02-20-2008, 10:56 PM
| #1 |
| Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Yuma, AZ
Posts: 134
| Chinese M1A/M-14??? Does anyone know if the Norinco M1A clone is a good buy, or am I better off saving up more money for the Springfield. Is it just a cheeper rifle or do you get what you pay for. |
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02-20-2008, 11:05 PM
| #2 |
| Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Louisville Kentucky.
Posts: 312
| I had one. It shot pretty good. Not as good as my Springfield but pretty good. I read alot of stories about the headspace and soft metal etc. I wasn't sure so I took mine to a gunsmith and he told me it was slightly off so I traded it to a guy that wanted one badly for a 1969 Colt Python 4" blued pristine condition. I am sure I did the right thing, but it was never a problem the time I had it. But the Springfield is a way better rifle. If I were you save the money and get the real thing. |
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02-21-2008, 07:17 AM
| #3 |
| Senior Member  Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 357
|  Norinco & Poly Tech The Chinese clones are about as good as it gets. The receivers are forged and as close as you can get to USGI dimensions (closer than LRB). The barrels are chrome lined and as good as USGI, but they do have metric threads for the gas lock and castle nut. The rear sights are mostly good, the front sight and muzzle device should be replaced with USGI. The bolts tend to have a long NATO head space. A USGI bolt conversion is not a bad investment. The trigger groups can be as good as USGI with a little TLC and the op rods are forged one piece items just like TRW. I had a Springfield Armory clone and it gave me fits. I now have 8 Norinco and Poly Tech M14s. Chinese receivers are ideal for custom builds... Last edited by Rex Kramer; 02-21-2008 at 07:21 AM. |
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02-21-2008, 07:46 AM
| #4 |
| Senior Member  Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northern Orygun
Posts: 433
| The chicom rifle does have a good receiver. It also has very soft wood, bolts and trigger groups are sub standard. They can be made in to a fine rifle. I guess it boils down to do want to buy a rifle made by an American or a Chinaman. Here's a link on this subject. Chinese copies? - M-14 Firing Line Public Forum
__________________ old white farts love preparing for the zombie apocalypse... Last edited by madcratebuilder; 02-21-2008 at 07:57 AM. |
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02-21-2008, 08:22 AM
| #5 | |
| Senior Member Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 357
| Quote:
I tried the American made rifle and it was a problematic POS. More thoughts on the subject: The ChiCom M14s were made long ago and you can only buy them 2nd hand in the US - non of your money goes to China. The trigger groups are very good. I had SEI perform their MAX-PACK on two Chinese trigger groups and they are indistinguishable from my all TRW trigger groups. I have read owners reports that the bolts are just fine with NATO ammo, ...all of my rebuilds have TRW bolts installed by SEI... The original Chinese stocks are Chu wood. This wood is light and virtually impervious to moisture - I like them. My lightest M14 is an IDE side stamped Poly in Chu wood. I really like the heel stamped Poly Techs and will buy them when I can.   Last edited by Rex Kramer; 02-21-2008 at 09:03 AM. | |
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02-21-2008, 09:53 PM
| #6 |
| Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Yuma, AZ
Posts: 134
| Thanks for the info. I will think on it some more. |
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