Updated 20/04/14 What M-305 to buy?

Porkchopsandwhich

Porkchopsandwhich

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So I've decided to buy a Norinco M-305. I figured i would go right to the source of info and ask what should i be looking for?

I have a few sources to buy from.

Marstar $599.99 22 inch (come with cheapo china hard case)

http://www.marstar.ca/dynamic/product.jsp?productid=85814

Local Canadian Tire $560 18.6 inch

LGS $570 18.6 inch

P&D $550 18.6 inch
$815 18.6 inch wood stock

Frontier $560 had 22 inch now looks out of stock.

Another non CGN who shall remain unnamed (i dont want them to sell out but bonus points if you guess it) $500 gun looks like this below

m14scamo.jpg
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Not sure what year these are?

Do I buy in the store and get to look over the rifle and pay a little more or order online and save a few bucks and take a chance?
If i buy in person what do i look for?

I plan on buying next Thursday (17th) help me Battle Rifle section!!

Also is there anywhere else i've missed who has Norc's instock?
 
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If you know what you're looking at, I'd always prefer inspecting and buying in person. Check the indexing, the fit of the bolt, the function and tilt test, how the trigger and safety feel, etc. Of course nearly every problem with these rifles can be fixed with a bit of work unless you get a real lemon.

If you're new to the platform and aren't really familiar with what a properly functioning rifle is like, Marstar has an iron-clad warranty that will help you out if the gun they sell you has significant problems.
 
I have a Norinco M305 shorty. It operates perfectly and loves cheap surplus ammo. I don't care for the cheap plastic stock but it has no affect to the operation of the rifle, and I'm going to order a real wood stock.

I guess it comes down to price and shipping.
 
Tengoo said:
If you know what you're looking at, I'd always prefer inspecting and buying in person. Check the indexing, the fit of the bolt, the function and tilt test, how the trigger and safety feel, etc. Of course nearly every problem with these rifles can be fixed with a bit of work unless you get a real lemon.

If you're new to the platform and aren't really familiar with what a properly functioning rifle is like, Marstar has an iron-clad warranty that will help you out if the gun they sell you has significant problems.
Click to expand...

Inspection in person generally is something I like to do. But in this case if I buy local I am buying a shorty at about $100 more then if I order online and I can buy the longer barreled verson.

Is there a thread or video that describes "Check the indexing, the function and tilt test"?

New to the platform yes.

Marstar's shipping is a bit high and they quoted (last time I was going to order) me PST or HST when i don't live in that province.

fiddler said:
I have a Norinco M305 shorty. It operates perfectly and loves cheap surplus ammo. I don't care for the cheap plastic stock but it has no affect to the operation of the rifle, and I'm going to order a real wood stock.

I guess it comes down to price and shipping.
Click to expand...

What year shorty?

Where'd you buy it?

Buying out of province will save a bit.
 
Buying in person is a good idea if you know what to look for. My main focus would be the receiver and the barrel. Look for a nice receiver that is well machined and doesn't have any weird tooling marks or oddities about it. It's hard to describe if you haven't seen more than a couple m14's. I like to choose one with minimal norinco branding. I have one with the norinco 'star trek' symbol that I hate, but the receiver is beautifully machined, etc. Make sure the barrel is on straight so that the front sight isn't canted to the left or right. I would be nice to check other things like the tilt test and op rod guide alignment too but generally those deficiencies can be easily corrected at home.

If I was buying online I would probably go with Marstar. The recent reviews say they have real nice receivers and the branding marks are minimal. I don't believe they say china on them anywhere which is nice.

I hate that socom muzzle break. You mean you can't even put a real m14 flash hider on there? Pfffff
 
Porkchopsandwhich said:
Is there a thread or video that describes "Check the indexing, the function and tilt test"?
Click to expand...

Indexing: The gas vent in the barrel should be at exactly 6 o'clock. To test for this insert a 5/20 mag, lock the bolt to the rear, put the butt on the ground, and check to make sure that the barrel, gas block and magazine all line up. If you have a small drill bit or allen key that will fit in the gas vent, push it through and into the barrel gas vent hole, then make sure that it lines up with the magazine.

Function: Cycle the action, put on the safety and attempt to pull the trigger. Then take it off safe and pull the trigger and continue holding the trigger to the rear, cycle the action vigorously four or five times and then let the trigger reset and pull it again (it should click to reset and then drop the hammer when you pull it - if it doesn't that means the hammer is following the bolt when the action cycles).

Tilt Test: For this you need to remove the op-rod spring and spring guide, and some stores might not let you disassemble it. Basically, remove those parts and then gently tilt the rifle back and forth to make sure the bolt and op-rod slide freely into and out of battery.

Honestly, everything except barrel indexing is easily fixed with a little elbow grease, occasionally some spare parts, and common tools. Indexing isn't even a huge hurdle as long as you don't mind sending the barrelled action off for a couple of weeks (unless you happen to have the tools to do it yourself).

One other thing to check in the store is the function of the rear sight. Twist the knobs and count the clicks, making sure that the sight moves and then returns to the same zero in the same number of back clicks. Make sure that there's no wiggle in the sight aperture itself, and check to see if the hole is drilled somewhat in the middle. Most people wind up replacing the rear sight, or mounting a scope, but if yours functions properly that's a bonus.

As for where to buy, you need to decide what model you want and let that guide you. If you want a 22" but you can't find any locally, or if you just want to save some cash, go ahead and order one sight unseen - everything's fixable.

Most importantly of all, find out when Hungry (Tactical Teacher) is putting on his next clinic in your area and get signed up. I can't stress this enough. Not only is it a lot of fun but you'll have no M14 worries at all once he's finished edumacating you.
 
Also, if you don't mind revealing whereabouts you live, there's a reasonably good chance someone nearby might volunteer to go shopping with you to help you look over the rifles. I know I don't usually need much arm twisting to go to the gun store...
 
Porkchopsandwhich said:
What year shorty?

Where'd you buy it?

Buying out of province will save a bit.
Click to expand...


Mine is marked 2012 but picked up last summer from P&D. Although I wouldn't buy another one from them, the salesman had all kinds of wonderful and exciting ideas about how to upgrade and add accessories only to find out the store techs brushed me off 2 weeks later. The only thing they offered was to sell me a better rifle. The product was good, but the service was so far below standard I've never walked into the store again.
 
Thank God I jumped onto the train at 399$......


As for your question: any option you menntionned is a good option ! Just order before they get to 800-900$
 
Pop said:
Indexing: The gas vent in the barrel should be at exactly 6 o'clock. To test for this insert a 5/20 mag, lock the bolt to the rear, put the butt on the ground, and check to make sure that the barrel, gas block and magazine all line up. If you have a small drill bit or allen key that will fit in the gas vent, push it through and into the barrel gas vent hole, then make sure that it lines up with the magazine.

Function: Cycle the action, put on the safety and attempt to pull the trigger. Then take it off safe and pull the trigger and continue holding the trigger to the rear, cycle the action vigorously four or five times and then let the trigger reset and pull it again (it should click to reset and then drop the hammer when you pull it - if it doesn't that means the hammer is following the bolt when the action cycles).

Tilt Test: For this you need to remove the op-rod spring and spring guide, and some stores might not let you disassemble it. Basically, remove those parts and then gently tilt the rifle back and forth to make sure the bolt and op-rod slide freely into and out of battery.

Honestly, everything except barrel indexing is easily fixed with a little elbow grease, occasionally some spare parts, and common tools. Indexing isn't even a huge hurdle as long as you don't mind sending the barrelled action off for a couple of weeks (unless you happen to have the tools to do it yourself).

One other thing to check in the store is the function of the rear sight. Twist the knobs and count the clicks, making sure that the sight moves and then returns to the same zero in the same number of back clicks. Make sure that there's no wiggle in the sight aperture itself, and check to see if the hole is drilled somewhat in the middle. Most people wind up replacing the rear sight, or mounting a scope, but if yours functions properly that's a bonus.

As for where to buy, you need to decide what model you want and let that guide you. If you want a 22" but you can't find any locally, or if you just want to save some cash, go ahead and order one sight unseen - everything's fixable.

Most importantly of all, find out when Hungry (Tactical Teacher) is putting on his next clinic in your area and get signed up. I can't stress this enough. Not only is it a lot of fun but you'll have no M14 worries at all once he's finished edumacating you.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info on what to look for, A 22" gives me the option to give it the Dlask circumcision, pick my barrel length and mount whatever comp or brake I want. Looks like Hungry (Tactical Teacher) wont be in the west until 2015 that's fine ill wait.

Pop said:
Also, if you don't mind revealing whereabouts you live, there's a reasonably good chance someone nearby might volunteer to go shopping with you to help you look over the rifles. I know I don't usually need much arm twisting to go to the gun store...
Click to expand...

Manitoba so a little out of the way.

fiddler said:
Mine is marked 2012 but picked up last summer from P&D. Although I wouldn't buy another one from them, the salesman had all kinds of wonderful and exciting ideas about how to upgrade and add accessories only to find out the store techs brushed me off 2 weeks later. The only thing they offered was to sell me a better rifle. The product was good, but the service was so far below standard I've never walked into the store again.
Click to expand...

P&D is one of the online options to order although not first choice to order from based on price they do have the wooden stocked versons

simonyzer said:
Thank God I jumped onto the train at 399$......


As for your question: any option you menntionned is a good option ! Just order before they get to 800-900$
Click to expand...

I still kick myself for not buying one of the many combos from Canadaammo several times

I guess I may just end up buying two....... or three two long and one short
 
I'm in the US right now and took this picture today. Not sure I can get a Norinco after seeing these Socom 16's in person....

 
EL34/6L6;9976321Socom 16's [URL=http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/VanNoord/media/DSC_0289_zpsb1347e4c.jpg.html said:
DSC_0289_zpsb1347e4c.jpg
[/URL]
Click to expand...

My lust for one of these Socom 16's is what drew me to the M14 world. Unfortunately, I have no desire to get back into the restricted rifles and the cost of one is a little steep.
My "fix" has been somewhat satisfied with a M305 18.5" at a fraction of the cost. Now if I come across some extra $$$......
 
So i ended up getting a 18.5 from the local Canadian tire. Its a 2013 Norinco star trek marked.

Everything appears to be good on the rifle, bolt locks up evenly, gas system looks straight, barrel indexing looks good (maybe not at the 6 o clock position but pretty close) now for the negative.

The front flash suppressor might not be straight,
The parkerizing on the front park of the gas system looks like crap,
Rear sights came lose after playing with them at home (checked them in the store) easily fixed not really sure where to set the rear aperture but ill figure that out on the range.
Factory 20rnd mag has three tac welds on the bottom plate.

So overall happy with the purchase, going to get out Wednesday put a few hundred rounds through it see if the bolt is soft or falls apart.

Will post pictures later tonight or tomorrow if i can.

Thanks everyone for your input.
 
Good choice - this years batch of shorties are real nice but if it is your first M14 you really should have got 22" barrel like the real ones so now you simply MUST get a second one :)
 
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