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!

 

[RockChucker]

1-Sounds like needs a good cleaning to get all the storage lube out of it.
2- Turn the gas valve to the on position.

RC

 

[kingair]

I think you have your gas off. If you look at your gas cylinder on the right side you'll see a screw. Turn this screw up, not sideways. This should fix your problem.

 

[M14Doctor]

good advice here
first check your spindle valve on the right hand sige of your gas assembly.
although it should be able to be turned with your finger by pushing in and rotating 180 degrees, most often we find a flat head screw driver may be needed.

then, if the rifle still fails to cycle, you will want to purge your bolt of any grease(cosmoline)/grit that is unfortunately typically found inside the bolt on rifles exhibitting this issue.

also confirm that your gas piston is clean and dry and not hanging up in the cylinder. It should drop slowly if the rifle is held muzzle up with the oprod locked back.

the bolt and gas system are designed to run dry... no lubricants at all inside.
easiest way to ensure she is clean and dry inside the bolt is to disassemble the bolt.... but this can be a challenge for those new to the rifle.
OR one can purge the bolt with compressed air or if you MUSt...... a good dosing of wd40 sprayed from the firng pin hole in and keep spraying until there is no residue evident, or soak the bolt in a product like Hoppes #9 or a solvent that does not leave a protective film. Allow the bolt to dry completely prior to use.

if these steps do not solve the problem..... let us know, in some cases I have seen enough cosmoline in the gas system to block gas ports. And in some cases the piston itself is full of cosmo as well.

 

[hillmanr2]

Check out the sticky's in this forum and www.14.ca

Cleaning
ht tp://www.m14.ca/cleaning/Basic_Rifle_Cleaning_Tutorial_with_Pictures_1_.pdf

Lubing
http://www.m14.ca/maintenance/M14_Lubrication_Tutorial_with_Pictures_1_.pdf

 

[matt204]

Wow Thanks Everyone for you input! The gas screw is pointed up and the bullet case ejects normally so from what I know this means the gas piston is working correctly? But I did not clean in inside of the bolt so I will do that next! Thanks to everyone for posting and any continued info is much appreciated!

 

[hillmanr2]

For removal of cosmoline (gun packaging grease) do NOT:

DO NOT put your gun in the dishwasher
DO NOT use oven cleaner
DO NOT use Windex
DO NOT use ammonia based products
DO NOT use household cleaners
DO NOT use toilet bowl cleaner
DO NOT use a sand blaster
DO NOT use a grinder
DO NOT use an acetylene torch
DO NOT drag your M14 behind a horse
DO NOT feed your M14 to crocodiles
DO NOT immerse your M14 into the fires of Mordor

 

[collector67]

For removal of cosmoline (gun packaging grease) do NOT:

DO NOT put your gun in the dishwasher
DO NOT use oven cleaner
DO NOT use Windex
DO NOT use ammonia based products
DO NOT use household cleaners
DO NOT use toilet bowl cleaner
DO NOT use a sand blaster
DO NOT use a grinder
DO NOT use an acetylene torch
DO NOT drag your M14 behind a horse
DO NOT feed your M14 to crocodiles
DO NOT immerse your M14 into the fires of Mordor

LOL I still remember seeing the end results of one guy putting his M305S in the dishwasher to remove the Cosmoline...looked like a Civil War relic
I find that aeresol brake cleaner works best on the metal parts, but you MUST follow up with a light coat of CLP or gun oil, because the metal is totally bare afterwards.

 

[tacoman]

matt204 m14 problems

delete

 

[Ar180shooter]

LOL I still remember seeing the end results of one guy putting his M305S in the dishwasher to remove the Cosmoline...looked like a Civil War relic
I find that aeresol brake cleaner works best on the metal parts, but you MUST follow up with a light coat of CLP or gun oil, because the metal is totally bare afterwards.

Oh god, that thread was hilarious. Laughing again just thinking of it...

As for cleaning the gun, brake cleaner works great. I've found that as long as you clean out the gas system, bolt and trigger group from Cosmoline, you shouldn't have any issues.

 

[Splatter]

For removal of cosmoline (gun packaging grease) do NOT:

DO NOT put your gun in the dishwasher

The dishwasher works great for both, removing the packing grease and preliminary cleaning after an extended firing session.

Of course there are procedures to follow to prevent the rusting that one unfortunate owner saw.

I started using hot soapy water as a gun cleaning trick when I was cleaning my issued FN-C2A1, and it worked then, and works now.

 

[chemo]

LOL I still remember seeing the end results of one guy putting his M305S in the dishwasher to remove the Cosmoline...looked like a Civil War relic

Oh god, that thread was hilarious. Laughing again just thinking of it...

How about a bump of this thread?
I think guys that bought their first m14 during the 2009 polytech batch have never seen it LOL!