PSA re: bolt failures in recent import M-14 pattern rifles
- Thread starter m14medic.ca
- Start date
You have to compare the 2 side by side to see my point yes they are parts from China but its the fit and finish Polytech would be my first choice Norincos are junk.
They are made in the same factory on the same machines very likely by the same employees...
yes
if you guys go to lee emerson's history and development of the m14 he dives quite deeply into each manufacturer.
There are examples of norinco/polytech rifles out there with both british and American military markings , cloned by the Chinese for covert reasons.
In the end, the same factory produced these rifles and their "variants" and various finishes.
I have no clue who is making the cast stuff or where it's being made..... nor what it's being made out of. I doubt lee knows either as most of his info is kinda Clinton ban era info with a bit of post Clinton ban info on the side as far as Chinese rifles are concerned.
It is important to note that in the later years before china ceased production of m14 receivers (hammer forged), there were several prominent Americans involved in helping china "perfect" what became the commercial offering we were blessed with after Clinton banned their import to the USA. Unfortunately for historians like lee and us gunnies on the forums, solid information on the production of these rifles and the goings on in the factories pretty much ended when those americans were no longer able to be involved due to US laws changing. John from marstar and roger from dark were the only two people I trusted "any" info on this subject from. I remember when John posted that the well was running dry on serviceable components to build rifles with and china had hit the "bottom of the barrels of decent parts". That was around 2009/10.
Then came the "dominion" brand...…. only those involved with forming the dominion brand could tell us about the current state of affairs in the Chinese m14 factory. North Sylvia seems to have an import stream but I highly doubt they are sending a proofing agent over the factories to ensure a safe , inspec product.
Last edited:
I remember when John stated that the bottom of the barrel had been reached. No reason to doubt that he believed that at the time. The NOS parts were being exhausted.
I suspect this is when the Chinese realized that there was an ongoing market, and started manufacturing new, fresh parts, which may or may not have been the equals of what had been available. More recently, of course, the new production has left a lot to be desired.
I suspect this is when the Chinese realized that there was an ongoing market, and started manufacturing new, fresh parts, which may or may not have been the equals of what had been available. More recently, of course, the new production has left a lot to be desired.
Only blued ones with the side mount ground off were Marstar imports, and that was around that time. Then the messy ones started showing up (welds) for a few years, now the mim bolts and occasional cast receiver. These latest guns are not worth anything at this point, you can't even build off them.
Not so.
The blues ones ended in 2004 or 2005. Marstar brought good ones in for another 5 years after that, they were parkerized and many were marked for US imports that were cancelled in 1994. They stopped offering decent guns in 2010 or 2011, and after that things went downhill rapidly.
Decent receivers were still used until about 2014 on some guns.
Now everything is sh!t.
Noticed this the other day on Cabelas' website in the product reviews. Can't seem to locate it now, nor the M14/M305 rifle for sale either? Does Cabelas still carry them? Wonder if they returned remaining stock to the distributer? Still shocked that stores continue to sell MIM bolt rifles!
Attachments
TacticalTeacher
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Georgian Bay, ON
Made a deal for a m305 shorty last night used in town. Read all 44 pages of this today before I picked it up, I was sure nervous because I didn't want to back out on the deal. and I felt like I was already getting a steal!($400 stock that came with it) even if it was a MIM gun, While talking at the door I was eyeing the heel of the receiver pretty hard and didn't see any cast lines, got it home, and looked in the mag well and its not a MIM bolt either, boy was I relieved. Iam brand new to the m14 platform, Iam very well versed in a ton of other platforms, but boy do I feel like a noob right now when it comes to this! an unusual feeling for me Iam not quite used to.
Hey everyone, After reading all the comments on this page. I just wanted to share my recent experience with my Norinco M305 purchase. I have wanted one of these for a long time. I went into my local Cabelas mid Febuary and asked to see the one they had in stock. We cut open the bag wiped down all the oil mess. I took it apart on the counter. 2014 model, forged receiver, forged bolt. The sights were straight and lined up. The gas cylinder nut locked up tight in the right position. The op rod guide was tight. I really didn't have any intention of buying one that day but it looked like a decent one so I snapped it up. A week later it went on sale so I went back in and got $100 off. After taking it out to the range for a gentle start. I noticed when I took it apart to the OP rod guy was a little loose to one side but that seems to be a common issue. Other than wanting to get it tested with go/nogo gauge before I run more commercial ammo or 7.62 nato I feel pretty lucky to find one. Now I just cant make up my mind on a chassis to try first. Thanks everyone for all of the great information.
Sounds like you got a good deal. There's a tweak for the OP rod guide in the tips and FAQ section to tighten it up. The original Norinco roll pin that holds it in place is brittle. Mine broke immediately. Barney (Tactical Teacher) helped me out by knurling the barrel boss to make it a tight fit and giving me a stronger roll pin to install.
It was solid after that.
so glad the word is getting out and fellow gunnuts are making informed decisions.
There are good rifles out there, lots of em. Still a shame that those involved in the manufacture and sale of these rifles are too greedy to take heed of our observations here.
There are good rifles out there, lots of em. Still a shame that those involved in the manufacture and sale of these rifles are too greedy to take heed of our observations here.
