rec.guns FAQ: III.D.2.h.1. Polytech M14 Review


III. Firearm Information by Type
D. Rifles
2. Models and Manufacturers
h. PolyTech M14
1. Review

by Robert Gibson (RGIBSON@ua1vm.ua.edu)

[FAQ Maintainer] The following is an article by Robert Gibson
posted to the net on this subject. If people wish to add information
or submit a more formal review of this rifle (or others!) please email
me at dputzolu@cs.uiuc.edu.

I've read with interest the various statements made on rec.guns over last few
months that Poly Tech M14 is: (A)- Made from Soft Metal, (B)- Has Improper Head
Space, (C)- Is Unsafe due to Poor Milling on Essential Metal Parts, (D)- Isn't
Worth Having Because it is Manufactured in China and therefore isn't as Good as
the Springfield M1A Manufactured (it is ASSUMED) in the Good Old U.S. of A.,
(E)- Springfield advertises in _Shot Gun News_ that if you contact them they
will send you results of their test on the Chinese clone M14's....the tone of
the ad is negative, however I wonder what the test were and what were results?
 
I can't speak for those who've posted these many reports.  I haven't any idea
if they've ever owned or shot a Poly Tech M14.  If this is the case, and these
reported problems are valid then maybe they have a case against PolyTech.  If,
on the other hand, they are just repeating hearsay and rumour then why don't
they just say that up front.....as in "My brother heard his best buddy say that
his brother-in-law wouldn't have one of those chink M-14's 'cause everybody in
town knows they're made out of old beer cans." ......ya know what I mean?
 
I OWN and SHOOT a Poly Tech M14.  I paid a little over $400 for it and in my
considered opinion it is well worth the money spent.  It is a fairly accurate
rifle for a combat style weapon, however I'm the first to admit it doesn't hold
a candle to the U.S. Army National Match M-14 I shot for over four years.  The
Poly Tech M14 will never see that elusive One Minute of Angle accuracy we all
wish for without extensive makeover by a good gunsmith.  This same statement is
also true for the Springfield standard M1A which runs quite dear; I believe it
starts somewhere around $1,300 last time I saw one at gunshow.
 
Is quality of the Poly Tech M14 lower than original Govt. M-14 or Springfield's
M1A?  Comparison between my PT M14 and the M-14's I remember from my Army days
show this is probably correct.  Over all fit 'n finish isn't quite as good and
internal metal milling work is somewhat cruder than that I remember on the Govt
M-14's.  It is also true that it DOESN'T MATTER ONE DAMN BIT because the tool
work on critical metal-on-metal surfaces is well within accepted tolerances.
 
For the $800 difference I saved I will accept the admittedly ugly millwork on
non-essential surfaces of the Poly Tech's internal receiver and other parts.
A visual inspection of the outside of the Poly Tech shows it to be an almost
carbon copy of Govt. M-14....Chinese used a little more care on surface work.
Like my momma says...."Pretty is as pretty does"...it looks good enough for me.
 
A former member of my old High Power rifle team who now owns 'n operates a gun
shop shoots the Poly Tech M14.  He also builds match rifles using this rifle
as the base.  I respect his opinion when he says that he has yet to see a bad
Poly Tech M14; the metal is sound and barrels are good....within combat rifle
specifications anyway.  For the asking price this is all one should reasonably
expect from the weapon; if you need match quality you will have to pay for it.
 
Friends, I can only speak for my particular rifle.  My M14 works exactly as it
was advertised to me when I bought it....a relatively inexpensive Chinese copy
of the original U.S. Govt. M-14 rifle; anyone expecting more is a fool.
 
Those who think they need more should get their checkbook, travel down to their
favorite gunshop and place an order for Springfield M1A or Armscorp M14.  Since
the basic models start around $1,300 and then go right on out of sight it is
for each person to decide whether or not these rifles are worth the price.
 
Speaking for myself I am perfectly satisfied with performance of my Poly Tech
M14, especially so given the price I paid for it. It isn't a match weapon but
is serves me nicely, it's dependable and it's accurate enough for my uses. I
highly recommend it to anyone who has a need for a hard hitting, magazine fed,
gas operated, general purpose, semi-auto combat style rifle in 7.62NATO/308WIN.
 
Surely I'm not the only satisfied Poly Tech M14 shooter on the net?