chopping your M-14 barrel

[Charles Martel]

How many guys do it? Is it common? what is the average price to have it done? When the barrel is rethreaded to take a muzzle break what is the most common thread put on?

 

[TRGOD36]

How many guys do it? Is it common? what is the average price to have it done? When the barrel is rethreaded to take a muzzle break what is the most common thread put on?

I paid $100 to cut and thread the barrel on my Norc with 1/2 X28 threads (standard AR threads I think) so that you have lots of options when it comes to muzzle brakes or flash hider depending on what your tastes are.

 

[Petrock]

You want to talk to M14Doctor. All questions answered and he's inexpensive too

 

[misanthropist]

As far as I'm concerned, that's the length they should have been in the first place...surprising how much it changes the handling of the gun, with very little loss in bullet velocity.

 

[Spcamno]

So what is the consensus on barrel length for the Nork 18.5"?

Anybody ever chop theirs to 20"?

 

[toya]

I paid $100 to cut and thread the barrel on my Norc with 1/2 X28 threads (standard AR threads I think) so that you have lots of options when it comes to muzzle brakes or flash hider depending on what your tastes are.

+1 I've done the same.

 

[Fenix.NZ]

i dont see why you want chop it to 20 ?
if you're shortening your barrel then shorten it .. not trim it

in saying that, its your m14, go with whatever floats yer boat

 

[gorky]

I had three done recently, absolutely love how the rifle balances now. I have two in stocks, still need mounts and flash suppressors on all three, nevermind optics (and one more good stock...). Very worthwhile modification in my opinion.

 

[sunray]

"...very little loss in bullet velocity..." About 100 fps per inch of barrel with a huge increase in muzzle blast and noise. The .308/7.62 was designed to give optimum performance out of a 22" barrel. Short barreled M14/M1A/M305's are a marketing thing.

 

[liberty]

."...very little loss in bullet velocity..." About 100 fps per inch of barrel with a huge increase in muzzle blast and noise. The .308/7.62 was designed to give optimum performance out of a 22" barrel. Short barreled M14/M1A/M305's are a marketing thing.

Increase in muzzle blast and noise, OK,..... but 100 fps/ inch, NO
__________________

 

[Northman999]

FYI on velocity

On the chrony (F-1)

Winchester brass
Winchester primers
45.0 gr IMR 4895
165gr SST
COL 2.780"

22" bbl (uncut) - 2750 fps
19" bbl - 2590 fps

Difference - 160 fps.

All rounds tested in both rifles came from my same batch of reloads, and I tested more than one, so I'm confident this is the real difference in velocity between full length M14's and shorty's.

 

[APG]

Be aware that if you cut the barrel to less than 18" it will become a restriced firearm.

Any gunsmith able to do this kind of work should know this, but you should ask about it anyways.

APG

 

[misanthropist]

"...very little loss in bullet velocity..." About 100 fps per inch of barrel with a huge increase in muzzle blast and noise. The .308/7.62 was designed to give optimum performance out of a 22" barrel. Short barreled M14/M1A/M305's are a marketing thing.

I have seen losses between 100 and 160 fps in various loadings, total.

You give up very little in terms of bullet velocity. Muzzla blast and noise increase somewhat, but not greatly. I take it you have never actually done it yourself and are just recycling what you have heard, but I have done quite a few now. I regularly shoot my shorties to 600m with no difficulty...effects on the trajectory at 600m are perceptible but minor.

 

[Shazam]

Jeff at VGS in Petawawa did all my work, when I was into the M14

He does great work.

 

[majormarine]

what about recoil? will the gun 'flip' up too much?

i can't handle toooo much recoil...

http: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iqYznDU1gY
http: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j9mdtT-MCI

...i am not teasing anyone but watching the clips i learn a thing or 2...

FYI on velocity

On the chrony (F-1)

Winchester brass
Winchester primers
45.0 gr IMR 4895
165gr SST
COL 2.780"

22" bbl (uncut) - 2750 fps
19" bbl - 2590 fps

Difference - 160 fps.

All rounds tested in both rifles came from my same batch of reloads, and I tested more than one, so I'm confident this is the real difference in velocity between full length M14's and shorty's.

 

[Satain]

Major get a Smith Muzzle Brake. This rifle won't move any more. But you may require people next to you to have some extra hearing protection.

 

[Charles Martel]

I have seen losses between 100 and 160 fps in various loadings, total.

You give up very little in terms of bullet velocity. Muzzla blast and noise increase somewhat, but not greatly. I take it you have never actually done it yourself and are just recycling what you have heard, but I have done quite a few now. I regularly shoot my shorties to 600m with no difficulty...effects on the trajectory at 600m are perceptible but minor.

so there really is no benifit to chopping the barrel other then looking cool?

 

[misanthropist]

That depends...does shooting consist of anything other than ballistics?

If not, then no, just for looks.

If things like putting your gun on target more quickly, or gun handling and manouverability matter to you, then yes, it's very worthwhile.

 

[toya]

so there really is no real deficit to chopping the barrel and it looks cool

Here you go, fixed it for you.

The rifle balances quite well after being chopped, with an appropriate muzzle break there shouldn't be much recoil at all even with the stock buttplate it doesn't bother me. Muzzle blast is increased a bit and the mod cost money for the work and parts that you might need, beside that I can't find much more cons to chopping.

 

[Artie Fufkin]

As far as I'm concerned, that's the length they should have been in the first place...surprising how much it changes the handling of the gun, with very little loss in bullet velocity.

agree 100%.