Polytech M14 project on-line

[HavelockLEO]

Last week as a post-Hurricane Irene present (due to all the work with power being out, see directing traffic and extreme over-time) I went to one of my local haunts and found a forlorn Polytech M14 in the rack. After some deep deliberation I brought her home and decided to make her into the bush/scout style M14 I've always wanted.
So I contacted Arrington Accuracy about building her once I got the parts together, and Mr. Arrington agreed to the build.
So heres what I have so far:
-Polytech receiver/op-rod-hopefully the op-rod will be usable with a USGI bolt
-TRW Bolt
-HRA trigger group
-USGI gas cylinder/piston/plug
-USGI clip guide
-USGI rear sight
-Smith Enterprise direct connect Vortec flash eliminator
-SA Inc. Composite stock
These are the parts I have on order:
-Fulton Armory non-chrome lined 18 in barrel
-Smith Enterprise hooded gas cylinder lock front sight
I'll be ordering the final parts, Smith extended bolt stop, new springs and pins in the next week or so.
I'm looking at a SAGE EBR stock to complete build, but they're on back order at every vendor that stocks them so that finishing touch might be later than I'd like, but I can live with it.

 

[DesertFox]

Sounds like the makings of a nice project. My Polytech shoots great. A good friend and gunsmith wrote up several articles years ago on the excellent results he got from a 1911 build starting with a Norinco. As much as I'd like to wholesale deny anything Chinese out of principle, there have been some keepers, IMOHO, and I bet your Polytech build will end up being one of them.

 

[451 Detonics]

I sold a dozen of the Polytechs in my store, everyone of them was a shooter. I just wish I had kept one for myself...would love to put one in the Archangel stock...

 

[fragout]

The Norinco and Polytech M14's make for an excellent build imo.

I have a build very similar to the one you are planning.

Mine is built off a Norinco M14/S receiver.

USGI parts:

Gas cylinder, spindle valve assembly, gas plug.

Complete rear sight assembly

Complete trigger group (HnR)

Complete bolt (TRW)

Connector lock (conversion)

Sling

Stock (Synthetic with selector lever hole filled)

ARMS #18 scope mount ( The older version)


I bought the bbl new from LRB Arms. (Criterion 18.5in chrome lined std contour)

SEI Vortex direct connect flash hider and the hooded gas lock front sight

Sadlak op-rod spring guide and tin coated gas piston.


I kept the OEM op-rod, and bolt stop.






Same rifle along with my M1A-A1.........






Dont forget to post a few pics of your's once you get her built.


11B

 

[HavelockLEO]

fragout
my build is going to have an extra step, Arrington Accuracy is also re-heat treating the receiver to bring up to GI spec, might not need it, but I'm a proponent of the old adage "better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it".
I really like the looks of the ARMS base, I might just invest in one. Oh, and a parts update, my barrel will arrive tomorrow and my gas lock front sight should get here early next week I hope.

 

[Jason_G]

The only thing I would dissuade you from is the SAI stock. I know you mentioned going with a Sage later on, so I'm guessing the SAI is just something to use until the Sage is available? If so, you'd be better off with a GI fiberglass one I believe. They are cheaper, and the fit of the receiver into the stock will more than likely be better. At one time, SAI synthetic stocks were just painted GI fiberglass stocks, but not anymore. The SAI stock is made in house, not quite to the same specs, and I have had some slight POI shifts where the first shot was a flyer. I blamed it on a cold bore at first (to the point that I even considering rebarreling), but I figured out that it was the receiver shifting a little in the stock after the recoil of the first round. After it "settles in", all is good. The SAI stock is also really flimsy in the forend, as well. Way too much flex. If I were you, I'd get old USGI, either walnut, birch, or fiberglass.


Jason

 

[mortablunt]

Normally, I don't like plasticising wooden guns, but for the M14, I'll make an exception. I approve of your project.

 

[HavelockLEO]

fragout
did your Norinco have the original barrel set into the receiver with a set screw like my Polytech?
I'll send you a PM about some ideas I've been having about the build I'm cookin up.