M14 Gas Plug Coming Loose

just make sure the threads are clean of junk and wipe a small bit of oil on them...don't soak it just a bit is needed and torque that sucker down. I like to use an inch pound wrench to tighten mine - 125 to 150 is all that is needed. Never had one come off with this method. Remember that there are 12 inch pounds in 1 foot pound...if you can find a ft/lbs wrench that goes that low it'll be pretty low on that scale and they aren't that accurate on the initial settings. They are meant to be used on the upper 75% of the scale. Get a decent in/lbs wrench and you can use it to tighten the plug, scope mounts and scope ring caps.

Ante
 
misanthropist said:
I have been told in some cases it's okay to go up to orangutan tight, although apparently the original design called for howler monkey tight MAXIMUM.

Part of the error has been induced IMO by guys shooting commercial .308 which due to its shorter headspace created a need for more torque on the gas plug...in some cases a difference of 3 full bonobo chimps.

At any rate I have had this happen but it has always been resolved by applying a larger primate. It is easy to overestimate the size of the primate you are applying because without a gas system wrench the rifle tends to twist a bit in your hands, even when it feels like you have a good grip.

In your case, the fact that you are using the Troy makes me wonder, though...you ought to be able to get a pretty good grip on that thing with your knees so maybe insufficient primate application is not the issue here.
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:D:D:D:dancingbanana::rockOn:
 
maritimer said:
Before bending the gas lock tightening down the plug, shim the system. Attend a Hungry M14 clinic and you can pound out all the shims you could ever want. Marstar sells them too. Hardly ever comes loose on a properly fitted gas system.
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BINGO!!!!

You have to ensure your gas system is properly shimmed, and that the gas lock is indexing correctly.The Gas lock should start to tighten up at 3 to 4 o'clock, and end up tight at 6 o'clock. If it tightens past 6 o'clock, the gas cylinder will have play and not be tight against the barrel ...........this will cause the gas nut to loosen.......


On all the M14/M1As I have owned/built, I have never had a problem with the gas nut coming loose on a properly set up gas cylinder. You DO NOT need to crank it tight.........simply snug it up and check it every few hundred rounds......

HTH.

SKBY.
 
Skullboy said:
BINGO!!!!

You have to ensure your gas system is properly shimmed, and that the gas lock is indexing correctly.The Gas lock should start to tighten up at 3 to 4 o'clock, and end up tight at 6 o'clock. If it tightens past 6 o'clock, the gas cylinder will have play and not be tight against the barrel ...........this will cause the gas nut to loosen.......


On all the M14/M1As I have owned/built, I have never had a problem with the gas nut coming loose on a properly set up gas cylinder. You DO NOT need to crank it tight.........simply snug it up and check it every few hundred rounds......

HTH.

SKBY.
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Thanks guys. Took a look and it the gas lock seems proper, but this is still all pretty new to me. I'll get this looked next clinic then to be sure.

D.
 
As others have said, shim the gas system and see if that fixes it. If not, you could have an out of tolerance gas cylinder and I'd then suggest a new gas system from 762mmfireams. That will sort you out guaranteed as they are very well made and in-spec.
 
ipscgraz said:
14 foot pounds = 168 inch pounds.

Does anyone have a torque value from the FM?

May as well go to the source...
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it's not in the usgi fm- page 14, paragraph b, last sentence " tighten it securely with the wrench of the combination tool"- in other words, using the combo tool provides the right amount of torque
 
t-star said:
it's not in the usgi fm- page 14, paragraph b, last sentence " tighten it securely with the wrench of the combination tool"- in other words, using the combo tool provides the right amount of torque
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Yup, that's all I ever do. Nothing fancy. I always kept a USGI combo tool in the top pocket of my NRA shooting jacket. At the start of each string (200 yards, 300 yards, and 600 yards) I would just snug down the gas plug and then replace my combo tool. Really simple. :D

Cheers,
Barney
 
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