Chinese M14 bolt conversion Q's

**helldriver** · 02-16-2006, 06:03 PM

With the talk about M14 type rifles recently, epsecially the Chinese variants, I would like to know what is involved in converting a Polytech M14 to accept a USGI bolt?

Most importantly is this something that I can do myself with just basic tools??

Lastly, will the Chinese bolt parts swap over into a USGI bolt with no issues???

Thanks
HD

partssman · 02-16-2006, 07:00 PM

Why would you want to change it ? There's one guy who hangs out on the net and says for x amount of dollars I can fix your chinese gun to gi specs...and alll load of horse apples. Do some searching and I'm sure you'll find differing opinions and all....but if the damn thing works, and works like it's supposed to....wear it out and have some fun. One ex military guy I used to see at the range has a polytec and has put who knows how 1,000's of rounds out the pipe and never a problem. The ol boy can walk a golf ball at 100 yards with it.....that proved to me there's nothing wrong with the chinese guns the way they are. But it's yours Bud...just don't waste your money if you don't have to.......

Sangrun Hunter · 02-16-2006, 07:29 PM

Polytechs are pretty well proven to have soft bolts that deform over time. It's not a myth.

Ask Armorer59 who is a member here. He has done this kind ofwork and he is an NM smith of M14's and Garands. He may see this thread and jump in later too.

**helldriver** · 02-16-2006, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by partssman

Why would you want to change it ? There's one guy who hangs out on the net and says for x amount of dollars I can fix your chinese gun to gi specs...and alll load of horse apples. Do some searching and I'm sure you'll find differing opinions and all....but if the damn thing works, and works like it's supposed to....wear it out and have some fun. One ex military guy I used to see at the range has a polytec and has put who knows how 1,000's of rounds out the pipe and never a problem. The ol boy can walk a golf ball at 100 yards with it.....that proved to me there's nothing wrong with the chinese guns the way they are. But it's yours Bud...just don't waste your money if you don't have to.......

Thers nothing wrong with my Poly and she shoots like a house on fire. I was looking at from an angle in case I do need to change out the bolt since Chinese imports of gun parts are forbiden.

**armorer59** · 02-16-2006, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SangRun Hunter

Polytechs are pretty well proven to have soft bolts that deform over time. It's not a myth.

Ask Armorer59 who is a member here. He has done this kind ofwork and he is an NM smith of M14's and Garands. He may see this thread and jump in later too.

Actually the Poly-Tech rifles aren't too bad. The Norinco's on the other hand are true junk. The breech blocks have failed catastrophically in less than 100 rnds! I have a Poly that has all US GI parts including a US GI chrome lined tube. Shoots very well. I probably wouldn't worry about changing out the breech block unless it fails or wears excessivly. I would however try to pick up a spare for future insurance. It will need "fitted" in that headspace must be checked and lug engagement should be checked. Unless you have headspace gauges and at least some knowledge of chambering, it's probably best left to someone with some experience.

Freebore · 02-18-2006, 10:53 PM

I have a PolyTech M14, and it's had quite a few hundred trouble free rounds put through it. If these are known for soft bolts then couldn't the original be re-heat treated, and match the durability of a USGI bolt? I have thought about replacing mine, and remember not too long ago that they were aroung $60.00. It looks like they bring about $150.00 now! If the USGI bolts were cheaper, and the alleged fitting/lapping issues werent a problem, I'd probably do it. For now I will continue to use it, and probably check the headspace for excessive gap. I will also say that I beleive that the Poly M14's got a bit of an undeserved reputation from some questionable gun tests run comparing the Springfield Armory model to the Poly M14.

jtv3062 · 03-04-2006, 03:31 PM

the issue might be with long head space thats what I would be worried about first. remember you have a forged recvr which is way better than cast not that there anything with cast it's just not how the usgi's are built

Tommo · 01-04-2007, 09:59 PM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ], Kuleck and McKee's book, 'The M14 Complete Assembly Guide' goes into detail about this conversion.

sct1886 · 01-04-2007, 10:16 PM

Do not be a knucklehead and have a catastrophic bolt failure. My tit scanners are worth more than a few dollars. I have seen personally two Polytecs lose headspace suddenly. One was mine after a couple hundred rounds. Change the bolt to a G.I. and have a gunsmith lap it in. The physical dimensions are a few thousands different between Chinese bolts and U.S. Mine now shoots like a dream...