What M14 parts to stock

I think the most commonly found part that breaks would be the ejector. But that issue is either off of an M1A or M305 bolt, and a lot of people will often swap those out for genuine USGI M14 parts. Other than that with routine cleaning and lubrication that rifle should out last you. The only other part that usually wears down would be the tab on the op rod, but those are USGI op rods, that have been thru thousands and thousands of rounds(sometimes in full auto) since the 1960's and those tabs can be rebuilt. As well as possibly the op rod spring itself could compress over time. And lastly would be the barrel, after a good 10,000 plus rounds it may not be as accurate as it once was.

If anything else appears to be having extreme wear on it, then that could indicate a problem with that particular part being out of spec or with the rifle itself.
 
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the most important parts to have as spares for these rifles....
GAS PLUG .... because it's the one part that can and does come unscrewed and folks have lost them as they fall off the rifle. not common but happens.
EXTRACTOR , spring and detent - because sometimes a bolt can spit an extractor and good luck finding it in the range gravel with out a magnet
Spare set of bolt guts along with a bolt roller and clip is a good idea.

other than those parts, these rifles don't require a large cache of back up parts.
 
45ACPKING said:
the most important parts to have as spares for these rifles....
GAS PLUG .... because it's the one part that can and does come unscrewed and folks have lost them as they fall off the rifle. not common but happens.
EXTRACTOR , spring and detent - because sometimes a bolt can spit an extractor and good luck finding it in the range gravel with out a magnet
Spare set of bolt guts along with a bolt roller and clip is a good idea.

other than those parts, these rifles don't require a large cache of back up parts.
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I agree with everything posted here.

But I wouldn't keep any of those bolt parts in the range bag.... For the most part, you'll want to make repairs to your bolt at the work bench as opposed to the shooting bench!

John
 
seems the most wearable parts are on the bolt, so a spare bolt would take care of those. only part I had fail by wear is the bolt roller, split in two.
 
From 2008 on Fred's M14 Stocks site:

http://www.fredsm14stocks.com/faq.asp?ITEM=13

M14/M1A Spare Parts Kit Recommendations
What spare parts ought the shooter keep on hand for basic operator maintenance of his M14/M1A rifle?

Depends on how much you shoot, and, how long you want to maintain the rifle. With the current import restrictions, you may want to get a deep & thorough spares inventory. The original G.I. stuff is dwindling fast, and lots of rewelded, commercial cast reproductions, Chinese, worn out, etcetera, parts are becoming, sadly, commonplace.

~~~~~ clip

[Fred]: This is truly an exhaustive list. If you are just starting out, an ABSOLUTE MINIMUM is a new Op Rod Spring, along with a new firing pin, extractor, extr. spring, and ejector/spring, plus, if you currently have a wood stock, a synthetic stock for when the wood breaks. Hollow out a space under the buttplate for the firing pin, etc. because that is where you will want to have the parts - with you when/if they break.

You'll probably never NEED any of the spare parts, the M1A is such a reliable rifle – just like you will never need your fire insurance - but you have it anyway right? The op rod spring is usually the first thing to need replacing, and the first thing you notice when you put a new one in is the extra zip of the bolt closing! But even then I have seen them break in the middle, and still keep working the rifle.

Recommended spares.
* extractor
* extractor spring
* ejector & spring
* firing pin
* hammer
* hammer spring housing
* hammer & trigger pins
* trigger & sear
* bolt roller & retainer
* front sight screw
* flash suppressor nut
* flash suppressor set screw
* gas piston
* spindle valve spring
* spindle valve pin
* spindle valve
* connector lock
* connector lock pin
* op rod spring
 
I don't know man, it seem to me that getting two rifles are the best solution. I have two with another two more spare plus IDF parts kit. It should outlast me.
 
Buster95 said:
Excuse my ignorance but M14 parts (gas plug, extractor, ejector, bolt, etc...) can be imported from USA?
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Some parts can be ordered and there are a few places to order them from stateside. Problem is only "some" usgi/american made parts will fit the m305. Bolt guts , no problem, compatable. Gas plugs? Not compatable as they are metric thread on chinese guns, imperial on american made guns. If it's a part utilizing a threads to mount, it will need to be a chinese part.
 
Fortunately a lot of folks who bought IDF kits are selling off their (still quite usable) Norinco M305 parts.
It's a great time to pick up a spare bolt, gas system, barrel, op rod, etc, for spares.
 
In 30 yrs of shooting the M14 then M1A and then the Norinco M305 the only failure i have had was a Norinco OP rod spring but that was after 7-8000 rds. I now only use Wolf extra power OP rod spring with a home made buffer. Ive been shooting the Norincos since 1996. Just my experience.
 
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I haven't had too many problems either over the years but I'll admit to losing a gas plug once during a crown land range outing.... lost in the forest LOL range day over
and I've had extractors go flying on a couple rifles but it's only happened with steel case (MFS) so pretty much just stick to brass cased quality ammo. (powershok or fed gmm)
I did notice my truck gun shorty I build in 2007 is starting to wiggle a little at the oprod. Might be time to give her a once over and some new parts. Been many thousand rounds down that pipe hehehe
 
APShooterM14 said:
Thanks for the list guys. For a new Norinco owner I will be picking some parts up thats for sure. Where is the best place to find these?
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The old expression was to buy a second rifle. The #2 rifle might be a better shooter than the #1 rifle. There are often spare parts posted on the Exchange. I've picked up everything for barrels to stocks to sights there. But ... buyer beware.
 
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