Norinco M305

CLASSIC12 · May 3, 2018

Just bought this at an auction here. Seems it was imported in Canada in 1988, how it found its way to Switzerland god only knows. It was brand new, still full of cosmoline and no traces of powder or brass whatsoever.

Springfield Armory rifles go from $ 2600 for a regular M1A to 5000 for a M21 here, quite expensive for my taste. Would love to have one though, maybe one day I’ll find a nice used one.

And I missed out on an authentic full auto H&R M14 at this same auction, so this is a sort of a cheap consolation prize. $ 800.

I’ve also had a Norinco NDM 86 (Dragunov) for 20 years and I’ve been very happy with it.

I couldn’t believe it, but all markings, including the logo, are seemingly etched by hand, and not by the most talented artist.

Some cleaning and inspection first

CLASSIC12 · May 3, 2018

I think I’ll get rid of that chu wood stock.

Now some range time

It took me five or six 3 shots strings to sight it in, and I was pleased with the quick and easy procedure.

It’s only 50 meters and more adjustments will be needed at longer ranges, but I think I’ll scope it anyway, in order to use the potential of the round.

50 m with rest

You can see how I worked my way up, and then slightly down again

Went back the next day with a combat style target, 5 shots strings.

I found it much harder to group, due to the all black background offering no contrast to the sights. And that silhouette is small kid’s size. But it was a ton of fun.

Offhand 50 m

CLASSIC12 · May 3, 2018

With rest

And a last string offhand rapid fire at 30 m

I am quite happy with this rifle and purchase, especially for the price. It’s my first .308 caliber gun, and certainly not my last. It functioned flawlessly (which I expect from a brand new gun, wherever it comes from), it’s a lot of fun, with the mass and semi auto absorbing recoil nicely, and has a good potential for upgrades.

MichiganScott · May 3, 2018

I've got one that I've shot over 2k rounds through. I kept track of the bolt lug measurements and headspace because there have been reports of soft metal. Last time I checked, the lugs finally showed half a thousand wear. Think I'll stop worrying about it.

At 100 yards, I easily get groups averaging under 2" off the bench with handloads.

BigBill · May 3, 2018

I purchased mine used for $371 with some free trade ins I had. I disassembled it and found a loose op rod guide block. I used 620 loctite and replaced the pin holding it. I aligned the assembly in the process. There was no wear at all. I installed the National match spring guide with the wolf heavy duty m14 recoil spring. I have a scopemount and a bdc scope to put on it, I epoxy painted the orginal brown stock for now but I have a USGI replacement wood stock for it. These are good guns.

I just couldn’t justify spending $2,500 for a springer m1A. The brand new Russian Izmash saiga s in 308win were only $289 when they first hit our shores. The saiga in 223 were only $259. The 308 saiga using surplus South African 308 ball ammo will shoot 1 1/2” groups at 100yds. I hope the norinco m14 does better.

amazingflapjack · May 3, 2018

We had a selecter switch M-14 in VN. You could ride it to town was what I heard. I did not fire it. Oh, it was sawed off just long enough to fire.

Mike SC Hunter · May 4, 2018

Wish I had bought one when they were cheap and available here.......Nice rifles you guys have.

Double-O-Dave · May 4, 2018

Hi Classic12:

Color me green with envy. You got a nice rifle at a very good price. I'd love to have one, but I am very happy with my only .308 Winchester caliber rifle - a Savage 99C. Yes, I know, different rifle, different application - whatever. Congratulations on a great acquisition.

Regards,

Dave

Ivan the Butcher · May 4, 2018

In the 80's My best friend was on the Ohio National Guard rifle team, they were issued real match M-14's. Some of the team bought the Norinco's for personal use. They sent them somewhere and had the receivers heat treated! Then assembled them with match rifle take offs (rejected match parts had better tolerances than unused China parts!)

Ivan

BigBill · May 9, 2018

Fulton Armory did inspect a Chinese norinco m14S/305 and the results was posted on there website.

CLASSIC12 · May 10, 2018

BigBill said:
Fulton Armory did inspect a Chinese norinco m14S/305 and the results was posted on there website.

That doesn’t sound too good, do you have a link ?

CLASSIC12 · Jul 27, 2018

So since it was cheap (for Swiss standards), I decided to toy with it a bit and make a few upgrades.

New op rod guide

Scope mount

With an integrated peep hole as backup

And a new stock

Also bought these two non functional mags that won’t lock at all. I’ll send them back.

Installed the op rod guide. The spring is now nice and straight

Removed the rear sight

Installing the CASM

And installed the Archangel stock. It took a bit of filing, but nothing too dramatic, a 20 minutes job taking it slowly and carefully.

Ok not the best background for this colour of rifle

CLASSIC12 · Jul 27, 2018

Delivery of the scope I ordered took longer than I expected. So to kill time, I decided to try shooting with the back up peep hole in the CASM mount, and try the Archangel stock at the same time.

Indoor range, 50 meters with a rest

It shoots a couple of inches below point of aim, whereas windage seems pretty spot on

The stock is very nice, very ergonomic and adjustable. For the price I think it’s a real bargain.

I’ll also install a bipod, the new Magpul seems interesting.

Then I finally received my scope. Had to go to two different shops. The first one, a local shop I was trying to support, took my money as they had to order it; then nothing happened for nearly two months. I asked a refund and ordered it from another shop across the country. They had it in stock and it arrived within days.

Mounting it was quick and easy

And off to the range. Only 50 meters indoor for starters

Fortunately the gun hit close to POA, so minimal adjustments were necessary

My son having a go

Next, finding an longer outdoor range (2 or 300 meters), and improve our shooting.

Ματθιας · Jul 27, 2018

I had one of those when they were first imported. I think I paid about $450. The funny thing was the last four digits were of my birth year.

It was a nice, accurate, shooter, but after a about 1200 rounds or so, if one shook the rifle, the bolt would rattle. I was shooting the copper washed steel case Norinco .308 that was all over the place at the time and military surplus.

I took it to a gunsmith and he told me that due to the soft bolt there were headspace issues and - that's why it was rattling- to replace the bolt with a USGI to take care of the problems.

I didn't want to drop anymore money in it and, at the time, the AWB was going on, I traded it and all the magazines I had, ten 20 rounders- toward a Norinco NIB pre-ban AK that I still have.

About a year or so later, I found it for sale at the local gunshow with a new USGI stock and a new bolt for $1500.

In 2005 I bought a used national match M!A - it was the rifle I should've bought the first time around.

OP enjoy your new rifle. And don't wast your money on PROMAG products.

Norinco M305

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