m14 upgrading, adjustable gas pressure?

trekstor

trekstor

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Hey,

Is it possible to add gas regulator function to the m14. Just like the one from the FN FAL? The word is, it would allow you to use a veriety of ammo grains. If it james, adjust it. If anyone has a idea, how could it be done? what would need to be redone?

Regards
 
Trekstor, I'm new to the M14 but have been researching the heck out of it for the last couple weeks getting ready for mine to be shipped.
I would love to, at some point in the future, be able to shoot 175gr out of it and try it 1000yds.

In the thread above: http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=455019
Dimitri mentions a Sadlak piston that may allow for heavier bullets. Not the adjustable gas setting you were looking for but may be worth researching.

I believe this is the item: http://www.sadlak.com/si_rifle_parts_pistons.html

Andy
 
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The prbloem with going that route is it will short stroke with lighter bullet weights, making it an either/or solution. An adjustable gas system, would allow you to tune it to your specific combo and be changeable on the fly. Have a handloaded combo? Tune your gas for it, out in the field and run out of handloads, buy some factory and adjust gas settings to work right, not too hard or soft. It's an ideal solution and probably not that hard to adapt. I am no expert though, but I would buy one if it was available
 
If you are handloading for your M14 (and I know you will be, Andy), you can shoot any weight bullet you want, and get the correct gas port pressure, by choosing a powder with an appropriate burn rate.

The gas system has no idea how heavy a bullet is travelling down the barrel. All it "knows" is the shape of the pressure-time curve that is seen at the gas port.

Somebody really ought to write an article on this... (it's sorta like "software fix vs. hardware fix")
 
its and issue no one wants to touch, It would be awesome if someone who has to know how could chime in. Adjustable system is what made the FN FAL so good. Would this upgrade make the m14 prohibited?

Regards
 
rnbra-shooter said:
If you are handloading for your M14 (and I know you will be, Andy), you can shoot any weight bullet you want, and get the correct gas port pressure, by choosing a powder with an appropriate burn rate.

The gas system has no idea how heavy a bullet is travelling down the barrel. All it "knows" is the shape of the pressure-time curve that is seen at the gas port.

Somebody really ought to write an article on this... (it's sorta like "software fix vs. hardware fix")
Click to expand...

Although you are completely correct, you missed the point of my post. Switching between different loads and different weight bullets on the fly. I don't handload, but I wouldn't mind shooting off some 180 grain factory loads without abusing my gun. I know I CAN shoot em but boy does it deform the brass and it's hard on the recoil system. If I could turn down the gas a bit, the would be less pressure to drive the system regardless of what Im shooting, go to a lighter load and turn it back up again. Guess it's time to take mine apart and see if there is room and the gas block to modify.
 
This topic rears it's head every 6 weeks or so :D
I have not seen one of these adjustable gas plugs for the M1A. I know they exist but.... No one on this site has extensively tested one on an M1A/M14S that I'm aware of.


Contrary to my steadfast belief that Sadlak pistons are not meant for chinese cylinders due to desired diameter tolerances.... SOME chinese cylinders funstion reliably with the sadlak usgi drawing spec NM pistons.
I've witnessed it first hand and stand corrected ;)

So, you want to use the standard 147 gr up to 174gr, as specified in the GI specs for the "real" m14.
Standard piston will suffice. For 168gr to 174 gr , regular inspection for oprod tab peening and arm straightness every 100 to 300 rounds.if tab is peened or oprod bent out of true, sytem is cycling the orod to hard.

If you want to exceed designed bullet weight threshold of 174gr, The Sadlak NM grooved piston is specifically designed and tested, in usgi/m1a cylinders to allow for use of bullet weights exceeding 180gr
This is a tested fact, in M1A and GI spec M14 rifles.
Google sadlak nm grooved piston ;)

In reality, it takes minutes to clear your rifle, remove gas plug, remove standard piston, install grooved piston, reinstall gas plug.
No confusing the two as one has a groove :D
 
M14Doctor said:
This topic rears it's head every 6 weeks or so :D
I have not seen one of these adjustable gas plugs for the M1A. I know they exist but.... No one on this site has extensively tested one on an M1A/M14S that I'm aware of.


Contrary to my steadfast belief that Sadlak pistons are not meant for chinese cylinders due to desired diameter tolerances.... SOME chinese cylinders funstion reliably with the sadlak usgi drawing spec NM pistons.
I've witnessed it first hand and stand corrected ;)

So, you want to use the standard 147 gr up to 174gr, as specified in the GI specs for the "real" m14.
Standard piston will suffice. For 168gr to 174 gr , regular inspection for oprod tab peening and arm straightness every 100 to 300 rounds.if tab is peened or oprod bent out of true, sytem is cycling the orod to hard.

If you want to exceed designed bullet weight threshold of 174gr, The Sadlak NM grooved piston is specifically designed and tested, in usgi/m1a cylinders to allow for use of bullet weights exceeding 180gr
This is a tested fact, in M1A and GI spec M14 rifles.
Google sadlak nm grooved piston ;)

In reality, it takes minutes to clear your rifle, remove gas plug, remove standard piston, install grooved piston, reinstall gas plug.
No confusing the two as one has a groove :D
Click to expand...

As easy as you make it sound, turning a valve is still easier, and no parts to drop or loose. It would be a definite seller if it were to come to market.
 
M14Doctor said:
This topic rears it's head every 6 weeks or so :D
I have not seen one of these adjustable gas plugs for the M1A. I know they exist but.... No one on this site has extensively tested one on an M1A/M14S that I'm aware of.


Contrary to my steadfast belief that Sadlak pistons are not meant for chinese cylinders due to desired diameter tolerances.... SOME chinese cylinders funstion reliably with the sadlak usgi drawing spec NM pistons.
I've witnessed it first hand and stand corrected ;)

So, you want to use the standard 147 gr up to 174gr, as specified in the GI specs for the "real" m14.
Standard piston will suffice. For 168gr to 174 gr , regular inspection for oprod tab peening and arm straightness every 100 to 300 rounds.if tab is peened or oprod bent out of true, sytem is cycling the orod to hard.

If you want to exceed designed bullet weight threshold of 174gr, The Sadlak NM grooved piston is specifically designed and tested, in usgi/m1a cylinders to allow for use of bullet weights exceeding 180gr
This is a tested fact, in M1A and GI spec M14 rifles.
Google sadlak nm grooved piston ;)

In reality, it takes minutes to clear your rifle, remove gas plug, remove standard piston, install grooved piston, reinstall gas plug.
No confusing the two as one has a groove :D
Click to expand...

Thanx Thomas - you beat me to it !

Saved me some typing LOL !
swingerlh.gif
 
trekstor et al,

There are two such animals. They can be be found at Creedmoor Sports in the US:
w w w.creedmoorsports.com/store/home.php?cat=288
I have heard that they ship to Canada. One plug is adustable with the plug installed using an allen key and one looks to have a permanent hole in the end that bleeds off a certain amount of gas. The second comes with clean-out tools. I haven't used one, but I will probably try one out eventually as I am not yet into reloading as well.

The only thing you would have to find out is that if they only make imperial threaded ones for USGI Spec. gas cylinders. I don't think they will work with the metric chinese ones.
 
What would be really nice is an automatic gas regulator that vents off any excess gas once there is enough pressure to cycle the action. :)
 
BCP said:
What would be really nice is an automatic gas regulator that vents off any excess gas once there is enough pressure to cycle the action. :)
Click to expand...


I have a idea for a FN FAL setup. As soonest I get the m305b ill take it apart and start working on it.

If it works out, and my test results match the required quality, ill send it out to a few trusted m14 experts for testing. I can probably make 20-30 kits. If anyone would be interested in one, like the FN FAL or something that can be adjusted on the go, no tools, just a nob, turn it left or right and adjust the gas let me know. If I do end up making them, they will be CNC, and made out of matching grade material to account for the heat expansion. Cost would be $100-150.
 
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