[M1AFL]

Looking for some advice here from those in the know:

I have noticed that the op rod guide on my SAI Standard and Scout rests directly on the Walnut Stock. There is actually an indentation of the outline of the op rod guide into the wood.

Is this normal? Should I relieve the wood so there is no contact or should I just leave it alone? There is no other metal to wood contact in the area, just the op rod guide.

Both rifles fire and function fine.

Thanks in advance for any guidance on what to do about this. I did do a forum search on this, but there was not much info available.

 

[tonyben]

It's typical, but not desirable. Clear out some wood from there and open up the ferrule to prevent the gas cylinder from binding.

Tony.

 

[Instructor]

You may have discovered some new bedding trick by SAI, but I don't think so. Yes I would remove some wood under that area you mentioned. Curious to see if the action fits back in the stock as it should once you remove that bit of wood??

 

[m1ajeep]

Stock-liner misalighnment

Hopefully, eliminating contact between your stock and the op-rod won't open a "can of worms" like I encountered when I eliminated the contact between my op-rod guide and the stock on my new Scout.

The barrel was fairly well aligned in the stock, right out of the box until I removed the wood under the op-rod guide; this allowed the barrel to move to the left, making contact with the stock ferule.

Removing material from the stock ferule, and surrounding wood, to the extent of a Super Match, still allowed the barrel to contact the ferule.

The problem was a poorly manufactured stock liner that caused the receiver to be "twisted" in the stock. Replacing the stock liner resulted in a perfectly aligned receiver/barrel with the stock.

Of course, the additional costs of buying SAI's match-grade rifles ensures that SAI does the hand-work necessary for proper alignment.

At first I was perturbed that I would have to do what I expected the manufacture to do before selling the rifle. Now, I feel good that I was able to complete these steps toward making my Scout more accurate.

 

[DougCarr]

....is it possible for a picture I'd like to check over my new Springfield M1A..THANKS

 

[Buelligan]

Hopefully, eliminating contact between your stock and the op-rod won't open a "can of worms" like I encountered when I eliminated the contact between my op-rod guide and the stock on my new Scout.

That was an interesting adventure.

 

[jaker10]

When I bought my loaded it was stringing the shots from the bull to 10 o'clock. I took it out of the stock and found the op rod guide digging in. Called Springfield and they said to go ahead and remove the wood where it was rubbing. After removing the area and shooting it again it was unbelievable the difference it made. One good shooting rifle. Since then I had it upgrade to a NM and it shoots right up with my 700 police.

 

[M1AFL]

Thanks to all for the responses. I figured I would ask here first before I called SAI.

I think I will relieve the contact point slowly and see how it goes.

Thanks again!

 

[KurtC]

Every rifle behaves differently. It is normal for an M14 stock to contact just about everywhere, including the ferrule against the gas cylinder.

When bedding a receiver, you can relieve all barrel contact up front. Otherwise, it may not turn out very well. The liner is only there to keep the wood from cracking, not to support the receiver.

With a non bedded rifle, remove the wood a very little at a time.

 

[M1AFL]

Well, thanks to all here for the good advice! Relieved the wood on both rifles at the contact points where the op rod guide indented the wood. Very good results!

Both shot much better, thanks again.

 

[Wasted ammo]

Well, thanks to all here for the good advice! Relieved the wood on both rifles at the contact points where the op rod guide indented the wood. Very good results!

Both shot much better, thanks again.

Thanks, I have one rifle and 2 stocks that both touch. Glad to hear it helps, how much did it help?

 

[M1AFL]

Quite a bit, both rifles grouped much better, I was a little nervous at first, but the results were happily much better groups than before. I did not take a lot of wood off. My range is only 50 yards, nearest public range to me, but the groups were much better, 9 ring and x's at 50 yards with Hirtenberger and HXP.

It will be a while before I can get to a 100 yard range. I am going by how rifles shot today and how they shot previously at the same range.

HTH.

 

[Wasted ammo]

Thanks you for the honest answer. I am going to lightly relieve one of my stocks and see if I can tell the difference.

 

[M1AFL]

As one of the other posters said, it appears that the upward pressure at the op rod guide did nothing for accuracy, it seems that both rifles now have "free floated" barrels, for lack of better terminology.

 

[Wasted ammo]

I am new to the platform, I'm just trying to learn. The more questions I ask the more I learn. I would love to be able to watch in person, but I don't know anyone in my area that appreciates the rifle as I do. If Tony hadn't made all those videos I would be lost.

 

[M1AFL]

Me too!

 

[janderso57]

I am new to the platform, I'm just trying to learn. The more questions I ask the more I learn. I would love to be able to watch in person, but I don't know anyone in my area that appreciates the rifle as I do. If Tony hadn't made all those videos I would be lost.

You and me both pal. Watch all of Tonyben's videos. That's a great way to get acquainted imho.
I am in the process of replacing my loaded SA M1A synthetic stock with a Boyd's Walnut. Kurt has been patient and now I need to start working through fitting the stock.
It's a great way to spend the day

 

[Wasted ammo]

You and me both pal. Watch all of Tonyben's videos. That's a great way to get acquainted imho.
I am in the process of replacing my loaded SA M1A synthetic stock with a Boyd's Walnut. Kurt has been patient and now I need to start working through fitting the stock.
It's a great way to spend the day

Tonys videos have made this possible for me, Kurt found me a great deal on a nice piece of walnut. This forum has helped me in more ways than one! Kurt has also given me some really helpful advice. I have the loaded myself, I have 2 walnut stocks for it. As a battle rifle it exceeds expectations with either stock. I have a touch of OCD. That's another story, it's never perfect!

 

[Magnumdood]

Tonyben's instructional videos

You and me both pal. Watch all of Tonyben's videos. That's a great way to get acquainted imho.
I am in the process of replacing my loaded SA M1A synthetic stock with a Boyd's Walnut. Kurt has been patient and now I need to start working through fitting the stock.
It's a great way to spend the day

Watched ALL of Tonyben's videos for personal enrichment. My M1A has been thoroughly accurized and pillar-bedded by Roland Beaver of Old Corp Weaponry. I replaced a few parts with "better" parts, such as the recoil spring guide rod, and the gas piston. Other than that I took it out of the bedding once because I wanted to see how he had welded the rear lug on and how he pillar bedded it. Man, when I cranked down on that pillar bolt that barreled receiver was sucked into the bedding with some impressive firmness. The trigger is better than when I first received it in Supermatch configuration.