Norinco M14 legal in California / good deal for $400?

Question

A buddy of mine is selling a Norinco M14 he bought in the 80's. Its in good condition. Good deal for $400? Anyone have any experience with these? Also, I believe they are legal in CA. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

Don't know about the legality for CA but that's a great deal when you consider a Springfield clone goes for $1000. Plus i believe the Norinco receivers are forged rather than cast.

Get it head spaced or maybe look into replacing the bolt. Never owned one but i remember reading about problems with the factory bolts. It was either that they weren't properly head spaced out of the factory or that there was actually something wrong with them. It was a long time ago and i can't remember the details other than that it caused a catastrophic failure. Might want to look into that or maybe someone here will know about it.

Either way id get it because even if it has c**p parts it's a nice receiver to build on.

Answer 2

That one is nice, easily a $800 rifle here in Texas. California's laws are so complicated it gives me headaches, but there may be problems with the mag capacity. Stop into a friendly gun shop and ask the man for his opinion, they usually have to know the laws very well.  

Answer 3

you do know norinco is chinese made, right? also the flash hider looks like it won't pass inspection in cal. if you go out to shoot it make sure you have a 10 round mag. find out the law so you dont lose it because of some law.  

Answer 4

That's about half price

The only issue that Norks had was a few had "soft" bolts but that could be fixed for about $150

Don't know about legality

Answer 5

Buy it.

Answer 6

The Norinco M14 is not on the prohibited list, and it contains only one prohibited characteristic for semi-auto rifles--the flash hider.  Fulton Armory uses a California Legal muzzle brake for their M14s being sold in California--so they are available.  But, in its present form the Norinco you are considering is not legal in California.  For you to buy the rifle (and remember that all transfers must be accomplished through a licensed dealer) it would first need to be rendered California legal..  The current owner would need to modify it to have a fixed magazine or remove the muzzle brake.  And by the way, a threaded barrel is also illegal in California.  Whatever you do, don't take possession of the thing before it is rendered California legal.  And don't take possession unless the sale is accomplished through a dealer.  I've included a link to the Assault Weapons statutes, you should read them before you decide to buy; and as already been suggested consult a licensed dealer/gunsmith before you buy.

Just a random thought, if you are buying it out of state you could do so, but you would be required to render it California legal before you could bring it into the state.

Answer 7

$400 is a very good deal. Don't worry about the flash hider because it is legal again. Bayonet lugs are also legal once again. I'm not too sure about legality though. The easiest way to find out about the legality is to take the rifle to a gun shop. If the gun shop is willing to do the transfer, then you will not have any problems. There is no private transfer in California so you need to do the transfer through a gun shop/dealer anyway. You'll need to go through the usual background check and the 10 day waiting period just in case you didn't already know.