Blowed Up, Sir...with apologies to Bill Murray and Stripes

A

Argoman

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So, just had what was likely the largest brain fart of my existence thus far...and that's saying something if you knew me! :)

Mounted a new scope on my M305 last night in preparation for my annual pre-deer season range trip with a buddy at work. Was using a spud-type laser bore sighter to check adjustments, as I was having problems trying to get it to print on the paper.

Was getting fairly close and all of a sudden it started printing way low and to the right. Couldn't figure out WTF was going on until I a) looked at the flash hider, which now resembled a banana peel, and b) could find no trace of the bore sighter.

For those readers who may actually be more stunned than I am/feel right now, I'll colour in the picture for you...I started live fire again with the bore sighter still in the end of the barrel.:bangHead:

Probably the only thing that saved my butt was the fact that the muzzle brake on the Norc is so frigging long that the stud would not be in the barrel more than a half inch or so.

So, other than definitely needing a new muzzle brake, any tips on suggested repair and examination would be most welcome. (Hungry - you out there?????)

If I don't decide to cleanse the gene pool and slit my own wrists due to overwhelming embarassment, and can finally figure out how to do it, I'll post a photo of the gun and recovered bore site remnant after I get home.

Rick
 
I'm no gunsmith, but I'd say cut it back, re-crown & re-thread a new muzzle break... As an internet armchair warrior I would think taking it to a competent smith would be your best bet. We definitely need pics to actually feel your pain though... Promise not to make too much fun of you; seeing as you & everyone else is ok!:D:p
 
Sounds like a perfect opportunity to cut it down to a "shorty".... Main thing is no-one got hurt... would have loved to see the bore sighter flying at warp speed though...
 
Different accident....same mistake.......HOLY CRAP COMES TO MIND !!

image002.jpg
 
It was quite surreal, actually, as until the shots started going wild there was no hint of anything wrong. It was only then that I noticed the new-style, banana peel muzzle brake. Initial thought was that it must have somehow come loose and shifted enough to catch a slug on the way out. It was shortly after that that I noticed the bore sighter missing and managed to add 2+2 to come up with f:P:.

No excessive recoil, big bangs, noticeable flying pieces - nada! I probably fired 4-5 rounds after the offending round. We then started the hunt downrange and recovered a very different looking (piece) of a bore site.

Yeah, the shortened barrel/re-crown/re-thread is probably how I'll go. Like I said, the relatively small portion of the stud that makes it into the barrel with the long brake is probably all that saved me from immediately knowing that I'd done something fundamentally stunned due to new metal jewellery embedded in my kisser.

If anyone has any suggestions for a competent smith, especially anyone in this neck of the woods, please pass them along.

Rick
 
A sh!t happens.... But man, you gotta post some picks. I've learned so much about m-14s on this site.... They don't like boresighters, they don't like the wrong kind of ammo, they don't like dishwashers...Blahblaaaaaaaabla.... Finicky buggers aren't they?:D
 
I don't think the barrel would hve been stressed at all. the slot's in the flash hider are how long? 3-4 inch's?
Pressure would have surely dropped to a safe limit by the time the bullet smacked the bore sighter.
But chop it anyway! :ar15:
 
Argoman - If it makes you feel any better, I did exactly the same thing a couple of years ago. Luckily the bore sighter just shattered and didn't hurt the flash suppressor in my case. By the way, I didn't bother replacing the bore sighter. I figure I will just do it again some day.
 
OK, I have a couple of pictures or the carnage, but after 15 minutes of dicking around with a reply, I'll be damned if I can figure out how to include the images in the message. FAQ tells me to use a "Manage attachments" button that near as I can tell doesn't exist, picture button want a URL for the file...which is hard to give as the images are on my SD card. So, if someone wants to enlighten me, I'll throw up some eye candy.

Also a question - is M14Doc on the board?

Thanks, guys...been an exercise in humility today.

Rick
 
As one of my shooting instructors used to say...

"There are no mistakes in life, only learning opportunities and son... you just got you masters degree."
 
Argoman said:
It was only then that I noticed the new-style, banana peel muzzle brake.
Rick
Click to expand...

Patent that sucker! JUST KIDDING! Glad your okay & there is no better way to learn than to learn the hard way...

stormtrooper1015 said:
Sounds like a perfect opportunity to cut it down to a "shorty".... Main thing is no-one got hurt... would have loved to see the bore sighter flying at warp speed though...
Click to expand...

shootemup said:
Good excuse to make your M305 a shorty!
Click to expand...

Colin said:
I agree send it to M14 doc and get a shortened barrel and new flash hider
Click to expand...

^ These guys have it right, get the sucker cut to a shorty & put a vortex on it... Paging M14 Doctor...

Cheers
Jay
 
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