M14 Indexing problem ? (Update at post #7)

[arcaner]

UPDATE see post #7

Hi,

I just want you guys to tell me if this is a problem or not.

I recently got a new M14 from a dealer here (as a replacement for a trigger problem). First thing I see, the operating rod and the gas piston are not correctly aligned. (will take picture later)

Second thing, the front sight is adjusted to the far rigth in the dove tail (will add picture later). It is sticking out of the dive tail by 1/8 of an inch. It is so off that when I added a scope mount, the front sight look not aligned at all with the scope mount.

Is this the "indexing problem" talked about in the sticky ?

 

[tiriaq]

Could be. Or the sight could be just knocked to one side.
Disregard the off center front sight for a moment. Is the front sight vertical, or is it rotated?
Is there any indication the flashider/front sight base is out of whack? There are reports that some have been machined crooked.
Considering the misalignment of the gas system - would this misalignment correspond to the front sight position?

 

[chalkriver]

Sounds like you need to index the barrel...check out the stickies and other posts on this...no big deal if you are using a scope anyhow

 

[tiriaq]

Well, a misaligned gas system isn't a good thing.

 

[arcaner]

So, the misalignment of the gas system will not affect accuracy if I use a scope ? (the piston still completly touche the operating rod, however, its not exactly centered.)

 

[chalkriver]

If it is off a very little bit I believe it shouldnt matter , How misaligned is it. Post some pics ....lots of people on here know more than I and will help out . If your sights are milled correctly and are leaning to the right as you hold the weapon that means the barrel needs tightening a bit (indexing) ..not sure which way your gas system is misaligned but this may also help align your gas system as well ......What I meant earlier was if your front sights are misaligned due to indexing issues and you are using a scope it dosn,t matter much .

 

[arcaner]

I took some picture. In the process, I figured what is wrong.

- the operating rod guide is misaligned, thats for sure. however, I dont think it has any impact on accuracy. (The gas system looks correctly aligned)
-The flash hider seem correctly aligned , The problem is the front sight adjutable part is that is not correct. I readjusted it to the center and figured that this part is either broken or really badly made.

So, I think i'm in the market for a new front sight on this brand new never fired rifle ?

Here we see the misaligned operating rod:

Here you can see the misaligned front sight, BUT we also see the 2 side of the front side that are not at the same angle/spacing to the center.... It much more evident if you look throught the rear sigth but impossible to show on photo...

On the last picture, I recentered the front sigth:

So, considering you are behind the rifle, the left side of the front sight have a much farther away from the center than the rigth side.

 

[M14Doctor]

very common issue with the chinese parts.
one thing i have noticed is the bayonet style flash hiders on the newer rifles come a lot straighter than previous import years. 2005's and 2007's are notorious for poorly machined front sights and flash hiders with the dovetail base machined off center and often tilted. These kind of defective flash hiders give many folks the impression that thier barrel is out of index.... when in fact, the problem is the flash hider.

as for the oprod not aligning perfect with the piston...... not a big deal and from the pic you show..... no differnet than a rack grade genuine m14. For accurizing purposes, I re seat the oprod guide and fasten it so it can not move, at the same time aligning the ccenter of the piston with the center of the oprod tube. This gives a consistant relation between piston and oprod as the rifle cycles and is a national match conditioning step.

any M1A, M14 front sight will fit your chinese flash hider and can be found for reasonable $$ at brownells.