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Posted: 1/10/2004 5:29:15 PM EDT
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I am looking for a good M14/M1A. I have heard about the polytech rifle, but don't really know anything about them. Are they anygood? thanks Joe |
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From m14.freeservers.com/about.html PRC M14 Type Rifles - The Philippine military and rebel groups have used Chinese M14 rifles in hostile action. Two entities in the Peoples Republic of China have made M14 rifles, Polytech Industries and Norinco. Polytech Industries is owned by the Peoples Liberation Army. Norinco is owned by the government Ministry of Ordnance Industries. Chinese semi-automatic M14 rifles have been exported to Canada, Norway and the United States for sale to private owners. Three companies imported Chinese M14 rifles into the United States between 1988 and September, 1994. IDE and Keng's imported Polytech Industries M14 type rifles. Century Arms International (St. Albans, VT) imported both Polytech Industries and Norinco M14 type rifles. Polytech Industries M14 type rifles in the United States are generally regarded as pre-94 ban. Some of the Norinco M14 type rifles were sold prior to 09/13/94 and some were warehoused by the importer then sold after 09/13/94. If a Chinese made M14 type rifle was not assembled with sufficient U. S. made parts prior to 09/13/94 (to allow installation of a flash suppressor per the March 1989 import ban) the rifle must comply with the 1994 ban on semi-automatic rifle features. It is best for the owner of a Chinese made M14 rifle to check with the U. S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives regarding a specific rifle serial number. The earliest Polytech Industries and Norinco manufacturer and model markings are marked on the receiver heel. Heel markings have been observed on Polytech Industries M14/S rifles with serial numbers as high as 028XX. The majority are marked above the stock line on the scope mount side. A very few Norinco rifles imported into the United States have no manufacturer stamping whatsoever. In all cases though, the serial number is stamped on the receiver left hand side below the stock line. Norinco M14 type rifle model numbers are M-14, M14 Sporter and M305. The Polytech Industries model number is denoted M14/S. Polytech Industries rifles have a better reputation for receiver surface machining and finish over the Norinco stamped rifles. The U. S. Department of Treasury import ban of March 1989 affected the Chinese M14 rifles brought into the United States. Subsequent to the import ban, Chinese M14 type rifles entered the US market with a rubber recoil pad instead of the buttplate, the bayonet lug ground off, the flash suppressor castle nut welded on and the flash suppressor either removed or installed without the open slots. Some of the Chinese M14 rifles were rebuilt by the importer after the March 1989 import ban with U. S. made parts including the USGI flash suppressor. This was legal until the September 1994 ban. Additionally, after the March 1989 import ban Armscorp, Federal Ordnance and Century Arms International assembled M14 type rifles using American made receivers and Chinese parts sets. The following range of serial numbers have been observed on Norinco and Polytech Industries M14 type rifles in the United States: Norinco M-14, M14 Sporter - C00028X to 960XX Polytech Industries M14/S - 0127 to 226XX M14 Type Receivers - There are three important factors in determining the quality of a M14 type rifle receiver. They are the material, heat treatment and dimensional geometry. Receiver Materials - American receivers are made of AISI 8620 low carbon alloy steel. In 1993, a material composition assay of Chinese receivers was performed at Ohio State University at the request of Mr. John Fowler then U. S. Assistant Director of Civilian Marksmanship. The Chinese receivers were found to be made of a high carbon alloy steel very similar to AISI 52100. This steel is a high chromium high carbon alloy steel containing trace percentages of manganese and silicon. The difference was the Chinese steel had a higher silicon concentration than AISI 52100 steel. AISI 8620 steel contains trace percentages of chromium, molybdenum, manganese, nickel and silicon. Both are tough, wear resistant steels suitable for hardening using heat treatment. |
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Hopefully one of our Canadian members will confirm the pricing, but I believe these Chinese M14 imports sell for under $300 in Canada. That's dollarettes. Gives you an idea of how much we're overcharged for these and similar rifles in the USA. The Chinese M14 rifles are only knocked by folks who don't own them! They have some non standard items like metric muzzle threads, but are otherwise competent rifles. M14 Rifle "parts kits" are selling for upwards of $800 on eBay, and new US-Made M14 receivers are in the $400 - $600 range so expect to pay $1200 and up for a "new" M14 rifle made with USGI parts. The Chinese rifles are a bargain in the $600 - $800 range despite what the Canucks pay for them. -- Chuck |
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