Chinese M14S Flash Arrestor Concern

Riflechair

Riflechair

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This may be old news to most of you but I'm starting to have a small concern over the Chinese M14S Flash Arrestors and wanted to ground them in reality with you guys.

I've been hearing that cast flash arrestors might be a big no-no for the M14 rifle.

Basis of concern:

1. Small amounts of slag which needs to be removed from the vents. Just a heads up to have a look for abnormalities;

2. Seams as a result of the casting process are not consistent - requires some filing and smoothing;

3. Susceptibility to scorching on the interior leading edges of arrestor (hot gas / burning debris) incurring irregularities to the arrestor. Negative impact on bullet stability due to irregular gas dispersement (similar to that of a bad crown).

4. Higher accumulation of carbon on cast arrestors - more difficult to remove due to rough surface of the casting

I think that about covers it.

What do you guys think?
BS or perhaps there is something to this?

Great for the money but a milled part might be worth the "Extra" money?
 
I exclusively use irons on my M14 rifles and number 2 on your list is always the main concern for me. The front sight base has to be as straight as possible and alignment as close to center of opening as possible so the bullet passes through consistently.
I am currently running the FS from 762mmfirearms. Milled from 4140, CNC machined and mounts rock solid. I had every intention to have it NM reamed but after the rifle grouped 3" @ 300m (three shot group) I'm not going to bother and leave it the hell alone:D.
I have not played with Chinese rifles long enough to know if their flash supps succumb to the blow torch effect faster than the others.
I would highly recommend the 762 unit, I am very happy with mine. Cost was $120 to my door.

Another equally great accuracy concern on these rifles is muzzle damage and wear that can result from cleaning from the front. I never clean a Garand or M1A/M14 in this way anymore. I use a bore snake (Otis cleaning system, Teflon coated).
 
One good thing is that the Chinese made flash supressors are reamed out, and so are of a far larger diameter than the bullet. I would be far more concerned if they were of the original G.I profile.
 
I agree with J996 but if you can't afford to get 1. Try a dremal to clean up the inperfections and then re-park or hot blue it. Also if you want to make sure that the flash hidder is to NM spec please PM me and I will send you the info.
 
Or something like this happens?

Is this what you mean?

P1040463_1024x768.jpg

P1040468_1024x768.jpg

P1040473_1024x768.jpg
 
:eek:
OMG!
You must be pissed.
What year and what company is that flash hidder from?
P.S. I don't think I would attempt anything with that but tossing it in the garbage.
 
Meh.. Crap happens. Didnt bother me much.

A CGNer hooked me up with a new flash hider and I was good to go. Its Chinese and I think it was a 2007.... Not sure though.
 
From the look of it, I'd guess Chinese. Probably a 2009 vintage one since the supressor has a slot at the 6 o'clock position, and I think they are more common on the '09's.

I have, in addition to USGI, also run the earlier cast SAI ones that you used to be able to get with a lug still in place. They are OK, but the USGI ones are the best.
 
Satain said:
I agree with J996 but if you can't afford to get 1. Try a dremal to clean up the inperfections and then re-park or hot blue it. Also if you want to make sure that the flash hidder is to NM spec please PM me and I will send you the info.
Click to expand...

I have done all of the above already
It is simple due dilligence
I'd sure like M14Doc to tune into this with his perspective though.
 
I hate them ALL LOL
very few chinese flash hiders pass proper inspection..... and it seldom has anything to do with being cast or forged..... how many splines, machining burs... ect....

it is the fact that they did not get them concentric nor are the sight bases true 90 degrees to the axial center of the bore... on most. Also and more common with these last batches.... the spline ways are not in rotational alignment with what should be top dead center.

Junk...... all of them LOL
well...... there are those that are serviceable and functioning just fine.
It's a if it's working.... and ain't broke.... don't fix it kind of thing.
BUT for me..... the first thing i toss in the recycling bin (general parts drawer) is the chinese flash hider. The new bayonet lug chinese versions are definately one i'm not a fan of. If i have time to post some pics i will to show you what i mean.

for what a replacement flash hider costs from brownells or 7.62 firearms..... it's a small investment to relieve any potential issue.
but again..... if yours works...... sights in properly...... and it ain't broke...... just leave it be ;)
 
For those that aren't up to speed, many (if not all) of these flash hiders two piece construction, with the rear portion being cast and the cylindrical forward portion turned from bar stock. Thus, the bent tines on merllin's example are actually occurring in the wrought bar stock section of the flash suppressor. But the real culprit is probably the weld that joins the two halves. Mine was terribly done, and accounted for a large series of gaps appearing in mine with very little use. This likely accounts for the slag in the slots that Riflechair mentions and introduces the possibility that the base could mount straight but the bore of the cylindrical portion could still be out of alignment.

Here are some pictures of mine, cut for a macrosection after I replaced it with a GI version:
overall-1.jpg

two.jpg

one.jpg
 
Chinese FS = CRAP. Period.

I've used the SAI ones in the past and while better, are still nowhere near as good as USGI, which is what I now run on full length rifles.

On the shorties, I don't run this type of FS, I opt for muzzle brakes, currently the Dlask bull brake.
 
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