M14: Fake selector switch?

Food vs Essentials...

Thx, guys.
I ordered one from Brownells. $50?--ouch! Oh, I expected it to be plastic! (not!)
I rationalize :evil:: Ordering the switch has saved me more than it would've cost me in materials and time to fill that gaping hole, plus it'll look better.
More..."tactical", eh? :rolleyes:
Anyway, what's 50 bucks buy you these days, a bag of groceries? Decisions, decisions....
 
I wouldnt say more "tactical" I would say more "original" or "authentic" or even "old school" tho their kits do not include connector rods. but they still look great and sometimes you get a few puzzled looks from other folks at the range.

And the kool-aid is very delicious :cool:
 
SparrowHawkM14 makes great fake selector switches and lockout bolts with the connector rods. Very realistic non-functioning parts. However he won't sell any to Canada for whatever reason. What a shame.
 
Bownells Donkey:

Brownells just informed me that delivery will take 4-6 weeks. Not back ordered. In stock.
Reportedly already shipped. No tracking available.
Ordering was a problem. I asked them what the shipping cost would be before placing the order, but they did not reply--
they just went ahead and shipped it (presumably on the back of a donkey) for ~11CAD.

"the order was shipped by international first class mail. International first class mail does not offer tracking capability due to the low dollar cost of shipping fees.
Normal delivery time is four to six weeks."

So this is a definition of the word "First Class" that I'm not familiar with...
:canadaFlag:

Coincidentally(?) as I'm composing this post, this just came from them ("Shopping made EASY!"):
http://links.mkt2010.com/servlet/Ma...&j=MTcyNTA0NjA0S0&mt=2&rj=MTcyNTA0NjAzS0&rt=0
 
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Brownells exaggerated.

I took a ride on my motorbike down to the Post today, and there was a card in our box telling me that a parcel had arrived.
I went up to the counter to turn the card in, and they handed me a box about 8"x8"x8". It was too big for me to balance on the gas tank, and it was seriously light in the weight department. Actually, it felt like it was empty. I cut the tape off with my key so I could bin the box right then and there.
Inside the box were three plastic pillows full of air (helium?) and a tinier bag containing the selector switch! What, was this Brownells' idea of a joke?
(Goes with "4-6 weeks"?). I popped that little baggy in the pocket of my jeans, hopped back on the Harley, and rode on home to have a closer look at it.

2013-10-09001.jpg


I understand how the long screw works. I suspect that the roll pin is there to stabilize the rear of the switch since no screw is made that long and skinny?
You drill a 7/64" hole into the stock, then drive the pin in? (Providing installation instructions is not their forte)

c8b24590-3722-4f6c-9707-3339d3920f16.jpg


Ach, it's a nice fit, with no fiddly adjustments or trimming needed so, "mustn't grumble", eh?

And, yes, I'll have that epoxy patch all matched to the stock by next week. :rolleyes:

So shipping took eight (8) working days from Brownells to me on Vancouver Island. They overestimated their ETA by ...3-5 weeks.
Note to self: Next time ordering from Brownells, go with the "low dollar" option! ha:
 
Try racking the charge handle with a switch installed. The cool factor wears off real fast after you scrape your right hand on the selector knob a few times.

Ask me how I know.

I ended up keeping the filler part and replacing the selector knob with a flush fitting hex bolt.

M
 
Sporting Lad said:
I took a ride on my motorbike down to the Post today...they handed me a box about 8"x8"x8". It was too big for me to balance on the gas tank...it felt like it was empty....Inside the box were three plastic pillows full of air (helium?) and a tinier bag containing the selector switch! What, was this Brownells' idea of a joke?
Click to expand...

Yeah, Brownells does that...they have a real sense of humour... I wonder how much money they [and their customers] would save if they shipped small parts like this in padded envelopes.
 
Daaaaaaagh!

OH, Ja, already been there and done that this afternoon! It would've done no good, your warning me earlier--I would've done it sooner or later anyhow!

gnmontey said:
Try racking the charge handle with a switch installed. The cool factor wears off real fast after you scrape your right hand on the selector knob a few times.
Ask me how I know.
I ended up keeping the filler part and replacing the selector knob with a flush fitting hex bolt.
M
Click to expand...

Well, jeeze, what a drag to have to replace the switch with a bolt... f:P:

Any other tips as re 'installation'? How did you do the roll pin?
 
Just learn to hook the op rod with your thumb and keep your fingers forward when you cycle the bolt - no more pain. I'm sure the GI's had to learn the hard way as well ;-)

As soon as I had installed my fake switch, I noticed this potential bite point, and made sure I didn't fall victim to this little issue. No point in butchering the "authentic look" by modifying the switch in my opinion, it sort of defeats the purpose of installing it in the first place.
 
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Uh-huh. I had the same thought.
I was an M-14 toting GI in Germany during the '60s, but all our rifles were SA only (no switches).
There was a rumour that the M-15s were coming, but they never showed up.
They must've all got shunted to 'Nam.
 
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