Just received my M14s from epps yesterday. Very excited as this is my first gas gun! Un packed it, field stripped it, cleaned all the packing oil off it and did an inspection of the parts. The receiver, barrel and action parts looked good, a little rough but good. Bolt lugs looked fine. Front sight was cocked a little to the left (barrel index problem I've read). And the plastic stock.. what can I say. Very cheap and flimsy feeling. Whatever, I wasn't expecting much. I have never read anything good about a norc stock except that it's light. Which it certainly is
I think it is going to get a spray paint camo job before I get around to upgrading it! So I greased it, re assembled it and did the hammer/sear test thing before taking it to the range.
I ran two boxes of blue box federal through it first. Seemed to shoot well but I had one fired shell jam in front of the bolt somehow. It stopped the bolt from closing the last 3/8" I didn't notice it till I pulled the trigger and my next shot miss fired. It was a little scary since the primer had a faint firing pin mark on it! Has anyone else had cases fail to make it passed the bolt? I've heard of it with the ARMS #18 but mine is all open.
I tried some hand loads later with 42gr. of H335 over a 150gr. Remmington core lokt. soft point. This was a starting load out of Speers book.
These ran in the gun great. I noticed much better ejection right away. The cases flew a foot or two as opposed to 6 inches with the federal factory ammo. The action seemed to cycle a bit more vigorously too. If that makes any sense.
Anyway, all in all I think it was a good first run with the new rifle.
sorry for rambling on, next time I will get pics.
I think it is going to get a spray paint camo job before I get around to upgrading it! So I greased it, re assembled it and did the hammer/sear test thing before taking it to the range. I ran two boxes of blue box federal through it first. Seemed to shoot well but I had one fired shell jam in front of the bolt somehow. It stopped the bolt from closing the last 3/8" I didn't notice it till I pulled the trigger and my next shot miss fired. It was a little scary since the primer had a faint firing pin mark on it! Has anyone else had cases fail to make it passed the bolt? I've heard of it with the ARMS #18 but mine is all open.
I tried some hand loads later with 42gr. of H335 over a 150gr. Remmington core lokt. soft point. This was a starting load out of Speers book.
These ran in the gun great. I noticed much better ejection right away. The cases flew a foot or two as opposed to 6 inches with the federal factory ammo. The action seemed to cycle a bit more vigorously too. If that makes any sense.
Anyway, all in all I think it was a good first run with the new rifle.
sorry for rambling on, next time I will get pics.
