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Posted: 3/22/2009 1:40:56 AM EDT
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Well just picked up my CMP Garand and M14, my first of these 2 rifles so I am very happy about that. I actually traded at a local shop, my AK74 for the shop's on consignment Chicom M14. I have always wanted an M1A/M14 and didn't mind putting time and money into it to make it a good shooter.
The only info the owner of the store "knew" was that it is a Polytech and the headspace checked out good. I assume it headspaced well for .308 considering they are so much more common than 7.62 NATO but I don't plan on shooting anything out of it without the proper guages. I was hoping this forum could help me out in finding some info about it. From what I can tell, the barrel is stamped .308, on the left rear side of the receiver it is stamped C080XX and on the left front side of the receiver it is stamped 311838XX. The trigger housing is marked 7267030-OM-N on the left side and the hammer is marked C46008 1W. I don't see any markings anywhere else on the barreled receiver, any other parts (besides the rear sight) nor the wood stock which I believe to be Chinese. Overall the rifle seems to be in pretty good condition, the wood stock isn't bad and the sights seem solid. I understand Chicom M14s were imported with the fake flash hider, on this one the fake FH was removed and replaced with a muzzle brake, I don't see any markings on the brake. Any thoughts? Thanks guys. |
| I have a Poly too. If it head spaced for .308 then 7.62 NATO should be fine. It is my understanding that they have almost identical exterior dimensions. The Poly recivers are supposed to be great. You can use GI parts all over the gun if you want. Some claim that that you should get a GI bolt because they are more reliable, I have never had a problem with mine. I bought a replacement Poly bolt just in case. I bought a GI stock and filled in the gap with a de-milled selector switch, looks cool, like an M14. Great gun, you will love it, use quality grease and it will function great. |
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I have a Polytech as well, bought it new, just prior to the Clinton AWB. Paid around 450.00 for it if I remember correctly. I shoot commercial and mil surp both and have had no issues with it. You are right about the receiver, I read a report that the receiver actually tested harder than the military version, so don't be afraid to shoot mil surp ammo in it.
Its one of my favorite rifles. |
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Quoted:
... it is stamped C080XX and on the left front side of the receiver it is stamped 311838XX. I believe you are the proud owner of a Norinco that was imported by Century Arms International (St. Albans, Vermont). All of mine have/had .308 stamped on their original barrels, but they are all chambered for .7.62 NATO. Lee Emerson (Different) may be able to explain the lack of markings on you particular ChiCom M14. I have read of Norinco receivers with just the SS#. |
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Quoted:
From what I can tell, the barrel is stamped .308, on the left rear side of the receiver it is stamped C080XX and on the left front side of the receiver it is stamped 311838XX. The trigger housing is marked 7267030-OM-N on the left side and the hammer is marked C46008 1W. Your rifle has a World War II production M1 hammer and a USGI M14 trigger housing. The receiver was manufactured in November 1993 at State Arsenal 356 in Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China. The Chief Engineer of State Arsenal 356 was Mr. Wu. No joke. The rifle, with all Chinese parts, was imported by Century Arms International (then St. Albans, Vermont) before May 26, 1994 when President Clinton imposed a ban on Chinese firearms and ammunition. Reference: U. S. Department of State Dispatch. Bureau of Public Affairs: Volume 5 Number 22 May 30, 1994. The Chinese stocks on M14 rifles imported into the United States by Keng's Firearms Specialty and Century Arms International were made of chu wood. Chu wood only grows in Manchuria, China near the Russian border. Chinese M14 type rifles imported by IDE USA/CJA into the United States have walnut stocks. The walnut for these stocks was harvested in Yunnan Province, People’s Republic of China. Chu is softer and lighter than black walnut. Why was chu wood selected for the Chinese M14? Because chu has very good resistance to the effects of mildew, a desireable property in the humid climate of Viet Nam. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
... it is stamped C080XX and on the left front side of the receiver it is stamped 311838XX. I believe you are the proud owner of a Norinco that was imported by Century Arms International (St. Albans, Vermont). All of mine have/had .308 stamped on their original barrels, but they are all chambered for .7.62 NATO. Lee Emerson (Different) may be able to explain the lack of markings on you particular ChiCom M14. I have read of Norinco receivers with just the SS#. I know for a fact that a lot of Polytech AKMs were unmarked and occassionally were sold as Norincos. This was done to so Polytech could import and sell more of their AKMs without transgressing against the sole distributership contracts they had with certain dealers. The unmarked Polytechs were sold retail sometimes at about half the price as a marked Polytech. I wonder if something similar occurred involving Polytech M14s? |
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Quoted:
I know for a fact that a lot of Polytech AKMs were unmarked and occassionally were sold as Norincos. This was done to so Polytech could import and sell more of their AKMs without transgressing against the sole distributership contracts they had with certain dealers. The unmarked Polytechs were sold retail sometimes at about half the price as a marked Polytech. I wonder if something similar occurred involving Polytech M14s? I'm not aware of any information that supports that theory. All of the research to date on Chinese M14 rifles says the original poster has a Century Arms imported Norinco. At least some of the Chinese parts have been replaced with US made parts. HTH |
Wow! Thanks guys that was just what I wanted to hear. 
Like I said, the store only told me that it was a Polytech and headspaced good. Didn't even come with a magazine, but I wanted an M1A/M14 so bad and I didn't mind putting money into it. Thanks a bunch guys! I guess all that is left are the obligatory pictures, just me a couple minutes to do that. |
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