M1A flash hider

If your a comp shooter you may consider it. Most don't do it. If you do get the reamer from Brownells. I think it's the #7, but don't hold me to it. They can tell you over the phone or via email. I did one, the rifle shoots just as well with the un-reamed F.S., go figure.

1. - The part that fits over the barrel has a .650" +/- .002 clearance relief so it does not misalign due to side pressure from contact between the f/h and the barrel.
2. - The muzzle end of the f/h is cut with a #7 taper reamer until the muzzle opening measures .406" in diameter.
3. - Then the area between the flutes and barrel face (crown) is opened up (with a drill) to 3/8" (this is the last cut).

See the text and illustrations on p. 11 - 14 (pdf version, manual p. # 10 - 13) of the USAMU manual "M-14 Rifle Accurization" (pdf version found at:
www.fiveronin.com/upload/pics/M14___M1_RIFLE_ACCURIZING.PDF ) -- heck, read the whole thing, it is short and very concise about the various NM mods....

I most competent M14 armorers should be able to do this for a very reasonable fee. You may want to get all (or most of) the mods at the same time ...

-- cw

The reason for reaming the flash hider is to prevent bullets from making contact with it and being deflected. This occurs when the flash hider is not aligned correctly with the bore of the barrel. In order to use falsh hiders that may not be aligned correctly, match armorers started reaming them.

I prefer to ream all my flash hiders just to be safe. There is a USGI alignment gauge to determine if the flash hider is centered with the bore. I do not know if these are available. You can purchase a commercial cast flash hider from www.dpmsinc.com that is already reamed for $30 shipped. I have several of these and they are better quality than the ones Springfield, Inc. uses on their rifles, Product Code M1A02.

I can't get decent grouping with my M1A so far (about 5"). I've used 168Gr HPBT's and Hodgdon Varget and VV N140 powder. I've got a castle nut plier so i'm gonna take the Fs off and shoot whitout it to see if this is the problem.