New to M14's: What to do/not do?
121 - 140 of 166 Posts
Time for another update...
This rifle is not as big a deal as I lead myself to believe. If I had known what a pain in the back side reassembly of the bolt was going to be I would have bought the special tool. The combo tool worked alright to break it down. I wore gloves trying to put the bugger back together two days ago, I think the pain in my left thumb will be gone by morning. GI6
The books were well worth the investment, BUY THEM. The previous owner had already shimmed and knurled (read the books for more info). I used Tetra, Hoppe's 9 and for the first time a foaming bore cleaner (Awesome). FRG1
Safety glasses - just do it. DISHOUT
This rifle is not as big a deal as I lead myself to believe. If I had known what a pain in the back side reassembly of the bolt was going to be I would have bought the special tool. The combo tool worked alright to break it down. I wore gloves trying to put the bugger back together two days ago, I think the pain in my left thumb will be gone by morning. GI6
The books were well worth the investment, BUY THEM. The previous owner had already shimmed and knurled (read the books for more info). I used Tetra, Hoppe's 9 and for the first time a foaming bore cleaner (Awesome). FRG1
Safety glasses - just do it. DISHOUT
Tons of info, THANKS !
Hello everybody ! First time post for me. I have had my M1A since 2000, and have really shot it very little. I hurt my back not long after I got the rifle... 5 subsequent surgeries leading to 5 levels of lower back fusion later, here I am. Oh I shot it prob 4 or 500 times, just playing around you know, but to sit down + get serious, I have just begun. This forum and this post are AWESOME ! Some extremely knowledgeable guys here. Thanks a bunch to all of you who have shared so much good information ! Looks like I have a few tools to buy, lol. Btw, I have a Walnut stock, blued, loaded version, bought in the spring of 2000. I originally had the S/A 6-20x56 mil dot scope on it, but I sold that thing for almost double what I gave for it about a yr + a half ago. I recently put a BSA Platinum MD 8-32x44 LR on it. A factory scope mount and a S/A bipod completes my rifle at present. A long story shortened, but at 1 time I was trying to sell the whole rig, walking around a gun show a guy offered on the scope, so I took it. I know, I know, I know.... I should have kept the optic, but the reason I had the gun for sale was I had just lost my son (and best friend) the rifle was supposed to be his 1 day, so I just decided to get rid of it. I figured I would have no problem selling the rifle by itself + with the price the guy offered for the scope I figured why not ? Anyway, I STILL HAVE THE RIFLE, and that's the most important part. The scope I have now works great for the money and my old eyes NEED a scope, lol. I also have a Rock River Arms AR-15, with about 1200 rounds. I decided to sell the AR, clips + ammo... Then just buy the tools and books I need for the M1A and a maybe a few more rounds for it too ;-) I have previously owned 1 other AR-15, a real early AK-47 clone, an Egyptian made version called an AKM , an H K 91, several mini 14s and an old .30 cal M1 carbine (still have that 1) NOTHING compares to shooting an M1A ! Gotta admit the HK was close, but the M1A is.... well, its just....well hell, you guys all know, lol. Ok, thanks again for the time you all spent listing out all the necessities and why. I read a bunch of threads in the last few days, found this 1 tonight and thought it would be a good place for me to jump in + say howdy. Good luck and Good shootin ! Thanks again from Brad, in W/C Missouri.
Hello everybody ! First time post for me. I have had my M1A since 2000, and have really shot it very little. I hurt my back not long after I got the rifle... 5 subsequent surgeries leading to 5 levels of lower back fusion later, here I am. Oh I shot it prob 4 or 500 times, just playing around you know, but to sit down + get serious, I have just begun. This forum and this post are AWESOME ! Some extremely knowledgeable guys here. Thanks a bunch to all of you who have shared so much good information ! Looks like I have a few tools to buy, lol. Btw, I have a Walnut stock, blued, loaded version, bought in the spring of 2000. I originally had the S/A 6-20x56 mil dot scope on it, but I sold that thing for almost double what I gave for it about a yr + a half ago. I recently put a BSA Platinum MD 8-32x44 LR on it. A factory scope mount and a S/A bipod completes my rifle at present. A long story shortened, but at 1 time I was trying to sell the whole rig, walking around a gun show a guy offered on the scope, so I took it. I know, I know, I know.... I should have kept the optic, but the reason I had the gun for sale was I had just lost my son (and best friend) the rifle was supposed to be his 1 day, so I just decided to get rid of it. I figured I would have no problem selling the rifle by itself + with the price the guy offered for the scope I figured why not ? Anyway, I STILL HAVE THE RIFLE, and that's the most important part. The scope I have now works great for the money and my old eyes NEED a scope, lol. I also have a Rock River Arms AR-15, with about 1200 rounds. I decided to sell the AR, clips + ammo... Then just buy the tools and books I need for the M1A and a maybe a few more rounds for it too ;-) I have previously owned 1 other AR-15, a real early AK-47 clone, an Egyptian made version called an AKM , an H K 91, several mini 14s and an old .30 cal M1 carbine (still have that 1) NOTHING compares to shooting an M1A ! Gotta admit the HK was close, but the M1A is.... well, its just....well hell, you guys all know, lol. Ok, thanks again for the time you all spent listing out all the necessities and why. I read a bunch of threads in the last few days, found this 1 tonight and thought it would be a good place for me to jump in + say howdy. Good luck and Good shootin ! Thanks again from Brad, in W/C Missouri.
Unfortunately, some of the links in some of the posts no longer work. Some due to the originator's removal of pictures from their hosting accounts and some due to a hack we had a long time ago. (seems we get hacked on occasion, must be because we are a gun board) Some are due to broken links from a more recent hack. As time is available we will look into the broken links and see what can be retrieved as well as get rid of a bunch of red X's. Sorry for the inconvenience.
broken links etc..
Thanks Hawk. I did run into that problem, but there was usually enough info about the item in question that with a little detective work I was able to find what I was looking for. I was wondering about 1 thing + that is the grease. Back at the top of page 2, in the list that cmshoot made, he specified "MD Labs' XF7 grease". I was able to find basically everything else he listed at Midway, but they don't carry that type grease. Is there anything else that works, or should I just get a Brownells account started now, lol. Also, does that grease work for all of the places that need to be greased ? I just read a little further + see that there are several other grease types listed, but I want the GOOD stuff, not just any grease, unless it really doesn't matter ? When I got my rifle I bought the ratcheting brush + the S/A combo tool, so I don't need much really besides that bolt roller greaser and grease, plus the gas piston drills. I have had the rifle apart for cleaning several times, but was unsure what exactly to do, so I just did what I could + what I thought should be done, according to the manual. I had no idea about the bolt roller greaser, so I need to get it back apart and take care of that. Also, I bought the fiberglass 1 pc cleaning rod which I have always used without a bore guide, but I recently bought + began using a bore snake with CLP + it does a great job, in my opinion. You can clean ANY rifle from the chamber and with the brass brush built in + the amount of material on the snake, it does everything that a conventional cleaning rod does (only much faster and easier AND without the worry of crown damage). Do you think I still need the bore guide and the service rifle solvent port ? I shot yesterday and at 100 yards it still just smokes a big hole right in the X-ring ;-) Gotta love it ! Altho I have to admit to really missing the S/A scope. I bought a Weatherby Vanguard in .308, stainless/wood, topped it with a Nikkon scope + both rifles were shooting 3/4", 3 shot groups at 100 yards. For factory ammo + stock rifles (not to mention me as the shooter) that is HARD TO BEAT ! Not 1 hole groups, but not bad. Your opinion on grease would be much appreciated. I Do plan on buying a new trigger group, or having mine worked over, plus I am interested in the shimming mentioned, but figure I will get the books listed + do that down the road a bit. I don't really have much right now besides a 100 yard range anyway, so 1 hole groups are what I really need to work on ;-) Thanks + have a good day !
Thanks Hawk. I did run into that problem, but there was usually enough info about the item in question that with a little detective work I was able to find what I was looking for. I was wondering about 1 thing + that is the grease. Back at the top of page 2, in the list that cmshoot made, he specified "MD Labs' XF7 grease". I was able to find basically everything else he listed at Midway, but they don't carry that type grease. Is there anything else that works, or should I just get a Brownells account started now, lol. Also, does that grease work for all of the places that need to be greased ? I just read a little further + see that there are several other grease types listed, but I want the GOOD stuff, not just any grease, unless it really doesn't matter ? When I got my rifle I bought the ratcheting brush + the S/A combo tool, so I don't need much really besides that bolt roller greaser and grease, plus the gas piston drills. I have had the rifle apart for cleaning several times, but was unsure what exactly to do, so I just did what I could + what I thought should be done, according to the manual. I had no idea about the bolt roller greaser, so I need to get it back apart and take care of that. Also, I bought the fiberglass 1 pc cleaning rod which I have always used without a bore guide, but I recently bought + began using a bore snake with CLP + it does a great job, in my opinion. You can clean ANY rifle from the chamber and with the brass brush built in + the amount of material on the snake, it does everything that a conventional cleaning rod does (only much faster and easier AND without the worry of crown damage). Do you think I still need the bore guide and the service rifle solvent port ? I shot yesterday and at 100 yards it still just smokes a big hole right in the X-ring ;-) Gotta love it ! Altho I have to admit to really missing the S/A scope. I bought a Weatherby Vanguard in .308, stainless/wood, topped it with a Nikkon scope + both rifles were shooting 3/4", 3 shot groups at 100 yards. For factory ammo + stock rifles (not to mention me as the shooter) that is HARD TO BEAT ! Not 1 hole groups, but not bad. Your opinion on grease would be much appreciated. I Do plan on buying a new trigger group, or having mine worked over, plus I am interested in the shimming mentioned, but figure I will get the books listed + do that down the road a bit. I don't really have much right now besides a 100 yard range anyway, so 1 hole groups are what I really need to work on ;-) Thanks + have a good day !
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2 Posts
Selector Removed
Was looking for an AR in .308 when I came across an M-14 (yeah, made by someone I never heard of in the US) and it had the selector lever removed. The shop thought it was OK to sell as long as the rifle would only fire semi-auto. True?
I trained on the M-1 and headed for Vietnam but only shot 20 rounds through the M-14 before being issued a M-1 Carbine.
We were stuck in S. Japan and never saw the M-14 again.
Are there selectors out there that don't run afoul of the ATF by being full auto. Be nice to fill that hole and keep the dirt out.
ARMY1
Was looking for an AR in .308 when I came across an M-14 (yeah, made by someone I never heard of in the US) and it had the selector lever removed. The shop thought it was OK to sell as long as the rifle would only fire semi-auto. True?
I trained on the M-1 and headed for Vietnam but only shot 20 rounds through the M-14 before being issued a M-1 Carbine.
We were stuck in S. Japan and never saw the M-14 again.
Are there selectors out there that don't run afoul of the ATF by being full auto. Be nice to fill that hole and keep the dirt out.
ARMY1
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2 Posts
Bump to update for current viewers
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6 Posts
Hello and thanks to all. This is my first post here and as I have been reading the threads I've picked up a lot of useful info. I'm familiar with M1 Garands and am finding the M-14 similar but different.
I joined this site to get better info on maintaining my Armscorp NM M-14 and I also have a Polytech M-14S. I've been shooting both with iron sights for years but recently added a scope.
I've discovered a few new tools I need and several maintenence items I didn't know about thanks to this forum. My main concern was with the op rod on the Armscorp being loose compared to my Garands. I didn't know if this is normal or well worn. I suspect the tab is out of spec but wanted to see what you guys have to say about it.
Thanks for the great info.
I joined this site to get better info on maintaining my Armscorp NM M-14 and I also have a Polytech M-14S. I've been shooting both with iron sights for years but recently added a scope.
I've discovered a few new tools I need and several maintenence items I didn't know about thanks to this forum. My main concern was with the op rod on the Armscorp being loose compared to my Garands. I didn't know if this is normal or well worn. I suspect the tab is out of spec but wanted to see what you guys have to say about it.
Thanks for the great info.
Does a new M1A need to "broken in"?
I'm also new to the world of the M1A.
Does the barrel need to be "broken in"? If so, how is that done?
Or do I just clean my M1A Loaded according to Scott Duff's instructions and take it to the range and start shooting?
GI4 I just don't want to mess it up.
I'm also new to the world of the M1A.
Does the barrel need to be "broken in"? If so, how is that done?
Or do I just clean my M1A Loaded according to Scott Duff's instructions and take it to the range and start shooting?
GI4 I just don't want to mess it up.
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2,221 Posts
No need to go to special pains, guys. GI7
Just clean it, lube it with a light coat of grease (not oil) on the metal to metal contact points, and shoot it.
If your new rifle is clean, lubed and tight (remember the gas plug GI7), it ought to shoot just fine for ya.
You're gonna love it!FRG1
db
Just clean it, lube it with a light coat of grease (not oil) on the metal to metal contact points, and shoot it.
If your new rifle is clean, lubed and tight (remember the gas plug GI7), it ought to shoot just fine for ya.
You're gonna love it!FRG1
db
Does a new M1A barrel need to be broken-in? If so ,how isthat done.
-- As a the proud owner of a SAI M1A,[ I've had her for twelve days ] I called and spoke with a phone rep. Iwas told no, not necessary to break-in the M1A barrel. How ever SAI does recommend ''seasoning" thier barrels.
Seasoning was explained as follows:
Shoot one round-clean the barrel. Repeat this X10
After the ten rounds, and ten cleaned barrels you shoot two rounds-and clean the barrel. Repeat this X10
After those twenty rounds and ten barrel cleanings, you can now fire three rounds before cleaning. That would be thirty rounds fired, and ten more barrel cleanings.
I wasn't told at what number to stop at,so I'm planning to go up to fifty rounds X10 barrel cleanings.
Hope this helps you out Murphy
Awmp88 thats a big 10-4 on the ---I don't want to mess it up!
Happy shootin all,
Nickoli
-- As a the proud owner of a SAI M1A,[ I've had her for twelve days ] I called and spoke with a phone rep. Iwas told no, not necessary to break-in the M1A barrel. How ever SAI does recommend ''seasoning" thier barrels.
Seasoning was explained as follows:
Shoot one round-clean the barrel. Repeat this X10
After the ten rounds, and ten cleaned barrels you shoot two rounds-and clean the barrel. Repeat this X10
After those twenty rounds and ten barrel cleanings, you can now fire three rounds before cleaning. That would be thirty rounds fired, and ten more barrel cleanings.
I wasn't told at what number to stop at,so I'm planning to go up to fifty rounds X10 barrel cleanings.
Hope this helps you out Murphy
Awmp88 thats a big 10-4 on the ---I don't want to mess it up!
Happy shootin all,
Nickoli
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18 Posts
Unclear on the concept
Perhaps you shouldn't believe everything you hear. (Frankly, I've never heard so much nonsense in my life.)
The M14 platform was designed to shoot anywhere, in any weather, under any conditions, despite any environmental handicap. It shoots in snow, sand, rain--you name it.
I have an 3-4 MOA LRB. I shot over 300 rounds through it at an Appleseed in one day before the first cleaning. Then all I did was boresnake the barrel. Then I shot another 400 rounds though it the next day. Now it shoots 1 MOA (or maybe, because of Appleseed, I do.)
I suggest that you quit worrying about the barrel and go shoot the thing. A lot. (Appleseed can help you do that, and a lot more, like hit the target at 400 yards and learn why you might need to.)
Google "Appleseed Project" to find a shoot near you.
Firewall99
Nickoli,
Perhaps you shouldn't believe everything you hear. (Frankly, I've never heard so much nonsense in my life.)
The M14 platform was designed to shoot anywhere, in any weather, under any conditions, despite any environmental handicap. It shoots in snow, sand, rain--you name it.
I have an 3-4 MOA LRB. I shot over 300 rounds through it at an Appleseed in one day before the first cleaning. Then all I did was boresnake the barrel. Then I shot another 400 rounds though it the next day. Now it shoots 1 MOA (or maybe, because of Appleseed, I do.)
I suggest that you quit worrying about the barrel and go shoot the thing. A lot. (Appleseed can help you do that, and a lot more, like hit the target at 400 yards and learn why you might need to.)
Google "Appleseed Project" to find a shoot near you.
Firewall99
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4,149 Posts
interesting and very helpful
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49 Posts
How to care for a M-14, extractor, I shot a few thousand rounds in the Marine Corps with the M 1 garand, then in 1962I was issued brand new M-14 I shot it a thousand rounds or so, then carried it in vietnam and shot it a bunch more. During the 1980's I shot several thousand rounds through A NM M-14 as a national guard rifle competitor. I broke 1 extractor in the M-1 and 1 In the M-14 both under Ideal enviormential conditions at the range. My whole point about extractors is that in high power competition I saw on several occassions an extractor break at the range then the same rifle break new extractors after just several rounds.
Sence then I have heard that the replacement extractors broke because they did not have enough clearence with the breach.
I do not now if this was just with the m-14's that we used, because most of them did not have military NM barrels but they had after market barrels My caution is that if you ever replace a extractor on A m-14 , DETERMINE IF YOU NEED TO SET UP THE PROPER CLEARENCE , rather than just dropping it in.
Sence then I have heard that the replacement extractors broke because they did not have enough clearence with the breach.
I do not now if this was just with the m-14's that we used, because most of them did not have military NM barrels but they had after market barrels My caution is that if you ever replace a extractor on A m-14 , DETERMINE IF YOU NEED TO SET UP THE PROPER CLEARENCE , rather than just dropping it in.
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2,520 Posts
Do's and don'ts
I gotta tell you guys, I was very inquisitive at first like you and did my homework but it really is kinda like boot camp. You train and train and they tell you everything you need to know, but until you step out onto the field, you have no idea.....same with the M1A, until you get it in your hands and tear it down and see the thing....well ,you get the idea. I got my manual and downloaded for free from the Springfield Armory site. It is like any other military weapon, pretty much goof proof, so be brave and act like you got a bucket full of them when working on it. Don't shoot reloads in it till you know what you are doing. Don't take the bolt apart without the proper tool handy. Do sleep with it, unloaded of course....well, ok...empty chamber. Do buy lots of ammo. Do have a great time....rip.
I gotta tell you guys, I was very inquisitive at first like you and did my homework but it really is kinda like boot camp. You train and train and they tell you everything you need to know, but until you step out onto the field, you have no idea.....same with the M1A, until you get it in your hands and tear it down and see the thing....well ,you get the idea. I got my manual and downloaded for free from the Springfield Armory site. It is like any other military weapon, pretty much goof proof, so be brave and act like you got a bucket full of them when working on it. Don't shoot reloads in it till you know what you are doing. Don't take the bolt apart without the proper tool handy. Do sleep with it, unloaded of course....well, ok...empty chamber. Do buy lots of ammo. Do have a great time....rip.
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