woohog1

guys, I just wanted to pass on the news that I just picked up a civilian model of the m-14. O my goodness was it a steal. It was 250 dollars cash money... Its not stolen the only problem was the gentleman had tried to do some gunsmithing and could not get the trigger pin back in so the gun wouldnt shoot. 250 bucks can you believe it?

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Plan9

You got a Springfield Armory M1A for $250? That is a total steal. Guy was a moron. Rifle routinely trades for $1300+.

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rahl

I think he means a mini 14

Kingruv

I don't doubt your word on this, but I do have a question; what is stamped on the back of the receiver behind the rear sight?
The reason I ask is because the Chinese company Polytech has made M-14 copies for years. They sell for much less than a Springfield.

It is also possible the gun was "used" and now he'd like to place it in "evidence relocation".

Plan9

Yeah, I was thinkin' it could be a Norinco / Polytech M14 ripoff, but still... $250 is what you pay for a used SKS these days. Sweet deal.

OP: We demand pictures!

...

Kingruv, where in NoVA are you at and why haven't we gone shooting yet?

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Strange Famous

The last bit doesnt sound that likely?

I mean, if I'd have to use a gun to do some work I'd chuck it in the river, not sell it to someone afterwards.

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woohog1

rahl no I dont mean a mini 14 I mean a m14. Nope gentlemen, the gun isnt hot. As for the rear stamp there actually isnt one there. Even if the gun turns out to not be a springfield im not torn up about it..... It came with the scope mount and a Tasco 4-10 scope on the sucker also... Im estatic and will get pics soon if I can figure out how to.

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Slims

Even a knockoff M-14 will sell for much more than 250 bucks. Worst case you've just got yourself a really inexpensive deer rifle.

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woohog1

heres the way I look at it.... even if it is a crap chinese copy, thats still 250 bucks that was well spent. I couldnt even hardly buy a remington 742 for that amount of money in this enviroment.
thanks to all who posted....

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KirStang

Pre-Obama, chinese copies went for around $800-$900. Now they go for $1,200 or so (I think).

You got an awesome deal.

Plan9

I'd sell it to a paranoid bearded idiot in Realtree. They're at gun shows everywhere. Ask $1000+ and laugh all the way home.

...

I've got a M1A, myself. It's a great piece but getting proper scope mounts, rings, and optics... crazy $$$. Screw you, A.R.M.S.

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KirStang

God dammit. This thread just made me pull my M1A from out of storage just so I can fondle it.

:fondle:

Zeraph

Must find a way to get an assault rifle of my own. I feel so left out.

Kingruv

There are a few things you should check on for this weapon.

What you have described is likely either a Poly Tech or Norinco.
If it were a Springfield Armory it would be stamped and numbered as such on the heel behind the rear sight.
An actual M-14 would be stamped with that designation and the arsenal name. But you don't have to worry about getting one of these. (They can be had in the Netherlands though in the right market)
If your rifle doesn't have it as a heel stamp then it should be on the side of the receiver.

In either case there are things to consider.
1.The most common problem is the bolt is too soft. This can lead to excessive headspace issues because the bolt deforms during fire and cycle. This has happened in new rifles in as few as 100 rounds. Most have some headspace isues by 500 rounds. You can get a gunsmith to check the headspace to find out where it is in the range.(highly advisable for your own safety)
You could also purchase a headspace gauge from Brownell's to check it yourself.
2.If the headspace is ok currently, you can forstall the wear by using Miliec-1 lubricant. It stratifies the surface and causes it to wear much longer. In general it will make most any weapon function cooler.
3.The upside is you have a really good chrome lined barrel and an excellent receiver for your $250
Unlike the Springfield M1A which is cast and finished, the Chinese forge their receivers the way the original arsenal receivers were. (It is unfortunate I think, that China's metallurgy is getting better and better and ours has largely fallen by the wayside)
4.The receiver geometry is identical to the original USGI, the bolt's however is not. Garand's, M1 carbines and M14's (and M1A) are persnickty to get in and out of the receiver on assembly/disassembly because they are precision super close fit. The Chicom bolts are filed to fit.
Folks, this is just wrong. To work together the bolt would need to be hard enough that a file would pretty much skid over it. The locking lugs have to be tough to withstand the stress it's under. You can't use a M1A bolt to replace it either. You would need a M14 bolt of which there are plenty enough. (The M1A bolt is too hard and is generally only good with it's own receiver.)
5.The original bolt isn't the only soft part. There have been problems with the trigger group parts being too soft as well. They tend to gauze up along about the same rate as the bolt. Again this can be overcome with spare parts. This could be the problem about the pin.
6.If you decided it was best to replace the bolt, you might not be able to headspace a GI bolt with the Chinese barrel. Since the barrel is chrome lined it can't be cut with a chamber reamer. So you would be looking at a replacement barrel instead.
This might all seem like excess or too much to fool with. Unless there is something wrong with the receiver, you are ahead price wise even if it isn't currently safe to shoot. The first thing to find out is if it is safe to shoot.
I might add this, when looking for help on this many gunsmiths are not suited to doing this work. Someone with armorer training in service and the tools may be better suited to it. The shops like Fulton Armory and Smith Enterprises specialize iin rebuild/upbuild rifle in the US.

I find it odd that the rifles have such a big discrepancy in it's parts treatment. Of course the People Army isn't using them either. Many were imported to the Philippines.(I know they'd cry over some poor Filipino with a bolt impression in his forehead)
On the other hand, there are not a few Springfield Armory M1A's that are no longer functional because the receiver cracked being unable to withstand heavy bullet/load combinations that owners fired through them. The cheaper Chicom receiver would have never balked with the same load.

If you're wondering why the Chinese would be making M14's; many years ago the State Dept. set Taiwan up with the tooling from the US arsenals after the M16 was made vogue by non-shooters. (I'm being kind here) They made their version a long while. Norinco was able to lift enough tooling to get their start.
As to the comment I made earlier about the previous use of the rifle being a reason to sell it; yes it happens more than you might think.

woohog1

this page just got added to my favorites... thanks man that helps a bunch!!!

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raptor9k

deleted

FelixP

I hate to be this guy, but...it's not an assault weapon. Assault weapons must be select-fire, fire an intermediate rifle round (e.g. 5.56 NATO, 7.62*39mm Soviet, 5.45*39mm Soviet), and...damn I think there is at least one more qualification, but I can't remember it if there is. The civvy M1A is not select fire, and fires a full rifle round (probably 7.62 NATO or .308 Winchester, but could differ).

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raptor9k

deleted

Plan9

Cha-ching. Military vs. ignorant civvie definition.

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FelixP

Never heard that definition before; I always thought that was the congressional term. I mean, I've heard gun control proponents call the M107 an assault weapon. I personally would call the M14 a battle rifle, but...who knows. The point is it's badfuckingass, and I'd like to own one.

***EDIT***

Wait...I'm confused. I don't know if people are agreeing or disagreeing with me...bizarro world...But my final above point remains valid either way

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Free will lies not in the ability to craft your own fate, but in not knowing what your fate is. --Me

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Plan9

M107 is a pain in the ass to lug around, though. Afghanstan'd! The dragbag is nearly as tall as I am.

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Whatever you can carry.

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FelixP

Yeah, my point exactly. How the fuck is the M107 an assault weapon? I MIGHT be in good enough shape to assault accross a football field with that thing...my point is, in the United States anything that isn't manually operated (bolt, pump, etc.) or single shot and has more than a ten or fifteen round clip is an "assault weapon" Dumbass politicians...grumble grumble...

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Free will lies not in the ability to craft your own fate, but in not knowing what your fate is. --Me

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Plan9

"Assault weapon" is a universal title used by non-gun numbskulls to describe something they don't understand either in design or application.

Every magazine-fed rifle is an assault weapon. Every scoped rifle is a sniper rifle. Pistols have secret voodoo magic that makes them kill children.

Same old crap.

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Whatever you can carry.

"You should not drink... and bake."

FelixP

Crompsin...you're alright.

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Free will lies not in the ability to craft your own fate, but in not knowing what your fate is. --Me

"I have just returned from visting the Marines at the front, and there is not a finer fighting organization in the world." --Douglas MacArthur

Plan9

Sorry, Jazz is already my father.

...

Hah, I should be alright... thread reminded me that I actually have a M1A. I haven't looked at it in a long time.



Say... anybody wanna be the owner of a lightly used M1A? Papa needs cash for another (bigger) motorcycle.

...

It's an assault weapon because it assaults everybody around you when it goes off. Components were tight as hell, had feed issues.



I popped the cherry on this particular M107. They needed somebody to sight it in for the first time. Notice my hot-hot improper initial scope mounting.

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"You should not drink... and bake."