Norinco M14?

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Sulaco

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Anyone know much about Norinco M14's? I know where one is for about $350.00 and was wondering if it is worth it. Any good sites on these?
 
A Norinco M14 for $350 is a steal. They're pretty good copies. I have a Polytech M14 that I paid $750 for about 2 years ago. No problems. I did have the headspace checked before I shot it.

Here's an evaluation from Fulton Armory that I think is full of it:
http://www.fulton-armory.com/M14S_Eval.htm

Here are some threads:
http://www.gunsnet.net/forums/showthread.php?t=266578&highlight=norinco
http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=135896&highlight=norinco+m14
http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=141973&highlight=norinco+m14
 
Thanks for the info. So the consensus is that $350.00 is a good deal? I guess I need to pickup some headspace guages. Who has the best prices on these? Is the field guage really the only one I need?

Also, who has the best online info for these? I want to learn how to maintain them, detail strip them, etc. I have always wanted a MBR and always looked at the FAL's because of price, but now that I am changing gears, I have a lot to learn.

Thanks again.
 
Does no one else have a problem with buying a junk copy of an American battle rifle from the Chinese?
 
Does no one else have a problem with buying a junk copy of an American battle rifle from the Chinese?

+1

It seems inconsistent to me too that the kind of man who would want such a rifle as this...would be willing to accept a chinese knockoff.

<shrug>
 
I own a Norinco M14 copy.

I don't think it's junk.

In fact, I actually upgraded mine with a Kreiger barrel and synthetic stock with an action bedding job.

Even with the upgrades added to the original cost of the rifle, it's still cheaper than a comparable Springfield by quite a bit, and will do 1 to 1.5 inch groups with 168 grain handloads.

I have no problem whatsoever.

The money I spent went to my local FFL dealer, not the Chinese. Any money the Chinese were getting out of this rifle, they got back in 1991 or so when it was first imported.

hillbilly
 
The Norinco/Poly is an excellent rifle,forged receiver,forged one-piece op rod,excellent chrome lined barrel etc.In many respects it is superior to any currently produced M14 type rifle with LRB being the only exception,But it does have some issues,some minor some not.Minor issues include,gas lock thread is not the same as G.I.,Gas system not chrome lined, short connector lock pin(not an issue unless installing a G.I.stock),and rear sights are a crap shoot.Some are fine some are not.The only major issue is that headspace tends to be long and some bolts are soft which can become dangerous.Most people err on the side of caution and have a G.I. bolt fitted.I would the check headspace,if it's ok then record it and recheck every couple of hundred rounds or if there are signs of excessive headspace.When/if it becomes unacceptable then have a G.I. bolt fitted.http://warbirdscustomguns.com/Rifle%20Shop%20services.htm has lot's of experience with these conversions.http://www.m-14forum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=21
A good M14 specific forum.
350 is a steal as the average price for these lately has been between 600 and 800.
 
TechBrute said:
Does no one else have a problem with buying a junk copy of an American battle rifle from the Chinese?


neoncowboy said:
+1

It seems inconsistent to me too that the kind of man who would want such a rifle as this...would be willing to accept a chinese knockoff.

<shrug>



I am buying it second hand. The damage is done.

But let me ask you a question, do you own a Ruger firearm? Did you buy it new? How about Levi Strauss & Co. Jeans? Dockers? Do you see where this is going? I think if you don't have anything positive to add to the post, you should take the High Road right on outa' here.
 
Man... where were these guys when I....

could have bought one at $300 years ago when they filled racks at Woolworth's (in our mall back home). BUT,,, the conventional wisdom was that they were of questionable compatibility in parts, and the metallurgy might be shaky. I would have loved to have an M14, but passed because of all the bad press. Admittedly, their finish was not so hot, but if they are like my SKS - rugged and acccurate!

Now... you guys make me feel like a shoulda got one!
 
You proclaim it's junk but I've not seen it except from those who have a vested interest in convincing people it's junk.

I had a Norinco 1911A1 and it was better than Springfield at the time.

TechBrute said:
Does no one else have a problem with buying a junk copy of an American battle rifle from the Chinese?
 
For some Ruger can do no wrong even if they've done more than any foreigner has to damage gun rights. I don't worship at that alter.


Sulaco said:
I am buying it second hand. The damage is done.

But let me ask you a question, do you own a Ruger firearm? Did you buy it new? How about Levi Strauss & Co. Jeans? Dockers? Do you see where this is going? I think if you don't have anything positive to add to the post, you should take the High Road right on outa' here.
 
My Dad has a Polytech. I would say it doesn't feel as good as his Armscorp M1A, but it works and it is accurate enough.
 
Without bashing anyone's politics or parentage or stand on tariffs... the question remains, at THAT price is it a good buy?

I have to say that while the price might seem attractive I've heard that a Polytech/Norinco M-14 is a real crapshoot over the years, both here and at TFL. The reciever itself was always the issue in the old days... something about improper heat treating.

I would expect to get a semi-auto .308 rifle that works at that price, not a rifle that rivals an M-1A in fit, finish, parts compatibility or accuracy.

As long as you are comfortable with the difference, it seems like a good price.
 
over at www.canadiangunnutz.com, there are hundreds of people with norinco m14s (or m305s) are they're called. They are good guns and most people have no complaints with them. for 400$ canadian, you can just as much fun considered a springfield m14 costs minimum 2000$ here
 
Right now any .308 battlerifle you can buy for $350 is a good deal, even a Cetme. I've always heard of much worse issues with the Springfield varients than the chinese guns. Don't let the fact that their made in China worry you, they're making guns not nuclear-tipped warheads(well those too:neener: ). BTW what's the problem with buying chinese guns, that's the free market at work and it's unfortunate that we can't buy new ones now. I'd gladly buy an American M1A if they could compete pricewise, but thanks to over-regulation, taxes, paying obscene employee benefits, they can't compete.
 
TechBrute said:
Does no one else have a problem with buying a junk copy of an American battle rifle from the Chinese?

I would have a problem with it except for the fact that what should be a readily available mil-surplus rifle is extremely restricted and US made clones are only available at an inflated price.

So until the US Gov. and US manufacturers get their heads out of their collective a$$es I fell no desire to "buy American" where the M-14 is concerned.:cuss:
 
Here is my thoughts, for what it's worth. If you are not planning any serious target shooting/competition you will not be dissapointed. And the average shooter, like myself, would probably never be able to tell the difference between the $350 model and the $1200 model in terms of accuracy with iron sights. JMHO Good luck
 
I, admittedly, have no experience with the chinese knockoff M14. However, I do have experience with their junk 870 knockoff and have seen the quality of their winchester cowboy knockoff (the model number escapes me.) I stand by my assertion that Norinco produces junk. I have no vested interest, I am stating my view. Junk junk junk junk.

Junkity junkity junkity junkity.

Oh, and them being chinese has nothing to do with my assertion that they are junk. I was just pointing out the irony of the chinese producing an american battle rifle ripoff.

Junk junk junk junk.
 
I have a springfield M1A and for $350 I think I would buy a Norinco knock off. I would have to have it in my hands to be sure.

Like longhorn posted, $350 is just a good deal for any kind of rifle like that, even AK's are starting to cost more than $350.

Get it, for sure. You can buy it use it and sell it later for $350.

Shoot it, accrue magazines, tools etc. If you really like the platform and want something a little better you can pony up for a springfield/fulton whatever. You'll already have ammo, mags and tools around. If you aren't crazy about it you'll have a copy of an M1A to play around with without having thousands wrapped up in it.
 
bofe954 said:
I have a springfield M1A and for $350 I think I would buy a Norinco knock off. I would have to have it in my hands to be sure.

Like longhorn posted, $350 is just a good deal for any kind of rifle like that, even AK's are starting to cost more than $350.

Get it, for sure. You can buy it use it and sell it later for $350.

Shoot it, accrue magazines, tools etc. If you really like the platform and want something a little better you can pony up for a springfield/fulton whatever. You'll already have ammo, mags and tools around. If you aren't crazy about it you'll have a copy of an M1A to play around with without having thousands wrapped up in it.

This is kindof how I am looking at it also. Even if I don't like it I can always get my money back out of it. And then some. ;)
 
I think some of you might want to take a step away from the computer and re-think your comments here. A man has a right to buy what he wants so please leave it at that and answer the man's questions as best you can.

Personally I have seen some fine shooting Norincos and Polytechs. I figure if they've already been bought in the US once then China has the money. Now I'm just redistributing my US dollars to another US citizen.
 
$350 sounds very good assuming it has had a reasonable life so far. The Norinco/Polytech is regarded well my many a m14/m1a shooter.

I have not shot one myself, but I have shot several Norinco 1911 pistols, and all for the price where good.

Also for those complaining about Chinese rifles, I assume then you also don't ever want any of those other foreign Soviet-block rifles either, right?
 
Almost all guns have a problem eventually as for chineese I love my dads norinco sks and I use norinco sks ammo all the time what I have found so far and I buy alot of guns just to see how much they can take before they go to the parts bins is that of the guns I have had.

Lorcin L380=Always junk jams every 2 shots just to be different it jams every shot at times.

Jennings J-22=Mostly junk jams every 3 or 4 shots but for $30 I couldn't pass up a chance for a play and no money lost when it blows up gun.

Daisy legacy 22=One of the best I have had it 11 years and never any problems (and I shoot over 1k shells a week threw it.

FEG PA-63 9x18 Mak=From what I have done with it so far good gun a few things get loose and need tightened every now and then.

Yugo SKS=Great gun although I did run into a few that needed new gas pistons after a few 1,000 shots.

Siaga 20=Decent gun from what I have heard but I am currently fixing an ejector problem on mine.

British 303=Great rifle never a problem with it as of yet.

1910 German puppy municipal= Blew up in my hand but hey it lasted 95 years before it blew up so would rate it as a good gun.

Think I will quit there but I challenge myself to put cheap guns threw the worst conditions ever and if they come out on top I buy more to play with.

But my point is that every firearm is different they have good and bad based on year and on who was working that day and made a mistake so you can't judge a gun by 1 bad run in yeah it sux when you waste money on a gun and it breaks but hey you live you learn and buy better next time.
 
Check headspace and shoot it.When and if you feel the need you can upgrade the parts to g.i.. You can put 800 dollars into it and have a custom built rifle superior to a Springfield and still have less money into it.Just so you know though,many people get 1 inch groups out of these rifles even with all the original parts.
 
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