How's Polytech M14 clone?

[AirPower]

How is the Polytech M14 clone? I have a chance to buy one and I think they're pretty neat. Are they reliable and accurate?

 

[1 old 0311]

As is they work as they should. Some parts are not as durable as the U.S. made/military parts but for the average shooter is is a good rifle for the money.

 

[UltraFudd]

Piece of crap. Good for making noise, but the receivers are substandard and they tend to beat themselves apart after a few thousand rounds. Poor accuracy and little potential to build it up into anything like match specs.

I'd rather own an AK clone - at least them little buggers know how to make 'em! Seriously, it depend on what you want it for; battle rifle, match gun, or general blaster. There are better choices in each category at comparable prices.

 

[Appaloosa]

Here is what Fulton Armory has to say about them. This should answer all your questions.

http://www.fulton-armory.com/M14S_Eval.htm

 

[Baba Louie]

I'll wait and let H20 Man give you a serious reply, but will state that the Polytechs do have a pretty good forged receiver to use as the basis for a future rebuild should you buy it. The bolt may or may not be somewhat softish which can, has and will create headspace issues if in fact it is too soft... and hence therein lies the rub.

If you have enough money to throw at that problem (should it exist in that specific rifle) the problem can be made to disappear.

Check the headspace on the rifle in question beforehand. If it's "go" spend the money, I'd say. Bolt and op rod system can be replaced down the road.

Or... you could by a SA M1A and force yourself to suffer thru a "cast" receiver and have a pretty nice warranty backing you up.

 

[H2O MAN]

AirPower How is the Polytech M14 clone? I have a chance to buy one and I think they're pretty neat. Are they reliable and accurate?

All of the Norinco and Poly Tech M14s are great.
The side stamped versions imported by IDE are said to be the very best - good to go - right out of the box.
You can shoot NATO ball out of them in standard form - as is.
You can do whatever National Match mods you choose or custom build on the excellent forged receivers.
1-piece forged op rods, excellent trigger groups that respond well to NM mods and chrome lined, standard profile barrels with metric threads are included.

Sure, there were some problems reported with the very first rifles imported to the US, but most are just fine.
That said, I choose to let SEI domesticate mine - the results are outstanding

UltraFudd Piece of crap. Good for making noise, but the receivers are substandard and they tend to beat themselves apart after a few thousand rounds. Poor accuracy and little potential to build it up into anything like match specs.

Please repeat this message on every single gun forum you can find... maybe it will drive the prices back down

 

[Coronach]

Piece of crap.

Survey says?

X

Good for making noise, but the receivers are substandard and they tend to beat themselves apart after a few thousand rounds.

Survey says?

XX

Poor accuracy and little potential to build it up into anything like match specs.

Survey says?

XXX

Sorry. Thanks for playing. We have some lovely parting gifts.

The bolt can have some issues (soft metal, not built dimensionally to spec), but the receiver is excellent, dimensionally perfect and made from exceptional steel. This means that out of the box it may be OK, but may not be and the bolt should be watched carefully. It can, however, be rebuilt into an outstanding rifle.

Mike

 

[articdog]

Airpower - I have both Springfield Armory, Inc. M1A and Polytech M14S rifles. Both are reliable, accurate, durable, and can be counted on for tough situations.

Just give them the proper care and lube where needed for long life.

I tweak my rifles with accessories, not because I have to, but because I want to - the pursuit of perfection in parts quality and accuracy. That said, I've seen both makes shoot 1-2 moa "as is" with good handloads and slow fire. I can also empty a 20 round mag quickly.

In summary, the chinese M14S is an excellent rifle for the money.

 

[AirPower]

Thanks all. I have an "IDE" marked Polytech M14S coming. I think it's around 20k serial range. Is that an early or late import? And known for any issues?

i think I'll try to find a better stock though since the wood seems dent easy.

 

[Jason_G]

Quote:
Piece of crap.
Survey says?

X
Quote:
Good for making noise, but the receivers are substandard and they tend to beat themselves apart after a few thousand rounds.
Survey says?

XX
Quote:
Poor accuracy and little potential to build it up into anything like match specs.
Survey says?

XXX

Sorry. Thanks for playing. We have some lovely parting gifts.

I would be a happy man if I could find a Polytech around here.

Jason

 

[Coronach]

The wood is pretty cruddy. As I said in my post, your big problem area is the bolt. Get a set of go/no-go gages, and check it often (as in, every range outing, or immediately if functioning starts changing. If it starts to go, STOP SHOOTING THE GUN until you do a USGI bolt conversion. Apparently, once they start to go, they go very quickly. It can and will create an excessive headspace condition, which is not something you want to screw around with.

The trigger group can be bad, too, but AFAIK, that's a drop-in replacement type deal.

Three companies that do work on Polytechs are

www.fulton-armory.com
www.warbirdscustomguns.com
www.smithenterprise.com

Be advised that Fulton claims that the Polytech's barrel "cannot be used" for a USGI bolt conversion. Meanwhile, Warbird states that it can, that Fulton (not mentioned by name, but they're talking about Fulton) isn't doing the conversion properly and is just trying to soak the customer for a barrel, and refuses to work on Polytechs that were converted by Fulton.

Who is right? I dunno.

Mike