Noticeable Differences Between Norc M14S and M305's???

sixty9santa

sixty9santa

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Another quick question from a total M14S/M305 newb :redface:
I know that there are differently marked recievers for the same rifles such as M14, M14S, M305.
Is there any difference in quality and/or assembly wise between all the differently marked recievers?
I ask this since when something iffy is reported, such as ####ty indexing or other, about these rifles they are usually refered to as M305's and not M14S's.
Can anyone clarify this?

Here are some links to what I'm talking about:

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60203

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60158

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=57593
 
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Okay, well I know I'm totally clueless and asking a bunch of (insert stupid here) questions about these rifles lately, but does someone have any input?
 
S = sporter or sporting, maybe. Strictly speaking, a M-14 is the US service rifle. Different manufacturers used variations on the name to indicate that their product was a commercial rifle. I imagine that 305 is the Norinco model number.
 
there was a early series of norinco's a few years back, and they had undesireable "issues". These were on the market along with another offshore m14 called a polytech and were probably around about 10/12 years ago?? I am only repeating what i've heard so..... anyhow, the last few years the m305 and m14s were a different rifle from the early ones and are FAR better in quality and manufacture. I've seen articles comparing metal strength tests (rockwell scale) for the older norcincos and the springfield or trw receivers/barrels and the norc is lower across the board, however these tests were dated 1991 so do not apply to the current manufacture m305's on the market.
I am sure that guys like skullboy or hungry could elaborate but that's all i know...... but i recall hungry telling everyone to ...what was it... buy 3 or 5 :D :D
 
45ACPKING said:
but i recall hungry telling everyone to ...what was it... buy 3 or 5 :D :D
Click to expand...

I wonder if perhaps he isn't a shadowy advertising exec for Norinco planted here to feed the addiction.

Time to get out the tinfoil...right after I order another M305.:D
 
I have read (though I don't remember where) that Kengs Firearms in the States were a key importer of Polytech and that they arranged a meeting between at least one highly regarded M14 expert and representatives of the manufacturer, to explain the problems they were having and the solutions to these problems, this may explain why the current quality of these rifles is so high. The model number will probably tell you less about potential problems than the knowing what day the individual rifle was made on, they have Monday morning in China too! Either way, there is nothing on the market that comes close to this for quality or potential for modification, remember that in the U.S. they pay more for a forged stripped receiver than we pay for the entire rifle.
 
OK,
Different has the definitive descriptions of the various Chinese type M-14 clones posted on his web site. Read that and you will know more about the M-14 and its clones than you ever wanted.

However,
from a CANADIAN perspective,
we have probably seen more variations than the Yankees did, plus we had Chinese M-14 rifle "KITS" and stripped receivers available on the Canadian market.

From a practical shooter and gunsmith perspective, the main [ and only really important issue ] as far as I am concerned, is that the NEW batch of M-305s will usually take a drop in US GI M-14 bolt without having to swap in a US GI barrel as well. Most of the OLD type Norinco AND Polytech barreled receivers had barrels that protruded further into the receiver, and these WOULD NOT TAKE A DROP IN GI BOLT. Since about 1 out of three of the OLD Chinese M-14 clones had bolts that were WAY too soft, PLUS, the left bolt lug was ground at far too ACUTE an angle for proper fit, swapping in a GI bolt was often necessary [ but not always ... there are some VERY good OLD Chinese M-14 rifles still out there ].

On my match rifles or my "keepers", I prefer to swap in a USGI or aftermarket barrel as well as the USGI bolt swap, mainly because the Chinese barrels have MUCH softer steel, which does cause the draw of the barrel threads to be erratic. This is why the Chinese receivers have that silly little screw on the barrel/receiver .... to lock the barrel in securely. Notwithstanding, to date I've seen three Chinese M-14 clones that had the barrels come loose.
 
my norinco arrived today from Al Simmon's in Hamilton
it is marked niether M14S nor M305
it is stamped M14 .308
CJA SFLD MICH
Norinco made in china

Is this yet another variant? It comes with the mini 5 rnd clip and the flash suppressor assembly is NOT welded in place like I have seen on the others.
 
45ACPKING said:
it is marked niether M14S nor M305
it is stamped M14 .308
CJA SFLD MICH
Norinco made in china

Is this yet another variant? It comes with the mini 5 rnd clip and the flash suppressor assembly is NOT welded in place like I have seen on the others.
Click to expand...

Same just from Dark Int.

This is a good question - anybody have different stamped m1a's here?

D_
 
mine is marked identical to yours 45acpking, i was suprised when i saw it was ".308" and not 762x51 and i was even more suprised when it said "m14"....i guess the chinese dont care about copywrite laws?
 
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