Polytech M14S

auberg · July 7, 2011, 05:43 PM

Guys, I need your advice. I have found out about a Polytech M14s that is supposed to be 90-100%. Its about an hour from where I live, and will probably go take a look at it on Saturday.

Is it worth the $850 that is being asked for it?

Also, what should I watch out for on this rifle.

Thanks

Frank

farmer-dave · July 7, 2011, 11:12 PM

They generally go for that if not more, alot of people want them for their forged receivers. Most issues with the polytech can be remedied. The issues are generally a soft bolt, sometimes poorly functioning rear sights. The hammer can also be soft and the springs may be of questionable quality. Their generally pretty servicable rifles. I bought mine for 500 before the awb.

B. Lahey · July 8, 2011, 04:15 PM

I didn't pay anything near that for mine, but I believe I got a pretty decent deal (6 or so years back).

I used it as a base for a no-frills build by Smith Enterprises, meant to replicate a standard-issue M14 rather than a target rifle. Replaced the Chinese bolt with a USGI bolt made by TRW (US milsurp M14 bolts have become quite scarce, unfortunately, but I was able to grab the last one an old cosmoline addict had). The bolt is the only part of the Norinco/Polytech M14 that is pretty much universally bad, unless you get lucky and score an early rifle that used a USGI bolt to start off with.

And the stocks can be incredibly ugly. Not as big of a deal, but I had mine swapped out for a USGI birch stock. It looks nicer now.

Since having it minimally rebuilt by Smith, it has been a magnificent rifle; exceptionally reliable and very attractive. Before it was rebuilt it was a bit junky; not particularly reliable and quite ugly. If you are up for a project that will cost quite a bit of money and will make you ask a bunch of obscure questions on internet forums, but will result in a wonderful rifle that you know every nook and cranny of, go for it.

Come and take it. · July 8, 2011, 05:04 PM

Presently that is a very good deal. You are buying a gun that is superior to the m1a as far as being closer to mil-spec with an m14. They have chrome lined barrels and very good receivers.

I have had one for 10 years and put quite a bit of ammo through it. It has been a reliable accurate gun. At times on a cold barrel I remember puttiing some quality match ammo inside an inch at 100 yards.

Skans · July 9, 2011, 08:01 AM

Agreed - presently, at that price it's a good deal. Look at it this way, Polytech barreled receivers are excelent - you are getting the rest of the parts for free and can do what you want with them. Go see what Smith Enterprises is selling forged barreled receivers for - probably 4x what you are paying for that Polytech.

SurplusShooter · July 9, 2011, 08:54 AM

Lots of people say they are made of soft metal but that has been disproved. They are excellent guns and $850 is an excellent price.

auberg · July 9, 2011, 02:52 PM

Guys, I want to thank everyone for their input.

I ran to Lexington today and bought the Polytech.

It looks really good, just a couple of small dings on the stock. It looks barely shot.

One last question. Is a USGI M14 bolt marked on top, like a Garand bolt?

I'm trying to tell if this has the original or a replacement bolt.

Thanks

SR420 · July 9, 2011, 04:21 PM

The original Chinese bolt will not have any markings on the top, all USGI bolts are stamped on the top and should also have a visible dimple.

TRW on the left, dimple on the right... the engraving is not something you typically find though

Chinese bolts will have numbers penciled on the bottom side.

July 7, 2011, 05:43 PM	#1
auberg Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2005 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 243	Polytech M14S Guys, I need your advice. I have found out about a Polytech M14s that is supposed to be 90-100%. Its about an hour from where I live, and will probably go take a look at it on Saturday. Is it worth the $850 that is being asked for it? Also, what should I watch out for on this rifle. Thanks Frank __________________ "I don't have to like it, I just have to do it."

July 8, 2011, 05:04 PM	#4
Come and take it. Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 999	Presently that is a very good deal. You are buying a gun that is superior to the m1a as far as being closer to mil-spec with an m14. They have chrome lined barrels and very good receivers. I have had one for 10 years and put quite a bit of ammo through it. It has been a reliable accurate gun. At times on a cold barrel I remember puttiing some quality match ammo inside an inch at 100 yards. Last edited by Come and take it.; July 8, 2011 at 05:09 PM.

July 9, 2011, 02:52 PM	#7
auberg Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2005 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 243	Thanks and one last question Guys, I want to thank everyone for their input. I ran to Lexington today and bought the Polytech. It looks really good, just a couple of small dings on the stock. It looks barely shot. One last question. Is a USGI M14 bolt marked on top, like a Garand bolt? I'm trying to tell if this has the original or a replacement bolt. Thanks __________________ "I don't have to like it, I just have to do it."

July 9, 2011, 04:21 PM	#8
SR420 Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2005 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 3,343	The original Chinese bolt will not have any markings on the top, all USGI bolts are stamped on the top and should also have a visible dimple. TRW on the left, dimple on the right... the engraving is not something you typically find though Chinese bolts will have numbers penciled on the bottom side. __________________ https://athenswater.com/

July 7, 2011, 11:12 PM	#2
farmer-dave Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2006 Location: Solomon, Kansas Posts: 127	They generally go for that if not more, alot of people want them for their forged receivers. Most issues with the polytech can be remedied. The issues are generally a soft bolt, sometimes poorly functioning rear sights. The hammer can also be soft and the springs may be of questionable quality. Their generally pretty servicable rifles. I bought mine for 500 before the awb.

July 8, 2011, 04:15 PM	#3
B. Lahey Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,857	I didn't pay anything near that for mine, but I believe I got a pretty decent deal (6 or so years back). I used it as a base for a no-frills build by Smith Enterprises, meant to replicate a standard-issue M14 rather than a target rifle. Replaced the Chinese bolt with a USGI bolt made by TRW (US milsurp M14 bolts have become quite scarce, unfortunately, but I was able to grab the last one an old cosmoline addict had). The bolt is the only part of the Norinco/Polytech M14 that is pretty much universally bad, unless you get lucky and score an early rifle that used a USGI bolt to start off with. And the stocks can be incredibly ugly. Not as big of a deal, but I had mine swapped out for a USGI birch stock. It looks nicer now. Since having it minimally rebuilt by Smith, it has been a magnificent rifle; exceptionally reliable and very attractive. Before it was rebuilt it was a bit junky; not particularly reliable and quite ugly. If you are up for a project that will cost quite a bit of money and will make you ask a bunch of obscure questions on internet forums, but will result in a wonderful rifle that you know every nook and cranny of, go for it.

July 9, 2011, 08:01 AM	#5
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,332	Agreed - presently, at that price it's a good deal. Look at it this way, Polytech barreled receivers are excelent - you are getting the rest of the parts for free and can do what you want with them. Go see what Smith Enterprises is selling forged barreled receivers for - probably 4x what you are paying for that Polytech.

July 9, 2011, 08:54 AM	#6
SurplusShooter Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2011 Location: Upstate,New york Posts: 308	Lots of people say they are made of soft metal but that has been disproved. They are excellent guns and $850 is an excellent price.