Looking for opinion on rifle before purchase

[Canadianhoghunter]

I'm currently planning on purchasing a Chinese made Norinco M305a, which is new to the Canadian market. Basically its a bastardized version of a Springfield M1A chambered in 7.62x39, 18.5" barrel, and uses AK mags. A link to what it looks like is below:

Marstar Canada - Chinese Marstar 'GI Rifle' in a Synthetic Stock (7.62x39) (M305A)

The quality of Norinco firearms have increased drastically so they are quite popular up here in Canada due to their reliability, and I do understand an AR would be a better choice but are not legal for out-of-range use. All I'm looking for are honest opinions on whether it would be ergonomic to use hunting hogs and deer, and if you would buy one if were available to the US market.

Thanks and have a good day,

 

[FrankT]

not knowing what is legal or not up there I have no idea. It all depends on what you are going to use the gun for but as far as calibers the 308 is a better rd and better range than the x39

 

[TEXASLAWMAN]

I'd buy one if we could.

 

[Canadianhoghunter]

not knowing what is legal or not up there I have no idea. It all depends on what you are going to use the gun for but as far as calibers the 308 is a better rd and better range than the x39

Well I do plan on using it for hunting and target practice with only iron sights. I did consider the M305b, which is the 7.62x51 version but I was told to reconsider from a friend of mine. Apparently basic .308 hunting ammo has more pressure than the 7.62x51 and can cause failures to an M1A or variant unless an adjustable gas plug is installed. Looking at it more the price of ammo is way cheaper with the 7.62x39 and I'm not planning on shooting something father than 200 yards with it anyway.

 

[Shooter]

the 7.62X39 has killed more humans that any other round. The quality of the ammo is generally poor. but It will do what you want.

Ihave owned several Norinco weapons and they have worked fine, we had a lot of ammo problems with that round in Afghanistan and ended up burning roughly 100,000 rounds, Really hard primers.

 

[OneK]

burning roughly 100,000 rounds

I'd like to have seen that!

 

[Canadianhoghunter]

the 7.62X39 has killed more humans that any other round. The quality of the ammo is generally poor. but It will do what you want.

Ihave owned several Norinco weapons and they have worked fine, we had a lot of ammo problems with that round in Afghanistan and ended up burning roughly 100,000 rounds, Really hard primers.

Ya I have heard about the primers before. One of the videos in the link of my first post showed the rifle firing and cycling brand new and really corroded ammo flawlessly. Maybe hard primers wont be an issue. Besides, if i was hunting I will be using Hornady ammo with SSTs and I'm sure there wont be an issue.

 

[Ratdog68]

I've owned three Norinco SKS in 7.62x39. They're all a milled receiver, not a stamped one. They've been minute of dead deer accurate at 100yds, but, nothing to get wood over (accuracy). Reliability has been good on them. Mine were bought in the early 90's when they could be had for less than $100 ea. They've been fun blasters... no issues with them to date.

 

[437]

I've not owned any Norinco rifles, but as far as ergonomics go the most successful big game hunter I know uses an M1A. He's been slaying monster whitetail, elk and just about any other big game in North America for so long I can't recall gotta be 30+ years on that platform. As a matter of fact he's coming down as my guest to hunt our lease this fall. Has a couple of different setups one has irons and another couple with different glass. Lots of physical similarities for ergo considerations b/t the two.

Do you know the weight? Are you going to be driving to a stand and sitting? Hiking? Just another angle to think about b/c it can add up over a long day. For rifle season this year I will be using my 308AR with a Vortex Venom red dot at 8.2 lbs unloaded. My bud's glassed M1A is ~13 lbs unloaded, eh hem.

 

[Canadianhoghunter]

I've not owned any Norinco rifles, but as far as ergonomics go the most successful big game hunter I know uses an M1A. He's been slaying monster whitetail, elk and just about any other big game in North America for so long I can't recall gotta be 30+ years on that platform. As a matter of fact he's coming down as my guest to hunt our lease this fall. Has a couple of different setups one has irons and another couple with different glass. Lots of physical similarities for ergo considerations b/t the two.

Do you know the weight? Are you going to be driving to a stand and sitting? Hiking? Just another angle to think about b/c it can add up over a long day. For rifle season this year I will be using my 308AR with a Vortex Venom red dot at 8.2 lbs unloaded. My bud's glassed M1A is ~13 lbs unloaded, eh hem.

I believe its around 11 lbs unloaded, not completely sure of the exact weight. While hunting I do a lot of walking around in thick bush so the weight is going to suck. However, I am planning on keeping it iron sights to keep the weight down. I do like the fact it has a short barrel (shortest that can be used outside gun range for semi-auto)so there's a less chance of the rifle getting caught in something while stalking, but then there's the 5/30 round mag that sticks out quite a bit.

 

[437]

You'll be fine it may not be perfect, but it's a high powered rifle and if you can put lead where it counts you win. Vital zone accuracy and F match paper accuracy don't have to go together. Bring home the dinner!