chopping your M-14 barrel

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

Actually this would be wrong, this would make it a prohibited firearm... Only a newly manufactured barrel under 18" would be restricted, shortening an existing barrel under 18" is a criminal offense...
 
it dropped MV by about 120 fps for shortening down to ~18.7". And yes it does change the way my Troyan M14 handles. Muzzle blast - I dunno, I close my eyes and then squeeze the trigger anyway so its not an issue
 
as to how much does it cost - could be nothing if you have access to lathe machine. Look at my work, first time ever and I am exremely pleased with results

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Question of legality: Do "they" consider the barrel to end where the rifling ends? Since you turned the end of your barrel into a "muzzle brake" is that considered part of the barrel? I know with a screw-on muzzle brake it is not considered part of the overall barrel length.
 
squid - yes, they (them) count only rifled portion of the barrel. What you see as a muzzle brake is way outside of 18.7". And quite honestly I don't think M14 will cycle reliably with barrel being any shorter than 18.5".
 
squid - yes, they (them) count only rifled portion of the barrel. What you see as a muzzle brake is way outside of 18.7". And quite honestly I don't think M14 will cycle reliably with barrel being any shorter than 18.5".

The M14 gas piston assembly will work just fine regardless of barrel length. In fact, there are service 18" barrelled M14s being used by the US Armed Forces doing just fine.

Then there are the SAI Socom models as well.

Having said that, I'll be more than happy with an unrestricted 18.5" chop.
 
The M14 gas piston assembly will work just fine regardless of barrel length. In fact, there are service 18" barrelled M14s being used by the US Armed Forces doing just fine.

Then there are the SAI Socom models as well.

Having said that, I'll be more than happy with an unrestricted 18.5" chop.


Don't the Socom's have a larger gas port hole?
 
Don't the Socom's have a larger gas port hole?

Although having handled the SOCOM IIs, I've never had the opportunity to measure out port holes and gas assemblies. In theory, you are correct.

In practice, I cannot say exactly with regards to what has been done to the SOCOMs. For whatever it's worth, I know that plenty of 18" and 18.5" barrelled M14s can use regular, unmodded US gas assemblies just fine.

I had thought I'd heard of someone swapping gas assemblies indiscriminately onto the socom without issue. Even if the gas port was larger, the theoretical smaller hole of a normal assembly would cause a malfunction if it were an issue...

Perhaps someone with a socom can measure it out for us....
 
Thats a ported barrel, you can also get them for pistols. Technically not the same as a muzzle break (althought does the same thing).

Awsome job 22lr.

Question of legality: Do "they" consider the barrel to end where the rifling ends? Since you turned the end of your barrel into a "muzzle brake" is that considered part of the barrel? I know with a screw-on muzzle brake it is not considered part of the overall barrel length.
 
Mines chopped. I love it.

22lr- awesome work on your gun! I have to say, your shooting style needs improvement. You should never "close your eyes then pull the trigger". Shoot with both eyes open.
 
Ok guys walk me through this please!::D

Minimum non-restricted length, is it 18" or 18.5" (I should know this but having a brain fart today!)

I have a really good machinist, but he is not a gunsmith. What does he need to do to ensure the crown is correct and it doesnt screw up the accuracy, after he lops off the barrel and needs to "finish" off the crown?

What's the procedure to get the Norinco flash hider off?

If I want a thread on the barrel for a flash hider/muzzle break, do he just thread the outside of the barrle for me? If so, what thread to go with and how long?

Thanks in advance guys!
 
Ok guys walk me through this please!::D

Minimum non-restricted length, is it 18" or 18.5" (I should know this but having a brain fart today!)

I have a really good machinist, but he is not a gunsmith. What does he need to do to ensure the crown is correct and it doesnt screw up the accuracy, after he lops off the barrel and needs to "finish" off the crown?

What's the procedure to get the Norinco flash hider off?

If I want a thread on the barrel for a flash hider/muzzle break, do he just thread the outside of the barrle for me? If so, what thread to go with and how long?

Thanks in advance guys!


1) 18.5"

2) I don't really know...I've known a few guys who just cut a 12 degree bevel on the bore after lopping it off and didn't have any complaints so if there is more to it than that I don't know what it is.

3) There is an AWESOME video that DSYNK posted within the last couple of weeks in this forum which shows POWMIA56 doing one...let me find it.

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=348876

4) We're all cutting ours to standard AR threads which is 1/2"x28tpi. Mine have about 3/4 of an inch of thread on them.
 
There is no appreciable loss in accuracy when chopping the barrel so long as the crown is clean and even. You will lose some velocity but nothing worth worrying about. 90% of shooters will not ever use their M14 at the ranges where that velocity is noticeable anyhow.

1/2-28 threading is a good choice because it opens you up to a very wide variety of options including the ones currently being developed here in Canada ;).
 
while im no supra, I'll say this:

getting stuff out of Canada, very easy
getting stuff in Canada, pretty hard.
 
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