[corsair_001]

My Op rod is banging the receiver and causing a gouge in the op rod. Is this normal?

 

[six clicks]

Not that I've seen on any of mine but I've had only 3.

 

[tonyben]

Very common annoyance with SAI op-rods, but nothing more than just an annoyance.

http://m14forum.com/modern-m14/83967-op-rod-hitting-receiver.html

http://m14forum.com/m14/94723-springfield-m1a-op-rod-damage.html

Tony.

 

[TheShooter]

Normal. Mine has it.

 

[IRON WORKER]

The USGI receiver has a 45 degree chamfer at the rail front so this doesn't happen.
That is one area to check on commercial receiver.Few strokes with diamond EZ Lap to receiver rail corner will eliminate that.
Yours has already beat out the op rod though.