Here's my 2-cents on this subject....as always YMMV.
Note: At the bottom I've tacked on comments from Clint at Fulton Armory on this same subject. His comments are more technical in nature while mine are more subjective and concern my experiences with my particular Polytech M14/S only....as of present time mine has not given me any indication of the problems Clint describes.
Reference notes on rec.guns concerning PolyTech M14/S chinese clone of the U.S. Army M-14/Springfield Inc. M1A rifles. I've owned my PolyTech M14/S since purchased at a gunshow in Mar. 1994. I've fired it infrequently, maybe 400-500 rounds thru it...I bought it for no particular reason other then I wanted it and the price was too good to pass up....$399+ tax. It performs perfectly for me....identical to the GI M-14 Uncle Sam issued to me in basic training way back in 1965. I replaced the chinese "mystery wood" stock with a genuine GI M-14 walnut stock and might swap the fake flash suppressor for real GI M-14 assembly. I've bought a Bassett M14-type scope mount and installed a 3x9X32 Tasco....the mount is the "high" type so the iron sights remain on the rifle. I'm quite pleased with my chinese M-14 clone and have it checked by my gunsmith at odd intervals to verify headspace remains in the safe range.
Given the price of the "real" Springfield M1A was between $900-$1000 when I bought the M14/S last year I decided to save the extra $500+ and go with the chinese M14/S instead.
In any case I still think it was money well spent on a clone that is "good enough" for my uses since I just play with it and am an infrequent shooter with this particular rifle.
There have been many rumors and stories floating around about the chinese clone M-14's...there's *SOME TRUTH* to them. The quality of chinese clone's isn't up to GI M-14 or SA M1A standards....big surprise, NOT! Anyone buying a chinese clone expecting it to match GI or SI production standards is an idiot and only fooling themselves. Externally the finish is quite close but internally the "fit 'n finish" isn't as good with noticeable machine tool marks and rough areas throughout the barrel and receiver group.
IMHO and based upon my experience with my PT M14/S this lower "fit 'n finish" doesn't matter one darn bit....my M14/S works and functions quite reliably. One must either accept this lower standard as a part of the lower purchase price of the Polytech clone or pay the higher price for a Springfield M1A.
After looking at a fair number of chinese clone M14 variants at any number of gunshows over the last two years it's my considered opinion that those known as Polytech M14/S are of better quality than Norinco variants, most especially the so-called Norinco "Paratrooper" version currently selling for something like $319+ tax and associated charges. OTOH these Norinco clones might be a good source for the basic receiver needed to build a good match quality rifle...several have commented favorably on this.
IMO rumors about bad or soft chinese receivers are false....they are as hard as any GI M-14 or SA M1A ever made per posts from those in the know. Anyone who's concerned about this can send their chinese clone to Smiths and get it re-heat treated. Personally, I'm not sure this is really needed but you do end up with a beautiful dark external finish to the receiver that should add to the dollar value of the weapon if you sell it later.
There is some truth to the stories about "softer" steel in the bolts....this varies from pretty close to USGI milspec to dangerously marginal. IMHO it's just the luck of the draw as to whether or not a given bolt is acceptable or suspect. By "soft" I mean that as many rounds are fired thru the rifle the bolt lugs tend to deform slightly, thus increasing headspace. This is the main item I'm having checked every so often...since I'm only shooting my M14 infrequently this is not a big deal with me. Someone who shoots 1,000's of rounds at a time might consider replacing the chinese bolt and other internal parts with Springfield M1A or USGI surplus parts if the need is indicated.
Fulton Armory offers this service, along with several other vendors and service rifle gunsmiths.
I'm perfectly satisfied with my PolyTech M14/S as a knock-around rifle just to play with....especially given the price I paid.
Gun prices are very fluid and can vary widely from month to month. It is in the prospective gun buyer's best interest to keep up with current costs. If the price difference between the M1A and the chinese clone M14 isn't too great then I'd certainly give great consideration to buying the "real" M1A instead of the chinese clone.
OTOH, if you're on a tight budget you might choose to go with the chinese clone and take your chances. This worked out great for me, however it could be an entirely different story for you. It is a truism that going with a clone of ANY TYPE, not just the Polytech M14/S rifle, can be considered to be something of a gamble - one pays their money and one takes their chances.
Robert Gibson
From: wcmckee@ix.netcom.com (Clint McKee) Newsgroups: rec.guns Subject: Re: Polytech M-14S PROBLEM? Date: 21 Sep 1995 10:12:18 -0400 # ttt@gate.net (20/20 Technologies) writes: #I've got a Polytech M14S (.308 semi auto). I've heard conflicting #reports that there may be a weakness in the receiver metal, and that #someone out in Cal. is charging $150 to reharden the receiver. #Does anyone know if this design flaw is for real? I haven't fired the #weapon yet, and am wondering if I should have it serviced first. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Lee & Group! It is our considered opinion that *all* Chinese M14 clones are *unsafe to fire* in their original condition.. The major problems are: 1. The bolts are much too soft & the helix angle on the bolt lugs are flat wrong. These 2 maladies together cause the bolt to collapse against the receiver lugs and excessive headspace occurs. Possible catastrophic failure. 2. Overall bolt body/firing pin geometery is wrong. The M14 has several "fail safe" designs, including a firing pin bridge that *retracts* the firing pin on loading a live round until the bolt is in/near battery. The Chinese bolts are so long that the firing pin tail barely/does not engage the bridge, thereby preventing proper firing pin retraction. Catastrophic failure is again encouraged. 3. Hammer &, trigger & sear are too soft. Premature wear will ensue (as little as 1000 rounds) causing a dangerous & possibly catastrophic failure. To properly remedy these flaws, the bolt must be replaced with a G.I. bolt & properly fitted to the receiver. Unfortunately, a G.I. spec barrel must also be installed to accomodate proper fitment of the bolt. Several other barrel components must also be replaced to accomodate thread differences. The Chinese hammer &, trigger & sear must also be replaced with G.I. parts. Properly done, these repairs will usually transform the Chinese rifles into a fine, reliable M14 clone. Much has been said re the receivers. Metalurgically, only time will tell. No one really knows exactly what kind of steel they are made from. I can say that I have seen *no* significant, unusual or premature wear patterns in these receivers. It is the parts mentioned above that fail. I can also tell you that the geometery of the receivers, generally, are exquisite. Not good, but remarkable. Op rod fitment with a G.I. op rod is absolutely incredible. Better than *any* population of receivers I've ever seen. With the chinese rods, generally satisfactory. Firing pin retraction with a G.I. bolt & firing pin is absolutely complete. Sometimes, you need a somewhat worn pin, because it's too effective. Again, better than any receiver population I've seen. Rear sight elevation & windage geometery is also excellent, though some G.I. windage knobs will not fit the cams just right. The older Garand windage Knobs seem to be the best. There's more, but enough has been said on this. AS FAR AS RE-HEAT TREATING, FORGET IT! This will not solve the geometery problems, & can create an embrittled handgrenade. It's not only a waste of money, it's potentially dangerous. Fulton Armory specializes *only* in the M14/M1A, M1 Garand & M1 Carbine. We offer a Chinese upgrade package starting @ about $350.00 + shipping. We offer parts, accessories, service, tools, gauges, books, etc. Call the shop for further info, or send your snail mail address & I'll send out some stuff. Thanks for the time. I hope I've helped a little. Clint Fulton Armory 8725 Bollman Place,#1 Savage, MD. 20763 301-490-9485 M-F, 9-5:30 EST 301-490-9547 24 HR Fax