Norinco M14S
Norinco · Rifle · In Production · 1988
Also known as: Norinco M305, M14S Sporter, Norinco M14 Sporter
Overview
The Norinco M14S is a Chinese-made semi-automatic rifle that copies the American M14 battle rifle, chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO. Manufactured by Norinco (China North Industries Corporation) at State Arsenal 356 and exported through Norinco and Poly Technologies, it is a gas-operated, rotating-bolt design fed from a detachable box magazine. Sold on the commercial market as the M14S (Sporter) and under the M305 designation, it became especially popular among sport and hunting shooters in Canada in both the original 22-inch and shortened 18.5-inch barrel lengths.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4500 g (158.7 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 5200 g (183.4 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1126 mm (44.33") |
| Barrel Length | 559 mm (22.01") |
| Sight Radius | 660 mm (25.98") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 10 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 853 m/s (2799 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3467 J (2557 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 460 m (503 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3725 m (4074 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 305 mm (12.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.62x51mm NATO · primary · 7.62 NATO — also known as .308 Winchester, 7.62mm NATO
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Gas Operated Rotating Bolt, Detachable Box Magazine, Adjustable Aperture Rear Sight, Wood Or Synthetic Stock Options
Variants
- Norinco M305 - Commercial Designation
- Norinco M305B - Short Barrel
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Civilian sport shooters
Production
Production years: 1980s-present
Built from newly manufactured receivers and parts left over from original 1960s-era Chinese M14 production for the commercial market.
Origin
Country of origin: China
Designer: Norinco (based on M14 by Springfield Armory)
Notes
Importation into the United States began in 1988 but the M14S was among 43 models named in the March 1989 import ban, and a May 1994 executive order halted all Chinese firearm imports. The rifle remained widely available in Canada. Commonly marketed under the M305 model name.
Background
Norinco is reported to have produced M14 rifles by the early 1970s, reverse-engineered from captured specimens or built using acquired technical data, originally intended to arm communist rebels abroad. To disguise their origin, early rifles copied U.S.-made M14s down to their markings before the design was revived as a commercial export product.