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Posted: 5/29/2005 8:39:09 AM EDT
| I picked up a Polytech M14 unfired for $450 a while back, I figure I couldn't pass it up but I know little about them. It is in the 02XXX ser # range, any production problems durring that time? I'd like to put a different stock on it, do USGI stocks fit this gun? Does anyone know where I can get a pistol grip type stock for it? What are the most done parts changes to make it a US compliant gun (I want a flashhider and pistol grip stock) ? Thanks for any help with this, Justin. |
| It's a long read but worth your time IMHO, see the free online version of M14 Rifle History and Development at www.imageseek.com/m1a |
1. You got a good deal. Polys are typically selling for $600-800 these days. 2. USGI stocks fit just fine, but you need to fill in a spot in the inletting next to the op rod spring guide retainer pin or it will back out. Good servicable USGI stocks are available as cheap as $20 so you can afford to buy several and experiment. 3. First thing you need to worry about is headspace. The Polys have notoriously loose headspace out of the box. Mine was actually unsafe to fire brand-new and came close to piercing primers. Get a USGI bolt fitted to your gun. The bolt itself will cost you $100-150 or more but it's worth it. USGI bolts won't usually drop right in (I got very lucky with mine and it did) and they need to be fitted by someone who KNOWS what he's doing. One of the very best M14 gunsmiths quoted me $85 to do this and I consider that CHEAP if you need it. Even if a GI bolt drops into yours, check the headspace again, and the lug engagement. Spending $200-300 for a good bolt and getting it fitted is CHEAP insurance and you still won't have the price of a used, cast receiver Springfield M1A in the gun. 4. Putting on a flash hider requires that you change just about all the major parts of the gun to US made to be legal. This will end up running you about what you have in the rifle already. I decided that this just isn't worth it just to get slots in my flashhider (my gun has the fake closed cell flashhider). 5. Any changes you make, carefully document them including parts, cost, and who did the work, as well as headspace. If you have all this documented you can probably recoup most, maybe all of your investment if you ever want to sell it. GOOD reworked Polytechs are valued guns to people who know what they are. If you can't prove that you've put on good USGI parts properly, the gun is worth no more than a base, used Poly. Good luck with your project, you have the basis of what can be an EXCELLENT rifle at a good price. (In case you hadn't guessed, I am in the process of working up a Poly myself and am only a little farther than you down the road. ) 
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