I have a Norinco M305A and a Poly Inc. M305 with Bell Lifesytle CA markings. The latter is definitely better finished than the current production Norinco.
For a long time I've wondered what's the historic difference (if any) between Norinco and Poly, with respect to their M14-patterned guns.
I've done a bit of research and have learned (I think) that all Chinese M14-type rifles, exported to Canada, have been stamped as one or other of these two brands; i.e., Poly Technologies Corporation (or Poly Inc.) and Norinco (previously known as China North Industries Corporation).
I understand that the hammer forged (not cast) receivers for both Norcs and Polys have been made at the same factory, State Arsenal 356 in Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China. I don't know where the rest of the parts come but understand that all are manufactured in mainland China. The number 1965 comes-up frequently, in relation to the non-receiver parts. I believe that 1965 may be the factory designation where the non-receiver parts are made - not a date.
Indeed, I have read that the Chinese tooled-up to make M14 clones in the 70's. They did this by reverse-engineering captured guns from Viet Nam. Such clones were originally intended for export to rebels in other countries - with plausible deniability. These Chinese select fire M14 rifles were made to look just like captured American M14 rifles including even the serial numbers. China was making M14 type guns before the US eventually sent M14 tooling to Taiwan. That was a whole separate deal, with no cross connections.
I have read that Norinco was/ is a Ministry of Ordnance Industries entity, consisting of well over 100 individual factories associated together for marketing purposes. I have also read that in 1980, Norinco was established as an export corporation; since Chinese arms factories cannot sell directly to anyone but the Chinese government. After that time, Norinco has exported small arms and ammunition for sale in the commercial market of various countries. In 1998, Norinco spun off its civilian small arms and ammunition marketing and sales operation, with government approval, into the wholly owned subsidiary registered as Norinco Armsports Co., Ltd. Norinco Armsports Co., Ltd. is also known as Norinco Sports.
I have also read that Poly Technologies Corporation was established in June, 1984 by the People’s Liberation Army. Poly Technologies was made a subsidiary of China International Trust and Investment Corporation on paper. In reality, Poly Technologies was/ is under the influence of the People’s Liberation Army.
All this is pretty complicated. Can anyone explain how two these two "brands" both ended-up selling M305 guns here, of two apparently different quality levels, at roughly the same time?
For a long time I've wondered what's the historic difference (if any) between Norinco and Poly, with respect to their M14-patterned guns.
I've done a bit of research and have learned (I think) that all Chinese M14-type rifles, exported to Canada, have been stamped as one or other of these two brands; i.e., Poly Technologies Corporation (or Poly Inc.) and Norinco (previously known as China North Industries Corporation).
I understand that the hammer forged (not cast) receivers for both Norcs and Polys have been made at the same factory, State Arsenal 356 in Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China. I don't know where the rest of the parts come but understand that all are manufactured in mainland China. The number 1965 comes-up frequently, in relation to the non-receiver parts. I believe that 1965 may be the factory designation where the non-receiver parts are made - not a date.
Indeed, I have read that the Chinese tooled-up to make M14 clones in the 70's. They did this by reverse-engineering captured guns from Viet Nam. Such clones were originally intended for export to rebels in other countries - with plausible deniability. These Chinese select fire M14 rifles were made to look just like captured American M14 rifles including even the serial numbers. China was making M14 type guns before the US eventually sent M14 tooling to Taiwan. That was a whole separate deal, with no cross connections.
I have read that Norinco was/ is a Ministry of Ordnance Industries entity, consisting of well over 100 individual factories associated together for marketing purposes. I have also read that in 1980, Norinco was established as an export corporation; since Chinese arms factories cannot sell directly to anyone but the Chinese government. After that time, Norinco has exported small arms and ammunition for sale in the commercial market of various countries. In 1998, Norinco spun off its civilian small arms and ammunition marketing and sales operation, with government approval, into the wholly owned subsidiary registered as Norinco Armsports Co., Ltd. Norinco Armsports Co., Ltd. is also known as Norinco Sports.
I have also read that Poly Technologies Corporation was established in June, 1984 by the People’s Liberation Army. Poly Technologies was made a subsidiary of China International Trust and Investment Corporation on paper. In reality, Poly Technologies was/ is under the influence of the People’s Liberation Army.
All this is pretty complicated. Can anyone explain how two these two "brands" both ended-up selling M305 guns here, of two apparently different quality levels, at roughly the same time?
