Seems like several years back I heard stories of them having receivers with bad heat treatment that would stretch, etc. Was that true or BS? I see them occationally at funshows for considerably less $$$ than the US made ones and I have to wonder if they're really as bad as the stories I remember hearing. Are they okay for non compettition stuff? Or should they be avoided all together? Do they have chrome lined barrels, etc? Just looking for general info...

The accepted wisdom is that the bolts are soft. This may be true. My experience is limited only to the Polytech I just bought, so take it for what it's worth. When I got it, I immediately took to my smith for a check of the headspace. As i feared when buying it ($700),  the headspace was long but shootable. The rifle showed a VERY LITTLE evidence of being fired - looked almost unfired judging by wear to the park. I "believe" a lot of the problems are that these rifles were headspaced long at the factory. Still, I had a TRW bolt installed($35 total - that's right don't hate me) and kept the old one as a spare. Barrels are CL. Finish and machining is rough but servicable. I expect this rifle to be a very good shooter once the accurizing work is complete. YMMV, peasant.

I have a polytech (one of the early ones) and i enjoy mine so far.  I havent shot any commercial loads, only NATO rounds through it.  I might pick up some good commercial loads before i go to the range on friday and shoot some commercial loads and inspect the casing.

Pretty much from what i have gathered, if it might be a no/go with commercial loads it can still fire 7.62 NATO rounds without posing a danger.  Have your local gunsmith check out the bolt with a SAAMI gauge and a (i think its called) 7.62 NATO headspace gauge.

A few of the guys on the board have poly-techs and from what i have read, as i asked the same question about a week ago, is that they love their rifles.

The barrels are chrome lined and the reciever is actually really good as it is forged and not cast like the SA one.

The Polytech receivers are Forged (not cast) and they are the closest dimensionally to the U.S.G.I. - read "Differents" thread on scope mounting on M-1As.

BIGGER_HAMMER

Thanks for the info, guys. A bolt is a hell of a lot more replaceable than a receiver. I can deal with that.
I'll check out Differents stuff too. Thanks!