Couple of Questions................

1192 Views 8 Replies 4 Participants Last post by M1A Medic, Oct 11, 2004

M1A Medic

Discussion Starter · Sep 28, 2004

Hey all, It's me again. I have a couple of questions regarding our beloved M-14 type rifles.

First, when I shoot my recently acquired scout squad, I am getting a lot of smoke after firing a few rounds. I don't lube the bore, not firing fast enough to ignite anything, the stock is wood with 0 areas of soot build up after 150+ rounds. Any ideas as to the cause?

Second, the spindle valve on my M1A loaded has become very stiff in side to side movement. I have followed the military manual and Duff's book on 'working' the gas spindle but after I let is set for a few days, I find the valve is difficult to move again. Should I disassemble the spindle valve assembly or is there something else I should do?

Third, I bought a GI trigger group complete and it won't latch into either of my SA receivers with wooden stocks. The trigger guard closes about halfway and I don't want to force anything. Any suggestions on this?

Once again, thank you all for sharing your knowledge about these great rifles. I have learned a lot and wish I could post more, but between working third shift, going to scholl for my RN and trying to sleep, I haven't been posting alot.

The Loaded will be getting a NM flash hider with bayo lug and the scout will be getting the Loaded's flash hider in a week or two, and I will post some pics then.

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SixTGunr

· #2 · Sep 29, 2004

Don't know what to tell ya about question 1 but as far as # 3 goes regarding your trigger guard only closing half way prior to lock down I do not see a problem with that offhand ...

I have seen some that have only went about 1/4 of the way before they start to get tight.

Make sure your receiver is in the stock all the way and the trigger guard foot pads are where they are suppose to be and just shove it on down till it locks and ya should be good to go. Most guys will lay the weapon on the carpet upside down .. insert the trigger housing group properly and shove her (the trigger guard) down till she locks in.

As for question # 2 I don't see the reasoning in having to constantly play with the spindle valve ... Once its set to have the gas on just leave 'er alone and shoot ...

Six

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Hawk

· #3 · Sep 29, 2004

question #1.... is your gas cylinder clean and dry inside?

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Tommo

· #4 · Sep 29, 2004

1. The smoke can be from some oil or grease on the barrel which burns as the barrel heats up. It can also be from your firing pin piercing the cartridge's primer and releasing some of the burning powder into the bolt face.

2. There probably is some residue from gas leakage building up around the gas spindle valve. There is a minor leakage of gas around the gas cylinder area, wipe the barrel and both ends of the spindle with a clean patch and it will be black with residue. You should always clean this area as the residue will attract moisture and cause rust in these areas.

Another problem is the spindle valve spring will weaken over time from the heat of the barrel and lose elasticity or "springness". This spring needs to be replaced when the valve starts to drift and starts cutting-off the gas to the cylinder. This takes a long time though.

3. When I replaced a Springfield Inc. trigger unit with a USGI one, it was a tigther fit. This is due to the better specification of the USGI unit and can help accuracy. Try to lock it with pressure as SixTGunr said. If it still will not lock, you may have to remove a little wood from the stock at the point where the USGI trigger unit's tail contacts it. When removing the wood, just scrap it with a wood chisel and remember, "easy does it"!

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M1A Medic

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 29, 2004

SixT, Hawk, Tommo, thanks for the help. I keep my firearms in very good shape, cleaning wise, so the gas cylinder is dry and clean. With regards to pierced primers, I check and keep 10-20 fired brass every time I shoot either rifle and compare the brass with previous firings. Hopefully, I can pick up on problems before they become events by doing this. So far, no pierced primers or anything of this nature. And about the trigger group, I didn't want to force anything and break, fold, spindle or mutilate something.

So, should I disassemble the spindle valve and give it a good cleaning (never have because nothing I have read indicated I should) or just let it be?

Thanks again, Jeff B

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Hawk

· #6 · Sep 29, 2004

for reason stated above mainly rust, you might want to give it a cleaning...can never hurt. In taking a little (miniscule) amount of wood from the stock, I use a exacto knife or utility knife and scrape with the edge perpendicular to the wood. Best way as you can't slip into the grain and cause another problem. 8O

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M1A Medic

Discussion Starter · #7 · Sep 29, 2004

Thanks yet again for all the help. I will get to cleaning the spindle valve and let you guys know what I found.

Later, Jeff B

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M1A Medic

Discussion Starter · #8 · Sep 29, 2004

Well, I cleaned the spindle valve out, a lot of crud and no rust. It now feels just like when i bought her

8) . Once again a big thanks guys.

Later, Jeff B

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M1A Medic

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 11, 2004

I think I figured out why my Scout was smoking so badly. I broke the rifle down and was looking at the underside of the barrel. Noticed some wear from the op rod rubbing on the barrel.I put grease on the op rod and if the op rod was touching the barrel, the grease would get hot and smoke, right? So I thought about the problem, put the op rod back in and noticed that the op rod was misaligned with the gas cylinder. HMMMMMMM..........Realigned the op rod/gas cylinder and shot it yesterday with no smoking . The feeding problems I had were cured by using a GI op spring. Thanks to all for the help, just wanted to let everybody know what I found.

Later, Jeff B

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