Suppressing the M1A/M14 (2019)
I did a quick search and stumbled upon a few threads mentioning what to do when suppressing an M1A, and the consensus is to use a Shuster adjustable gas plug to deal with the gas blowback.
I also saw a comment that the user Ted Brown was looking to create a new gas valve that required no modification to the plug but that was from 2016.
So far I have a scoped 22" M1A that I am thinking about getting a Shuster gas plug and Smith Enterprises threaded adapter for.
So anyway, I'm looking for what is new out there for suppressing an M14 and if anyone here has a setup that they'd share.
I also saw a comment that the user Ted Brown was looking to create a new gas valve that required no modification to the plug but that was from 2016.
So far I have a scoped 22" M1A that I am thinking about getting a Shuster gas plug and Smith Enterprises threaded adapter for.
So anyway, I'm looking for what is new out there for suppressing an M14 and if anyone here has a setup that they'd share.
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I am going to be following this one to see what else comes to pass here....looking at going this distance as well with my SAI Standard and feel the .30cal can is going to take it to the next level from its mostly-DMR build.
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A Schuster Plug and following the instructions stated above is correct. The only problem, you now have to choose one or the other. Cycles while suppressed, and it wont cycle when unsuppressed. Get it cycling while unsuppressed, and when you suppress it, it will be over gassed and break stuff. Ask how I know, lol. But a Schuster alone will get you gas system there.
Now, for the time being, you can use the gas plug switch to turn the gas on/off, so say your going to slow shoot when suppressed, turn it off and you have a suppressed bolt action-sorta. Or the other way around, turn off if slow shooting unsuppressed, and on to cycle suppressed.
Another option other than a Schuster is the SOCOM gasplug by Smith, but I didnt like it, to be honest. Compared to a Schuster, which you can dial in a smooth operating gun, and can dial in for different ammo if needed. Also, if you change your OP Rod Spring Guide you can adjust a Schuster to do that as well, so personally think Shuster is best. Heck, I gave my Smith to another forum member, didnt even ask for payment or it back, lol. Wont give you my Schuster.
If you want best of both worlds like I did..... as in shoot/cycle suppressed and shoot/cycle unsuppressed? Get a hold of Ted Brown and get a gas switch cross drilled, so instead of the gas being on/off, it will be suppressed/unsuppressed. It's the best option, but can be installed down the road if you want, which is cool. Because all this stuff ain't cheap!!
Heres my Bula Scout, for suppression upgrades, has a Smith Navy Front Iron (for looking over suppressor), Schuster Plug, Smith thread converter and a Ted Brown gas switch. Love this thing!!!
Now, for the time being, you can use the gas plug switch to turn the gas on/off, so say your going to slow shoot when suppressed, turn it off and you have a suppressed bolt action-sorta. Or the other way around, turn off if slow shooting unsuppressed, and on to cycle suppressed.
Another option other than a Schuster is the SOCOM gasplug by Smith, but I didnt like it, to be honest. Compared to a Schuster, which you can dial in a smooth operating gun, and can dial in for different ammo if needed. Also, if you change your OP Rod Spring Guide you can adjust a Schuster to do that as well, so personally think Shuster is best. Heck, I gave my Smith to another forum member, didnt even ask for payment or it back, lol. Wont give you my Schuster.
If you want best of both worlds like I did..... as in shoot/cycle suppressed and shoot/cycle unsuppressed? Get a hold of Ted Brown and get a gas switch cross drilled, so instead of the gas being on/off, it will be suppressed/unsuppressed. It's the best option, but can be installed down the road if you want, which is cool. Because all this stuff ain't cheap!!
Heres my Bula Scout, for suppression upgrades, has a Smith Navy Front Iron (for looking over suppressor), Schuster Plug, Smith thread converter and a Ted Brown gas switch. Love this thing!!!
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Perhaps a better way
Shooting Sight has a simpler solution. Throttle the gas before it gets into the gas system.
Two Choices:
Set up for spindle valve predrilled or adjustable jets. One position is full flow, the other is preset reduced flow.
Another option is to use an OSS suppressor
https://youtu.be/NL6Gpjd8CYs
Shooting Sight has a simpler solution. Throttle the gas before it gets into the gas system.
Two Choices:
Set up for spindle valve predrilled or adjustable jets. One position is full flow, the other is preset reduced flow.
Another option is to use an OSS suppressor
https://youtu.be/NL6Gpjd8CYs
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I'm running a Schuster plug on my M21 with a YHM LTA-30 Can mounted to their QD.
The gas plug is dialed in to "just" cycle without the Can. The rifle cycles smoothly without feeling over-gassed when running the Can.
The gas plug is dialed in to "just" cycle without the Can. The rifle cycles smoothly without feeling over-gassed when running the Can.
This is a very good in-depth answer, thank you! I just need to break it down:
On a few piston-driven guns, all that is needed is a bullet to quick-change the setting from suppressed
to unsuppressed. I suppose that I could keep the tool in the butt-stock and mark the different settings.
EDIT: I just realized farther down that Ted brown came out with this very thing.
What about a way to quickly change the settings?
On a few piston-driven guns, all that is needed is a bullet to quick-change the setting from suppressed
to unsuppressed. I suppose that I could keep the tool in the butt-stock and mark the different settings.
EDIT: I just realized farther down that Ted brown came out with this very thing.
I think you just sold me on a Shuster! By the way, why does the spring guide come into this? I swapped out the stock one with a Sadlak for what it's worth.
So Ted Brown DID come out with a gas switch! I'll have to get in touch with him on price and turnaround time.
That is a beautiful setup! Do you run the shuster with the Ted Brown switch to account for different ammo? Also what is a smith thread-converter? Sorry for the million questions!
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All good M1a addict,
The OP Rod Spring Guide just comes into play in that itll run smoother with the Sadlak vs a USGI style, so the Schuster can be adjusted to account for that smoothness. It's just for fine tuning, but if you got it, why not?
You can quickly adjust the gas system switch with a flat head screw driver. I use a "Credit Card" multi tool bought on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B071J1C9GR?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
One of the other reasons I got this particular one is that it can fit my Blackfeather Stock take down bolt (3/8 bolt if you look at the bottom of the stock half way up the barrel). It also fits the nut on my Arms Mount. So it's a good tool anyhow, atleast for my setup. I keep it in my butt stock storage with an Allen key that matches my Schuster. There may be better multi tools for your setup, but they're nice to have. You spoke of piston guns, I have an MCX. It's not as easy as that, but hey, it works for what it is, 1950's technology working in 2019. Pretty cool to me!
Yep, I run both the Ted Brown Cross Drilled switch and a Schuster Plug. Its alot going on, lol, but once dialed in it works well and set. I stick to the same ammo (cheap POF 7.62). But I like the ability to adjust in the field/range. May never have to, but why not have the ability if I decide to switch to a hotter ammo? Or heavier grain? Etc. Or even lighter, seems that 125 grain is catching on in 308/30-06 with some, wierd to me, but I can adjust for it if need be. It wont have different settings, just suppressor on/off type deal. Mine is up/down suppressed? Crap, writing I forgot, lol. If I'm unsure, I'll just take a shot without the suppressor, if it doesnt cycle, then I know that's the suppressor setting. If it cycles, it's the normal gas setting, i.e. unsuppressed.
As for Smith products, heres the front suppressor height sight (Part 2012, gaslock front sight hooded) and the converter for 5/8×25 (Part 2000A, its ugly, but works, gem tech makes one I think as well, among others) and pics attached. The site is http://www.smithenterprise.com/products03.01.html.
The OP Rod Spring Guide just comes into play in that itll run smoother with the Sadlak vs a USGI style, so the Schuster can be adjusted to account for that smoothness. It's just for fine tuning, but if you got it, why not?
You can quickly adjust the gas system switch with a flat head screw driver. I use a "Credit Card" multi tool bought on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B071J1C9GR?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
One of the other reasons I got this particular one is that it can fit my Blackfeather Stock take down bolt (3/8 bolt if you look at the bottom of the stock half way up the barrel). It also fits the nut on my Arms Mount. So it's a good tool anyhow, atleast for my setup. I keep it in my butt stock storage with an Allen key that matches my Schuster. There may be better multi tools for your setup, but they're nice to have. You spoke of piston guns, I have an MCX. It's not as easy as that, but hey, it works for what it is, 1950's technology working in 2019. Pretty cool to me!
Yep, I run both the Ted Brown Cross Drilled switch and a Schuster Plug. Its alot going on, lol, but once dialed in it works well and set. I stick to the same ammo (cheap POF 7.62). But I like the ability to adjust in the field/range. May never have to, but why not have the ability if I decide to switch to a hotter ammo? Or heavier grain? Etc. Or even lighter, seems that 125 grain is catching on in 308/30-06 with some, wierd to me, but I can adjust for it if need be. It wont have different settings, just suppressor on/off type deal. Mine is up/down suppressed? Crap, writing I forgot, lol. If I'm unsure, I'll just take a shot without the suppressor, if it doesnt cycle, then I know that's the suppressor setting. If it cycles, it's the normal gas setting, i.e. unsuppressed.
As for Smith products, heres the front suppressor height sight (Part 2012, gaslock front sight hooded) and the converter for 5/8×25 (Part 2000A, its ugly, but works, gem tech makes one I think as well, among others) and pics attached. The site is http://www.smithenterprise.com/products03.01.html.
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I see, so you can get away with one or the other. I think I'll try the gas plug first then when I get tired of dialing it for suppressed/unsuppressed shots, I'll pick up a TB switch and play around with that.
Here is the muzzle mount that I am looking at. It's pricey for what it is, but it looks like I can run it with a QD brake and my sights.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1004722325?pid=620345
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Yeah, I think that would work. Post pics when ya get it up and running!
That's a Texas-size 10-4, but you'll be waiting a while. My can is still in jail for the forseeable future!
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Here is my setup
M1A Scout
AAC 7.62 SDN-6
I went with the Schuster adjustable gas plug, works very well, but hard to adjust on the fly, so I think Im going to add the gas switch to see if I can tune suppressed or not suppressed to work with the Schuster.
Also added Smith enterprises gas lock to keep my front sight.
Took some minor shortening of the gas plug so there was no contact between that and the suppressor.
Great thing about AAC is they make a flash hider with the right thread pitch that directly threads onto the barrel, so I can easily move suppressor around to other weapons.
M1A Scout
AAC 7.62 SDN-6
I went with the Schuster adjustable gas plug, works very well, but hard to adjust on the fly, so I think Im going to add the gas switch to see if I can tune suppressed or not suppressed to work with the Schuster.
Also added Smith enterprises gas lock to keep my front sight.
Took some minor shortening of the gas plug so there was no contact between that and the suppressor.
Great thing about AAC is they make a flash hider with the right thread pitch that directly threads onto the barrel, so I can easily move suppressor around to other weapons.
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