It's March Break 2011 and I've got time to play in the basement, that includes my demo M14, the North Eastern Arms M14 Bolt Lock, sent to me by NeitArms; and my digital camera.
First impressions
This North Eastern Arms bolt lock is large, it covers the width of the bolt lock hinge on the left/portside of the M14 receiver. It has that TRW BLACK parkerizing and I kinda like that feature. All the edges are smooth!
No sanding or filing will be necessary to have this functioning. It's all ready to drop in. I'm looking forward to high speed, low drag magazine changes!
Tools Needed
* 1/16" punch with fine taper, the longer the better
* backup/spare 1/16" punch, I've broken some in the past
* a few spare 1/16" x 1 inch long roll pins (I'll explain why later)
* Masking tape
* grease or grease syringe (you M14 clinic dudes know what I mean)
The Bolt Lock Swap Operation
Clamp up your M14, a vise is ideal, but a Black & Decker Workmate will also work.
Tape up your work areas, around the bolt lock region/hinge area...
Notice the 2 pin punches of 1/16"... One of them is bent. Brownells sells these at around $ 4.00 apiece. Shipping is another story!
You will see why I want the longest pin punch I can get my hands on. It's going to take a nasty bend because the receiver gets in the way.
There is a reason I masking taped the area. I only used ONE layer. Oooops! You can see my mistake, we need TWO layers of masking tape...
I'm almost out, but I discovered that the high school shop class that made these thin walled pins really dropped the ball. I cannot reuse this pin. Life being perfect, you won't need to bring the pin out entirely from the right hinge housing, just send it right back inwards. That ain't gonna work for me; the pin must be replaced. See the shattered pin remnants?
While we are almost out...I must mention that the end of the pin has cleared the left hinge housing and the bolt lock is no longer fully supported. It bounces slightly because the pin is secured by the right hinge housing ONLY. A little more to go!
I used a clamp to capture (duct tape works) the bolt lock because it's under spring tension. It won't fly too far this way...
The bolt lock is free... I did not lose the spring! Yahooo! Time to knock out the old pin...
As you can see I've got the factory bolt lock out. The remainder of the shattered thin walled factory pin must be driven out from the inside of the hinge housing. Thank goodness for bent 1/16" pin punches.
Both bolt locks are shown for comparison. Okay, time to prepare this NeitArms supplied bolt lock. Keep that grease syringe handy... the curved tip baby I sold you at my M14 clinics! There's a reason I love the light colored grease. You CAN see it!
At this point, if your factory pin is still serviceable (mine is not obviously), secure the new bolt lock in place along with the spring. Gently tap the pin back into place (grease is your friend). Ensure that the new bolt lock is aligned as you approach the left hinge housing for the final run!
I'm testing out a couple of old pins found in my tool box.... Dry run the installation to inspect for alignment. Old pins were smaller in diameter, they will migrate so I will retire them to the garbage can.
Grease all future contact points. Grease is your friend....
Check out the different sized pins. Broken factory roll pin on bottom. Used pins are just above that broken / shattered pin. Another pin that is too long is at the top.
Final contestants: I ended up using the slightly shorter pin. It spans the bolt lock hinges, so it's good to go....
DONE! Now to have a look and cleanup. Pat myself on the back since I DID not break any pin punches THIS time. I got lucky. Broke about 3 in the past 3 installations... 
Now to admire my work.....
Final Conclusions
The North Eastern Arms M14 Bolt Lock is great. I love the large size for horsing around with. Of course I ain't chambering any live (don't have any SnapCaps here) rounds in my basement; so let's not go there.
There is a bit of slop in the interior channel of the bolt lock, but that cannot be a bad thing. It's not critical nor does this slack interfere with the job of locking back yer bolt when the mag follower exerts upward pressure after the last round is fired/ejected.
I inserted both my M14 5/20 rd box magazines. Both functioned well. Both locked the bolt to the rear many times. Then I added more grease to the bolt roller and bolt raceways and then op rod track; I wanted to vigorously FAIL the bolt lock, but could not alter the intended function. Everything worked.
I then tried my (most hated) 5 rd shorty magazine. There is a reason I keep this magazine in my shooting box/range bag for the benchrest load testing, it's nice and short. WELL... the follower must have been a goofy shape because the bolt won't roll halfway back. WTF? This ain't indicative of the new bolt lock's ability. Just a dry bolt, remember that you are supposed to grease the hammer face? Well apparently, I forgot.
I greased the underside of the bolt and all worked well. Bolt lock works perfectly.
I have competed for years with fast magazine changes by reaching over (I'm a right handed shooter) the receiver to trip the op rod handle after replacing with a fresh magazine. Now I don't have to. My muscle memory from my AR15 magazine changing drills kick into gear and life is good. Fewer skills or muscle pathways to master! Life is good. High speed low drag with my balaclava ON!
Do you need one? Will yer #### fall off if you don't install one?
Only YOU can answer that question.
If you are a Service Rifle or CQB'er who demands FAST magazine changes because you have mastered the AR15 platform; the choice is clear! You must buy one !
Have a look at this video... shamelessly borrowed from Pobcat!
[youtube]RvQNEeRoMZo[/youtube]
If you are hunting moose, deer, bear, or (yes, I have ) groundhogs then you might not need one of these tactical bolt locks.
Now OTOH, if you are preparing for the zombie invasion; the decision is made for you....
Hope this helps with the M14 addiction.
Biggest props to NeitArms for letting me review this product. I commend all the manufacturers like North Eastern Arms who try to satisfy our M14 addiction. This relationship is a win-win situation for our CGNutz community!
You M14 clinic attendees get to play with this M14 Tactical bolt lock at the M14 Clinics I host! Great fun!
All the best!
Barney
First impressions
This North Eastern Arms bolt lock is large, it covers the width of the bolt lock hinge on the left/portside of the M14 receiver. It has that TRW BLACK parkerizing and I kinda like that feature. All the edges are smooth!
No sanding or filing will be necessary to have this functioning. It's all ready to drop in. I'm looking forward to high speed, low drag magazine changes!Tools Needed
* 1/16" punch with fine taper, the longer the better
* backup/spare 1/16" punch, I've broken some in the past
* a few spare 1/16" x 1 inch long roll pins (I'll explain why later)
* Masking tape
* grease or grease syringe (you M14 clinic dudes know what I mean)
The Bolt Lock Swap Operation
Clamp up your M14, a vise is ideal, but a Black & Decker Workmate will also work.
Tape up your work areas, around the bolt lock region/hinge area...
Notice the 2 pin punches of 1/16"... One of them is bent. Brownells sells these at around $ 4.00 apiece. Shipping is another
story!You will see why I want the longest pin punch I can get my hands on. It's going to take a nasty bend because the receiver gets in the way.
There is a reason I masking taped the area. I only used ONE layer. Oooops!
You can see my mistake, we need TWO layers of masking tape...
I'm almost out, but I discovered that the high school shop class
that made these thin walled pins really dropped the ball. I cannot reuse this pin. Life being perfect, you won't need to bring the pin out entirely from the right hinge housing, just send it right back inwards. That ain't gonna work for me; the pin must be replaced. See the shattered pin remnants?
While we are almost out...I must mention that the end of the pin has cleared the left hinge housing and the bolt lock is no longer fully supported. It bounces slightly because the pin is secured by the right hinge housing ONLY. A little more to go!
I used a clamp to capture (duct tape works) the bolt lock because it's under spring tension. It won't fly too far this way...
The bolt lock is free... I did not lose the spring! Yahooo! Time to knock out the old pin...
As you can see I've got the factory bolt lock out. The remainder of the shattered thin walled factory pin must be driven out from the inside of the hinge housing. Thank goodness for bent 1/16" pin punches.
Both bolt locks are shown for comparison. Okay, time to prepare this NeitArms supplied bolt lock. Keep that grease syringe handy... the curved tip baby I sold you at my M14 clinics! There's a reason I love the light colored grease. You CAN see it!
At this point, if your factory pin is still serviceable (mine is not obviously), secure the new bolt lock in place along with the spring. Gently tap the pin back into place (grease is your friend). Ensure that the new bolt lock is aligned as you approach the left hinge housing for the final run!
I'm testing out a couple of old pins found in my tool box.... Dry run the installation to inspect for alignment. Old pins were smaller in diameter, they will migrate so I will retire them to the garbage can.
Grease all future contact points. Grease is your friend....
Check out the different sized pins. Broken factory roll pin on bottom. Used pins are just above that broken / shattered pin. Another pin that is too long is at the top.
Final contestants: I ended up using the slightly shorter pin. It spans the bolt lock hinges, so it's good to go....
DONE! Now to have a look and cleanup. Pat myself on the back since I DID not break any pin punches THIS time.
I got lucky. Broke about 3 in the past 3 installations... 
Now to admire my work.....
Final Conclusions
The North Eastern Arms M14 Bolt Lock is great. I love the large size for horsing around with. Of course I ain't chambering any live (don't have any SnapCaps here) rounds in my basement; so let's not go there.
There is a bit of slop in the interior channel of the bolt lock, but that cannot be a bad thing. It's not critical nor does this slack interfere with the job of locking back yer bolt when the mag follower exerts upward pressure after the last round is fired/ejected.
I inserted both my M14 5/20 rd box magazines. Both functioned well. Both locked the bolt to the rear many times. Then I added more grease to the bolt roller and bolt raceways and then op rod track; I wanted to vigorously FAIL the bolt lock, but could not alter the intended function. Everything worked.
I then tried my (most hated) 5 rd shorty magazine. There is a reason I keep this magazine in my shooting box/range bag for the benchrest load testing, it's nice and short. WELL... the follower must have been a goofy shape because the bolt won't roll halfway back. WTF?
This ain't indicative of the new bolt lock's ability. Just a dry bolt, remember that you are supposed to grease the hammer face? Well apparently, I forgot. I greased the underside of the bolt and all worked well. Bolt lock works perfectly.
I have competed for years with fast magazine changes by reaching over (I'm a right handed shooter) the receiver to trip the op rod handle after replacing with a fresh magazine. Now I don't have to. My muscle memory from my AR15 magazine changing drills kick into gear and life is good. Fewer skills or muscle pathways to master! Life is good.
High speed low drag with my balaclava ON!Do you need one? Will yer #### fall off if you don't install one?
Only YOU can answer that question.
If you are a Service Rifle or CQB'er who demands FAST magazine changes because you have mastered the AR15 platform; the choice is clear! You must buy one !
Have a look at this video... shamelessly borrowed from Pobcat!
[youtube]RvQNEeRoMZo[/youtube]
If you are hunting moose, deer, bear, or (yes, I have ) groundhogs then you might not need one of these tactical bolt locks.
Now OTOH, if you are preparing for the zombie invasion; the decision is made for you....
Hope this helps with the M14 addiction.
Biggest props to NeitArms for letting me review this product. I commend all the manufacturers like North Eastern Arms who try to satisfy our M14 addiction. This relationship is a win-win situation for our CGNutz community!
You M14 clinic attendees get to play with this M14 Tactical bolt lock at the M14 Clinics I host! Great fun!
All the best!
Barney
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