This Old Gun: Poly Technologies M-14/S

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This Old Gun: Poly Technologies M-14/S

by JEREMIAH KNUPP posted on February 1, 2022

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Poly Technologies M-14/S

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then a lot of firearm flattery has emanated from the People’s Republic of China. While developing some of its own unique firearm designs, the country is also known for making copies of everything from C96 Mauser “Broomhandle” pistols to Thompson submachine guns.

The origins of communist China-made M14 rifles (not to be confused with licensed manufacturing of the M14 in Taiwan using U.S.-supplied machinery) began soon after the United States started producing the design. These Chinese-made rifles were either reverse-engineered from captured specimens or built with “acquired” copies of the original technical data. Intended to be sent to communist rebels around the world, and in order to disguise their origin, the rifles copied U.S.-made M14s down to their markings. The plan was thwarted after several shipments were intercepted on their way to the Philippines, and many of the select-fire rifles that remained in China were destroyed.


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Poly Technologies M-14/S


Following the success of other Chinese firearm exports in the mid-1980s, production of semi-automatic M14-style rifles was revived for the commercial market using newly manufactured receivers and parts left over from the original 1960s production run. Importation into the U.S. began in 1988. All Chinese-made M14 rifles brought into the U.S. were manufactured at one location, State Arsenal 356, and then exported through either Poly Technologies, Inc. (PolyTech) or China North Industries Corporation (Norinco). In addition to the United States, semi-automatic, Chinese-made M14-type rifles were also exported to Australia, Canada and Europe.

While the wood and metal finish of most Chinese M14 rifles is not up to American standards, the rifles were built with forged receivers and operating rods and have chrome-lined barrels. Many parts interchange with U.S.-made M14-type rifles, though some components use metric-pattern threads.

Poly Technologies M-14/SImported Chinese M14 rifles will be found in several configurations. A few of the earliest rifles were imported before a March 1989 ban that included “M14S” as one of the 43 named models barred from importation. These rifles had complete original features, including bayonet lugs and flash suppressors. Those imported after that date either had parts such as the flash suppressor added in the United States before they were retailed or used an unslotted flash suppressor without the bayonet lug. From 1990 to 1994, Century Arms modified Chinese M14 rifles by removing the flash suppressor portion of the front sight base and replacing the military-style trapdoor buttplate assembly with a rubber recoil pad. Collectors differentiate between “side-stamped” rifles, with their markings on the left side of the receiver below the rear sight, and “heel-stamped” rifles with their markings on the receiver’s upper rear surface, as on the original M14. A May 1994 executive order banned the importation of all firearms from China, preventing any further M14 examples from appearing stateside.

The example shown here is side-stamped and was imported by IDE (one of five companies that brought the rifles into the country) and exported through PolyTech. It features the solid flash suppressor with no bayonet lug and a military-style trapdoor buttplate. It is brand new in the box, unfired since it left the factory, and includes the originally supplied magazines, sling and maintenance kit. These early IDE rifles have a reputation for having some of the nicest fit and finish of all the Chinese-made M14s, and this example even appears to have a walnut stock. Its value is $1,500.

While the importation of Chinese-made M14 rifles was short-lived, the foreign-made, faithful copies have introduced countless shooters and collectors to a quintessential American battle rifle.

—Jeremiah Knupp, Field Editor

Gun: M-14/S
Manufacturer: Chinese State Arsenal 356 (Exported by Poly Technologies, Inc.)
Chambering: .308 Win.
Imported: 1988-1994
Condition: New (Modern Gun Standards)
Value: $1,500



https://www.americanrifleman.org/co...M71v6kiCs7JmsTVhBza1x4bDInksZRE36dEWfgT9kYJ5E
 
ya that's a good write up and he left all bias at the door which is refreshing.

Someone should get him all the data on the Canadian story of the M14s , he could turn that article into a pretty good magazine piece.
 
They didn't have American marketing's
Allen Lever imported a military version
as a sample, everything the same as a military TRW etc,
except , no marking except for a serial.
 
They didn't have American marketing's
Allen Lever imported a military version
as a sample, everything the same as a military TRW etc,
except , no marking except for a serial.

I have seen photographs of early polytech rifles with winchester heel stamps. These were not pictures from North America though and I can't remember where I saw them.
Lee emerson has a lot of history covered but I don't think the pics I saw were from his collection either. I think they were sent to me by a friend in texas who lives and breathes everything M14 LOL . I'll reach out and see of I can get or find those pics.
 
Some of the early Lever Arms guns had serial numbers that started with AL###xx. Not many people could say that they have their initials on a production gun, from the factory. I miss Mr. Lever, he was a good man.
 
Some of the early Lever Arms guns had serial numbers that started with AL###xx. Not many people could say that they have their initials on a production gun, from the factory. I miss Mr. Lever, he was a good man.

I once owned AL 0007 and a couple other AL###X serial numbered rifles. Wish I had kept one of those but now they are all worthless so I am kinda glad I impulse sold them back in the heyday of my involvement with these rifles. Speaking of collectable M14 stuff..... In the midst of all those forged receivers , one day a heel stamped receiver came into my posession that I and everyone else just figured was a chinese receiver that had been marked as a custom job or who knows. It had a slightly different coloration to the finish, much smoother and had a small chip out of the steel that seemed odd for a forged unit. The other possibility is that it was what is referred to as a "lunch box" receiver, made in the SA casting/machining process and taken from the line by an employee and taken from the factory in thier lunch box. I learned about these receivers that exist out there from talking with Lee Emerson (cgn member different). Can't say for sure it was a SA lunchbox cast receiver but that chip, the finish and the heel stamp all kind of point that direction.
Shoulda kept that one too LOL

oh well..... we all had fun for 20 years + with the M14 in Canada in it's various forms...... hopefully the CPC win the next election and we can pressure PP to reverse the OIC in it's entirety
 
They didn't have American marketing's
Allen Lever imported a military version
as a sample, everything the same as a military TRW etc,
except , no marking except for a serial.

The rifles that came into Canada were so close to the real thing that they had the auto sear trip on the trigger group.
 
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