PSA re: bolt failures in recent import M-14 pattern rifles

[Claven2]

I recently bought a forged bolt and discovered that it doesn’t lock into battery. Now it seems I need an armorer to fix it if I want to spend more money on this. Pretty disappointed that the bolt didn’t just “drop in” as was suggested it would.

Has me wondering about the rate of failure of these MIM bolts as well. How many of these bolts are out there? Not every norinco owner comes on these forums, far from it.

What calibre? 7.62x39 or 7.62x51? Is the receiver cast or forged?

Take the op rod off and strip the bolt. Try and close the bolt by on a cartridge, ideally a snap cap, dummy round or lapping fixture. The cartrige or fixture is just to centre the bolt on the barrel while you do this check. Now how much space is there between the right lug and the bottom surface of the right lug recess? It is close to closing or way out?

If it's close, you just need your bolt lapped. If it's way out, you need to look for another bolt with shorter lugs, else the amount of lapping required would break through the hard outer layer of metal on either the receiver or bolt.

to everyone following sorry for the hijack. To the fella with this issue, you might want to start a new thread after you read the M14 FAQ sub-forum posts.

 

[vyrago]

7.62x51. I picked up a stripper forged bolt to replace my MIM bolt. It seems like it’s close but a millimeter or two prevents it from locking. I was led to believe that it would just drop in as it’s a Norinco bolt for my Norinco gun. I wasn’t aware that you roll the dice on a bolt fitting properly. Had I been warned “there’s a chance it won’t fit” I might have made a different choice. I’ve already sunk more money into the gun than I planned and now I’m faced with further fees for an armorer to fix it. I can’t even get my old MIM back together. Videos make it look easy but my springs are so stiff that I can’t get everything to click back into place. Very much regret this whole episode.

Apologize for appearing to hijack the thread but I felt I was still on the topic of MIM bolts and how to solve it.

 

[GUB]

7.62x51. I picked up a stripper forged bolt to replace my MIM bolt. It seems like it’s close but a millimeter or two prevents it from locking. I was led to believe that it would just drop in as it’s a Norinco bolt for my Norinco gun. I wasn’t aware that you roll the dice on a bolt fitting properly. Had I been warned “there’s a chance it won’t fit” I might have made a different choice. I’ve already sunk more money into the gun than I planned and now I’m faced with further fees for an armorer to fix it. I can’t even get my old MIM back together. Videos make it look easy but my springs are so stiff that I can’t get everything to click back into place. Very much regret this whole episode.

Apologize for appearing to hijack the thread but I felt I was still on the topic of MIM bolts and how to solve it.

For me I have found Tony Ben's vids slow and easy to follow.
Try them for getting you bolt back together

 

[Hitzy]

For bolt disassembly and reassembly, I use a piece of 30'06 brass. Should be able to find the step by step online.

 

[GUB]

For bolt disassembly and reassembly, I use a piece of 30'06 brass. Should be able to find the step by step online.

Exactly.. Tony Ben

 

[vyrago]

Don’t have 30-06 of any kind. I’ve tried at least 5 different videos and methods. These norincos bolts are garbage, nothing slides or fits very well. I’ll have to pay someone to do it. Starting to hate the sight of this rifle. I have plenty of others that don’t give me headaches.

 

[Hitzy]

Do you have a fired 308 case and some 9mm brass? Slip the 9mm over the neck of the 308, works the same as the 30'06 trick.

 

[Claven2]

If it'd only out by a milimeter, then you should be able to lap it in.

I posted a decent tutorial here a few years ago when building some long-ago rifles

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=24124

 

[buckbrush]

this is North Silva's product, they should announce a recall.

 

[GUB]

I should add.. that if you don't have a 1911 spring to cut ..
Use your guns trigger group spring

 

[Claven2]

I should add.. that if you don't have a 1911 spring to cut ..
Use your guns trigger group spring

yes, that also works.

 

[Splatter]

Wait a minute... I've disassembled/reassembled M14 bolts quite a few times; but what am I supposed to be doing with the 1911 spring?

 

[MarEng63]

Take a fired .308 case and cut it in half, put the spring inside the cut case to apply rearward pressure to the bolt when your lapping the lugs

 

[1-trident-1]

Wait a minute... I've disassembled/reassembled M14 bolts quite a few times; but what am I supposed to be doing with the 1911 spring?

watch tonyben's videos

 

[Splatter]

Take a fired .308 case and cut it in half, put the spring inside the cut case to apply rearward pressure to the bolt when your lapping the lugs

Oh ! Ja, for lug lapping, it totally makes sense. I thought that it was a bolt assembly thing.
Thanx for clearing that up.

 

[RKRZ]

Replace the parts and accurizing the M305 is going to cost a US made M14 .
Sell and buy a forged one .
LRB and Fulton are manufacturing forged bolt too.
Even cheaper you can go with USGI bolt.

However wolverine is selling USGI kit IDF snipers version all USGI parts and M25 forged LRB receiver , directly ship it to M14medic and build one .
Then you have a rifle for life.

do any of these American bolts not require any fitting? Or is lapping required 100% of the time?

 

[just having some fun]

You only have to lap if

1) your headspace is short ( if your head space gauge "Go" will not close ....... chrome lined barrel you CAN NOT USE A REAMER

2 if your lugs are uneven/

I just did a M305 with a barrel from one of the wolverene usgi kits

Barrel went on snug ( vs too easy or too hard)

Usgi bolt head spaced with a 308 go ..... and would not close with the go plus a paper shim = go plus .0015

No laping was done

 

[1-trident-1]

if you do lap, watch tonyben, it will save you from wrecking the bolt and receiver.

 

[m14medic.ca]

do any of these American bolts not require any fitting? Or is lapping required 100% of the time?

As a general rule, all replacement bolts in this platform require fitting by a competent person...

 

[Claven2]

As a general rule, all replacement bolts in this platform require fitting by a competent person...

And competent persons, as a minimum, own chamber gauges, lapping fixtures (bought or made), and have done the job enough times that you are not their learning curve!