[CeeJay]

Hello All,

I recently picked up a beauty early M1A, serial # 124XX, The fellow I bought it off of said it was somewhere around 1980-82. I called Springfield an the fellow on the phone couldn't find it on the computer and said that its probably in the paper files plus the lady that does this stuff is away, so they would have to get back to me on the actual date.

In any case, I have noticed a slight variance in the receivers heel as opposed to my 2014 SAI. When it was sitting in the stock there is a gap ( very small but light can be seen) between the heel and the stock, I tried a few different stocks and all have the same gap. The receiver is thinner? (I guess is a good enough word to describe it ) and slopes down just past the the end of the op rod. Where as the 2014 is flush all the way across.

Ok here are some pics to try and show what I mean.

Here are the 2 receivers 1980's on top and 2014 on the bottom. Look at the very end of the op rod track, see how the 1980's slopes up a bit towards the end of the heel and the 2014 is flush straight across.

A closer look at the 1980's

And a closer look at the 2014[/B]

It doesn't seem to effect the fit of the stock it sits in nicely with no movement or anything, I only noticed it because of being able to see the light under it. This may be nothing at all tho lol could just be the way they were made back then.

Does anyone else with an early receiver have the same formation?

CeeJay

 

[Instructor]

I don't know where SAI has their cast receivers produced, but over the number of years involved, could be due to a switch of manufactures and resulting change in dimensions??

 

[CeeJay]

That is a good point! could very well be the case

 

[Buelligan]

Is the other side like that, too?

 

[mrmark99]

Over the years, the end of the receiver was made thicker. Three different thicknesses from 3/8" to about 1/2 inch. It's all explained in Different's book M14RHaD. Buy a copy on LuLu.com.

 

[KurtC]

I believe early M1A receivers had some extra metal under the right receiver rail that keeps them from sitting flush in USGI stocks. I forget when they made the change, but notes indicate it may have been around the 42,000 range.

 

[stripper clip]

My 22,000 serial number range SAI sat high in a USGI stock like that too. I had resolved the issue by removing some of the stock wood where it meets the rear sides of the receiver. I used a black magic marker to blacken the underside of the receiver. The receiver was then seated in the stock and I made sure it was pressed down by hand. The marker on the receiver contacted the high areas on the stock. I carefully and gradually removed wood from the blackened areas until the receiver and stock gap was closed.

 

[Harleystoo]

SAI receivers are currently cast in Canada. Early receivers always required hand fitting to stocks; this was good for a tight fit.

 

[DudleyDR]

Here is a thread that addresses that problem with the solution, courtesy of "Greyson". Be sure and read the whole thread through.

http://m14forum.com/stock/193059-shimming-heel.html

 

[Buelligan]

I'm not a ... but I play one on TV; I'd build up the bottom of the heel with JB Weld and grind and sand it down carefully until just a sliver of it is flush between the heel and stock. No on will ever notice it but you and I bet it lasts for a 1000rds. It would work better on a stock without a cut-out.

 

[DudleyDR]

"I'm not a ... but I play one on TV; I'd build up the bottom of the heel with JB Weld and grind and sand it down carefully until just a sliver of it is flush between the heel and stock. No on will ever notice it but you and I bet it lasts for a 1000rds. It would work better on a stock without a cut-out."

HA! Funny!

 

[CeeJay]

Is the other side like that, too?

Yes Sir, its like that all the way around.

 

[CeeJay]

Thank you all for the input, I will take a look at the suggested post and follow up with how things go. As it sits now tho, would there be any real safety issues when firing it?

Thanks!

CeeJay

 

[KurtC]

Thank you all for the input, I will take a look at the suggested post and follow up with how things go. As it sits now tho, would there be any real safety issues when firing it?

Thanks!

CeeJay

If the trigger guard snaps shut, you should be fine. Do a function check to make sure the hammer doesn't follow the bolt home.

Pull the trigger and hold it to the rear, letting the hammer fall. With your other hand, rack the operating rod. If the hammer cocks, you are good to go. If it follows the bolt, the rear hammer hooks aren't engaging.