...the blackfeather designed their stock around the OP rod guide mount used on the sage and AKM.
To correct Activeshooter here and for posterity and clarification, we designed the M14.ca Blackfeather RS operating rod guide (ORG)
from scratch. The ORG we built was newly designed in 2012 and tested on approx. 11 M14 rifles for optimization and procedural fitment. Originally, it started as a two part oprod guide. That part and process took 2 months to falter. Then, we started again. The new ORG took 2 months to prove out.
So, the
new Blackfeather RS ORG is:
- a built-in barrel tensioner which allows adjustment for load development (or it can be locked in place without tension).
- attached to the stock is via one take-down bolt (which allows you to remove the action from the rifle stock easily for maintenance and cleaning)
- not affixed to the rifle stock (as opposed to AKM or Sage) (supported with an internal butressing)
- designed with a built-in operating rod lubrication detent circumferencing the rod that allows you to pack the ORG with grease
- the largest and thickest ORG made (it has the largest surface bearing area of any ORG including the fat ones built in the early years for National Matches)
- seated on a large-surface-area, steel anti-wear plate to avoid fatiguing the aluminium rifle stock at the base of the steel ORG
- built with 4140 heat treated and stress relieved steel
- similar to the original M14 take down, with the addition of only one extra bolt (remove trigger group, remove bolt)
- better at maintaining zero after re&re of the action from the stock than the SAGE or AKM chassis (because they require multiple bolts for removal of the action from the stock)
- able to swap barrel and receiver groups easily with minimal disruption to zero (short barreled CQB rifles and long barreled DMR, for example if you own more than one M14).
For those interested in our Engineering and Design Considerations of the BF ORG, please see this
PDF file.
To continue the AKM discussion, my only concern with the AKM would be replacement parts but you may never need them. Check it over and ensure the installation is done right. Cinch down the fasteners to the recommended torque and loctite what you can. I have seen an M305 in an AKM group very well and they look damn good. You`ll enjoy it.