A Whole Stack of M14 Questions!

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RobAK

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I think I've got a pretty good idea where I want to go with my M14 project but I have quite a few questions that have come up and so far I haven't been able to track down the answers. So here they are, in no particular order:

1. Is there any benefit to changing the Norc Oprod for a USGI one (other than preventing critical parts of my anatomy from falling off:) )?

2. What is the verdict on the Norinco bolts? I've read Mysticplayer's post that it's not necessary to change them, but on some of the US M14 specific boards it's often said that Norinco bolts are "soft" compared to USGI. Is this something that was true back when the Americans got their Chinese guns and has since been sorted, or is it even an issue at all? If it is an issue, are there replacement bolts that are preferable to others?

3. Are the Wolff Extra Power recoil and hammer springs an asset, or are they a solution to a non-existant problem?

4. Can anyone tell me what the difference is between the Gas Cylinder, NM Gas Cylinder, and M25 Gas Cylinder (#36 on the Brownell's site's schematic at http://www. brownells.com/aspx/ns/Schematics/SchemMFg.aspx?schemid=823)?

5. Also from the Brownells site, what's the difference between the NM Sight Windage Knob Assembly and regular Sight Windage Knob Assembly(#70 on the Brownells Schematic)? On the same note the Sight base, Rear; and the Sight base Rear, NM (#65 on the Brownells Schematic)?

6. Is the XS Sights rear aperture compatible with the Norinco rear sight assembly?
http://www. xssights.com/store/tactical.html#m1

7. I've read of oprod guide pins being a weak point in the rifle. Is there a manufacturer of these that makes especially strong ones?

8. Has anyone ordered replacement parts from Brownells? I've heard they are touchy about M14 parts, but I wasn't sure as most of those components are also listed under M1A. On the same topic, any issues with ordering from Numrich?

9. Has anyone in Canada ordered from SEI yet? If so, any issues or difficulties?


Thanks in advance guys for any help. I can't wait to get this project started!
 
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To be honest....I recommend changing the stock...mostly because I can't stand the smell....shim the gas system and NM Oprod guide....then go shoot it. For a minimum of investment it might shoot just fine. In fact, it might shoot just fine as is without anything. You don't necessarily have to USGI it right off the bat. I would not change the bolt around until you decide to rebarrel. Save your money and spend it on ammo....

That being said, I don't have any M305s that have not been heavily modified....:)

Cheers

Jeff
 
Yup. Change the stock. I refinished my Norinco wood (lots of effort into it) and it looks great but you can still dent it with a little pressure from your finger nail. - Not good in my opinion. It's just to damn soft for hard use.

I think the bolts are fine. I've not heard any complaints from Canadian owners but if you go to the Springfield website you'll hear all sorts of stuff; soft bolts, soft receivers, and stories about how the gun generally sucks and you'll need "this" and "that". - Not true in my research.

Those sights sound pretty interesting though. I don't like the adjustments on my M14, the right (windage) nut keeps coming loose. Elevation seems to work fine though. I would put my money into some optics before upgrading the irons; perhaps an Eotech or Aimpoint on a scout mount.

My opinion; change the stock for USGI glass, and buy ammo (lots of it.) My gas cylinder has come a little loose but my accuracy seems not to have suffered. I won’t shim until it gets worse (if it gets worse.)

Jeff

On a side note: I've noticed that I only need to shoot about 140 rounds out of my M14 to achieve that "satisfaction" of putting lead down range. With my AR15 I have to put closer to 300 down range. - I don't know why exactly, perhaps it's the bigger "boom" and recoil that puts a grin on my face. :)
 
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2b) Is anyone personally aware of a bone stock un####ed with Norinco bolt sold in Canada that has shown headspace stretch???????

I don't want friend of friend or common wisdom from US board answers. If you are going to say YES, than have the name and contact information for the operator of the gun with the problem.
 
Thanks for the info so far guys, changing the stock won't be an issue. My plan is to make this gun Mk14-ish. I bought Brobee's Sage Chopmod, and I can't wait to put the gun into it (if it wasn't for the welded FH they would have been together yesterday).
Thanks again so far!

Rob
 
RobAK said:
Thanks for the info so far guys, changing the stock won't be an issue. My plan is to make this gun Mk14-ish. I bought Brobee's Sage Chopmod, and I can't wait to put the gun into it (if it wasn't for the welded FH they would have been together yesterday).
Thanks again so far!

Rob
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I just chopped one of mine, but before I did I wanted to see what the problem with FH removal was. Took out the set screw, loosened the castle nut, put a block against the bottom lug of the FH. One good smack with a ball peen and it was free. Unscrewed the castle nut and slid the FH off. May not work with everyones, but definitely worth a try before you grind it, etc. If you don't chop the barrel, you can reuse the FH.
 
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One more quick question, are all the gas cylinder wrenches the same measurement wrench? Will one wrench work for my Norc barrel profile, and if I upgrade to a medium or heavy barrel later will I be needing a new wrench?
 
1. Is there any benefit to changing the Norc Oprod for a USGI one (other than preventing critical parts of my anatomy from falling off )?

2. What is the verdict on the Norinco bolts? I've read Mysticplayer's post that it's not necessary to change them, but on some of the US M14 specific boards it's often said that Norinco bolts are "soft" compared to USGI. Is this something that was true back when the Americans got their Chinese guns and has since been sorted, or is it even an issue at all? If it is an issue, are there replacement bolts that are preferable to others?

One more quick question, are all the gas cylinder wrenches the same measurement wrench? Will one wrench work for my Norc barrel profile, and if I upgrade to a medium or heavy barrel later will I be needing a new wrench?
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Hi!

1. The Norinco op. rod is one piece and very dependable. You may be talking about the op. rod spring guide. The norc. is a stamping just like the USGI ones. The 'match' guide is machined out of round stock so the spring cannot bunch up on one side or the other.

2. You do not have to be concerned about the bolts in these newer rifles. I tested one at work and it is just fine. Others have been tested with the same results. There was originally a problem when these norcs hit U.S. soil many years ago and not all of them were faulty. The manufacturers solved this problem long ago.

One thing you will get is tighter headspace from a TRW bolt or the like. Not that there is anything really wrong with the headspace before. Still in Nato standards.

Quicky. The wrench fits all gas system plugs. The heavy part of the barrel ends before you get to the gas system. I have the original norc barrel/gas system setup, a fulton armory match barrel/S.A. gas system and a Douglas heavy barrel/U.S.G.I. gas system. No problems matching any of them.

I had found the wrench I made for the gas lock ring didn't fit all of the gas system castings so I just made the cutouts bigger.

Hope that helps.

Bye!
 
Thanks for all the input so far guys. I just put in an order to Brownells, and made sure to include some minor SAI M1A/M14 component so I'll see if they have "issues" with sending it or not.
 
RobAK said:
3. Are the Wolff Extra Power recoil and hammer springs an asset, or are they a solution to a non-existant problem?

Probably unnecessary imho. I haven't read anything negative about the Chinese trigger group.

5. Also from the Brownells site, what's the difference between the NM Sight Windage Knob Assembly and regular Sight Windage Knob Assembly(#70 on the Brownells Schematic)? On the same note the Sight base, Rear; and the Sight base Rear, NM (#65 on the Brownells Schematic)?

National match sights have a finer click. I don't think the USGI or aftermarket manufacturer sights are compatible with Norinco. You pretty much have to change them all out as the threading is metric.


As usual, it possible that I am completely wrong on every single answer I have given. :)
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5 - I think the nm sights are half moa clicks vs 1 moa clicks on the standard grade sights. There is an aperature that is smaller too, but not everyone finds a smaller aperature helpful with quick target aquisition. Some people open up the standard sights to a larger aperature to allow more light through.

The common route to go if you have trouble with the norinco rear sight is to replace it with a Garand sight. The whole assembly is a drop in replacement.
 
cariboo_kid said:
5 -
The common route to go if you have trouble with the norinco rear sight is to replace it with a Garand sight. The whole assembly is a drop in replacement.
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The difference between a Garand and an M14 sight is that the Garand is in imperial measure (yards) the M14 is metric (the GI M14 sight is metric, wierd, huh?). Also the Garand isn't on the controlled list - to my knowledge and may be easier and cheaper to get. As a teaser, I've heard the Garand trigger group will work in a semi M14. Some interesting possibilities there!
 
8. Has anyone ordered replacement parts from Brownells? I've heard they are touchy about M14 parts, but I wasn't sure as most of those components are also listed under M1A. On the same topic, any issues with ordering from Numrich?
Click to expand...

To "test the waters" with Brownell's I included an SAI M-14 oprod spring in my most recent order and I got the e-mail today that the complete order was sent.
Next order= more stuff.
 
Thanks for all the input and advice guys, I truly appreciate it all.
Does anyone have any insight into #4 or 9?

4. Can anyone tell me what the difference is between the Gas Cylinder, NM Gas Cylinder, and M25 Gas Cylinder (#36 on the Brownell's site's schematic at http://www. brownells.com/aspx/ns/Schematics/SchemMFg.aspx?schemid=823)?

9. Has anyone in Canada ordered from SEI yet? If so, any issues or difficulties?
Click to expand...

Thanks again!:)
 
hfp75 said:
I guess since I shoot in Meters I should get the M14 sites.....

what is a set running these days?

Hans
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I haven't found any Canadian distributors, but from the Numrich site:
M1A Rear Sight Base $25
M1A Rear Sight Cover $10
M1A Rear Sight Elevation Knob Assem $35
M1A Rear Sight Windage Knob Assem $20

and Brownell's:
M1A Rear Sight Base $42
M1A Rear Sight Cover $13
M1A Rear Sight Elevation Knob Assem $50
M1A Rear Sight Windage Knob Assem $33
 
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