Is M14 gas nut and piston pitting common?

[Jubus]

It seems like many of the M1A/M305/M14's that I've seen have had some level of pitting on either the gas nut, piston, or both. Is this as common as it seems, or the bi-product of neglect? Thoughts...

 

[saders]

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

It seems like many of the M1A/M305/M14's that I've seen have had some level of pitting on either the gas nut, piston, or both. Is this as common as it seems, or the bi-product of neglect? Thoughts...

Stainless steel and hard chrome isn't supposed to pit. Crud and carbon yes, physical erosion no. You must be shooting the worst of the worst of the most corrosive ammo going.

 

[Claven2]

M305's don't have stainless cylinders, it's carbon steel. Only US-made guns have SS it seems. Also, the Chinese piston is only partially chromed, unlike the USGI counterpart.