Lots of good info here, I bought my Norinco new in 93, it has been accurate and reliable with zero issues ever since.

In my view, based on a lot of reading, there WAS, at one point, A BATCH of polytechs that had a bolt hardness issue, which spawned the internet myth that all bolts have to be replaced. As stated, this fix is only needed if you have one of the defective guns. I f you don't have headspace issues, don't worry about it. Using commercial headspace gauges has caused a lot of anxiety.

I have shot my rifle a lot, never had any degradation of accuracy due to the bolt, or the stock.

My reading has led me to the conclusion that it is better for the rifle to shoot the specified ammo, lots of commercial .308 is loaded hotter, and while it is "safe" to shoot, it does hammer the piston and op rod, and is not as accurate for me.

That said, I shot piles of commercial ammo through mine in my younger, ignorant days, and it didn't hurt it that I can tell.

I only shoot handloads in mine now, using Glen Zedikers Reloading for the Match M14 Data.
It's a good read and he explains why the m14 is sensitive to port pressure and pressure curves.

Great Rifles, you got a great deal.

Wouldn't trade mine for anything.

100 yard 10 shot group, 168 Hornady Match over 41 grains 4895

Attached File


300 yards with 168 Hornady Match over 41 grains of 4895, light breeze, irons

Attached File

The information you get here about Chinese M14's is so conflicting, it does you almost no good to even ask about them. You won't know who or what to believe.

Remember... EVERYTHING MADE IN CHINA IS INFERRIOR IN EVERY WAY.

Yeah... no.


They a good. Just go shoot it and see what happens. My Poly was my first semi 308. I still like it a lot.