Norinco upgrade path on a budget

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scott_karana

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Hey guys;

Considering a Norinco M305 as a starter platform to make a higher-end M14. (Since I can't blow $3500 on a James River or LRB fully assembled rifle)
What is the typical upgrade path for these guns?

Get a Boyd's walnut stock first? Nicer barrel? It sounds like the forged receiver is good enough for most people, or do many people insist on running the LRB or SEI ones?

Not trying to start a flamewar, since I would have a Norinco, and be trying to spend as little as possible. :)
 
Clean and lube, tighten up the oprod guide, tighten up the gas system and then get out to the range with a few types of ammo. and see how she shoots.
 
I have had the great opportunity to go to both clinics held by Hungry and 45ACPKing. I cannot say one is better than the other. Depending on where 45ACPKing has his clinics, you may have the opportunity to have the gas assembly tig welded by his friend (I think it's Tony).

I had the fortune of learning a bit more at Hungry's clinic because I knew more about the M14 and therefore, things he said made a lot more sense. Also, I went to his Squamish clinic and there were only three of us there so we received personal attention to each of our rifles. I am not saying that 45ACPKing does not give personal attention but his clinics are usually attended by more people so it is more difficult for him to give personal attention.

I also suggest that you send a couple spent cases to Hungry so he can measure the headspace for you. What's nice about the Norinco is that if the headspace is off or the gas assembly does not tighten properly, you can exchange parts between Norincos or even flip the gas cyclinder lock and it may fit better without the need to shim it.
 
The rear sight tends to wobble apart, so replace that with a USGI rear sight if it starts to come apart.

If you want a wood stock, Fred's M14 Stocks has plenty of walnut and birch stocks for reasonable prices. Don't mean to plug them, but

Edit: Removed link.
 
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SoBored said:
Recoil spring guide, recoil spring, unitize the gas system, poor man's trigger job, lube it properly then lots and lots of trigger time.
Click to expand...

When you say unitize the gas system . What exactly are the steps mine was shipped today I should have it by Thursday or Friday
I already have a rail for it ( thank you m14.ca)
A Fulton ARMORY gas piston
Original Springfield ARMORY oprod
And Wolff spring kit
 
Huh. Didn't know that. Wonder if he ships to PO boxes?

Turns out it's the same with Treeline, who sells USGI rear sights.
 
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First upgrade to last:
First learn to clean and lube.
Make sure all the part are in the spec.if not replace them
Shim the gas system and unitize it ( ferule)
Quality op-rod and wolf/springfield recoil spring
Trigger job by smith.
Finally a stock of you choice ( usgi, sage, JAE, custom laminate)

The norinco is an adequate platform , nothing to be ashamed of an entry level springfield.

For the piston it's trial and error. My norinco don't liked the 2 first sadlack but liked the third one. And still shot moee precisely with the original one.

Good luck
 
Definitely I would change the op rod spring guide. M14.ca sells a really great one (in my humble opinion). I also recommend getting a set of Wolff springs. You get pretty good return on your investment.
 
WestIslandRifle said:
When you say unitize the gas system . What exactly are the steps mine was shipped today I should have it by Thursday or Friday
I already have a rail for it ( thank you m14.ca)
A Fulton ARMORY gas piston
Original Springfield ARMORY oprod
And Wolff spring kit
Click to expand...

There were two accepted methods of unitizng gas cylinders used by the US military armorers.
One involved annealing the parts and doing some drilling and tapping and gluing ;)
The more common method used was to assemble the stripped cylinder and band on an alignment/heat sink jig and TIG weld 3 small welds at 10 , 2 and 6 o'clock positions.
Either way, Unitizing is a procedure that makes the cylinder and band one piece instead of 2
This is not a must do upgrade but IS proven to improve group consistancy in this platform.
Unitizing should not be confused with "Shimming" as these are two different procedures, solving three different issues.
Unitizing and the reason we do it is explained above.
Shimming with stainless ring shims between gas band and barrel's gas system shoulder is done to enable 5 o'clock hand tight , 6 o'clock "tool or rubber mallet tight", position of gas lock.
And shimming is done to optimize gas port alignment between cylinder and barrel ;)
An experienced M14 smith that can unitize gas systems can also jig the assembly so no shimming is required ;)
Sadly these guys are very rare and almost non existant in Canada
 
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