What Value for Fulton Armory Polytech M14s?

[CrufflerSteve]

(It is sort of milsurp - Try getting a real one in the US.)

Years ago I found a Polytech M14s which was fun. I got a nice tax refund and decided to let Fulton Armory redo it. This was back in the late 90's. I eventually got it back and realized my ambitions might be competition but my eyes aren't. It is nice. I took it to a couple of CMP matches and 200 yards and out it is all fuzzy to me. I've never shot it that much. When I'm in the mood for a battle rifle my SAR48 with a SUIT scope goes to the range. I've had great success with the M14S at 100 yards but my eyes need glass to go further. Last night I was looking at it and realized I probably haven't fired it in over 8 years. Maybe it needs a new home.

This was his Chinese conversion package. NM rear sight, NM flash hider, medium weight barrel, great trigger. He basically replaced everything but the receiver with GI parts. It has a GI fiberglass stock with a hole where the naughty bits were. Being done during the ban, it has no bayonet lug but someone with better eyes than me could have a great match rifle. I have a pile of mags, including some 5's. Back in the 90's Fulton Armory had a real big internet awareness and lots of people praising them. There seems to have been something of backlash but this seems solid and has never failed in any way.

I'm thinking of putting it up on Gunbroker or trying to do an FTF sale in Colorado. I'm just trying to get an estimate. It is depressing to think of how much I put into it and little I've used it. My cannon, my handgonnes have been shot way more often. I guess all I can say is it seemed like a good idea at the time.

Steve

[Bugflipper]

There has been one at an extremely high traffic gun store I go to for a year or so. They do about 15 million a year in sales. They have it at $750 and it's not selling. I think it started at $850. The bore looks good as does the exterior. I am assuming the made in China is what is keeping it on the shelf. This article put's it at about $800, but I don't know when it was written.
http://www.savvysurvivor.com/polytech_m14_rifle.htm

[CrufflerSteve]

The difference is that this is only a Polytech receiver. The rest is GI. Gunsmiths thought the Polytech receiver was great but the rest was crap. I know they have a reputation for cracking the bolts after a certain number of rounds. The M14 is like the Garand. The receiver is very complicated and hard to make correctly. Somehow the Chinese got this part right.

Steve

[Bugflipper]

Steve, not knocking you or what you have. But most people think junk when they see made in China. The polytech and norinco ak's are some of the best functioning available. Yet a chinese AK will sit on a shelf while dozens of parts kit assembled ak's don't allow the dust to settle.

There is no question of the competence of Clint Mc Kee and his armorers. I have been dealing with him for 20 years and have always been satisfied. If it was a LRB receiver with GI parts assembled by Fulton, 3k would be easy. I don't know if you will have an easy time getting top dollar with the polytech receiver. Again the furthest thing from my intention is offending you, so please do not take it as such.

[CrufflerSteve]

Steve, not knocking you or what you have. But most people think junk when they see made in China. The polytech and norinco ak's are some of the best functioning available. Yet a chinese AK will sit on a shelf while dozens of parts kit assembled ak's don't allow the dust to settle.

There is no question of the competence of Clint Mc Kee and his armorers. I have been dealing with him for 20 years and have always been satisfied. If it was a LRB receiver with GI parts assembled by Fulton, 3k would be easy. I don't know if you will have an easy time getting top dollar with the polytech receiver. Again the furthest thing from my intention is offending you, so please do not take it as such.

I'm not offended. The Chinese have worked hard producing oceans of crap and an evil reputation. The polytech receiver is almost the proof of a stopped watch being right twice a day. The rest of stock Polytech rifle lived up to the bad. Fortunately, I never throw papers away and have the paperwork. Basic package listing replacement parts - all and the upgrade. NM medium barrel, NM gas system, NM sight and NM trigger. I'm going to clean it up and inventory all that I have and take lots of pictures. Might try local boards for a few days.

Steve

[Bugflipper]

You may also try the shoots in your area as well. I have never heard of a FA built rifle that wouldn't shoot very well. A competitor may want to snatch it up to compete. Good Luck.

[Mikey]

Steve:  Bugflipper is right.  The rifle is not a pos, it is a Fulton Armory rebuild, and the armory would not have built the rifle on that action if it was not up to their standards, period.  You should not have any real problems asking top $ for that rifle and I would go back to the Fulton Armory website, check their prices for new or rebuilds and go from there but I would not drop below 80% of either your total $ input or the rebuild cost.  Hope this helps.

[CrufflerSteve]

I might try local since it comes with a lot of stuff. Here's an album I'm working on:
http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k629/OldGeezerStuff/M14s/
It would be a lot of auctions to sell all this.

Steve

[Airsporter]

I suggest you give Fulton Armory a shout.  They will have the best gauge of its current value.  I'm thinking you have a really nice piece.

[CrufflerSteve]

I have to admit I found this all rather discouraging. The M14 community is full of some funny ducks that make the rest of the gun collecting world look mellow and congenial. If you know gun collectors, you know I'm making a strong statement. 

I even got some flame mail. When I looked around I found my deal was being discussed on the M-14 Firing Line Public Forum. I had joined years ago but forgot about it. I think some other site was doing the same but I didn't look further.

I unbundled the parts and listed the rifle with two 20 round and 2 5 round mags on armslist for $1200. I wish I had asked more since within a few hours I was getting "I'll take it!" offers so it is SPF. I'll sell some of the other stuff. Right now I have a 500 piece unopened bag of IMI 308 match brass on gunbroker and the other mags will follow.

I found the nastygrams in my inbox and some of the comments on the forum very long on opinion and short on facts. Fulton Armory seems to have fallen in disrespect amongst those people and Polytech is awful and LRB walks with Jesus. Some of them are convinced Fulton is incapable of NM standards despite the records of people who have shot them.

Years ago, before forums took over, I was on an active list for collectors and there was a distinction of authentic and authentical which was a snarky way of saying not authentic.

There are some authentic M14 rifles in civilian hands. They are NFA weapons. The semi-auto are pretend just like the semi-auto AK's. They are good at upsetting antigun people and look cool but a civilian looking gun that performs the same could be done. and just lose the cool look.

To me, it just goes to quality. Polytech is a fake M14, LRB is fake, Springfield Armory is faker than most since they swiped the name of the government armory and their receivers are cast, not forged. I'm sure LRB is great and you pay for it. People who know a lot more than me have pronounced Polytech receivers great. A renowned gunsmith put a new, quality medium weight barrel, new GI and other parts and matched them well. Then these nimrods say this is worth no more than a stock Polytech. I think I let this get to me and led to the too low price. Oh well, the buyer will be happy.

I could say way more but I actually have moderated some of what I think about all this.

Steve

[Airsporter]

Well, hopefully you got your money out of it.  A lot of M14 (M1A) aficionados are case studies in 'arrested progression.' 

I bought a new M14S when they first hit the market - they were really cheap ($300-400 IIRC).  Other than the 'tis-wood' stock, I was really impressed.  Had a good time shooting it until I found out people were developing headspace problems due to soft bolts.  One outfit offered to re-harden the bolt but, living in Maryland,  I called Fulton and discussed it with them.  At the time, their GI package (using only the M14S reciever) was about $800.  And, they offered to buy my receiver for $400.

I mulled it over and ended up selling it, in original configation, for $600 and made out okay.  But a couple years ago I got the urge again and bought a 'Springfield Armory' M1A - for $1700.   Still thinking I would have been better off doing the Fulton rebuild.

[CrufflerSteve]

It is sold. I probably could have gotten more but I did the deal. I have to admit I did have a bit of regret the last time I cycled the action. The Fulton rebuild is so slick and so tight. The fellow buying it was pleased.

Steve

[cabledad]

What a gun,I trained with an m14 in 1963 and I still love them.Not much hearing left but still would love to own one.Chuck