Vortex went for a ride!

Battle Pug

Battle Pug

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So, shooting my shorty M14 (work done by Valley Gunsmith) and after about 50rds my Vortex flash suppressor flew off. No noticeable damage to the end of the barrel or the supressor itself.

Should I simply put it back on with some Loctite, or take it to a gunsmith to have a look?

Any advice is much appreciated.
 
Battle Pug said:
So, shooting my shorty M14 (work done by Valley Gunsmith) and after about 50rds my Vortex flash suppressor flew off. No noticeable damage to the end of the barrel or the supressor itself.

Should I simply put it back on with some Loctite, or take it to a gunsmith to have a look?

Any advice is much appreciated.
Click to expand...

The vortex should self tighten when fired "unless it's a nock off" I would not locktite it since the heat of the barrel will melt the locktite anyway.
 
My opinion is that the Chinese barrels, when parted off to 18.5 inches, do not have sufficient diameter for proper usgi castle nut threads. There might be enough there for 20 or 30% thread engagement...

Brobee
 
In a properly threaded barrel, the Vortex should never fly off; The tines push the gas in a 'right hand' twist, actually tightening the device against the barrel.

Something is busted.
 
Yes.... keep us posted as I want to take mine to Jeff for a chop and I have never heard of this problem before as well . Take it back to him or call and tell him about it.
 
The thread specs for a proper USGI castle nut (which are also applicable to the SEI DC Vortex for the M1A/M14) are as follows:

.595-32 NS - 3A
major dia. .5950" (-) .0060
pitch dia. .5747" (-).0027
minor dia. .5087" max

Go measure with your calibers the outside diameter of your threads (or your chinese barrel at the appropriate point) and you'll see there is not enough meat for a proper thread job....

Brobee
 
I plan on taking it in to a smith here in Ottawa.

I am pretty sure the chinese barrel was replaced with the upgrade? However, I bought the piece off the EE a couple months ago.
 
this is why i insist on using the 1/2 x 28 thread on the m14 barrels..... chinese or usgi, when they are cut to 18.5 ish.
No one has ever complained about a muzzle device i installed flying off thier shorty m14.
If you must install a smith vortex (as dlask is no longer making thier version) , source the ones made for the AR 15 type rifles but in 30 cal , they exist, I've installed several.... and they are 1/2 x 28. No lock tight should be required and these install with or without a crsh washer.
no reputable gunsmith that truly knows the m14 rifle should be trying to duplicate standard flash hider mounting detail on a shortened m14 barrel , chinese or usgi. I've seen it done...... but for those who charge money for the mod...... I hope they have top shelf insurance to cover liability in the event the muzzle device parts with the barrel in a manner that causes damge to shooter, property or by standers.
 
nothing major. However, there does appears to be some slight indents or stratches right Nt the very end of the tines.

Where could I order a replacement suppressor to fit a 7.62/.308 18.5 M14 barrel?
 
Battle Pug said:
nothing major. However, there does appears to be some slight indents or stratches right Nt the very end of the tines.

Where could I order a replacement suppressor to fit a 7.62/.308 18.5 M14 barrel?
Click to expand...

if there are marks on the flash hider my immediate concern would be to verify that the threads on your barrel are indeed concentric to the bore. You may need a .30 cal flash hider alignment tool to verify this.

simply replacing the flash hider may just repeat the whole scenario again if the threads where not cut right.

so is this flash hider a smith enterprise? is the muzzle detail on your barrel an attempt to duplicate the standard m14 flash hider mounting thread/splineway detail?
 
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