Chinese M14 Rebuild?

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El Tejon

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Scored a fantastic deal last night on a Polytech M14, magazines and a bunch (2.5K) of the old white box China Sports .308.

Anyone besides Smith Enterprises I should look at for the rebuild? Or, am I a fool to even consider looking elsewhere? Any recommendations?

TIA.
 
You may not have to rebuild it.

Take it to your gunsmith and have them check it for all the standard "look for"s for Polytechs (bolt, bolt face, etc.) and you may find that there's nothing wrong with it (a buddy of mine got one with a GI bolt already in it and it was perfect).
 
AFAIK, Warbirds will do that as well. If nothing else, he states he can do a GI bolt conversion and NOT have to scrap the barrel. He gets a few digs in at Fulton, who claim that the barrel must go (and be replaced by one of theirs, of course).

I have no idea who is right, but apparently Warbirds guns have an odd tendency of shooting just fine with the OEM barrel in place and a USGI bolt, so that's one indication...

Mike
 
Shoot your new M14 as is and see how it goes.

If you decide to domesticate it use SEI or WarBird.
Neither of the two make you replace the original barrel.

I have four Chinese M14s that have been fully domesticated
by Ron Smith @ SEI . . . the results are outstanding :evil:

I can not recommend Fulton for any work on a Chinese M14.
 
Texas, I have not had any work done by Warbirds. In fact, I had never heard of him until my post. Soooo, he gets a shot.:) I like to spread my work around, and, as you can imagine, there's always a gun or a dozen at the shop especially with my shooting habits.:D

Plus, a cop in Ohio has guaranteed with a warranty that I will be happy with Warbirds' work.
 
Oh no, I've read great things about Warbirds too, just wondered if Fulton was still considered in the top tier. They don't seem to get much attention lately. Their prices may be the reason I suspect.
 
Oh no, I've read great things about Warbirds too, just wondered if Fulton was still considered in the top tier. They don't seem to get much attention lately. Their prices may be the reason I suspect.
Click to expand...
I think the consensus is that they're not top-tier for work on Chicom M14s. I've heard no complaints about their work on domestic M14s (besides the stinging wallet, of course).

Mike
 
You guys know about...

I would recommend Eric at nationalmatcharmory.com. The guy's work is stunning. I have purchased 2 M1 garands from him and would love to get one of his 03a3's. He makes the award rifles for Camp Perry. Just awesome work!

PR
 
Why not ask Mr. Kulak himself?
Click to expand...

It's Kulek (Walt). I have talked to both Walt and Clint McKee plenty over the years, I have a couple of their rifles. I just wondered why they are not getting much attention lately.

Seems there's been a pretty serious lack of a receiver for both Fulton and LRB to build rifles on.

Looks like LRB has that solved somewhat but Fulton, not so sure.

And as Coronach says they are not known for work on the Chinese receivers. That's the first I've heard of that but I'm sure it's true. Clint at Fulton always goes on about the high quality of those Chinese receivers so I just assumed he built rifles on them but apparently not the top work. I've never found a bargain on a Chinese receiver so I've never been down that path.

I'm jealous that El T found a nice Polytech receiver to build on, they are highly sought after.
 
Warbird did my USGI bolt conversion last year on a Fed Ord with Chinese chromed barrel.Excellent work,no surprises.Good guy too.I recommend him highly.
 
Smith Enterprise is so tied up with contract work right now, you would be lucky to get the upgrades done in less than a year.
Warbirds is gaining a good reputation and may be the best place to go.

Reheat treating the receiver is the most important upgrade you can do.
Chinese barrels aren't bad, the bolts and the receivers are too soft.
 
My rifle arrived in one piece last Thursday (I did not report as I have been in a Awerbuck class in Lebanon, Indiana). When it comes back I'll post pics.

I have a new digital camera. I just hope the paralegal can teach me to use it by the time it comes back.:D

*El Tejon meets technology, hilarity ensues*
 
I think the consensus is that they're not top-tier for work on Chicom M14s. I've heard no complaints about their work on domestic M14s (besides the stinging wallet, of course).

Mike
Click to expand...

Turn-around time leaves a lot to be desired.
 
Onmilo Smith Enterprise is so tied up with contract work right now, you would be lucky to get the upgrades done in less than a year.
Click to expand...

It's well worth the wait to have SEI domesticate and modernize your Chinese M14.
Ron Smith knows the Chinese M14 receiver better than anyone, even better than the Chinese...

Give Ron a call to get the ball rolling :)
 
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Hey H20 Man, how much does Mr. Smith charge for a general domesticate and modernize? I have a chance to purchase a Norinco with a small pile of Mags for $600. I don't know if that is a good deal or not, however I'm wondering how much it would cost to make it a safe, reliable and accurate rifle.
 
Cayoot, I honestly have no idea what SEI charges for a general domestication and modernization goes for these days.
All of mine have been full blown with all the whistles and bells...
My advice to all that are interested is to lay out exactly what you have and what you want to end up with and call Ron for a quote.



dscottw88, expect to pay around $850.00 for a slightly used Chinese M14.
 
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