Howdy Ya'll,
I'm a gunsmith down in Statham, GA. I normally work on 1911 pistols and S&W Revolvers doing custom work. I haven't worked on an M14 before, but recently picked one up while doing some work for a fella that wanted to pay with a rifle instead of cash.
The rifle is a New In Box Polytech M14S imported by IDE, one of the last importers of the rifle to the USA. The barrel shroud intrudes on the left side (as seen from the shooter's point of view) of the receiver as described by Lazarus both here and on the M14 Firing Line forums.
I've been reading all the M14 forums to get information related to replacing the Chinese bolt with a USGI bolt (mine has mucho excessive headspace by any definition) and I prefer to reload. After reading all the information available, I decided Lazarus' approach of simply lapping the bolt to fit the barrel would probably be the best.
As of right now, the bolt only needed about 1/8" to be fully locked. It needs lapping in the "neck" area of the bolt just behind the lugs, the lugs themselves and the USGI bolt lugs, being longer than the Chicom lugs, are right up against the barrel shroud face on the left hand side and the receiver on the right hand side. BTW, I'm using a slightly used Springfield (SA) Government Arsenal bolt, if that matters.
Is there any other items I am missing or need to look at to effectively get this bolt fitted? Any other suggestions?
Regards,
Dave
I'm a gunsmith down in Statham, GA. I normally work on 1911 pistols and S&W Revolvers doing custom work. I haven't worked on an M14 before, but recently picked one up while doing some work for a fella that wanted to pay with a rifle instead of cash.
The rifle is a New In Box Polytech M14S imported by IDE, one of the last importers of the rifle to the USA. The barrel shroud intrudes on the left side (as seen from the shooter's point of view) of the receiver as described by Lazarus both here and on the M14 Firing Line forums.
I've been reading all the M14 forums to get information related to replacing the Chinese bolt with a USGI bolt (mine has mucho excessive headspace by any definition) and I prefer to reload. After reading all the information available, I decided Lazarus' approach of simply lapping the bolt to fit the barrel would probably be the best.
As of right now, the bolt only needed about 1/8" to be fully locked. It needs lapping in the "neck" area of the bolt just behind the lugs, the lugs themselves and the USGI bolt lugs, being longer than the Chicom lugs, are right up against the barrel shroud face on the left hand side and the receiver on the right hand side. BTW, I'm using a slightly used Springfield (SA) Government Arsenal bolt, if that matters.
Is there any other items I am missing or need to look at to effectively get this bolt fitted? Any other suggestions?
Regards,
Dave
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