Should I buy a Chicom M14?

I've got an overindexed Norc with a loose op-rod, excessive contact at the front of the stock and undesirable contact between the handguard and one side of the stock. Despite all that and even with the soft wood that it came with, it can still shoot 2 moa when I do my part, though I give her lots of time to cool between shots and have resigned myself to the funny sight picture. I plan to eventually mount a scope, tighten her up where required, relieve any undesirable contact points and put it into one of my USGI fibreglass stocks.

While the rifle above fits into the category of one that would benefit most from those tweaks (I've got others that are better indexed and put together), even it's more than capable or hunting game or use as is in a Service Rifle match as is. A 2005 import, the more recently imported rifles generally look better assembled, though I'd recommend checking them out in person whenever possible.
 
I thinks this makes my answer clear. I'm not about to go to an M1 clinic, nor spend hours learning about indexing, nor try to swap out every part other than the action and barrel. I suppose for those who enjoy that sort of thing, it's a different story.
 
Too bad. There usually aren't any problems that prevent functioning. Even the indexing issue is usually just something you notice and then forget about. The tight handguard doesnt cause any problem with function, its just not optimal for accuracy. The interference with wood and the op road can be fixed with a pen knife in 30 seconds.
 
TJspeller said:
I thinks this makes my answer clear. I'm not about to go to an M1 clinic, nor spend hours learning about indexing, nor try to swap out every part other than the action and barrel. I suppose for those who enjoy that sort of thing, it's a different story.
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If you examine the rifle ahead of time, you could probably get one without any og the issues mentioned in my post above, which is the worst case example of a number of M14s that I've purchased. As I've indicated in my post even my less than ideal example reliably shoots 2moa (perhaps less) in stock form,, and the fixes are nothing expensive or difficult.

The quality of norcs has generally improved since I purhased that rifle in 2005. You won't find a comparable semi auto rifle ready to shoot with adjustable aperture sights and detachable magazine at anywhere near that price point. That said, I could appreciate if tweaking or playing with your rifle like many other M14 afficionadoes do is not your cup of tea.
 
well, that's one more for those of us who prefer the m14- personally, there's not an 7.62x39 in any form in my armoury, mostly b/c of the ODDBALL bullet size and the fact they don't serve any useful hunting purpose around here- i'm on the east slopes of the rockies- the cartridge is a "light" 30/30 at best, and a plinker at least- it's not even in the same league as the 14
one final thought- you've heard from maybe a dozen or so folks that have had trouble with their m14s- 12 out of how many sold in this country between alan lever, marstar and can-am ?- we've been able to get these since about 1988- and they've been improving steadily since- and people like hungry and m14doctor ( who know most of everything there is to know about 'em) - their opinions count for nothing?- that amounts to 12 or so against THOUSANDS
 
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TJspeller said:
I thinks this makes my answer clear. I'm not about to go to an M1 clinic, nor spend hours learning about indexing, nor try to swap out every part other than the action and barrel. I suppose for those who enjoy that sort of thing, it's a different story.
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Never had to swap any parts out on any of my guns. When I talk about tweaking mine, it was simple shimming and smoothing out the trigger, not becuase the rifles needed it as they worked perfectly and shot well, it was just something I wanted to do, they certainly didn't need it. My 14's will be the last rifles I ever get rid of. Everyone should have at least one.
 
TJspeller said:
I thinks this makes my answer clear. I'm not about to go to an M1 clinic, nor spend hours learning about indexing, nor try to swap out every part other than the action and barrel. I suppose for those who enjoy that sort of thing, it's a different story.
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The tweaks we're all mentioning are simple and easy to do, and make a good, cheap rifle into a VERY good, almost-as-cheap rifle. However they aren't generally necessary. But do what you feel...there are some things I won't bother with because they don't seem worthwhile...whatever floats yer boat.
 
conmaesta said:
I really want one and they are cheap...400 bucks or so...My question is how good are they...are they in their own class as reliable as an AK or SK?? You know what I mean...
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They are very reliable and a lot more fun to shoot than an SKS or an AK and far more versatile too. The M14 is several rifles in one, or at least, it can be. I'd say if you are starting out, buy an SKS, if you want to have more fun, buy an M14.
 
with an m14 chicom... you will have to spend $400 on the gun, you will probably need to spend $200 fixing it, you should spend $200 to make it better, and you can emptey your account making it perfect.

also... an AK is far more fun to shoot
 
There's really no way you can lose if you buy one. Most of them are just fine out of the box and need nothing in the way of modifications, repairs or replacement parts. If you do happen to get one that doesn't shoot well out of the box the resale market for them is very strong on the EE.

I bought two shorties from Can Am about six months ago and both were fine out of the box. I've turned one into a project gun just because I like to tinker, but the other shoots great and functions flawlessly with $0 invested beyond what I paid for it. My only complaint is that now I keep thinking I need to get a third one...
 
I've been very happy with my Polytech M305. It shoots good with open sights and there is an almost unlimited amount of tinkering that you can do with it. Its alot of fun on the range and there are all sorts of accessories that you can use. I got mine a few months ago and I'm already figuring what I can get rid of in ly safe to make more room for another one!!
 
I bought one and took the course. It shot fine out of the box, but I wanted to get more accuracy out of her. The course will give you the important familiarity required to properly maintain the rifle. These things are a little more complex (so are the SKS's for that matter) to maintain and not as simple as running the boresnake through the barrel a coupla' times.

I just bought son another gift...a shorty from P&D. It shoots fine, headspace is average and everything is tighter than mine was out of the box.

With the knowledge gained a couple years ago, I tweeked the gas system (shimmed) and put in a better spring guide and it is a whole new shooting experience.
 
Weight

t-star said:
you've kind ofanswered your own question - you WANT one , and they're cheap- well, in initial purchase price only- beleive mne, i have FOUR of them , i may get a couple more- three of those are usgi safe queens, and the other's an old norc from the 90's- the ones today are FAR SUPERIOR- as for the 9 pound business, maybe on the moon- try ELEVEN , closer to 12-14 when you add in a DECENT scope and mount
as for relaibility, it's just like anything else-MAINTAIN IT PROPERLY,and it'll serve you well,respecting bullet weights, etc
the FIRST thing to do is replace the REAR SIGHT with one from italy or a GARAND- unless your pinion doesn't fall down on firing- i don't believe on replacing what isn't broke
then get yourself to one of the clinics hungry sells or ship it to 45acp king/doctor/whatever he calls himself these days and get him to go over it- it IS WORTH that much
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My shorty weights 8.56 lbs without a mag. It has a Boyds stock, GI Butt plate and a fiberglass slotted handguard
 
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