HELP! M14 Problems

[matt204]

Hey everyone! I have a brand new polytech m14 and has some issues out of the box

1. does not always fire, firing pin hits the primer, it is new ammo(not surplus) but yet sometimes it could be 5 in a row that does not fire so its not the ammo that is the problem. I looked at both primers on the cases that fired and did not fire. On the ones that did fire it looked like the pin hit the primer harder.

2. the bullet does not reload from the magazine after firing but will load manually. I was thinking it has to do with the magazine because I noticed the plate inside does not move up and down smooth, it sometimes binds so I'm thinking it needs to be lubricated possibly but not sure.

Any help is much appreciated!

 

[lister]

Since it's new, have you cleaned any shipping grease (cosmo?) from the internals?
My bet is once you take your magazine apart and clean it (slide bottom plate off and the spring/riser will come out) you'll have no feeding problems. Also, it sounds like because your mag. isn't feeding, you're not getting full bolt lockup, which would cause your misfires.
There's a lot of guys here that know way more than I do, and they may have other pointers.

 

[Suputin]

Hey everyone! I have a brand new polytech m14 and has some issues out of the box

It seems more like YOU have some issues out of the box.

See that forum titled "Main Battle Rifles"? That is where a post regarding an M14 belongs.

 

[matt204]

I did not clean the magazine but did clean all the packing grease out of the gun. I will inspect and clean the mag Thanks lister!

Sorry Suputin I'm new to the forums.

 

[Grizzlypeg]

Tear it down and clean it thoroughly. Use aerosol brake parts cleaner to blast the inners of the bolt clean, if you don't want to risk taking it apart. As Lister says, it could be the cause of the problems you are experiencing. Can you move the firing pin into a location so that you see it protruding beyond the bolt face? Is there anything blocking it in that channel?

 

[matt204]

Well I have not removed the bolt and cleaned the inside yet so I will do that and give it a try. Thank you very much for your help

 

[Scarheart]

Mine came with alot of heavy grease inside the bolt area so that could be it.

 

[David_K]

When you shot it did you pull the bolt back and let it go or did you ease it forward? I had this problem because I was easing the bolt forward. Just pull it back and let go.

 

[matty86suk]

2. the bullet does not reload from the magazine after firing but will load manually. I was thinking it has to do with the magazine because I noticed the plate inside does not move up and down smooth, it sometimes binds so I'm thinking it needs to be lubricated possibly but not sure.

Any help is much appreciated!

is the gas valve in the right position, if the gas is turned off the bolt won't move when fired....

 

[Major Commander]

All good suggestion above; don't disassemble the bolt if you don't know exactly what you're doing.

 

[ipscgraz]

If you can get the bolt out, you don't need to disassemble it. Get a gallon of Varsol from Can Tire and submerge the bolt in a small tray for a couple of hours. Purge the firing pin orifice with a spray bottle of varsol and it will probably work just fine.

I use an aluminum 9" X 9" cake pan and a plastic spray bottle for cleaning most of my guns.

The aluminum cake pan will work for degreasing the magazine also.

Good luck; you will get this rifle operating.

 

[matt204]

The gas valve is in the correct position, I did let go and it locked into place well, and I did not remove the bolt at all, so I will try useing brake parts cleaner to flush out any grease inside.

 

[sobo4303]

Another Tip

Depending where you live, I remember a few short months ago that I knew nothing of my new M14. If you can, try to take a clinic hosted by Hungry or others (as seen in these forums).

The clinic will work wonders in familiarizing yourself with the rifle and removing the fears of doing something wrong.

Other than that, most everything has already been covered.

 

[Lazerus2000]

While you are looking at the bolt,
" remove the bolt ... try useing brake parts cleaner to flush out any grease inside"
check also that there is NO SHINY BRASS PIECES STUCK IN THE FIRING PIN HOLE.

Most likely a good spritz with the brake cleaner will get you going.

PS: when the bolt on an M14 is driven forward by the op rod spring, and closes on a loaded cartridge, the firing pin will usually leave a very light mark on the primer. This is normal.
Good luck with your new M14,
and read the stickies in the Battle Rifle section to learn most of what you need to klnow to keep it running.
enjoy your new toy,
LAZ 1
[;{)