M-14 piston cleaning

The Cocker

The Cocker

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Fraser Valley B.C
I was cleaning my M305 piston with a q-tip, I pushed it too far back into that little hole in the end of the piston, the cotton came off. After 45 minutes of trying to get it out I ended up jamming it in worse.

:redface: Is it safe to leave that small bit of compressed cottin in the very back of the piston like that or do I need to try and get it out?
 
The Cocker said:
I was cleaning my M305 piston with a q-tip, I pushed it too far back into that little hole in the end of the piston, the cotton came off. After 45 minutes of trying to get it out I ended up jamming it in worse.

:redface: Is it safe to leave that small bit of compressed cottin in the very back of the piston like that or do I need to try and get it out?
Click to expand...

I would try to get it out, but I don't think it will hurt anything if you leave it there.Might just turn into a gooey mess after a day at the range.

Try a thin metal rod sharpened at one end and try to snag it and drag it out.

SKBY.
 
Anytime I have pulled off a "Homer" like that :( I just put a little hook on the end of a paper clip and fish out the offending material.
 
The Cocker said:
I'll try to get it off....paper clip is a good idea. In the future do I need to clean that small hole in the back?
Click to expand...

By the Small hole I'll assume you are talking about the opening that meets up wit hthe gas nut.

Yes, you must clean the piston out.if you let the carbon build up in there, you decrease the interior volume of the piston, and that makes the action cycle harder & faster.Not a good thing very hard on the rifle and it's parts.

If the gas piston starts becoming "clooged" with carbon, the sound of the rifle will change.It will start to have a sharp "bark" to the muzzle report.

I have seen gas pistons that were plugged right up.:eek: :eek: :eek:

Now that takes hours to clean with solvent and elbow grease.

Also when reassembling the gas system, DO NOT lubricate the piston or interior of the cylinder.The M14 gas system was designed to be a dry system.

SKBY.
 
By small hole I mean at the back of the large opening, there is a smaller opening that a q tip will barely fit in. The cotton is compress at the very end.....This is going to suck to get out.
 
Last edited:
Craftsman 441 said:
SKBY,

What do you clean M14 pistons and other gas affected parts with? I have been using Brakleen.
Click to expand...

I just used plain ol' USGI bore cleaner, then wiped dry.

Never tried Brakleen.Not sure on how it would work on carbon deposits.

SKBY.
 
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