Polytech M-14S/M1A Questions

[John C]

In the heat of the moment today, I probably paid a bit too much for a Polytech M-14S. The rifle looked like it had been shot a bit and put away for 15 years. The stock had some scratches, but nothing I couldn't live with. The bore looked unpitted, but with expected communist tool marks. It was $799.99. Before anyone gets upset, rifles like this in California routinely go for $200 more than you'll find elsewhere.

I figured that if I could find a used Springfield M1A in similar condition, it'd run at least $1200 in this neighborhood. So with that in mind, I think the price is reasonable, but not a deal.

After reading a whole bunch about them, I hear that the receivers are usually good, but the bolts are often quite out of spec. I've read that the trick is to have a GI bolt fitted to the rifle, and the result will be a great rifle for a fair price.

So, on to my question. Where is the best place to find a genuine GI M-14 bolt? How much should I expect to pay?

Thanks!

-John

 

[g5reality]

I would have bougth a Springfield or Fulton. Come to the M1A Club Thread and perhaps we can persuade you to get one.

I'd check Fulton Armory parts:

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

 

[nobody_special]

I think you did pretty well for that price... the norinco/polytech models used to be pretty cheap, but no longer.

I'd check the headspace carefully and regularly. If the bolt is too soft (and apparently they sometimes are) then it could develop problems.

 

[John C]

G5;

I hear you on the fulton or springfield, the issue is the fact that Springfields here are like $1479 for a service-type model. I've only seen one used one in the last year, and it had a hideous camo stock which I would've had to replace. It was $1200. Money is definitely a factor. I am an accuracy guy, but so far just in pistols. If I shot more rifle, I suppose I could justify the extra expense of a high power competition rifle, but not now. I figure that I could just get this rifle, shot the crud out of it, and either have it rebuilt into something better or upgrade.

Like I said, after reading about the polytechs (AFTER I bought the rifle...I know, I know) it appears that the receivers are quite good, although the bolts are terrible to the point of making the rifles unsafe to shoot. The proper way to correct that is have a GI bolt fitted. At this point I intend to ship the rifle to fulton, have them do a check-out on it, and then hand fit a GI bolt. This should run me about $340. ($125 GI bolt, $75 check out, $100 hand fit, $40 shipping) This puts me in the ball park of a used Springfield, if I could find one, which I can't. In theory, these GI bolt polytechs are actually better than base model Springfields.

-John

 

[John C]

Thanks, Nobody Special. I have a buddy who's a police armorer. I'm pretty sure he has headspace guages for .308. I'm going to have him look it over as soon as I pick it up in 10 days. At that point, I might shoot it prior to sending it off. If it's got issues now, I'll just send it off to get worked over as is.

-John

 

[mattw]

these GI bolt polytechs are actually better than base model Springfields.

Except for the fact that they don't have a LIFETIME warranty.

 

[vanfunk]

Don't put too much stock in what a .308 headspace gauge will tell you about a Polytech or Norinco M-14s. These rifles are chambered for 7.62 NATO, not .308 Winchester, and thus the bolt will likely close on a .308 NO GO gauge. This doesn't mean that they are unsafe by any means, but they are chambered for 7.62 and should be fed appropriate ammo. Not all of the bolts were soft, either. Get yourself some 7.62 headspace gauges and check it frequently for a while as you shoot it. If you're getting bolt setback, then send it out to Warbird or Ted Brown and have a USGI bolt conversion done.

HTH,
vanfunk

 

[g5reality]

John,

Go to the trading post venue and look at the rifles for sale. I've seen a couple of M1
A's offered. Also, I think when you're all said & done you will have as much invested into your Polytech as you would have if you just bought a Newer Springfield.

I've stareted another Club thread for the M1A's. perhaps you sould come ask your questions there.

I'll be at Angeles on Saturday Morning if you'd like to check out and shoot my setup.

 

[thereisnospoon]

Polytechs vs. Springfield

I've never owned anything but second hand Poly's and they are extremely accurate and function flawlessly without ANY modifications... [That doesn't mean that there isn't a grain of truth in the soft bolt issue, but I think its more hype and tripe than actual fact. I have never seen a post regarding a Poly blowing. I know that Fulton has warnings on their websites, but wouldn't you if you were competing with an equal quality product at half price?] someone may want to post an independant source, if they have it...I have just never seen it, so I could be wrong.

You did wonderful...don't let any of the Springfield purists get you down. If you don't want the rifle post it for sale and see how fast it's snapped up...here or at M14 forum. I bet it wouldn't go a day on M14forum before it was claimed at aprofit for you.

Find out what people in the know, know about Polys.

BTW, no flame intended

spoon

 

[atblis]

How bout

That's in Canadian dollars. US Dollars = $340

God bless the US governement for sheltering all the poor helpless US gun companies.

 

[nobody_special]

Ugh... at that price, I'd buy 2. I could've bought 4 for the price I just paid for a Springfield m1a scout/squad...

 

[Ben Hate]

poly

my stepdad has the poly m14 with the USGI style scope mount that screws in on the left side, i havnt used it in about 8 years, but from what i recall it was a great rifle. he said it reminded him of the springfield he carried while in vietnam, and has no complaints over it being made in commieland.

 

[John C]

VanFunk;

That's basically my plan. I'm going to have a police armorer buddy check the head space and if it's good, shoot it. I do want to send it out for a bolt conversion, though.

I've been reading about this guy Warbird. Do you have his contact info? What about Ted Brown?

I called a couple of the big guys today (fulton armory and Smith Enterprises) and it seems like they're really too busy for this kind of work. (This is in no way a slam; it just appears that their quantity of quality work means that they need to focus on bigger jobs)

Thanks,

-John

 

[John C]

G5reality;

I hear you on this one. Now that my mastercard is cold, I'm starting to see the big picture. Too late, now.

Nonetheless, I can't even FIND a used M1A around here, so as long as I end up in this rifle for $1200, I figure I'm even. When I spoke with Clint from Fulton Armory, he said himself that the Polytech receivers are really top notch; it's just the rest of the rifles that are junk! Besides, I want a shooter first, so if I had my druthers I'd shoot the barrel out of this one and then upgrade. Between work and family, that might bet never.

I really appreciate the offer; unfortunately, I'm in NorCal. I assume Angeles is in SoCal?

Thanks,

-John

 

[John C]

Spoon;

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm not a rifle shooter, although I'd like to start. I wonder if I should have receiver and bolt tested to see how hard they really are. Before I sell it, I think I need to figure out how much it'll cost me to upgrade it to a long term shooter. If it's more than $400, I might just sell it.

The problem around here is that there are a lot of people with a lot of money who snatch up anything that doesn't pop up very often, regardless of price. That's why I had to put a "California factor" into the price. I knew that I had to buy it then, or forever hold my peace. In the end, it's never a bad thing to support a local shop, considering that I did much better than buying off gunbroker.

-John

 

[g5reality]

John,

I didn't mean to say the Poly wasn't good the Polytech receivers are really top notch. Buy a stock fromFulton or Springfield and see how it performs.

I've also spoken with clint. Knowledgeable guy. Fulton and Springfield have very nice support people.

Yes I'm in So Cal. sorry you won't be able to stop by.

Let us all know how things work out for you.

G5