Polytech M14 on GB

I have several M1's and have always wanted an M14 but $2000.00 and up seems beyond my budget. Gun broker has a Poly tech M14 up right now starting at $1000.00. This is a relist because didn't sell last Sunday. Would a.couple of you M14 afficianado's give me an opinion on whether you would buy it for that price? I have asked him barrel condition and he says excellent, but no ME or TE. GB auction #364587668. I have read Sarges opinions on Chinese M14's and it has made me consider this one. Auction ends Sunday. I'm sorry but I do not know how to link the auction to this site. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I think this will help you. Poly, Norinco same same.

Norinco M14

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Originally Posted by Bill Hollinger

I think this will help you. Poly, Norinco same same.

Norinco M14

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Thank you Bill, I have read that post, but there were no specifics, on this particular M14. I would just like to get an idea if that rifle is worth $1000 or more.

money is an abstract. I paid $600 for my Chinese m14 then worked it to E2 configuration with Art scope added. The money paid was market value at the time, 1984. I wanted it, I bought it.

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Originally Posted by arado

money is an abstract. I paid $600 for my Chinese m14 then worked it to E2 configuration with Art scope added. The money paid was market value at the time, 1984. I wanted it, I bought it.

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I know little of Chinese M14 prices. I live in a milsurp backwater. If you want cowboy guns, there are a lot here, but military guns? I saw Poly tech M14 in a gun shop here a few months for $1700 and it was gone the next time I went in. I was just hoping I could get an opinion on $1000. for a Poly tech, Thanks.

It could easily be worth that money.

[QUOTE=Bill Hollinger;272475]It could easily be worth that money.[/QUOTE
Thank you Bill. That is all I was looking for. Now, hopefully I'll be the only bidder.

It could be a good buy, but.....

The rifle appears to be "AS IS", & the seller says nothing about function or internals. I don't see any indication that the seller checks out the items he sells. If the bore is corroded, or the sight threads are stripped, or it won't latch tight, or...... Well, any major problem, you may have to eat the cost.

If it were me, I'd ask the seller, "If I find a MAJOR defect not described in your listing, can I return it for a full refund plus shipping both ways?" His response should tell you a lot about his integrity.

Neal

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Originally Posted by Neal Myers

It could be a good buy, but.....

The rifle appears to be "AS IS", & the seller says nothing about function or internals. I don't see any indication that the seller checks out the items he sells. If the bore is corroded, or the sight threads are stripped, or it won't latch tight, or...... Well, any major problem, you may have to eat the cost.

If it were me, I'd ask the seller, "If I find a MAJOR defect not described in your listing, can I return it for a full refund plus shipping both ways?" His response should tell you a lot about his integrity.

Neal

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Thanks Neal, This is now the weekend and this seller is closed. I wish I had thought of your question. My inexperience preceeds me. He did say the barrel was in excellent condition an he seems to have good feedback. So now, I have to bid, and I did. Thank you again.

You might just want to be careful with that bid.

IIRC Bill Clinton stopped the import of Chinese-made rifles (and a Poly Tech M14 is made by Norinco) in the mid 90's, so the rifle is in the 15-20 year old range, and the early imports did have some problems such as soft bolts.

Without inspecting it or having a gunsmith take a look at it, I'd be leery about it. Your mileage may vary.

There are thousands of Norinco M-14's in Canada, but sadly the import ban on Chinese-made firearms still exists for the US.

OK, I have now heard the term "soft bolt" a couple of times and yet no one has explained what it is or how you tell if you have one. And, is it really possible for a gun that has been here since the 90's to not have had it changed? And here is yet another subject I must profess ignorance on. Thanks for any information.

Headspace on most rifles is determined by the bolt & the receiver. The chamber supports the case & contains the pressure generated by firing. So, we prefer the bolt lugs to lock up tight in the receiver recesses. If either bolt or receiver steel is not hard enough, or the lugs don't fully engage, or both, you will get excess headspace which can lead to split cases, & eventually catastrophic failure. Early Chicom bolts were soft, plus some did not have good bolt lockup. I think the Chicoms have been in the US for > 30 years, but you never know how much it's been fired, or if it's been upgraded.

You can tell what kind of bolt your rifle has by photographing the markings on the top of the bolt & posting the pics here. You can tell if your rifle has excessive headspace if cases are splitting, &/or by measuring the headspace with gauges. If I were you, I would pay a gunsmith familiar with service rifles to perform a technical inspection (should be < $100).

Replacing a Chicom bolt is not a "drop in" operation. Most folks will want to use a USGI bolt, made to USGI milspec; it must fit perfectly in a Chicom receiver, that is NOT made to USGI milspec. Both are hard steel; which do you alter? Probably the receiver, because, once done, you never have to worry about problems replacing the bolt.

Neal

Only the very early imports had problems! These were all correkted within a year or so.
Sarge

I guess I'll put in my 2 cents. I have always liked the M14. I see a lot of M14s around here. Never seen one for $1000. If I did it'd be in my safe right now.