Norinco M-14 in 7.62x39mm caliber
Our neighbors up north in Canada now could buy the Norinco M305, a copy of the American M-14, in the 7.62x39mm AK47 caliber. North Sylva, the Canadian distributor of Norinco arms, listed the new Norinco M305A model for around $650 U.S. dollar retail. Although, we can’t get it in USA due to the ATF importation ban of all Chinese made center-fire firearms. This new Norinco M-14 in 7.62x39mm caliber would have give the Ruger Mini-30 a run for the money.
Photo provided by North Sylva.
The magazine of new Norinco M305A. It uses the standard AK47 magazine.
Photo provided by North Sylva.
The receiver makings. For those that doesn’t know, NORINCO is just a branding and marketing consortium for exporting Chinese made weapons by various Chinese manufacturers. The Norinco M-14 is actually made by Arsenal 256 in Yunnan Province, China.
Photo provided by North Sylva.
Both models of the Chinesee M305 feature forged steel receiver like the original American M-14. The finish on the other hand, is a bit rough by our standard with a lot of machining marks left on it. In comparison, both the Ruger Mini-30 and the Springfield M1A are build on cast receiver.
Photo provided by North Sylva.
It features the usual M-14 rotating bolt action that’s driven by the opt-rod on the right side of the receiver. According to my friend and the resident Gunsmith of Firearms News, Gus Norcross, that many of the Norinco M-14 that he had handled have bad heat-treating on the bolt group.
Photo provided by North Sylva.
The under-side view of the magazine well.
Photo provided by North Sylva.
The gas system is also significantly differ than that of the M-14’s and the barrel length is shorter too. No need to have the full 22-inch barrel length of the M-14 for the less powerful 7.62x39mm cartridge that the Norinco M305A chambers.
So, it’s 50% cheaper, has a forged receiver and probably shoots more accurate than the Ruger Mini-30. Plus it takes the affordable, high-cap and bombproof AK steel mag. Just that for my American and non-Canadian viewers, you can’t buy it. Please DON’T hassle North Sylva on how to get one in your country.
It’s also confirmed that the Norico M305A will fit into the stock M-14 wooden stock. Someone needs to put one into a Sage EBR chassis……and add a RPK drum to it.
