the mechanics are proven and reliable and the rifle is accurate.
 
well Sheeeeeeit! Guess im back off the M305 wagon. LOL nevermind! Thanks for the info. Probably saved me from making a mistake. Didn't need another rifle anyway.
 
It's probably fine if it has a forged reciever and a forged bolt
It's easy to spot both. The reciever will have casting lines and the bolt will have small circles visible if you look up through the mag well
 
The Norinco M305 and M14s that we are buying are built from parts made a while back. The forged receivers and bolts were relatively good, though horrible QC with overtightened barrels and "generous" headspace.
Apparently they are running out of the old parts and are substituting new, lesser quality, cast receivers and mim bolts.
Absolute garbage. Inspect any of these rifles carefully prior to purchase.
 
Well i went in today and looked it over. I am pretty sure it is a forged receiver because it has milling marks all over the whole thing. I initially thought the bolt was also forged but after getting it home i saw the circles on it. So its a cast bolt. AM i ok with this one? Is it safe to shoot or should i return it? The volume of fire that this will see is a couple hundred rounds a year.

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If it has aim bolt, don't be a dolt. Return that unsafe pos and buy one with a forged bolt.

Thatim bolt will fail,.it's only a question of when and whether it injures you or not.
 
Claven2 said:
If it has aim bolt, don't be a dolt. Return that unsafe pos and buy one with a forged bolt.

Thatim bolt will fail,.it's only a question of when and whether it injures you or not.
Click to expand...

Is there any real examples of this or just rumour? I Searched this forum and google intensely over the last hour and cant find any real examples of anything happening to the cast bolts.
 
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So is the bolt replacable or will the headspace be a crapshoot after? Are their good bolts available in Canada? I dont mind spending money to make this gun work. I really like it.
 
I was planning on searching out a wood stock and installing a rear M1 Garand sight as well as doing accuracy upgrades anyway. So if i have to toss a couple hundred at a new bolt then i am fine with that. I am not interested in spending a thousand dollars up front to pimp the rifle out but a couple hundred here and there until i have reached my goal is fine with me.
 
rci2950 said:
Is there any real examples of this or just rumour? I Searched this forum and google intensely over the last hour and cant find any real examples of anything happening to the cast bolts.
Click to expand...

Happened to me earlier this year. The right lug broke clean right behind the extractor cut and was thrown **somewhere** by the op rod. I had a thread on this. Does it happens to everyone? no idea. One thing is sure I for one will never trust this kind of bolt again.

Your mileage may vary... wich also means you could not be as lucky as me and catch the right lug in the eye... you shooting lefty?
 
no im a righty. I was hoping to use this in the deer stand as well. ugh This is not cool. OK So the burning question. How rare are the replacement bolts?
 
I would agree that it might be better to return the rifle if possible. You could get a new bolt but there is more involved than just installing it. Get a used one if possible. You might even find one with the upgrades you mentioned.
 
A good usgi bolt will start around $350. Lrb is $400. Same for Fulton bolts.

You might get lucky and find a forged chinese bolt that fits for $100+.

Or return that pos and get one for the same money with a bolt that isn't ####.
 
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