[kennygarza]

I've heard conflicting reports on the hardness of Polytech M14 bolts and receivers. Some say they are soft, some say they're hard enough. I'd like to hear some of your opinions. I took it to the gun show yesterday to pick up some parts for it, and I was blown away by the interest people took in it. At least 8 people wanted to buy it, even though it wasn't for sale.

So, can I get some input as to the quality/hardness/durability of this rifle? It's a straight shooter, and I'm wondering if this would be a good platform to build on.

Much thanks-
KG

[Andrew Wyatt]

fulton armory says the bolts are soft.and should be replaced. they say that the recievers are forged, making them arguably better to build on than SA.

[Bwana John]

Chinese M-14 clone stocks = wood soft, wormy
Chinese M-14 clone barrels = poor, treads/lugs not to spec, good grapestake
Chinese M-14 clone bolts = soft lugs, headspace changes with firing, not to spec

Chinese M-14 clone recievers = Hammer Forged to spec, possibly the best new reciever there are
Chinese M-14 clone op-rod = 1/2 better than USGI, 1/2 garbage

The word out there is that the recievers are great platforms building rifles from, with new S.A. cast, made in Brazil, M-1a recievers only $100 less than the complete Chinese rifles. Usually all parts other than maby the op-rod needs to be replaced from the Chinese rifles.

[hillbilly]

Here's a thread I posted about a Norinco bolt hardness test.


http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=88792&highlight=Norinco+bolt